Overseas investment

We act for a wide range of international clients seeking to invest in, or expand, their presence in New Zealand. We also regularly advise private clients, who wish to acquire real estate in New Zealand, on applications for New Zealand permanent residency.

Andrew Petersen and Glenn Shewan lead Bell Gully's overseas investment review practice. Our leading team is recognised in the market as having expertise to shape the regulatory framework.

Resolution Life acquisition of AMP Life's wealth protection and mature businesses
Advised Resolution Life on the New Zealand aspects of its acquisition of AMP Life's wealth protection and mature businesses for total cash and non-cash consideration of A$3.3 billion.

Cigna Corporation’s acquisition of OnePath Life (NZ)
Advised American worldwide health services organisation and specialist insurer, Cigna Corporation, on its acquisition of life insurance company, OnePath Life (NZ), from ANZ Bank New Zealand for approximately NZ$700 million.

AIA acquisition of Sovereign
Advised the AIA Group on the acquisition of the Sovereign life insurance businesses (New Zealand's largest life insurer). The transaction was part of AIA's acquisition of the Australian and New Zealand life insurance businesses of CBA for A$3.8 billion.

First Sentier Investors acquisition of Ultrafast Fibre
Advised First Sentier Investors on the acquisition of Ultrafast Fibre for NZ$854 million.

Sale of Nelson Forests
Advised Nelson Properties on the sale of 100% of the shares in Nelson Forests (NFL) to Australian forestry company OneFortyOne Plantations Holdings, including liaising with the OIO.

Foley Family Wines investments into New Zealand
Acted for Foley Family Wines (a US investor) on its acquisitions of Mt Difficulty Wines, the New Zealand Wine Fund, Te Kairanga Vineyard and Winery and the Wharekauhau Lodge, all of which required “sensitive land” consents from the Overseas Investment Office.

GIC Real Estate’s joint venture with Goodman Property Trust
Acted for Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC Real Estate, on its investment into the rapidly developing Viaduct Quarter, which required a “significant business assets” consent from the Overseas Investment Office. This was the first real estate investment by GIC into New Zealand, and involved a complex acquisition from an existing joint venture party and new joint venture arrangements with NZX listed Goodman Property Trust.

Danone’s acquisition of Sutton Group and Gardians
Acted for Danone on its acquisition of New Zealand milk formula processing and packing factories from Sutton Group and Gardians, which required a “sensitive land” consent from the Overseas Investment Office.

Vodafone’s acquisition of TelstraClear
Advised Vodafone on its NZ$840 million acquisition of rival telecommunications provider TelstraClear from Telstra Corporation, which required a “significant business assets” consent from the Overseas Investment Office.

Far East Orchard’s joint venture with Toga Group
Advised Singapore-listed Far East Orchard on the New Zealand legal aspects of a joint venture arrangement with Australia’s Toga Group, which required a “sensitive land” consent from the Overseas Investment Office. The joint venture related to hotel and apartment management and ownership.

Ling Hai Group’s purchase of Castlebrae Vineyard
Acted for the Ling Hai Group on the purchase of Marlborough’s Castlebrae Vineyard, which required a “sensitive land” consent from the Overseas Investment Office.

BayWa’s takeover of Turners & Growers
Advised BayWa on all aspects of its takeover of Turners & Growers, including obtaining a "sensitive land" consent from the Overseas Investment Office. The consent was the first obtained applying the “counterfactual test” established by the High Court in the Crafar Farms case.

Blackstone Group’s acquisition of Burger King
​Advised Blackstone on the acquisition by its private equity funds of the Burger King business in New Zealand, which required a “significant business assets” consent from the Overseas Investment Office.

Cerebos Pacific’s takeover of Comvita
Advised SGX listed Cerebos Pacific on its takeover offer for NZX listed honey and natural products manufacturer Comvita​. We assisted Cerebos in obtaining a “sensitive land” consent from the Overseas Investment Office.

Asahi Group’s takeover of Charlie’s
Advised Asahi Group on all aspects of its public takeover of Charlie’s Group, which required a “significant business assets” consent from the Overseas Investment Office.