Corporate

The team prides itself on being part of the client’s wider team, including understanding the client’s business and strategic objectives, providing commercial and innovative solutions, and assisting with project managing all aspects of small and large scale transactions.

Whether your business is a large multi-national or domestic player, an international private equity firm or infrastructure fund, or a local start-up, our corporate team has all the necessary expertise and experience to assist with your corporate matters.

With a deep pool of talent our corporate team is consistently recognised by independent legal directories as the market leader in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand’s recapitalisation package

Advised Air New Zealand on its comprehensive NZ$2.2 billion recapitalisation package to help position the airline for recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.  This included a NZ$1.2 billion "traditional" pro rata renounceable rights offer and a revised redeemable share facility from the Crown.

Ziwi acquisition

Together with international counsel Kirkland & Ellis, advised FountainVest Partners, a leading private equity firm in China, on the acquisition of Ziwi, a New Zealand pet food exporter and the global leader of air-dried pet nutrition.

AMP Life acquisition

Advised Resolution Life on the New Zealand aspects of its acquisition of AMP's wealth protection and mature businesses for a total cash and non-cash consideration of approximately AU$3 billion. AMP Life is New Zealand’s second largest life insurer. This was IFLR Asia Pacific's 2021 M&A Deal of the Year.

Seequent acquisition

Advised Bentley Systems, a NASDAQ-listed software company, on its USD1.05 billion acquisition of Seequent Holdings Limited, a global leader in 3D modeling software for geosciences.

Metlifecare sale

Advised EQT Infrastructure IV Fund on its NZ$1.49 billion acquisition of NZX listed Metlifecare Limited by way of scheme of arrangement. This was one of the largest New Zealand M&A transactions in 2021 and M&A Deal of the Year at the 2021 New Zealand Law Awards.

Vodafone New Zealand sale

Advised Vodafone Group Plc on its sale of Vodafone New Zealand to a consortium of Infratil and Brookfield Asset Management for NZ$3.4 billion, making it one of the largest New Zealand M&A transactions on record.

Trade Me takeover

Advised Apax Partners LLP on its NZ$2.56 billion takeover of Trade Me - the largest takeover undertaken to date in NZ via scheme of arrangement.

Mercury Capital Funds 1 to 3

Advised Mercury Capital on the establishment of the Mercury Capital Funds 1 to 3, held through corporate and limited partnership structures, raising over AU$900 million.

Pearlfisher Capital First Mortgage Fund I and II

Advised Pearlfisher Capital Limited on the establishment of the Pearlfisher Capital First Mortgage Funds I and II. The Funds were established to provide first mortgage loans to borrowers who are undertaking property development and property investment transactions within the New Zealand property market.

Initial public offering and NZX Main Board listing of Napier Port Holdings Limited

Acting for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company Limited, Port of Napier Limited and Napier Port Holdings Limited in connection with the NZ$234 million initial public offering and NZX Main Board listing of Napier Port Holdings Limited.