We have a proven track record of being a key member of the client’s core adviser team assisting them on their most complex and strategic transactions, including helping to deliver execution certainty through actively managing regulatory and other risks and the transaction process more generally.
Working closely with our broad international and domestic client base means we have significant expertise and experience advising across a broad range of merger, acquisition, takeover and joint venture transactions in technology, telecommunications, energy and resources, infrastructure and utilities, transportation, retail, agriculture and building and materials.
In addition to being the market leader in New Zealand for corporate transactions, our corporate team has also been named Deal Team of the Year multiple times at the New Zealand Law Awards.
Work highlights
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.
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).
Roof Tile Group sale
Advised Fletcher Building on the sale of international roofing products manufacturer Roof Tile Group to Canadian roofing company IKO for approximately NZ$60 million.
Methven takeover
Advised ASX-listed GWA Group on its NZ$120 million acquisition of NZX-listed Methven by way of scheme of arrangement.
Westland Co-operative Dairy sale
Advised Westland Co-operative Dairy on its strategic review and sale to Yili Group by way of scheme of arrangement for NZ$588 million.
Acquisition of AMP's wealth protection and mature businesses
Acted for Resolution Life on the New Zealand aspects of its acquisition of AMP's wealth protection and mature businesses for total cash and non-cash consideration of AU$3.3 billion.
Sale of interest in Synlait Milk
Advised Mitsui on the sale of substantially all of its interest in Synlait Milk to The a2 Milk Company for NZ$162 million.
Acquisition of Haier New Zealand Investment Holding Company Limited
Advised Haier 690, a company listed on the Shanghai stock exchange, on its acquisition of 100% of Haier New Zealand Investment Holding Company Limited (the holding company of the Fisher & Paykel Appliances Group) from Haier Group Corporation.
OnePath Life acquisition
Advised Cigna on the acquisition of OnePath Life from ANZ for NZ$700 million.
AIA acquisition of Sovereign life insurance businesses from CBA
Advised AIA on the acquisition of Sovereign as part of AIA's acquisition of Australia-New Zealand life insurance businesses of CBA for AU$3.8 billion.
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, which came into force in 2014. This transaction won the New Zealand Deal of the Year, as well as M&A Deal of the Year, at the 2017 New Zealand Law Awards.
"Bell Gully is consistently commercial, pragmatic and strong in its M&A capabilities. The local and international knowledge and expertise across corporate, technology, data and privacy is invaluable."
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 - Tier 1
“Understands the business of its clients very well. Highly responsive. Very experienced in the technology and communications sector. Highly commercial. Very strong bench strength.”
IFLR1000 2021 - Tier 1
“Bell Gully has a wide bench of respected legal experts in all relevant specialty areas. We tend to use numerous partners within the firm over a given 12 month period. We have found all of them to be highly knowledgeable and responsive.”
IFLR1000 2021 - Tier 1
