Robert is a specialist in all aspects of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, sales, reorganisations, and general contractual matters.

Robert advises on primary agricultural industries, medical health, aviation, technology, communications and manufacturing issues and has assisted with various venture capital initiatives.

Sector expertise

  • New Zealand primary industry (dairy, forestry, mining)
  • Health and Medical – various corporate and joint venture entities providing various medical services including acquisitions and joint venture establishments.
  • Infrastructure (Energy, Water)
  • New Zealand light industry (all sizes)
  • China Business - advising Chinese businesses seeking to invest in New Zealand, and New Zealand businesses seeking to engage with Chinese businesses

Robert is a member of the Institute of Directors.

The International Who's Who Legal 2023
Mining

Global Leader

The International Who's Who Legal 2023
M&A

Global Leader

Work Highlights

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group

Acquisition of Westland Milk Co-operative Dairy Company ($570 million enterprise value) by scheme of arrangement, in respect of one of New Zealand’s oldest agricultural related co-operatives changing to Chinese ownership; advising Westland Dairy on its acquisition of another “butter” company and continued advising of Westland and Oceania Dairy Ltd on operational and other issues.

Various clients

Sale and purchase of various medical businesses and establishing of a number of related joint ventures.

Advising numerous international entities on the New Zealand operations and their acquisitions etc in New Zealand in various industries types: electrical, IT, energy, medical, storage, transport, forestry.

Advising the parties acquisition and the subsequent sale of a major European Vehicle Dealership.

Acquisition by an overseas party of a major New Zealand storage business (consideration confidential - $60-$100 million) and the on-going acquisitions by the entity including medical specialists and other parties.

Sale of cornerstone shareholding in IT business (data mining and analytics) with operations in New Zealand and Australia ($15+ million).

Advising client with geothermal assets, electricity assets and hydrogen plant pilot, and in respect of SNA’s (significant natural areas).

Areas of Expertise

Corporate & M&A
Mergers & Acquisitions
Commercial Arrangements
Strategic Partnerships
Investing in New Zealand

Insights & News

8/09/2023·2 mins to read

Expanding Horizons: Global uncertainty leads investors to short-term M&A opportunities in New Zealand in 2024

Expanding Horizons M&A updateM&A and capital marketsInternational investmentEconomic outlookESG
19/10/2022·

Expanding Horizons 2022: Offshore investor survey reveals New Zealand’s M&A opportunity

Expanding Horizons M&A updateM&A and capital marketsESGInternational investment
6/07/2022·1 min to read

NZ’s M&A market eases as deal volumes return to pre-Covid levels

M&A and capital marketsExpanding Horizons M&A updateInternational investmentOIO
1/06/2022·1 min to read

New Bill proposes tighter restrictions on forestry conversions by overseas investors

Overseas Investment ActInternational investmentOIO
14/10/2021·1 min to read

Expanding Horizons 2021: A Review of New Zealand M&A Trends

International investmentExpanding Horizons M&A updateESGM&A and capital markets
12/08/2021·2 mins to read

New OIO fee regime to take effect from September

OIOInternational investment
4/06/2021·1 min to read

Fair Trading Amendment Bill passes second reading but changes possible

Fair Trading ActConsumer law
27/05/2021·5 mins to read

Overseas Investment: Notification Regime ends, Reform process complete

International investmentOverseas Investment Act
4/03/2021·4 mins to read

Recent developments in overseas investment regime

International investment