Michael is a specialist corporate partner. He co-heads the firm's corporate advisory group and heads the firm's private capital (private equity and venture capital) group. His work experience includes six years in London at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Michael has proven expertise in managing large and complex transactions. Recent examples include Auckland City Council's $150 million bond issue, which saw the first listing of the securities of a local authority in New Zealand, and Agria's $120 million investment in PGG Wrightson as part of its $250 million capital raising.
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IFLR1000 Mergers & Acquisitions 2012 - Leading Lawyer
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Chambers Global Corporate/Commercial 2011 - Leading Lawyer
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Asia Pacific Legal 500 Corporate/M&A 2011 - Recommended Lawyer
- PLC Which Lawyer? Corporate/M&A 2011 - Leading Lawyer
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PLC Which Lawyer? Private Equity and Venture Capital 2010 - Leading Lawyer
Examples of Work
- Richmond Investment Management - initial public offering of units in a hedge fund (fund of funds)
- Agria Corporation (a NYSE listed Chinese agriculture business) - $120 million investment in PGG Wrightson as part of its $250 million capital raising, and associated strategic co-operation agreement between Agria and PGG Wrightson
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Matariki Forests Group (New Zealand's third largest forestry company) - $167 million investment in it by London listed Phaunos Timber Fund
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Auckland City Council - $150 million secured fixed-rate, five year bond issue and associated NZDX listing and subsequent $350 million bond issue
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State Grid Corporation of China - bid for Vector's Wellington electricity lines business
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Goldman Sachs JBWere - $18 million placement of shares in Cavotech MSL Holdings
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DB Zwirn - financing of Positive Educare in connection with the takeover offer for Kidicorp Group
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Gullivers Travel Group - $235 million takeover by Australian travel and property management company S8
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Private Health Care - $340 million takeover by Retirement Villages (NZ) of Metlifecare
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Gullivers Travel Group - $160 million initial public offering and listing on both NZX and ASX
Other Credentials
- New Zealand Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (NZVCA) - Board member
