Our Corporate team is proud to have advised Alliance Group, New Zealand’s largest farmer-owned red meat co-operative, on its proposed strategic partnership with Dawn Meats, a leading European red meat processor. 

The transaction represents a significant milestone for New Zealand’s farming sector, with the potential to deliver lasting benefits for red meat farmers nationwide and involves Dawn Meats investing NZ$250 million for a 65% stake in Alliance Group. 

Subject to shareholder, High Court and regulatory approvals, it will enable Alliance to reduce its debt facilities, accelerate its strategic capital investments and deliver loyalty payments to farmers over the next few years. 

Simpson Grierson Corporate Partner Andrew Kirk, who co-led the deal alongside Corporate Partner James Hawes, says: “We’re grateful for the opportunity to support Alliance through its capital raise journey to help deliver a solution that will position Alliance to weather the storm in the short-term and to thrive in the long term. 

“It is now up to the Alliance shareholders to engage in the process and decide on the company’s future. 

“Alliance should be proud of its board and management team in carrying out a best-practice global capital raise process, while continuing to adeptly operate the business through a challenging environment. 

“The transaction delivered a compelling proposal from a partner with similar values, and complimentary expertise and global sales networks," says Andrew.

The legal work for Alliance involved navigating the company through a complex legal process that included a competitive bidding process, strategic structuring advice and managing regulatory and scheme implementation processes. 

The firm worked closely with Alliance’s board and management teams, Craigs Investment Partners, and PwC to negotiate, structure and document the deal.

The Simpson Grierson team involved in the transaction spanned its three Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch offices, reflecting the firm’s national footprint and deep sector expertise. 

The team included James Craig, Michael Pollard, Tara Wylie, Dominic Toomey, James Caird (Partners), Steve Flynn (Consultant), Beth Reed, Josiah Koh, Catherine Shipton, India Townsend (Senior Associates), Henry King, Grace Dimond (Senior Solicitors) and James Burnett, Claudia Gray and Caroline Wells (Solicitors).