The team prides itself on being part of the broader client team, including understanding the client’s strategic objectives and business, providing commercial and innovative solutions and assisting with project managing all aspects of small and large scale transactions.
Whether your business is a large multi-national or domestic player, an international private equity or infrastructure fund or a local start-up, our corporate team has all the necessary expertise and experience to assist with your corporate matters.
Due to the strength of our corporate lawyers and broad and consistent work on a wide-range of key transactions in the New Zealand market, our corporate team is consistently recognised as the market leader in New Zealand.
Work highlights
Metlifecare sale
Advised Metlifecare on its sale of NZ$1.3bn to Asia Pacific Villages Group, where the firm advised EQT Infrastructure IV Fund (Asia Pacific Villages Group) on its acquisition by way of scheme of arrangement, making it one of the largest New Zealand M&A transactions in 2021. It was recognised as M&A Deal of the Year in New Zealand Law Awards 2021.
Vodafone New Zealand sale
Advised Vodafone Group Plc on its sale of Vodafone New Zealand to a consortium of Infratil and Brookfield Asset Management for NZ$3.4 billion, making it one of the largest New Zealand M&A transactions on record.
Trade Me takeover
Advised Apax Partners LLP on its NZ$2.56 billion takeover of Trade Me - the largest takeover undertaken to date in NZ via scheme of arrangement.
Initial public offering and NZX Main Board listing of Napier Port Holdings Limited
Acting for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company Limited, Port of Napier Limited and Napier Port Holdings Limited in connection with the NZ$234 million initial public offering and NZX Main Board listing of Napier Port Holdings Limited.
Formica Group sale
Advised Fletcher Building on the successful sale of the Formica Group to Broadview (a member of HAL Trust group, which is listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange) for US$840 million (NZ$1.2 billion).
Orion Health Group
Advised on the acquisition by Hg of majority ownership in Orion’s Rhapsody business and investment in Orion’s Population Health business.
Methven takeover
Advised ASX-listed GWA Group on its NZ$120 million acquisition of NZX-listed Methven by way of scheme of arrangement.
Navis Capital
Advised on the acquisition of Mainland Poultry.
Mercury Capital Fund 2
Advised on its acquisition of a 50% stake in the Nirvana Healthcare Group.
Nuplex takeover
Advised Nuplex Industries on its acquisition by Allnex by way of scheme of arrangement. The billion-dollar transaction is the largest completed takeover involving a New Zealand target company in a decade and was the first large takeover to be implemented by way of scheme of arrangement under the new regime for schemes.
Fletcher Building entitlement offer
Advised Fletcher Building on its NZ$750 million pro-rata, fully underwritten, one-for-4.46 accelerated entitlement offer to shareholders.
CBL Corporation IPO
Advised UBS and Forsyth Barr, as joint lead managers, on the NZ$132.2 million initial public offering of CBL Corporation. This was the first under the new Financial Markets Conduct Act regime.
"Well established NZ practice. Strong oil and gas expertise. Knowledgeable, user friendly and always delivers."
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 - Tier 1, IFLR 1000 - Tier 1
"Bell Gully’s corporate team is second to none in New Zealand. Their service to clients is exceptional and their technical expertise of top international standard."
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 - Tier 1
"highly commercial and practical advisers" who "understand our business strategy," "can keep up with our demands for quick turnarounds" and "proactively go beyond the task at hand to offer insights, advice or suggestions we may not have thought about."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2022 - Band 1
