Bell Gully houses an ‘exceptionally strong banking and finance team’, which provides ‘commercially oriented advice’ on the full gamut of mandates, including acquisition funding, securitisations and advisory work, as well as catering to the ongoing demand for New Zealand dollar-denominated debt by offshore issuers. In the firm’s Wellington office, David Craig leads the practice and is frequently supported by senior associate Zac Kedgley-Foot, both of whom are praised for providing ‘pragmatic, commercial and solution-oriented advice’. Craig specialises in advising on derivative transactions and their regulation; Murray King stands out in the securitisation space; and David McPherson has demonstrable experience in acquisitions finance and debt restructurings. Other names to note include Jennifer Gunser, who acts for private equity clients, financial institutions, and various public and private companies in corporate financing transactions, while senior associate Sam Dykes is another key member of the team. All practitioners operate from the firm’s Auckland office, unless stated otherwise.

Counting a number of high-profile domestic and international banks among its key roster of clients, MinterEllisonRuddWatts handles regulation and compliance matters, leveraged finance transactions, financial restructurings, and infrastructure-related financings. Jeremy Muir jointly leads the practice alongside Steve Gallaugher, who has demonstrable experience in advising on acquisition, syndicated, corporate, projects and property finance matters.  Kate Lane covers a broad range of areas, from institutional finance to consumer finance, and has a keen interest in ESG-related matters. Wellington-based Chris O’Brien acts for various banks, major corporates, trustee companies, as well as public sector entities, while Michael Langdon is noted for his expertise in construction and development financings. Special counsel Simon Gray, who has a particular interest in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and senior associate Allison Hancock are further key contacts in the team. All named practitioners are based in the firm’s Auckland office, unless stated otherwise.

The ‘competent, dedicated and responsive’ Auckland-based team at Mayne Wetherell has a ‘strong capability in the capital markets space’, working with a range of domestic banks, financial institutions, and blue-chip companies on structured finance, syndicated and bilateral financing, and acquisition finance matters. ‘Client-focused’ Mei Nah focuses on securitisation and debt capital markets, while practice head Will Tipping is noted for his capabilities in acquisition financing. Dave Wetherell has a long-standing reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading banking and finance experts, Daniel Meikle advises on structured funding matters, and Cameron Peachey focuses on acquisition, structured and property finance work.

Clients single out Russell McVeagh for its ‘capability and expertise across the banking and finance sector, making them well-placed to provide advice on a broad range of issues’, from bond issuances and securitisations to corporate and acquisition finance, debt restructurings and project finance. In the firm’s Wellington office, Guy Lethbridge chairs the national practice group - specialising in debt capital markets and the regulation of banks, insurers and other financial institutions - while Tom Hunt has particular expertise in infrastructure and project finance matters. The Auckland office is home to ‘experienced partners’ Deemple Budhia and John Powell, who are praised as ‘effective communicators, highly responsive and attuned to my client’s commercial demands’. Also in Auckland, David Weavers is noted for his capability in the corporate finance and alternative credit arenas, while Jesse Fairley, who was promoted to partner in December 2021, ‘has all the attributes necessary of an excellent banking and finance lawyer’.

Counting ASB Bank Limited, Westpac New Zealand Limited and China Construction Bank among its key roster of clients, Anthony Harper provides a ‘comprehensive service with a very high level of expertise’ in property finance, including development and transactional matters, as well as corporate banking. The Christchurch office is home to practice leader Nigel Oliver – praised as ‘unflappable and a real problem solver’ – who focuses on the financing of commercial property, agribusiness, viticulture, fisheries and aquaculture. In Auckland, Grant Goldsmith has experience in property finance, sponsor-backed acquisition finance and syndicated corporate facilities. Other key members of the South Island team include ‘efficient and capable’ special counsel Pip Breitmeyer, personal insolvency expert Crispin Vinnell and senior associate Alice von Batenburg.

The ‘well-rounded’ and ‘solution-driven’ team at Dentons Kensington Swan acts for New Zealand-based financial institutions, funds and corporate trustees on a range of matters, including property financing, securitisations, as well as receivables and asset backed financing. On account of the firm’s global footprint, the team is well-placed to acts for both domestic and international clients. Liz Lim, who ‘goes above and beyond for her clients’, leads the Auckland-based practice and has demonstrable experience in property finance, asset-based financing and acquisition finance. Senior associate Pauline Ho advises on corporate and structured lending, funds and real estate finance matters.

Counting a number of local and international banks, as well as various borrowers, among its key roster of clients, the Auckland-based DLA Piper New Zealand’s ‘strong’ and ‘hungry’ team has the capability to handle domestic and cross-border financing transactions and regulatory work, on account of the firm’s global footprint. Noted for his expertise in property and development finance, particularly in the affordable and social housing sectors, practice leader Michael Thompson also advises on leveraged and acquisition finance, corporate finance and the restructuring of distressed financings. Rachel Brown provides ‘top-quality’ advice to banks, borrowers and private equity sponsors on acquisition finance transactions. Senior associate Jacob Nutt, who joined the team from Lane Neave in January 2022, is also recommended.

Lane Neave’s ‘strength is in its team, which is smaller and more tight-knit, but they are able to provide services to their customers that rivals the big firms, with a personal touch’. Based in Auckland, the practice has demonstrable experience in structured finance, securitisation and receivables financing transactions, and acts as ‘trusted advisors’ to local banks and other financial institutions on property and development funding matters. Praised as ‘commercial, technically excellent and responsive’, Evelyn Jones leads the team, and has expertise in off-balance sheet financing and securitisation, as well as advising many of the practice’s clients on regulatory compliance mandates.