Focus Industry

Manufacturing and Exporting

Summary

New Zealand is a country that thrives on international trade. Its manufacturing and export sector is diverse and dynamic, producing high-quality products and services for markets around the world. Whether it is agricultural goods, industrial equipment, digital solutions, or creative industries, New Zealand businesses have a reputation for innovation, quality, and reliability.

However, doing business across borders also involves many legal and regulatory challenges. From complying with different standards and overseas market access requirements, to protecting intellectual property and addressing legal risk through supply and distribution contracts, to managing logistics and transport, there are many issues that can affect the success of your international operations. That's why you need a team of experienced lawyers, with international law firm connections, who can help you navigate the complex and ever-changing rules and risks of global trade and ensure your business objectives are met.

Key services

Corporate, commercial and IP

We advise our clients on a range of corporate and commercial matters relevant to manufacturing and exporting, such as contract manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements – whether domestic or cross-border; freight forwarding, carriage, warehousing and logistics agreements; procurement; joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. We help our clients to structure their business and affairs – whether in New Zealand in or foreign markets. We advise on incoterms and international trade documentation such as letters of credit and bills of lading. We also assist with critical IP protection, licensing and commercialisation issues wherever you do business in the world.

Regulatory compliance

We assist our clients with navigating the complex and changing rules of domestic and international trade, such as New Zealand regulatory requirements for the manufacturing, storage and handling, transport, marketing and sale of goods and services; overseas market access requirements (OMARs); and ESG and probity considerations including modern slavery, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, export controls and 'codes of conduct'. We provide practical and strategic advice on how to comply with these rules, manage risks, and resolve any issues that may arise.

International disputes resolution

We represent our clients in international disputes arising from their cross-border trade and investment activities, such as cross-border litigation, international arbitration, and mediation. We have extensive experience and expertise in handling complex and high-stakes cases involving multiple jurisdictions, parties, and legal issues. We work with our clients to devise and implement the best strategy to achieve their desired outcomes.

Warehouse, factory and industrial leasing

We advise clients on leasing warehouses, factories and industrial premises for their manufacturing and exporting needs, advising on lease agreements, subleases, assignments, renewals, variations, rent reviews, repairs, maintenance and disputes.

Key people

Work Highlights

Advising FMCG dairy products manufacturer and exporter, Dairyworks, on multiple domestic and international contract manufacturing, supply (as customer and supplier), distribution, transport and storage arrangements.
Advising SKOPE on its key supply arrangement with customers like Asahi, BP and Z Energy.
Advising WMS Group on template and bespoke multi-modal carriage arrangements for the shipping of WMS' product from mine to port of shipment to port of destination.
Advising Synlait Milk Limited on international supply and distribution arrangements for a new product sold into Asia.
Advising various New Zealand food-manufacturers on their national and international distribution arrangements, including for Australia, Singapore, China, North America and Saudi Arabia.
Advising VinLink Marlborough Limited on its distribution arrangements for exporting Marlborough sauvignon blanc wine to the United States of America for sale in Costco stores.
Advising VinLink Marlborough Limited, Links Winery Limited and bStudio Limited on supply contracts and customer contracts for making wine, brewing beer and providing ancillary services such as canning and packaging services.
Acting for Hapai Zoto Limited Partnership on an agreement to design, build and lease a new canning facility for Ziwi Petfoods.
Advising WMS Group on international product supply agreements, including advice on bills of lading, letters of credit and shipping letters of indemnity.
Acting for Scales Corporation on its subscription for a 50% shareholding in a newly established European petfood ingredient processing operation, Esro Petfood BV, a joint venture with Esro Food Group.

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