Restructuring and insolvency in New Zealand

MinterEllisonRuddWatts is a trusted advisor to New Zealand’s major banks and insolvency practitioners as well as an advisor to The Treasury on insolvency and restructuring assignments involving the Crown. It often acts for directors of liquidated companies in response claims alleging breaches of their duties. Asset transfer disputes, distressed debt sales and corporate restructurings are also key areas of activity. Sean Gollin impresses clients with his ‘exceptional technical skills, and very good communication’; he maintains a busy advisory, insolvency and receivership disputes practice. Michael Langdon is a prominent advisor on distressed debt, recovery, restructuring and security enforcement issues. Elsewhere, Wellington-based Richard Gordon is noted for his banking and securities law and voidable transactions-related expertise.

Russell McVeagh continues to be involved in many of the country’s high profile insolvencies, such as the cross-border liquidation of Halifax, as well as significant domestic instructions, such as the receivership of FE Investments, and on recent property development collapses, Sanctuary No 8 and Lighthouse. The team is increasingly taking instructions on corporate distress and insolvencies in the construction, forestry and retail sectors. Practice head Matthew Kersey acts predominantly for secured creditors and insolvency professionals, alongside Polly Pope who handles contentious mandates, and John Powell who assists both banks and corporates on restructuring issues. Nathaniel Walker and senior associate Jeremy Upson are recommended for insolvency litigation. All individuals are based in Auckland.

Anthony Harper’s national team is led by Crispin Vinnell out of Christchurch with support from insolvency litigator Dan Hughes and his Auckland based team. The group is regularly mandated by major banks and finance companies, on administrations, liquidations, refinancings and restructurings, as well as offering specialist advice to liquidators, administrators and investigative accountants on matters relating to distressed businesses and the prioritising of securities. Promoted to partner in January 2021, Lynne Van works with Hughes on high-value insolvency claims, and special counsel Chloe Jolliffe focuses on repossession of goods and real property, and personal and corporate insolvency.

Bell Gully consistently works on high-profile restructurings, insolvencies and property receiverships for New Zealand’s leading receivers, banks and accounting firms. Recent work saw David McPherson and Tim Fitzgerald advise Antares Restaurant Group, the operator of the Burger King franchise in New Zealand and its directors, on its creditor compromise and the receivership of its holding company. Fitzgerald is an experience litigator for lenders and insolvency practitioners on claims against debtors, directors, auditors, and insurers. McPherson is an authority on debt restructuring, distressed debt acquisitions and receiverships.

DLA Piper New Zealand‘s restructuring practice combines the experience of two co-heads; Alicia Murray’s expertise acting on litigation insolvency proceedings and advising on various structures and options, with Michael Thompson’s strong track record in cross-border financial transactions and restructuring mandates. Iain Thain is another name to note.

As one of New Zealand’s top corporate and finance law firms, Mayne Wetherell is often involved in many of the largest and most complex public and private transactions, with the restructuring team led by Will Tipping, acting on the restructuring and insolvency mandates emanating from those deals. Tipping specialises in acquisition financing and special situations.

Anderson Lloyd's insolvency and restructuring team advises banks, insolvency practitioners, and other creditors and debtors on a broad mix of debt restructuring, liquidation, bankruptcy and enforcement of creditor rights. Christchurch-based Ben Johnston and Simon Munro are the main contacts.