Financial Services
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : New Zealand
Band 1
Email address
info@minterellison.co.nzContact number
+64 9 353 9700About
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
The financial services team is at the forefront of development in this highly regulated and constantly changing sector.
The team are regarded as opinion makers on new regulatory and market developments affecting the financial services sector such as the Financial Markets Conduct Act, the Anti- Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT Act), and the guidance and approach of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
The team regularly advise clients on financial services and regulatory compliance, including the regulatory regimes created by the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act (FSP Act) and the Financial Advisers Act (FAA), the new financial advice regime effected by the Financial Services Legislation Amendment Act, together with the prudential regimes for banks and non-bank deposit takers under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act, and life insurers and other insurance companies under the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act.
- Advising Dai-ichi Life on the New Zealand corporate and financial services regulatory aspects of its NZD1 billion acquisition of Partners Life Limited.
- Advising Sharesies (New Zealand’s fastest-growing investment platform) on the design and establishment of their innovative new KiwiSaver scheme offering.
- Advising Blackstone on the NZ aspects of its strategic partnership with Resolution Life. This transaction added up to USD60 billion to Blackstone’s assets under management.
Chambers Review
MinterEllisonRuddWatts's financial services department retains its position as an outstanding funds group serving an impressive roster of New Zealand's major banks, fund managers and investors. The law firm advises across all segments of the market on financial services and regulatory compliance matters as well as fund establishment, investments and restructuring. The team provides a leading offering for private equity and venture capital funds, and is establishing an impressive depth of expertise in the emerging fintech and cryptocurrency spheres. The team also advises banks and financial institutions on sanctions-related matters.
Work Highlights
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts advised Sharesies Limited on establishing its KiwiSaver scheme offering.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"MinterEllisonRuddWatts is extremely timely in its communication and its commitment to us as a client is greatly appreciated."
"All of our contacts at MinterEllisonRuddWatts are approachable and knowledgeable, and we are confident that they understand our business and what affects our business, and they advise accordingly."
"MinterEllisonRuddWatts is extremely timely in its communication and its commitment to us as a client is greatly appreciated."
"All of our contacts at MinterEllisonRuddWatts are approachable and knowledgeable, and we are confident that they understand our business and what affects our business, and they advise accordingly."
Notable Practitioners
Jeremy Muir co-leads the MinterEllisonRuddWatts financial services group and comes recommended for his expert advice on fintech and financial services regulatory issues, as well as fund establishment and restructuring matters.
"We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Jeremy Muir and consider him to be our go-to lawyer for the more challenging issues we may face."
"Jeremy Muir is a wonderful person and professional, with an unusual level of sophistication around technology and startups."
Lloyd Kavanagh is co-head of the MinterEllisonRuddWatts funds and financial services team and is regularly instructed on a variety of complex regulatory mandates.
"Lloyd Kavanaghis my go-to lawyer when I need commercially savvy, but highly technical advice."
"Lloydwas really excellent at distilling down relevant information and targeting his advice to the right audience."
Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
New Zealand
Clients
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
AIG
AMP
Aon New Zealand
Goldman Sachs
MAS
Next Capital
Sharesies
Trustees Executors
Youi