Craig Shrive

Within a broad public law and regulatory practice, Craig specialises in infrastructure regulation, including the aviation, energy and telecommunications sectors.

He has a detailed understanding of Government and Parliament processes, having previously worked in Parliament, and has helped a broad range of clients on matters involving policy, law reform, design and implementation of new regulatory regimes, and regulatory compliance. This diverse skill set makes Craig invaluable to clients seeking to operate and mitigate risk in complex regulatory environments, and who require guidance on strategic engagement with Parliament, government and regulators.

Craig advises significant entities across a range of sectors, including airports, telecommunications companies, energy sector participants, water utilities, financial sector participants, and primary sector participants.

Regulatory regimes he has experience advising on include the Commerce Act (regulation of monopolies and market studies), consumer law, civil aviation, telecommunications and radio spectrum, electricity and gas, dairy industry, water, food, tobacco products and their alternatives, alcohol, medicines, financial advisers and insurance, emissions trading scheme, casinos and gaming, education, and transport.

His recent experience includes advising:

• Watercare on the Government's three waters reform, including proposals for economic regulation.
• New Zealand Airports Association on its engagement to Civil Aviation legislation reform, including its submission on the Civil Aviation Bill.
• One of the two largest supermarket chains in New Zealand) on responding to the Commission's 2020 to 2022 market study into the retail grocery sector in New Zealand, and the Government's subsequent legislative and regulatory proposal in response.
• Spark on the existing and proposed regulation of fixed line services under the Telecommunications Act.
• Auckland International Airport and the NZ Airports Association on regulatory matters under the Commerce Act, Airport Authorities Act and Civil Aviation Act including reviews of airport pricing, amendments to the legislative framework, and authorisations of airline alliances.
• Electricity generators, retailers and distributors on various regulatory issues arising under the Commerce Act, Electricity Industry Act and Electricity Industry Participation Code, including investigations by the Electricity Authority.
• On a Commerce Commission inquiry into potential regulation of the gas meter market.
• Various companies on regulation of vaping products, including development of the new regulatory regime, and compliance matters
• A major seafood company on regulatory reform and overseas investment regime issues.
• On regulation of the casino, gaming and racing industries.
• A major liquor manufacturer on the reform of liquor laws and issues under the Food Code.

LLB (Hons), Victoria University of Wellington.

Craig began his career as an advisor in the New Zealand Parliament. He joined Russell McVeagh in 2007 from a specialist public law firm, where he advised on a wide range of public and regulatory law matters. He became a partner in 2010.

Craig is listed by Chambers and Partners 2023 for Public Law and has been voted 'Lawyer of the Year' for Public Law and Regulatory Practice by Best Lawyers® 2024 Guide. He was named New Zealand Aviation Lawyer of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year in 2016 by ILO Client Choice Awards.

Client feedback in Chambers and Partners 2022 Legal Guide emphasised Craig's expertise in the Public law sector, stating Craig is a "very client-oriented lawyer of considerable ability and expertise who is both approachable and excellent to deal with".

Craig co-authored the New Zealand chapter of Chambers and Partners Outsourcing 2020, The Legal 500: TMT 5th Edition Country Comparative Guide 2021 - The New Zealand Chapter and The Legal 500: TMT 6th Edition Country Comparative Guide 2022 - The New Zealand Chapter.