Sarah is a specialist infrastructure, energy and construction lawyer, advising private sector, government and iwi on complex large-scale infrastructure projects.
Sarah is one of New Zealand’s leading infrastructure lawyers advising on infrastructure funding and delivery models, co-investment and joint ventures, governance, procurement strategies, legislative frameworks and contracting structures. She has acted on all PPPs in the New Zealand market, advises on energy transition projects and is the lead legal advisor to the public sector on the funding and delivery of a number of complex infrastructure projects including the Cook Strait ferries infrastructure programme, City Rail Link, Three Waters Reform Programme, Auckland Light Rail and the Christchurch Anchor Projects.
Sarah also has deep experience across construction and the energy sector, including renewables and upstream oil and gas. Her perspective is strengthened by previous in house roles at Genesis Energy, Enron Europe and Utilicorp. She is a former board member of Te Waihanga – New Zealand Infrastructure Commission and Infrastructure New Zealand, and is consistently recognised for her leadership and technical excellence.
Before joining Harmos Horton Lusk, Sarah was the senior infrastructure partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts.
Recent recognition
- Band 1, Construction, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026
- Hall of Fame, Construction, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
- Leading Partner, Projects and Resource Management, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
- Recognised, Energy and Natural Resources, Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global 2026
- Recognised, Transport, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
- Winner, Lawyer of the Year 2024, Energy Law, Best Lawyers
- Highly Regarded, Energy and Infrastructure and Project Development, IFLR1000
Recent experience
- Cook Strait ferries infrastructure programme: Leading the team advising Ferry Holdings Limited on the funding and delivery of the Cook Strait ferries infrastructure replacement programme including funding, procurement and delivery frameworks, governance arrangements and contractual negotiations
- Water services reform programme contracting: Led the team advising the DIA on the three waters reform programmes, including procurement strategy, contracting frameworks, and governance arrangements for newly established water services entities.
- Transmission Gully motorway PPP delivery: Led the team advising Wellington Gateway Partnership on the delivery of the Transmission Gully motorway, including review and negotiation of project and subcontract documentation, risk allocation, and commercial settlements.
- City Rail Link project agreements and governance: Led the team advising the Crown on the City Rail Link, including drafting and negotiation of the project delivery and sponsors agreements, alliance arrangements, and governance frameworks for New Zealand’s largest transport infrastructure project.
- Canterbury earthquake rebuild anchor projects: Led the team advising the Crown and CID on the structuring, procurement, and contracting of major Canterbury rebuild projects, including Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, the Bus Interchange, and the Avon River Precinct.
- Iwi energy strategy | Advising an iwi organisation on renewable energy projects and the development of an iwi led energy strategy.