Housing a ‘market-leading’ finance practice, the team at Bell Gully is well-positioned to advise its diverse roster of clients on the full gamut of mandates, including securitisation, project, and real estate financing, and acquisition funding. A litany of private equity clients, financial institutions, and public and private companies turn to practice head Jennifer Gunser for assistance with complex corporate finance transactions. Gunser is also well-established in the New Zealand securitisation market, making her a key port of call for issuers such as Bluestone, Motor Trade Finance, and Harmoney. Murray King is lauded by clients and peers alike for his work in the securitisation market. Other individuals include David McPherson, who is noted for his expertise in acquisition finance and debt restructurings, and David Craig, who is recommended for his experience in derivatives. Sarah Anderson-Butler, Sam Dykes, and Zac Kedgley-Foot have all been promoted to the partnership.

Lauded by clients for its ‘deep experience’ and ‘excellent client service ethic’, the banking and finance team at Buddle Findlay is well-placed to advise clients on the full range of mandates. Steered by practice head Paul Farrugia, the team is also capable of handling cross-border matters. Praised for his ‘impressive pace and efficiency’, Farrugia is noted for his expertise in the agriculture finance space, leading notable transactions in dairy, kiwi-fruit, honey, aqua-culture, and forestry logistics. Peter Owles is recommended for his experience leading securitisation and structured finance transactions. Daniel Collins is another notable name and specialises in acquisition finance, project finance, syndicated and complex multiparty lending, and special situation transactions. Special counsel Paul Appleyard is praised for his ‘depth of transactional knowledge’. The team has been strengthened by the arrival of Hak Jun Lee, who joins from Hesketh Henry.

Housing a ‘second-to-none’ banking and finance practice, Chapman Tripp advises a diverse roster of clients spanning sectors such as property, energy, infrastructure, and banking. Leading the department is Wellington-based Leigh Kissick, who is regularly engaged by clients on commercial and financing aspects of projects, with a particular focus on large infrastructure projects. The ‘outstanding’ and ‘commercially savvy’ Cathryn Barber has extensive expertise in corporate finance, syndications, and property financing, having acted on a wide range of banking transactions across the private and public sectors. Mark Reese regularly advises on project and asset financing, as well as cross-border transactions. Other notable individuals include Emma Sutcliffe, who is noted for her specialism in finance law, Luke Ford, a debt capital markets expert, and Gerard Souness, who is a key port of call for clients operating in the corporate and finance sectors.

Well-regarded for its ‘pragmatic and commercial’ approach, MinterEllisonRuddWatts is trusted by investment banks, financial institutions, sponsors, issuers, trustees, corporates, and government departments on the full gamut of banking and finance mandates. The ‘top-notch’ team is highly capable of handling regulation and compliance matters, financial restructuring, sustainable finance and leverage, and private capital finance. The practice is jointly led by the ‘diligent’ Steve Gallaugher and Jeremy Muir. Gallaugher is an expert in unitranche, syndicated, and bilateral finance transactions, while Muir is recommended for his expertise in cryptocurrencies, digital tokens and coins, non-fungible tokens, and other blockchain projects. The ‘very experienced’ Kate Lane is a key port of call for New Zealand’s major banks and major corporates. Chris O’Brien has significant public law experience, regularly handling large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects. Other key individuals include Simon Gray, who is noted for his interest in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and associate Allison Hancock, who advises both financiers and borrowers on all types of financing transactions and banking matters.

Well-regarded for its ability to offer clients an ‘excellent level of service’ and a ‘solution-focused’ approach, Russell McVeagh advise clients on a broad range of issues, covering debt capital markets, project finance, financial markets regulation, and corporate and acquisition finance. The practice is led by Guy Lethbridge, who specialises in debt capital markets and the regulation of banks, insurers, and other financial institutions; he also regularly assists the New Zealand Bankers Association on industry issues. Debt capital markets specialist Deemple Budhia is key port of call to some of New Zealand’s top banks and is regarded as an expert in consumer credit law. John Powell is a specialist in sustainability lending, complex debt restructuring solutions, and supply-chain financing arrangements, while David Weavers is noted for his experience on market-leading corporate finance matters.

Leveraging the firm’s wider M&A team to assist on matters, Mayne Wetherell is well-positioned to act on high-value and complex deals across the full spectrum of mandates. The practice focuses specifically on the fields of capital markets, structured finance and securitisation, leveraged finance, and syndicated and bilateral financing. At the helm sits Will Tipping, who has extensive experience across a range of banking and finance transactions, with a notable focus on acquisition financing and special situations. Dave Wetherell enjoys a stellar market reputation and is noted for his expertise across the capital spectrum. Mei Nah is recommended for her experience across finance transactions, while Cameron Peachey has a particular focus on acquisition finance, structured finance, and property finance. Noted for his experience in bespoke and structured funding solutions, Daniel Meikle is well-versed in advising clients on the full gamut of banking and finance mandates. The team was strengthened by the arrival of counsel Jane Innes-Jones from Westpac Institutional Bank in March 2023, and the partner promotion of Jonathan Riley in May 2023.

Praised for its ‘highly competent and commercial’ approach, the team at Simpson Grierson is well-positioned to advise its diverse roster of clients on the full spectrum of banking and finance matters, ranging from public financing to leveraged finance on M&A private equity transactions. At the helm sits Josh Cairns, who has extensive expertise in complex debt restructurings, having acted on some of New Zealand’s most significant and complex restructurings in recent years. Andrew Harkness is regularly engaged by both lenders and borrowers on complex real estate financing, while Dominic Toomey, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2023, is noted for his focus on corporate, institutional, and acquisition financing. Real estate financing expert Stuart Evans is a trusted adviser to a number of notable lenders.

The banking and finance team at Anderson Lloyd regularly acts on debt financing transactions and has a notable focus on social infrastructure PPP refinancing. Steering the practice is the ‘great’ lawyer Geoff Busch, who specialises in corporate finance, acquisition finance, project finance, structured and asset finance, and property finance transactional work. Associate Emma Kerr, described as ‘very knowledgeable, friendly and available’, is noted for her expertise in corporate and acquisition finance and property development finance, having acted for sponsors and international and domestic banks on high-profile transactions.

The banking and finance team at Anthony Harper boasts a notable track record representing lenders on the full spectrum of mandates, spanning structured finance, leveraged finance, and project and property financing. The practice is led by Nick Summerfield, who has in-depth experience across all areas of the sectors, including investment funds, capital markets, provider financial services regulation, and insurance. A litany of leading financial institutions turn to Nigel Oliver, who is noted for his specialism in the financing of commercial property, agribusiness, viticulture, and aquaculture. The ‘extremely intelligent, commercial and experienced’ Grant Goldsmith has a particular focus in leveraged finance, development finance, sponsor-backed acquisition finance and syndicated corporate facilities. Associate Alice Von Batenburg's key areas of focus include transactional banking and finance law.

With a diverse roster of large corporates and financial institutions on its books, the ‘very strong’ team at Dentons New Zealand handles a range of matters, spanning property and construction financing to securitisation and asset-backed financing. The practice also has a notable track record advising on complex cross-border transactions. Leading the team is the ‘pragmatic, quick and efficient’ Liz Lim, who is regularly engaged by banks, borrowers, issuers, and corporate trustees on the full host of mandates. Pauline Ho is noted for her extensive experience in drafting and negotiating a variety of financial security agreements, both for debtors and secured parties.

Leveraging its extensive global network, DLA Piper New Zealand is praised by clients for its ‘good technical and industry knowledge’ and ‘commercial approach’. The team is well-placed to handle complex financing transactions and financial regulatory work, particularly on innovative technology matters. The ‘pragmatic and commercial’ Michael Thompson steers the practice and is recommended for his expertise in leveraged and acquisition finance, corporate finance, property finance, and the restructuring of distressed financings. Lauded by clients, the ‘exceptional’ and ‘technically excellent’ Rachel Brown is well-regarded for her renewable finance expertise. Associate Jacob Nutt advises clients on a range of transactional and financial services regulatory matters.

Praised for its ‘hands-on and personal approach’, the ‘strong’ banking and finance team at Lane Neave is noted for its proficiency in specialised structured finance, securitisation, and receivables financing transactions, regularly acting for funders and local banks. The Auckland-based practice has witnessed a steady stream of cross-border lending transactions, including acquisition financing, over the last 12 months. Leading the team is the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Evelyn Jones who has particular expertise in off-balance sheet financing and securitisation.

Webb Henderson stands out as a strong choice for a diverse range of clients, who praise the team for its ability to work ‘seamlessly’ with the firm’s wider corporate and M&A team. The practice handles matters relating to debt capital markets, structured finance, property developments, and restructuring. Practice head Nicole Xanthopol counts private equity funds, banks, large corporates, and sovereign wealth funds among her key roster of clients and specialises in complex financing transactions. Associate Elizabeth Ogle focuses on leveraged and infrastructure finance, with extensive experience acting on both the borrower and lender side.