Celebrating 150 years of impact

Lauren Curtayne Lauren Curtayne

Lauren Curtayne

Partner
Auckland

Corporate & commercial

Lauren is an energy sector specialist, advising across major projects, commercial contracts, M&A and regulatory matters.

She has a passion for renewable energy, and has experience working on projects for all four renewable fuels – wind, solar, hydro and geothermal.

Her experience includes conventional electricity, renewable electricity, oil and gas (upstream and downstream), mergers and acquisitions of energy companies, joint ventures, energy storage, hydrogen and new fuels, and negotiation of power purchase agreements, grid connection agreements and O&M agreements.

Lauren previously worked for UK magic circle law firm Allen & Overy, in their Abu Dhabi projects team. While there, she advised on the development of independent power and water projects and large scale gas transactions.

She was recognised as the Energy, Natural Resources & Mining Lawyer of the Year at the 2023 APAC Women in Business Law Awards, a Next Generation Partner by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025, Lauren is also featured in NZ Lawyer's Elite Women List 2024, and as an up and coming by Chambers Asia Pacific 2025

Recent highlights

Has advised:

  • Vector on the sale of its OnGas LPG business, and its 60.25% shareholding in Liquigas Limited, for $150 million.
  • Eastland Group on its sale of a 50% stake in its electricity generation business to Japanese construction conglomerate Obayashi Corporation - Awarded the Best M&A Deal for 2024 by FinanceAsia
  • Generators and major energy users on the negotiation of a number of power purchase agreements, including for geothermal, wind, and solar.
  • Mercury on its acquisition of the New Zealand wind farm assets of Tilt Renewables Limited for almost $800m, as part of a consortium scheme of arrangement.
  • Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) on its joint venture arrangements with Genesis Energy to develop 500MW of solar projects in New Zealand.
  • Mercury on its power purchase agreement with Solar Bay and ‘sleeving’ of that electricity purchase for Ryman Healthcare.
  • Vector on the sale of its Kapuni gas treatment plant to Todd Energy and its associated entry into long-term gas and LPG supply arrangements from Kapuni field.
  • Eastland Generation on its purchase of the TOPP1 geothermal power plant, its development of a further 50MW geothermal power plant at Kawerau, and its development in joint venture of the Te Ahi o Maui 24MW geothermal power plant.
  • Mercury on the development of its 119MW Turitea windfarm.
  • Clarus group on the acquisition of its Ahuroa Gas storage facility from Contact Energy and ongoing commercial arrangements for gas storage at Ahuroa, and on its $260m acquisition of the Rockgas LPG business from Contact Energy.

Lauren's insights

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Three Chapman Tripp Partners named Elite Women

We are thrilled that Chapman Tripp Partners Emma Sutcliffe, Laura Fraser and Lauren Curtayne have been recognised on NZ Lawyer’s 2024 Elite Women List. The list includes 30 exceptional female leaders that have influenced the New Zealand legal profession in a way that demonstrates a passion for the law.

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Chapman Tripp assists Vector on conditional sale agreement of LPG assets

Chapman Tripp was pleased to assist Vector in entering into a conditional agreement to sell Vector OnGas, its liquified petroleum gas business, together with its 60.25% shareholding in Liquigas Limited.

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Chapman Tripp advises Eastland Group on sale of 50% stake in Eastland Generation

Eastland Group has sold a 50% stake in its electricity generation business to Japanese construction conglomerate Obayashi Corporation. Chapman Tripp advised long time client Eastland Group on all aspects of the sale including structuring, vendor due diligence, regulatory matters, and negotiation of transaction documentation with multiple bidders

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Chapman Tripp announced finalist in 2023 Women in Business Law Awards

Chapman Tripp has been announced as a New Zealand Firm of the Year finalist in the 2023 Women in Business Law Awards, and four of its Partners have also been shortlisted, highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to the legal profession.

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energy wind farm

Clean Energy Tool promotes renewable energy projects in New Zealand

We've joined forces with global law firm Simmons & Simmons to provide the New Zealand chapter for its online Clean Energy Tool.

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energy wind farm

Mercury brings home Tilt’s wind farms

We are pleased to have helped Mercury NZ Limited acquire all of Tilt Renewables Limited’s New Zealand assets, operations and future development options.

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sienna spiral

Supporting Vector on sale of Kapuni interests

We assisted Vector over the sale of its Kapuni gas treatment plant and related assets.

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photos of partners who have been promoted

Our three new partners are ground breakers

​In a busy and more demanding environment, we are pleased to announce the appointment of three new partners.

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wind turbine

Advising Mercury on Turitea wind farm project

​Chapman Tripp advised Mercury on the final stage of the development of New Zealand’s largest wind farm.

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Others in the team

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