Economic recap May 2023 saw the Reserve Bank lifting the OCR by a final 25 basis points and stepping back saying job done in the belief they have broken the back of inflation with no further raises needed at this time, they do not anticipate any drops till 2024 however when inflation has dropped back somewhat. Of note from the below graphs, you will see the raised levels of appointments compared to the prior two years and heightened winding up application levels that highlight the challenging economic climate and financial difficulties experienced by companies, necessitating closer attention to their financial stability and operational viability. This will likely continue for some time. Company Insolvencies – Liquidations, Receiverships, and Voluntary Administrations Company…

We all know it’s frustrating not being paid. What’s worse is that not getting paid affects your cash flow and chasing bad debts takes time that could otherwise be spent doing productive work. If you decide that your best option for resolving the debt is to liquidate the debtor company, the process generally takes at least three months. There are a number of milestones along the way, which are outlined below. Provided the debt is not disputed, the first step is to issue a statutory demand. The purpose of the statutory demand is to test the company’s solvency – the presumption being that, if the company is solvent and the debt is not in dispute, the company will pay the…

Rescuing Struggling Companies in New Zealand: The Power of Creditors Compromise under Part XIV of the Companies Act 1993 Introduction In the challenging business landscape, many companies in New Zealand find themselves facing financial distress and struggling to meet their obligations. Fortunately, the Companies Act 1993 offers several mechanisms to facilitate the recovery of such companies. One option available to financially troubled companies is to consider a creditors compromise under Part XIV of the Act. This article aims to shed light on the benefits of a creditors compromise and highlight its differences from the voluntary administration process. Understanding the Creditors Compromise A creditors compromise is a process that enables a financially distressed company to reach an agreement with its creditors…

Economic recap April saw the latest inflation figures released for the year to March 2023 showing a drop from the highs seen in the last two periods. The bulk of this drop in inflation however was from international factors while domestic figures remained elevated. Because of this and a number of other reasons the Reserve Bank has continued on their track whacking on a further 50 basis point rise to the OCR. We expect to see a final 25 basis points at the next meeting. Comparatively Australia has seen their OCR drop, it is expected we will not see this for some time in NZ. The percentage of mortgage lending that remains at fixed rates is considerably higher in NZ,…

In New Zealand, the liquidator of an insolvent company may have the power to claw back funds received by creditors or other parties in certain circumstances. This is known as a voidable transaction, and it can occur if: The transaction occurred within the two-year period before the company entered into liquidation, and The transaction involved the transfer of property or payment of money, and The transaction gave the creditor or party an unfair advantage over other creditors of the company. If a transaction is deemed voidable, the liquidator may be able to claw back the funds received by the creditor or party. This is intended to ensure that all creditors are treated equally and that assets are distributed fairly. Some…

The risk of not paying your company taxes to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) in New Zealand can be significant and may include the following: Penalties and interest: If you do not pay your taxes on time, you may be subject to penalties and interest charges. These charges can quickly add up and significantly increase the amount owed. Legal action: The IRD has the power to take legal action to recover unpaid taxes. This can include issuing a statutory demand, taking court action, or placing a lien on your assets. Business closure: If a business fails to pay its taxes, the IRD may take steps to wind up the business. This can result in the forced sale of assets and…

Running a business successfully is a complex and challenging task that requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and effective management. Sometimes it can feel like you're barely keeping your head above water. One of the key challenges that business owners and managers face is ensuring that the company remains financially stable and solvent over the long term. Unfortunately, many businesses fail to recognize the warning signs of financial trouble until it's too late. One common mistake that many businesses make is overlooking warning signs or failing to address them in a timely and effective manner. For example, a company may continue to invest in an unprofitable product line or market, or delay making necessary cost-cutting measures until it's too late. In…

Economic recap Figures released in March saw the New Zealand economy gross domestic product (GDP) fall 0.6% in the last three months of 2022, after a 1.7% rise in the September 2022 quarter. The drop at the close of the year was larger than predicted by many of New Zealand banks and a number of economists. Annually, GDP is up 2.4% year on year, unemployment remains low, at 3.3%. Two large banks in the United States with significant exposure to the technology sector failed, while another entered liquidation under financial distress. These banks were Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Signature Bank. Outside the United States, Credit Suisse joined the above 3 banks finding themselves in difficulty, the difference here…

Legitimate business risk is the potential risk that a business faces in pursuing its legitimate objectives. When trading a company that has cash flow problems in New Zealand, there are several legitimate business risks that investors or directors need to consider. These risks include: 1. Credit Risk: If a company is experiencing cash flow problems, it may be at risk of defaulting on its debt obligations, which could harm its credit rating and affect its ability to obtain financing in the future. 2. Operational Risk: Cash flow problems can also affect a company's ability to operate effectively, leading to disruptions in production, delivery, or customer service. This can harm the company's reputation and lead to loss of market share. 3.…

Under New Zealand law, a director can be held liable for trading recklessly or insolvently if they allow the company to continue trading while it is insolvent or likely to become insolvent, and their actions cause a loss to the company's creditors. The determinants for finding a director liable for trading recklessly or insolvently include: Awareness of Insolvency: A director may be held liable if they continue to trade while the company is insolvent or if they become aware or should have been aware of the company's insolvency and failed to take appropriate action to address it. Breach of Directors' Duties: Directors have a duty to act in the best interests of the company, exercise due care and diligence, and…

Economic recap February saw another lift in the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points, with a further 75 basis points expected to be added this year. The language from the reserve bank indicated that they had not seen the expected signs in inflation pull back and were continuing on their chosen path from 2022 to get inflation under control as quickly as possible. The extreme weather events experienced in January continued into February with considerable damage to parts of the North Island. While the immediate effects have been considerable in certain areas the long term effects and costs will have wide reaching repercussions as additional spend will be necessary and likely increase demand on limited supplies and pressure on…

If you have sold your business or business assets and ceased trading and you are considering liquidating your solvent company, there are a number of benefits to completing the process before the end of the financial year. A solvent liquidation, is a process by which a company is wound up and its assets are distributed to its shareholders because it is no longer needed or wanted. The benefits of doing so include: Tax advantagesBy completing your solvent liquidation before the end of the financial year, you can take advantage of tax benefits that are only available to companies that are wound up before the end of the financial year. In particular, you may be able to claim a tax deduction…