Well-versed in mid-market and high-end M&A transactions, DLA Piper New Zealand advises blue-chip clients in transactions spanning an array of industries. The firm specialises in renewables, TMT, consumer goods, life sciences, and primary sector matters. It is also able to leverage its international footing to assist with foreign investments. Rachel Taylor leads from Wellington, advising on structurings, capital raisings, and funding. Reuben Woods and Martin Thomson work on multi-jurisdictional transactions and inward investments respectively. Martin Wiseman specialises in advising annuity clients, while Aoife O’Gorman is qualified in both Ireland and New Zealand, with further experience practising in the UK. Pavanie Edirisuriya was promoted to partner in July 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Rachel Taylor has provided excellent service to our company. She is an incredibly safe pair of hands, provides considered but timely advice and is quick to pass on information that she thinks will be of value to us, even if not related to a particular matter. I would not hesitate to recommend her.'
‘Industry sector knowledge.’
‘Martin Thomson's knowledge of the sector is invaluable in dealing with transactions.’
‘Great expertise and knowledge of the business.’
‘Reuben Woods is responsive, has deep understanding of our business and is easy to deal with.’
‘The M&A team at DLA is extremely results focused and pragmatic. They helped navigate us through very complicated regulatory issues in a complex merger.’
‘Reuben Woods is very responsive, pragmatic and results focused. Cares about the work he is doing for his clients.’
Key clients
- Foodstuffs North Island Limited
- Bank of Queensland
- Ingka Investments B.V.
- Five V Capital
- Tracksuit Limited
- Evergreen Services Group LLC
- Stafford Capital Partners Limited
- ACE APAC Holding GmbH
- BioPak Pty Ltd
Work highlights
- Advising Foodstuffs North Island Limited on its proposed merger with Foodstuffs South Island Limited, which is a unique transaction comprising of a true merger between two code companies under part 15 of the Companies Act 1993.
- Advised Bank of Queensland on the sale of its ~NZ$230m loan portfolio to UDC Finance Limited.
- Advising ACE APAC Holding GmbH on its co-investment with Far North Solar Farm Limited to establish at least 13 solar photovoltaic systems in New Zealand over the next 2-3 years.
Lawyers
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Leading associates
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Practice head
Rachel Taylor
Other key lawyers
Martin Wiseman; Reuben Woods; Pavanie Edirisuriya; Aoife O’Gorman; Martin Thomson