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Michael Pollard
BCom LLB(Hons) • Auckland
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Michael is one of New Zealand's leading corporate transactional lawyers, and is a member of the firm's board of management.
He has over 25 years’ experience advising on mergers, takeovers, acquisitions, securities issuance, private equity transactions, and corporate governance. His work experience includes six years at a magic circle London firm.
Michael has been consistently recognised by major directories as a leading lawyer and is sought after for his commercial approach.
NZ Lawyer and Australasian Lawyer
Dealmaker of the Year 2024
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025
Corporate/Commercial
Leading Lawyer
Asia Pacific Legal 500 2024
Corporate/M&A
Leading Lawyer (Hall of Fame)
Australasian Law Awards
2023, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
NZ Dealmaker of the Year Finalist
Work Highlights
Auckland Future Fund
Establishment of the Auckland Future Fund for Auckland Council and $1.32 billion block trade of 9.71% of Auckland International Airport.
Hobson Wealth
Sale to Forsyth Barr.
Aspire2
Acting on the sale by Archer Capital of its investment in education business Aspire2 to River Capital (following the earlier establishment of this business through the acquisition of five New Zealand based private education businesses).
Tilt Renewables
Acting for an under-bidder on the $2.7 billion scheme of arrangement.
New Zealand Rugby
Advising on the separation of commercial operations and sale of a minority stake to Silver Lake.
Auckland Council
Acting on the $833 million strategic sale and block trade of 7% of Auckland International Airport held by Auckland Council.
2degrees
Acting for the telco on the $1.076 billion sale of its passive cell phone tower assets to mobile tower company, Connexa.
Qube Holdings
Acquisition of Pinnacle Corporation.
PMG
Divestment of 50% to ASX-listed 360 Capital and subsequent acquisition and partnership with Oriens Capital.
Heritage Lifecare
Sale and leaseback of its property interests in 38 aged care facilities to Centuria Capital Group for $291 million.
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets & Aware Super
Acquisition of telecommunications group, Vocus Group for $3.5 billion.
Matariki Forestry Group
Establishment with Hancock Natural Resource Group of AVA Timber LP, New Zealand's largest export joint venture.
UBS
Acting on the $400 million accelerated renounceable entitlement offer and placement by Infratil for the purposes of part financing the proposed acquisition of Vodafone NZ.
nib nz holdings group
Acquisition of Kiwi Insurance Limited for $45 million.
Livestock Improvement Corporation
Share simplification process, effecting the restructure of the co-operative and the consolidation of two classes of shares.
Craigs Investment Partners, Jarden Partners and Macquarie Securities
$301 million block trade of shares in Oceania Healthcare.
Adamantem Capital
Acquisition of leading smallgoods manufacturer Hellers.
Craigs Investment Partners and Macquarie Securities
$65 million placement and accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer of shares in Vista Group.
Arena Investors LP
Funder and equity participant on the roll-up by Optic Security Group of six Australasian companies to create an integrated security products and services provider with revenues exceeding $100 million.
Citigroup Global Markets and Forsyth Barr Group
AU$300 million underwritten entitlement offer by Tilt Renewables.
UEM Edgenta
$263 million takeover by WSP Global of Opus International Consultants.
Archer Capital
Establishment of a new industry leading education business called Aspire2, formed through the acquisition of five New Zealand based private education businesses.
Macquarie Capital
$1.81 billion sale by Origin Energy of its 53.1% shareholding in Contact Energy.
Marlborough Lines
Acquisition of Yealands Wine Group Limited.
Accel Partners
$132.9 million investment in Xero by private placement.
