Simpson Grierson - Don Holborow

Don is a specialist corporate, securities and M&A lawyer.

Don’s wide-ranging corporate expertise includes takeovers, securities issuance, corporate restructuring and compliance. He acts for all types of participants in the capital markets, including listed companies, major institutional investors and fund managers.

Don is sought out to advise boards on the issues that arise when major corporate transactions are proposed, and has extensive experience advising on all aspects of corporate governance.

Don also has a significant M&A practice, and often acts for overseas investors acquiring New Zealand assets, or on the New Zealand aspects of large international transactions. He is highly skilled and experienced in navigating New Zealand’s overseas investment regime, and has a deep insight into the regulatory issues which are relevant to investing in New Zealand.

Don was an executive committee member of the Listed Companies Association for 10 years; and a member of the NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal for 9 years. He was also a member of the NZX Legal and Regulatory Advisory Board.

Asia Pacific Legal 500 2024

Corporate/M&A

Leading Lawyer (Hall of Fame)

IFLR 1000 2020

Capital Markets

Leading Lawyer

The International Who's Who Legal M&A 2019

Mining

Global Leader

Work Highlights

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation

New Zealand aspects of its A$4.13 billion purchase of the Global Asset Management Business of Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

New Zealand Oil & Gas

NZ$25 million renounceable rights offer and underwrite by O.G. Oil & Gas.

Wellington City Council

$76 million underwrite of Wellington International Airport, jointly with Infratil.

CyberCX NZ launch

Acquisition of Gen2 Consulting, Insomnia Security, Cyber Research, Consegna Cloud and further bolt-on acquisitions.

Byggfakta Group

NZ aspects of acquisition of BCI Media Group Pty Ltd.

Protective Industrial Products

NZ aspects of acquisition of Paramount Safety Products.

New Zealand Oil & Gas

Proposed acquisition of minority interests by O.G Oil and Gas for $37 million, by court-approved scheme of arrangement.

Guoco Group

Acquisition of Manuka Health from Pacific Equity Partners.

New Zealand Oil & Gas

Partial takeover offers from Zeta Energy ($42 million) and O.G. Oil & Gas ($85 million).

Mohawk Industries, Inc

New Zealand aspects of its acquisition of the Godfrey Hirst group.

New Zealand Oil & Gas

Sale of a 15% interest in the Kupe gas, LPG and condensate fields to Genesis Energy for $168 million and $100 million return of capital to shareholders by court-approved scheme of arrangement.

Mercantile Investment Company

Full takeover of NZSX listed company, Wellington Merchants (previously Kirkcaldie & Stains).

Brew Strong

Sale of the Panhead Custom Ales business to the Lion Group.

Inland Revenue

Legal support for its business transformation programme (as Simpson Grierson team leader), including the procurement process for primary programme support.

Guinness Peat Group

$158 million return of capital to shareholders by shareholder-approved scheme of arrangement, and capital note issues and rollovers, ranging from $215 million to $350 million (total of $815 million raised).