New Zealand
NZ regulator targets Archer consortium over aborted Abano deal
A consortium of investors including Archer Capital is subject to a civil action launched by New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) over an unsuccessful bid for Abano Healthcare Group.
New Zealand’s Nuplex in asset sale talks with CHAMP PE
CHAMP Private Equity is in talks with New Zealand-based chemicals manufacturer Nuplex Industries over the potential acquisition of its distribution and plastics additives businesses.
New Zealand's Shuttlerock raises $2.35m Series A
Shuttlerock, a New Zealand-based visual marketing software company, has raised $2.35 million in a Series A round of funding.
Anchorage fully exits Dick Smith Electronics with 4x return
Anchorage Capital Partners has exited the remainder of its stake in Australian electronics retailer Dick Smith Holdings, generating a more than 4x return on its investment after a two-year holding period.
Fonterra to invest in PE-backed Chinese dairy firm
New Zealand dairy group Fonterra has agreed to acquire up to 20% of Beingmate Baby & Child Food, a PE-backed Chinese milk processor, for NZ$615 million ($515 million).
NZVIF, Taiwan NDF reach $75m first close on VC fund
The first VC fund to be supported by a co-investment partnership between New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) and Taiwan's National Development Fund (NDF) has reached a $75 million first close.
Next Capital exits NZ bus operator to Maori funds
Next Capital has agreed to sell New Zealand bus operator Go Bus to Maori investment funds Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation (NTHC) and Tainui Group Holdings (TGH).
PE-backed Metro Glass gains 5.9% on NZ debut
Shares in Metro Performance Glass - the New Zealand glassmaker whose backers include Crescent Capital, Anchorage Capital and Sankaty Advisors - gained 5.9% on its first day of trading following its NZ$244.2 million ($227 million) IPO.
PEP sees sweet exit on Griffin's Foods
When Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) first came to acquire New Zealand-based snacks producer Griffin's Food in 2006 at an enterprise valuation of NZ$385 million (then $240 million), it represented the classic carve-out opportunity. The company - famous...
PEP exits Griffin's Foods to Philippines buyer for $608m
Australian GP Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) is set for its fourth full or partial exit in two months after Philippines food and beverage conglomerate Universal Robina (URC) agreed to buy Griffin’s Foods for approximately NZ$700 million ($608 million)...
Intel Capital backs New Zealand, India software start-ups
Intel Capital, the captive VC arm of the global chipmaker, has announced investments in two software developers, based in New Zealand and India, respectively.
Next-owned Hirepool abandons New Zealand offering
Hirepool Group – a New-Zealand equipment rental firm owned by Next Capital – has abandoned plans to raise up to NZ$262 million ($227 million) through an IPO.
Next-owned Hirepool seeks up to $227m in NZ IPO
Hirepool Group - a New-Zealand equipment rental firm owned by Next Capital - is to raise up to NZ$262 million ($227 million) in what is likely to be one of New Zealand's largest listings this year.
Next-backed Hirepool confirms IPO plans
Hirepool, a New Zealand equipment rental business backed by Next Capital, has confirmed its plans for an IPO.
INCJ-backed JV acquires NZ-based packaging business
A Japanese joint venture - 40% owned by the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) - has acquired the pulp, paper and packaging (PPP) unit of New Zealand-based forest products company Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) for just over NZ$1 billion ($857 million).
LanzaTech forms Asian alliance
LanzaTech is a classic example of how a disruptive technology can attract investors from different geographies. Originally from New Zealand, the company has developed a technology for converting carbon dioxide into fuel and chemical products. This kind...
PEP, Unitas file counter claim over Independent Liquor sale
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital have filed a cross claim against two senior Asahi executives in Australasia regarding their involvement in the Japanese company’s purchase of Independent Liquor from the private equity firms in 2011.
Mitsui leads $60m round for NZ cleantech play LanzaTech
Japan's Mitsui & Co has led a $60 million Series D round for New Zealand-based low-carbon fuels producer LanzaTech.
Valar, SquarePeg lead $20m round for New Zealand’s Vend
Vend, a New Zealand-based point-of-sale software provider, has received NZ$25 million ($20 million) in Series B funding. The round was co-led by Valar Ventures, an investment vehicle run by PayPal co-founder and early Facebook investor Peter Thiel, and...
NZ Super commits $250m to KKR energy investments
New Zealand Superannuation Fund (NZ Super) has committed up to $250 million to oil and gas investments in North America through a partnership with KKR.
Quadrant exits Australia, New Zealand home equity release assets
Quadrant Private Equity has agreed to sell Seniors Money International’s (SMI) New Zealand and Australian home equity release mortgage businesses to New Zealand’s Heartland Bank for NZ$87 million ($72.8 million).
New Zealand, Taiwan cross-border fund ups target to $70m
A cross-border fund launched by New Zealand-based Pan Pacific Capital and Taiwan's state-run Institute for Information Industry (III) has raised its target to $70 million and is nearing a first close.
Quadrant exits Summerset, buys Estia Health
Quadrant Private Equity has fully exited New Zealand retirement village operator Summerset via the public market, generating an estimated return multiple of more than 3.7x. In the same week, it acquired a majority stake in Australian aged-care operator...
Matrix, Valara invest $150m in New Zealand's Xero
New Zealand-based online accounting software company Xero has raised a NZ$180 million ($150 million) round from existing backers Matrix Capital Management and Valara Ventures. The transaction was priced at $15.10 per share for 9.92 million shares - representing...