Department profile
Chapman Tripp

Banking & Finance

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : New Zealand


Chapman Tripp

Rankings

About

Provided by Chapman Tripp

Our Banking & Finance team is recognised for its innovative work on new and complex developments in the corporate and specialised financing areas. We are known for our input and involvement in designing and implementing some of the most significant transactions in the banking and finance industry in New Zealand.

Our clients include local and international banks integral to New Zealand’s economy as well as market-leading issuers, investors, arrangers and trustees/custodians. We have one of the largest shares of the work coming from New Zealand’s major banks and have a growing reputation of being the firm of choice for major foreign banks including China Construction Bank (NZ), the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (NZ), Bank of China (NZ), the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Korea Development Bank.

We act for New Zealand’s most significant corporates, assisting them to finance their activities and business objectives. We provide the New Zealand input on significant international capital markets transactions, including advising banks and trustee companies on a number of international covered bond issues.

We are leading advisors in relation to securitisations and other structured financings, derivative structures and documentation, asset-based financings, project, acquisition and mezzanine financings, property financings and regulatory issues.

This expertise ensures clients get the most efficient financing structure for their needs and receive the highest quality advice.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - New Zealand

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Chapman Tripp offers a highly reputed, full-service banking and finance practice that represents a range of top-tier corporates and major domestic and foreign banks. Based across Auckland and Wellington, the team is very active on high value securitisations, with further expertise in loan facilities, project finance and acquisition finance. It is recognised for its advice on the financing of social projects and corporate transactions. Chapman Tripp advises a range of banks, funds and government bodies.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Chapman Tripp assisted Challenger Life in acquiring Bluestone’s New Zealand mortgage portfolio, valued at approximately NZD600 million, establishing its Challenger Mortgage Management business in New Zealand, obtaining regulatory approvals and forming a new securitisation trust to hold the loan portfolio.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Chapman Tripp are a top legal firm for the financial service sector in New Zealand. They can always provide insightful comments and advice on a project or transaction.

    Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Chapman Tripp are very pragmatic and work hard to get a deal done.

    Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleMark Reese
    Senior StatespeopleMark Reese

    Mark Reese

    Mark Reese focusses on assisting government bodies with matters concerning infrastructure finance.

  • Band 2Cathryn Barber
    Band 2Cathryn Barber

    Cathryn Barber

    Cathryn Barber is a partner in Chapman Tripp's finance practice and is highly active in capital markets matters, especially bond issuances.
    • Cathryn is phenomenal. She can just cut through complexity, and in difficult negotiations, she is really impressive and super efficient.

      Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
    • For anything sizeable or outside of the norm, we would contact Cathryn for her advice and support.

      Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Gerard Souness
    Band 3Gerard Souness

    Gerard Souness

    Gerard Souness leads the firm's national finance practice. He is active on a wide range of banking matters, including securitisations, refinancings and acquisition finance.

    • Gerard is exceptional and has been a key part of our success.

      Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Luke Ford
    Band 3Luke Ford

    Luke Ford

    Luke Ford is a partner at the firm's Auckland office engaging primarily in project financings. He also supports a range of clients in bond issuances.

    • Luke is a trusted adviser on financial services regulation and central bank matters.

      Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
    • With his professional knowledge and great experience in the New Zealand market, through all the years, Luke has never disappointed us.

      Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Emma Sutcliffe
    Band 4Emma Sutcliffe

    Emma Sutcliffe

    Emma Sutcliffe is a partner and Chair of the Board at Chapman Tripp. Offering expertise in debt capital markets and corporate finance.

Ranked Individuals at Chapman Tripp (5)

New Zealand

Members

Provided by Chapman Tripp

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