We’re pleased to announce that our Corporate Partner, Michael Pollard has been appointed as a member of the New Zealand Takeovers Panel.

Michael joins fellow corporate lawyer Sarah McEwan from Buddle Findlay as new members of the independent Crown entity, which is responsible for enforcing the Takeovers Code and overseeing schemes of arrangement involving Code Companies.

Incoming Chair, Anna Buchly welcomed the appointments, noting: "We are delighted to welcome Michael and Sarah to the Panel. Their wealth of experience in complex public market transactions will strengthen the Panel's ability to safeguard fairness and integrity in New Zealand's takeovers market." 

About Michael

Pollard Michael is one of New Zealand's leading corporate transactional lawyers, with over 25 years’ experience, and is also a member of the Simpson Grierson board. His recent high-profile work includes advising on the establishment of the Auckland Future Fund and the landmark $1.31 billion block trade of Auckland International Airport shares, which is the second-largest transaction of its type in New Zealand's history.

He also co-led the advisory team on 2degrees' $1.076 billion sale of its passive cell phone tower assets to Connexa, and Auckland Council's initial $833 million strategic sale of Auckland International Airport shares.

Michael has been consistently recognised by major legal directories as a leading lawyer and has been nominated seven times for the Australian Law Awards' New Zealand Dealmaker of the Year. He is ranked as a leading lawyer by both Chambers Asia-Pacific and the Asia Pacific Legal 500.

"Michael Pollard has a knack for quickly understanding, simplifying and coming up with the creative solutions for what were otherwise unique and complicated scenarios," notes the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 guide.

About the Takeovers Panel

The Takeovers Panel's mandate is to strengthen investor confidence in New Zealand's capital markets by ensuring that all shareholders have a fair opportunity to participate in control change transactions such as takeovers, mergers, acquisitions and allotments in Code companies. The appointments follow the departure of Panel Chair Carl Blanchard and long-serving member Sacha Judd.

Anna Buchly, who previously served as Deputy Chair, has been appointed as the new Chair, with Panel member David Goatley taking on the role of Deputy Chair.