Noted ‘as one of the leading firms in New Zealand’, Bell Gully advises clients on large and complex financing transactions for both sponsors and lenders. The firm’s experience includes supporting clients with corporate financing, securitisation, restructuring and real estate finance. The team is led by Jennifer Gunser, whose clientele includes corporations, private equity funds and financial institutions. Securitisation expert Murray King and debt restructuring specialist David McPherson are central names within the practice. Sarah Anderson-Butler is knowledgeable in project and infrastructure financing matters. David Craig retired in January 2024.

The ‘very knowledgeable and helpful’ team at Buddle Findlay cover the gamut of banking & finance work, advising on green, real estate and project financing. The firm is also well-versed in cross border leverage and acquisition finance. Paul Farrugia helms the practice, acting on syndicated lending, leveraged finance and real estate finance transactions. Daniel Collins is a key member of the team with experience on leverage finance matters. Miriam Andrews specialises in funds and alternate capital work. Paul Appleyard is another key name. Peter Owles and David Perry retired as partners and took on consultancy roles at the firm.

Chapman Tripp specialises in a wide range of sectors, including sustainable and property financing, securitisation, banking regulation and debt capital markets. The firm is also regularly advised on cross-border matters, often involving Australia. Leigh Kissick leads the team and is an expert on infrastructure project financing. Luke Ford is a debt capital markets specialist. Gerard Souness adds insight into the corporate and institutional finance sector. Mark Reese is noted by clients as an ‘excellent communicator’. Cathryn Barber and Emma Sutcliffe are also noted within the team.

Assisting trading banks, government bodies, investment firms and private credit funds, MinterEllisonRuddWatts is experienced across the banking and finance space, with particular knowledge in senior and mezzanine loan facility matters. The firm has further expertise in compliance and restructuring matters. Jeremy Muir and acquisition financing expert Steve Gallaugher are the firm’s practice heads. Within the team, Kate Lane advises banks on the redrafting of their loan documents. Chris O’Brien is experienced in securitisation matters. Simon Gray adds project finance expertise. Allison Hancock, who was promoted to partner in January 2024, advises clients on sustainable finance matters.

With a ‘stand out’ depth of experience, Russell McVeagh boasts strength in project finance and sustainable finance expertise. The firm is also well-versed in assisting clients with securitisation matters. The practice is led by Deemple Budhia, an expert in debt capital markets, and Jesse Fairley, who is experienced in acquisition and leveraged finance. Guy Lethbridge advises clients on debt issuances, securitisation and derivatives. John Powell is a specialist in sustainability lending, whilst David Weavers is experienced in event-driven transactions. Promoted to partner in December 2023, Bevan Peachey is knowledgeable in project finance matters.

Simpson Grierson regularly advises clients on a wide range of financings, including real estate, acquisition, project and sustainability. The firm further assists local governments with their loan facilities and debt programmes. Spearheading the practice, Josh Cairns focuses on corporate and project financing. Within the team, Andrew Harkness is an acquisition finance veteran, whilst Dominic Toomey specialises in sustainable finance matters. Stuart Evans further widens the firm’s expertise, adding his knowledge in real estate finance to its repertoire. Zelda Gower and Matthew Brew are also notable members of the team.

With four offices spread across New Zealand, Anderson Lloyd is able to provide regional support to its clients. The firm is particularly skilled at handling PPP refinancings and renewable project financings. Geoff Busch, on top of heading the practice, specialises in acquisition, project and real estate finance matters. Emma Kerr is a notable member of practice, with experience in both New Zealand and the UK. Salam Bassilli and Bryony Gallaher  add a wide range of experience, including in restructuring and refinancing.

Anthony Harper advises a wide range of lenders, including finance companies and domestic and international banks, on a wide range of matters, from property and project finance to syndicated corporate facilities and securities support. Nick Summerfield leads the team which contains Nigel Oliver, who is experienced in financing matters within the agribusiness and aquaculture sectors. Grant Goldsmith is focused on leveraged acquisition finance and is a specialist in public housing financing. Alice von Batenburg specialises in property and development finance.

Led by the ‘excellent’ Liz Lim, Dentons New Zealand advises clients on corporate financing, asset-based financing, debt capital markets, restructuring and compliance matters. Its clients include corporates, financial institutions, funds and banks. Lim’s experience includes securitisation support, and she is well-versed in supporting overseas lenders. Within the team, Pauline Ho regularly assists clients with structured lending and real estate finance.

DLA Piper New Zealand offers ‘market-leading expertise’ in renewable energy financing, with experience in related securitisations. The firm also specialises in loan portfolio asset transactions. Michael Thompson oversees the team, with insight into leveraged, project, real estate and structured finance. Rachel Brown has a niche in performing and non-performing loan portfolio sales. Jacob Nutt is also of note, adding his experience in renewable energy project finance to the firm’s specialism.

Lane Neave regularly advises banks and financial institutions on development funding transactions and has particularly experience assisting on the creation of property funding structures. The firm is also well-versed in note issuances and mezzanine loan facilities. Evelyn Jones, who specialises in securitisation and structured products, leads the team. Joshua Jones joined the practice in February 2024 from Chapman Tripp, adding cross-border acquisition and leveraged finance experience.

Frequently handling cross-border transactions for its clients, Webb Henderson advises clients on acquisition financings, including leveraged financings, structured finance and debt capital markets issuances. Nicole Xanthopol, the firm’s head of practice, advises across the sector, with experience in derivatives, securitisations, development financings and tax-structured financings.