About

Provided by Russell McVeagh

Russell McVeagh's Tax team is New Zealand's strongest legal tax practice, providing a complete range of advice on all types of direct and indirect taxation.

Clients choose our Tax team for our range of expertise, depth of experience and our commitment to advancing our clients’ interests. Our tax lawyers bridge the gap between the tax and other legal issues that need to be managed in any transaction or dispute. 

Our Tax team provides advice on a wide variety of issues relating to financing and capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, business establishment and reorganisations, investment products, PPPs, employee remuneration packages, customs and excise, transfer pricing, and tax investigations and disputes.

The team has participated in all aspects of the tax reform process, including appearing before parliamentary committees and making representations at ministerial level. Close involvement in the tax reform process means that all team members are familiar with the latest developments in law and procedure, and have a full appreciation of the approach of the policy makers and tax administration.

Almost every transaction the firm advises on has tax implications for our clients. That’s why our tax specialists are embedded across our practice, combining a deep knowledge of tax law with industry expertise.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Tax - New Zealand
1
Band 1
What the team is known for

Russell McVeagh's team regularly advises on the tax aspects of high-value corporate transactions and complex contentious proceedings involving tax avoidance and tax assessment amendments. It is particularly well placed to advise on regulatory matters involving debt and equity issuances. The team expertly assists clients with transfer pricing and customs and excise duty matters, as well as policy development and law reform. It also advises on the tax aspects of employee share schemes. Notable clients include Trustpower, QIC Private Capital and ANZ Banking Group.

Work Highlights

Provided by Russell McVeagh
  • Russell McVeagh advised Pacific Equity Partners on the sale of Evolution Healthcare.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Fred Ward
1
Fred Ward
Head of Tax
1
Band 1

Fred Ward heads Russell McVeagh's tax practice and often advises clients on the tax issues relating to capital markets and M&A transactions, as well as tax litigation.

"Fred is deeply knowledgeable, with a massive domain expertise in tax structuring. He's very personable, always easy to deal with and very measured in his responses."

"Fred is an excellent lawyer. He's very knowledgeable, approachable and a great negotiator."

Ranked Lawyers at
Russell McVeagh

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

New Zealand

Tax

Fred Ward
1
Fred Ward
Head of Tax
1
Band 1

Members

Provided by Russell McVeagh

Fred Ward

Fred Ward

Head of Department

Greg Neill

Clients

Provided by Russell McVeagh

ANZ Bank

ASB Bank

Auckland International Airport

BNZ Bank

Fonterra Co-operative Group

Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation

Heartland Bank

Infratil

KiwiBank

Lion

Spark

Trustpower

Vector

Westpac Bank

Industries

Provided by Russell McVeagh

Banks

Energy

Financial Services

Food & Drink Producers

Insurance

Telecommunications

Transportation