New Zealand
Australasia PE outlook: Return of the take-private
Large-cap GPs are setting their sights on listed companies, with healthcare, education and technology top of the list
PEP sells New Zealand's Manuka Health
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has agreed to sell Manuka Health, a New-Zealand based producer of premium honey – used in dietary supplements, gourmet foods and personal care products – that it acquired three years ago.
Direct Capital exits New Zealand's Cavalier Wool
New Zealand’s Direct Capital has exited its remaining 13.7% stake in domestic carpet manufacturing industry services provider Cavalier Wool Holdings (CWH) for an undisclosed sum.
Accel-KKR backs New Zealand's Seequent
Accel-KKR, a US-based private equity firm created by Accel Partners and KKR, has made a growth-stage investment of undisclosed size in New Zealand data visualization software provider Seequent.
New Zealand's Genesis launches $20m PE fund
New Zealand’s Genesis Private Equity has launched its second fund focused on local small to medium-sized companies with a target of NZ$30 million ($20 million).
Crescent raises $586m for sixth Australia, New Zealand fund
Crescent Capital Partners has closed its sixth Australia and New Zealand mid-market fund at A$800 million ($586 million) after less than three months in the market.
New Zealand's Maui Capital agrees Pedersen trade sale
Australian logistics infrastructure services company Linx Cargo Care has agreed to buy Pedersen, a New Zealand wood processing player owned by Auckland-based Maui Capital, for an undisclosed sum.
Quadrant buys Australia, New Zealand candy brands from Nestle
Quadrant Private Equity has agreed to buy a portfolio of candy brands manufactured in New Zealand from Nestle for an undisclosed sum.
Trans Pacific Partnership: A rising tide
When the US withdrew from the Trans Pacific Partnership, the remaining participants decided to go it alone. Hopes are high that the deal will result in improved business environments across Southeast Asia
VC and supercomputing: Access denied
VCs continue to shun the field of supercomputing despite new commercial upside related to the rise of artificial intelligence. Asia, however, could offer a relatively competitive launchpad for start-ups in the segment
NZ Super buys 27% stake in domestic food player
New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) has invested an undisclosed sum to take a 27% holding in New Zealand Gourmet, a company that farms and markets a range of fresh produce.
NZ Super names Whineray as new CEO
New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) has appointed its CIO Matt Whineray as CEO following a global search process.
Pencarrow invests New Zealand yogurt maker
New Zealand-based Pencarrow Private Equity has paid an undisclosed sum for a 39% stake in domestic yogurt maker The Collective.
Australia's BGH closes debut fund at $2b hard cap
BGH Capital, the Australia and New Zealand-focused private equity firm set up by Ben Gray (pictured), formerly co-head of TPG Capital in Asia, has closed its debut fund at the hard cap of around A$2.6 billion ($2 billion).
Fund focus: Pencarrow underlines New Zealand interest
Pencarrow Private Equity closed its fifth fund at $176 million without the support of long-time backer New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Other LPs were happy to come in for a piece of the country's lucrative middle market
New Zealand's Pencarrow closes Fund V at $176m
New Zealand-based Pencarrow Private Equity has reached a first and final close of NZ$250 million ($176 million) for its fifth fund after eight weeks on the market. It had targeted a corpus of NZ$200 million.
Affinity-backed Tegel gets $310m buyout offer
Tegel Group, a poultry producer in which Affinity Equity Partners is the largest shareholder, has received a privatization offer from Philippines-based Bounty Fresh Foods that values the business at approximately NZ$438 million ($310 million).
TPG hires Blackstone executive in Australia
TPG Capital has hired Malcolm Jackson, who currently works for The Blackstone Group in Singapore, as a managing director in its Australia and New Zealand team.
New Zealand's Farm Venture launches $109m agri fund
Farm Venture, a farm property investment and operations management business based in New Zealand, has launched an agribusiness fund that aims to raise NZ$150 million ($109 million).
Riverside secures exits in New Zealand, Australia
The Riverside Company has sold New Zealand-based animal health devices manufacturer Simcro, along with Work Health Group, an occupational rehabilitation services provider in Australia.
Portfolio: Allegro Funds and Carpet Court
Carpet Court’s attractive growth plan was held back by its structural weaknesses. Under the ownership of Allegro Funds, the company has new focus as the leader in New Zealand’s fragmented flooring industry
LP interview: Ngai Tahu Holdings
Ngai Tahu Holdings is the flagbearer for a rising LP base representing New Zealand’s native peoples. Few private equity players contemplate such lengthy histories and outlooks
Cerberus buys Bluestone’s Australasia operations
Cerberus Capital Management has agreed to acquire the Australasian division of international financial services company Bluestone Group in an all-cash transaction. It will facilitate an exit for a PE unit of Lloyds Bank.
New Zealand’s Maori to gain prominence in private equity
New Zealand’s indigenous Maori tribes, also known as iwi groups, are set to accelerate their growing exposure to local private equity in the form of LP contributions, according to industry participants.