Restructuring/Insolvency
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : New Zealand
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+64 9 353 9700About
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
The MinterEllisonRuddWatts insolvency and restructuring team acts in complex or multi-jurisdictional insolvencies and offer an unmatched depth of capability and service delivery.
he multi-disciplinary team consult on corporate advisory, finance, insolvency and litigation, regularly advising lenders, trustees, receivers and liquidators, as well as companies going through restructuring and work outs.
The practice spans bankruptcy, creditor claims, cross-border insolvency, directors’ duties, distressed debt trading/acquisitions, liquidation, receivership, turnaround/workouts and voluntary administration.
The team has broad experience across numerous industries, including agribusiness, construction, energy, resources and mining, funds management and derivatives, health and ageing, industrial, infrastructure and project finance, real estate, and retail.
Holding strong and longstanding relationships with all major insolvency and restructuring accounting firms, the team sits on the panels of all major banks and financial institutions in New Zealand.
- Acted for Westpac in obtaining urgent freezing orders in the New Zealand High Court against Iugis (NZ) Limited in relation to NZD42.8 million that Westpac funded as a result of an alleged forgery scheme.
- Acting for the liquidators, BDO in proceedings brought against Mainzeal’s directors of Mainzeal and two related companies controlled by Mainzeal Group’s principal.
Chambers Review
MinterEllisonRuddWatts regularly handles high-profile restructurings and insolvencies alongside major insolvency firms in New Zealand. The firm is a trusted adviser to New Zealand's major banks, handling contentious and non-contentious workout and liquidation matters. The team also acts for directors of liquidated companies in response to claims alleging breaches of their duties; for liquidators on clawback claims; application for directions from court; and asset disposals. Asset transfer disputes, distressed debt sales and corporate restructurings are some of the practice's particular areas of expertise.
Work Highlights
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts acted for the liquidators of Mainzeal, a former construction company, in a case brought against its former directors for infringement of directors' duties.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"MinterEllisonRuddWatts understands our business and what affects our business and they advise accordingly."
"MinterEllisonRuddWatts understands our business and what affects our business and they advise accordingly."
Notable Practitioners
Sean Gollin specialises in the litigation of complex insolvency and receivership disputes and also maintains a significant advisory practice in Auckland, covering a variety of restructuring and corporate recovery issues.
"Sean Gollin is very detailed and commercial in his approach."
"Sean Gollin always provides good service. He is available or he will get back to me quickly. I find the level of advice to be of a high standard."
Michael Langdon is particularly well known for advising leading domestic and international banks across a comprehensive range of distressed debt, recovery, restructuring and security enforcement issues. He is also active in counselling receivers and liquidators on their responsibilities.
"Michael Langdon enabled us to get a better recovery and it was helpful to receive the right advice at the right time."
"Michael Langdon is a strong operator and handled a complex restructuring capably."
Richard Gordon is particularly noted for receivership litigation, as well as expertise concerning Personal Property Securities Act and voidable transactions. He acts for both major banks and insolvency practitioners on restructuring, enforcement and recovery options and receiverships.
"Richard Gordon's strength is that he cuts through to the point and is practical."
"Richard Gordon provides pragmatic legal advice and is always available to answer queries. He is good at keeping my team updated across newsworthy insolvency and litigation matters."
Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
New Zealand
Members
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Clients
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
ANZ bank
ASB bank
BDO
BNZ bank
Deloitte
Grant Thornton
HSBC bank
KPMG
KordaMentha
LPF Group
McGrathNicol
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Rabobank
Treasury New Zealand
Westpac bank