Ian Becke

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Ian focuses on construction, infrastructure and property development projects across a wide range of sectors. He also acts on large-scale commercial real estate leasing and sale transactions.

Ian has acted for private and public clients, including all levels of government in both New Zealand and Australia, on a variety of major projects and real estate transactions since 2007. He previously worked in Sydney as part of the infrastructure team at international law firm, Ashurst.

Ian advises on construction contracts, infrastructure projects (including PPPs) and property development projects across a wide range of industry sectors, including rail, transport, defence, ports (including inland ports), education, electricity, mining, manufacturing and social housing. Having acted for various project participants Ian thoroughly understands competing perspectives and context and is adept at finding best-for-project solutions.

Ian’s real estate practice primarily involves advising on significant commercial real estate leasing and sale transactions. He has particular expertise advising on commercial office assets and has been involved in some of the largest and most complicated commercial office transactions in both Australia and New Zealand.

In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, Ian is recognised as a 'Leading Individual' for real estate and construction work. He is also recommended for his work in the 'projects and resource management (including environment)' area, clients describe Ian as "a trusted advisor to many leading project sponsors in New Zealand." In a previous edition clients noted, "he is a leading real estate partner with international experience and strong local real estate knowledge who is very commercial and highly client-focused."

Chambers Asia Pacific 2024 ranks Ian as a leading lawyer for construction. In previous editions of Chambers Asia Pacific 2022, Ian was also ranked as a leading construction lawyer, with one client noting that Ian "has a great understanding of international best practice, yet grounded in the practicalities and preferences of the New Zealand market". The same client goes on to add: "As a keen intellect, he has a genuine desire to improve the industry and improve standards of practice across the board." The IFLR1000 2023 also ranks Ian as a 'Rising star partner' for project development work.

Ian is recognised by Doyles Guide 2021 as a recommended lawyer for Construction, Projects and Infrastructure in New Zealand.

Work highlights

Projects

AMETI Eastern Busway Alliance
Advising Auckland Transport on the on the procurement of the alliance, including preparation and negotiation of the IPAA and PAA, for the delivery of the AMETI Eastern Busway Programme. This comprises EB2, EB3 and potentially EB4, with an expected aggregate capital value of approximately $600m, which will see it overtake DIDP as the largest value capital works procurement undertaken by AT.

New Zealand Infrastructure Commission – Te Waihanga
Advising Infracom on key construction industry issues, including risk allocation, best practice conditions of contract, valuation of variations, the role of the engineer to the contract and novation of design

Napier Port construction contract arrangements
Advised Napier Port on the construction contract arrangements for Wharf 6 in the context of its $234 million IPO and NZX listing.

Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme
Advising Auckland Transport on the Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme, a multi-stage contract procurement involving an ECI Agreement, Enabling Works Agreement and Main Works Contract.

Wellington City Council
Advising Wellington City Council on a number of construction contracts relating to the ongoing transformation of Wellington, including the new Convention and Exhibition Centre and the redevelopment and seismic strengthening of the Wellington Town Hall.

Costco
Advising Costco on the construction contract and related development matters for its warehouse at Westgate, Auckland.

Real estate transactions

Acquisition of new build premium office development
Advising the Purchaser on the forward purchase (including OIO consent), development and leasing of the premium-grade office building at 155 Fanshawe Street, Auckland. This was the largest value single commercial office building acquisition in 2020.

Acquisition of new build premium office development
Advising the Purchaser on the forward purchase (including OIO consent), development and leasing of the premium-grade building at 136 Fanshawe Street, Auckland, expected to be the largest value single commercial office building real estate acquisition in 2021.

Acquisition of commercial high-rise building
Advising the Purchaser of the commercial high-rise at 2-14 Wakefield Street, Auckland, the existing AUT Arts Faculty and all aspects of its redevelopment.

Acquisition of 46 Sale Street
Advised the purchaser on all aspects of its acquisition of new office building at 46 Sale Street, Auckland.

Acquisition of trans-Tasman office property portfolio
Advised on the purchase of a trans-Tasman commercial office property portfolio valued at approximately AU$600 million.

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Work highlights

Projects

Real estate transactions

Insights by Ian