The ‘personable, engaging, competent and capable’ team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts counts leading domestic banks and insolvency practitioners in New Zealand among its key roster of clients, and notably acts as adviser to The Treasury on insolvency and restructuring assignments involving the Crown. The practice is especially well-placed to advise on trans-Tasman, regional and cross-border insolvency and restructuring assignments. In Auckland, practice co-leader Sean Gollin maintains a strong litigation and general advisory practice relating to receivership and insolvency law, security enforcement, restructuring, and corporate recovery. The Auckland office is also home to practice co-leader Michael Langdon, who advises on restructurings, distressed debt and security enforcement issues, while Wellington-based litigator Richard Gordon handles corporate insolvency cases, in addition to banking and securities law mandates. Senior associate Charlotte Carey also operates from the firm's Wellington office.

Russell McVeagh has demonstrable experience in high-profile insolvencies, often involving a cross-border element, in addition to domestic insolvency processes and corporate distress matters arising out of the property development and construction, hospitality and retail sectors. Praised for his ‘depth of experience in this space’, Matthew Kersey leads the practice and regularly acts for secured creditors and insolvency practitioners in relation to security enforcement issues, restructuring, recovery and insolvency strategies. Polly Pope advises receivers, liquidators, voluntary administrators and creditors in solvent corporate reorganisations and takeovers, while banking and finance partner John Powell assists domestic banks and corporate clients on restructuring matters. Other key contacts in the team include Nathaniel Walker and senior associate Jeremy Upson, and senior associate Alex MacDuff rejoined the firm in November 2021 from Allen & Overy LLP’s London office. All named practitioners are based in the Auckland office.

Counting domestic banks and finance companies among its key roster of clients, the ‘go-to’ restructuring and insolvency team at Anthony Harper acts for receivers, liquidators, administrators and investigative accountants on matters pertaining to distressed businesses, security priority issues and the sale of assets. In the firm’s Christchurch office, Crispin Vinnell leads the practice and has a ‘wealth of knowledge’ in insolvency and corporate recovery matters, while Auckland-based Dan Hughes specialises in insolvency litigation. The Auckland office is also home to litigator Lynne Van, who advises liquidators, receivers and private clients on restructurings, breach of directors’ duties claims and voidable transactions, while Christchurch-based special counsel Chloe Jolliffe focuses on repossession of goods and real property, and personal and corporate insolvency.

Dentons Kensington Swan’s restructuring and insolvency practice frequently collaborates with the firm’s construction and major projects department to assist with debt recovery and enforcement work, in addition to priority disputes and voidable transactions. The team also acts for creditors and insolvency practitioners with businesses in financial distress, as well as liquidations and restructurings. In the firm’s Auckland office, James McMillan leads the practice and has demonstrable experience in high-profile restructuring and insolvency cases, as demonstrated by his advice in the voluntary administration and subsequent liquidation of STA Travel Group. Other key members of the team include banking and financial services partner Liz Lim and David Shillson, who operate from the firm’s Auckland and Wellington offices respectively.

Primarily based Auckland, the multidisciplinary team at DLA Piper New Zealand leverages the expertise of the firm’s corporate, finance and litigation departments to act for banks, insolvency practitioners and corporate clients on a range of restructuring and insolvency matters. Alicia Murray, who focuses on contentious matters - including applications for liquidation, voidable transactions and claims against directors as well as debt recovery - jointly leads the team alongside Michael Thompson, who advises on cross-border financial transactions and debt restructurings. Head of the firm’s litigation group Iain Thain, is another key member of the practice.

The Auckland-based restructuring and insolvency practice at Bell Gully counts leading domestic banks, accounting firms and receivers among its key roster of clients, and has demonstrable capability in insolvencies, receiverships and liquidations. Practice c0-chair David McPherson is a key figure in the practice for debt restructuring and distressed debt acquisitions, as well as receiverships. McPherson jointly leads the team alongside litigator Tim Fitzgerald, who acts for lenders and insolvency practitioners on claims against debtors, directors, auditors, and insurers. Special counsel Nick Moffatt left the firm in July 2022.

Counting leading domestic banks and accounting firms among its key roster of clients, Auckland-based Mayne Wetherell handles large-scale public and private transactions in New Zealand, and subsequently receives restructuring and insolvency mandates arising from these deals. Will Tipping leads the team, and has demonstrable experience in acquisition financing and special situations.

Praised for its ‘high degree of specialism in insolvency and restructuring’, boutique firm Norling Law Limited counts liquidators and receivers, as well as directors of distressed and insolvent companies, creditors and shareholders among its key roster of clients. The Auckland-based team is led by Brent Norling, who has demonstrable experience in insolvency disputes and business restructurings, in addition to appearing before the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. Senior associate Anna Cherkashina is another key member of the team.