Simon Watt
Simon Watt is a former Bell Gully partner of 22 years. He led the firm’s public sector and climate change practices.
Simon has advised over 50 public sector entities including departments, Crown entities, state-owned enterprises, Schedule 4A Public Finance Act companies and other statutory entities on commercial, public law and regulatory matters.
He has advised on the establishment and during the set-up phase of entities including Pharmac, DHBs, EECA, Crown Fibre Holdings, Southern Response Earthquake Services, Crown Irrigation Investments and the Infrastructure Commission.
Simon also advises local government on public law, procurement and climate change issues. In his climate change practice, Simon first advised the New Zealand government on design of the legal framework for the emissions trading scheme and subsequent legislation.
His international work includes advising investment banks on cross-border carbon trading, advising the Bangladesh Parliament on climate change and human rights issues ahead of UN COP conferences, and advising the Governor of Aceh Province in Indonesia on the world’s first transaction creating carbon credits for avoided deforestation.
Simon is an Honorary Adviser and former trustee of the Asia New Zealand Foundation and has participated in a number of Track II dialogues in Asia.