Simon Watt.

A Bell Gully partner for 22 years, Simon led the firm's public sector and climate change practices. He is ranked by Chambers legal directory in the top tier of public lawyers in New Zealand and as the country's leading climate change lawyer. His recent work includes advising EECA on funding agreements with New Zealand Steel to electrify half its steel production, reducing New Zealand's carbon emissions by 1%, and with Fonterra to lift its targeted emissions reductions to 50% by 2030.

During the pandemic Simon led the contract negotiations to secure New Zealand's portfolio of Covid-19 vaccines. He has advised extensively on electricity regulation, including development of the new transmission pricing methodology, and has been Probity Adviser on the government's procurements for ultra-fast broadband, PPPs, social housing, housing infrastructure and regional hospital redevelopments.