Department profile
MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Banking & Finance

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : New Zealand


MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Rankings

About

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Our team work alongside New Zealand’s major trading banks – ANZ, Westpac, BNZ, and ASB – as well as global financial institutions, private credit funds, corporates, and government agencies. Our focus is on delivering strategic, technically sound advice that helps you navigate the full spectrum of financing structures. Whether you're undertaking a complex transaction or seeking practical regulatory guidance, we bring deep expertise, commercial insight, and a collaborative approach to help you achieve your goals.

Recent work highlights

  • Alpine Energy | Advised on redocumentation of lending facilities with ANZ, including complex covenant negotiations and statutory compliance, ensuring operational flexibility and regulatory alignment.
  • ASB | Supported deployment of ASB’s CleanTech Fund, creating precedent documentation and advising on multiple financings in sustainable and venture finance.
  • Avolon | Advised on first NZ aircraft financing with Air New Zealand via sale and leaseback of four Airbus A320s, covering overseas investment and aviation regulation.
  • Quayside Holdings | Led refinancing from Westpac to ASB, including bespoke security arrangements and full-spectrum support for a listed issuer.
  • Tourism Holdings | Advised on NZD475m cross-border syndicated debt refinancing across five jurisdictions, improving structure, pricing, and covenants under tight timeframes.

Clients (13)

  • ANZ
  • Westpac
  • BNZ
  • ASB
  • Rabobank
  • American Express
  • The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
  • The Treasury
  • Tourism Holdings
  • Wellington Gateway Partnership
  • Z Energy
  • Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - New Zealand

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

MinterEllisonRuddWatts houses a diverse, full-service national practice, renowned for its representation of domestic and international banks in complex, high value acquisition finance matters, as well as in project, infrastructure, asset and corporate financing matters. The team offers local expertise in novel financial arrangements such as ESG-linked loans. It fields additional capability on DCM as well as refinancing matters.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • MinterEllisonRuddWatts advised Alpine Energy on the redocumentation of its lending facilities with ANZ Bank New Zealand.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • I have the highest confidence in the MinterEllisonRuddWatts team, as they are extremely well versed in the banking and finance sector and they provide great insights into general market trends.

    Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
  • MinterEllisonRuddWatts offers good guidance and considerations when considering non-standard items and provides prompt and thorough responses as well as accurate work.

    Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Kate Lane
    Band 2Kate Lane

    Kate Lane

    Kate Lane advises widely on cross-border corporate acquisition financings and high value refinancings. She also offers leading experience in novel areas such as ESG bonds.

    • Kate Lane is a very accomplished partner with extensive industry knowledge and networks. She is able to operate at all levels of the law, and provide a balanced view and clear interpretations.

      Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Kate Lane has a technically brilliant mind but, more importantly, she is empathetic and pragmatic.

      Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Chris O'Brien
    Band 4Chris O'Brien

    Chris O'Brien

    Chris O'Brien is an experienced practitioner with expertise in financing transactions and securities.

    • Chris has a great ability to understand strategic needs and how to include commercial considerations in an engagement.

      Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at MinterEllisonRuddWatts (2)

New Zealand

Members

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

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