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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I've done several transactions with Steve Gallaugher (Partner Banking & Finance). He makes himself readily available to assist with transactions, one of the more experienced Banking Partners in the NZ so seems to know whether certain international terms are acceptable in the NZ market.’
‘Skilled team with up to date knowledge of what should be expected in a large Bank Facility agreement. Managed to get some good wins in the terms in our recent syndicated facilities agreement. Excellent industry relationships with the Banks and their advisors which helps to get the deal done. Can operate under tight deadlines.’
‘Have a very broad range of experience across team, with skills across multiple forms of corporate financing. Customer and outcomes focused so know when to push hard for what matters to clients and when to give on an item to save cost and keep documentation progressing. Offers good broad range of market regulatory insights that are useful.’
‘Kate Lane has a very broad range of experience, with skills across multiple forms of corporate financing. She provides pragmatic advice that focuses on the important items, often being one step ahead of other counsel.’
‘A great full service commercial law firm with strong bench strength in an array of specialties. They have developed particular expertise in governance and proactively host significant events such as the annual governance symposium. Their partners are generally very accessible and responsive and they seem better internally connected as a partnership compared to other large law firms.'
‘This team is really responsive and willing to help find solutions to thorny issues, and their willingness to loop in subject matter experts from across the firm is very helpful. They are proactive at raising developments in the law and policy that may impact our business.’
‘Kate Lane is an expert in her craft, both in terms of her deep knowledge of the law and her ability to step back, assess the broader picture, and ensure that the solution is fit for purpose. She is both technically excellent and commercially pragmatic.'
Allison Hancock has an excellent grasp of banking and finance law and is a very safe pair of hands. She is a calm and clear operator with a good breadth of knowledge.’

Key clients

ANZ
ASB
Bank of New Zealand
Co-operative Bank
Fullers Group Limited
Kiwibank
Merricks Capital
Pencarrow Private Equity
Rabobank
The (New Zealand) Treasury
UDC Finance
Westpac

Work highlights

Advised amicaa, The Carlyle Group and ASB Bank on all aspects of their NZ$140 million secured senior debt package to finance a management buyout of New Zealand’s leading independent fuel retailer, NPD.
Acting for Toka Tū Ake, the Crown entity responsible for providing first loss natural disaster insurance in New Zealand, on the placement of a NZD225 million catastrophe bond by Singapore-domiciled special purpose reinsurance vehicle, Totara Re Pty Ltd.
Acted for Tourism Holdings Limited on the refinancing of its senior debt facilities following completion of its merger with Apollo Tourism and Leisure Ltd, by scheme of arrangement.