New Zealand > Tax
Index of tables
Tax
Leading individuals
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- Niels Campbell Bell Gully
- Stuart Hutchinson Simpson Grierson
- Casey Plunket Chapman Tripp
- David Simcock Bell Gully
- Fred Ward Russell McVeagh
Bell Gully has an ‘incredibly strong commercial client base’, and its ‘industry knowledge and appropriateness of advice are always excellent’. Recent work highlights include advising Christchurch-based AMI Insurance on the establishment of a NZ$500m capital facility, and acting for Alesco New Zealand Limited in what is likely to be a test case regarding the use of optional convertible note hybrid funding arrangements. The firm continues to represent some of the world’s best-known corporations.
The highly esteemed Brendon Brown leads Russell McVeagh’s tax practice. The firm played a lead role in structuring New Zealand’s first covered bond programme, and advised the Auckland Transition Agency in relation to the structuring of the NZ$21bn Auckland ‘Supercity’ amalgamation. The firm is also representing Mediaworks NZ Limited and Radioworks Limited in proceedings against the Commissioner of Inland Revenue in respect of the tax consequences of the optional convertible note funding of the New Zealand group.
Despite the difficult market, the team at Buddle Findlay has been busy, particularly with new inbound investment, private equity transactions, corporate restructuring, andsecuritisation restructuring. It is experienced in cutting-edge matters, including the development of new financial products and emissions trading issues. It recently advised Kiwibank on NZ$2bn offshore bond issuances and the introduction of new products, as well as advising Greenstone Energy (now Z Energy) on its bond debt issuance programme.
Chapman Tripp acted in relation to the setting up of the only Kauri Bond Programme of 2011, and advised the Treasury on a range of tax issues in connection with its Crown support package for AMI Insurance, which holds 1.2 million policies across the country. The firm also advised MARAC Finance, CBS Canterbury and Southern Cross Building Society on tax aspects of the unprecedented NZ$2.2bn Heartland merger. Graeme Olding was promoted to partner, and co-leads the firm’s tax litigation practice.
Minter Ellison Rudd Watts offers a co-ordinated Australian tax presence and can lay claim to one of the country’s largest private equity practices. Significant recent client gains include MOVAC, Axis Specialty Insurance, and QBE Insurance. The firm won a panel appointment with Siemens, and other active panel memberships include Westpac Banking Corporation, Westpac New Zealand Limited, Bank of New Zealand, ANZ National Bank Limited, AMP Group and UDC Finance. John Peterson is recommended.
Simpson Grierson advises major banks, financial institutions and corporates, as well as high-net worth individuals. Stuart Hutchinson was involved in advising the New Zealand government on its introduction of dividend imputation and international tax changes, at both policy and legislation preparation level. The firm is acting in significant tax disputes against the Inland Revenue Department on behalf of Toll Group (New Zealand) and Westpac Banking Corporation, in separate matters.