In New Zealand, companies can struggle to pay all debts in full. This can occur for a variety of reasons.
An inability to pay debts can result in Voluntary Liquidation, Receivership or Voluntary Administration.
A voluntary liquidation is a process where a company decides to cease operations and liquidate its assets. Directors or shareholders make this decision when the company can no longer sustain itself or achieve its business goals. The process involves selling assets, paying off creditors, and distributing any remaining funds to shareholders.
The liquidator must also investigate the company’s affairs, including any potential breaches of directors’ duties. It is important to note that voluntary liquidation should not be entered into lightly, as it has serious consequences for the company, its directors, and its shareholders.
A company may be placed into liquidation by the passing of a special resolution of its shareholders.
For a special resolution to pass, it requires the majority of 75% (or a higher majority if the constitution requires it) of the votes of those shareholders entitled to vote and voting on the question.
Once the shareholders have passed a resolution, this must be filed with the Companies Office.
A liquidator can then be appointed. The Liquidators’ primary duty is to take possession of and sell assets for the benefit of creditors.
A liquidator will:
A liquidator is appointed by the directors or shareholders of a company undergoing voluntary liquidation.
If a company has been served with an application to liquidate the company by a creditor, the shareholders are unable to appoint a liquidator of their choice, unless the creditor who made the application to Court consents to this. Find out more about Liquidation by Creditor.
The perception created upon the appointment of the liquidator by the shareholders can be based on valid grounds but sometimes the perception can be nothing more than a perception. Creditors ought to be encouraged to investigate the individual liquidator and their history in similar situations.
Fortunately, judicial decisions are publicly searchable so it takes an insignificant amount of research to determine the liquidator’s reputation.
In the event that the perception is real, the process outlined above is recommended to obtain a liquidator who will pursue the interests of creditors vigorously.
Once the shareholders appoint a liquidator of their choice, the common perception among creditors is that the liquidator will be ‘friendly’ and will not pursue the directors/shareholders should valid claims exist. In some circumstances, these perceptions are well-founded, in other cases, they are not.
In this context, the most cost-efficient method to replace the liquidator is to have a resolution passed replacing the liquidator at an initial creditors meeting. The process for the calling of a creditors’ meeting is as follows:
The timeframes to call this meeting is crucial. If a creditor fails to notify within the statutory timeframes, the opportunity to present a resolution to replace the liquidator is lost.
All creditors’ meetings must be held pursuant to the prescribed procedure.
At the creditor’s meeting, the liquidator must disregard the related creditors’ votes. If the related creditor wishes for their vote to be taken into account, they need to make an application for such purpose to High Court.
It may become useful for a liquidation committee to be appointed at the creditors meeting. A liquidation committee has a supervisory role over the liquidators.
In reality, most Liquidators do not sue those who appointed them. However, some do.
Liquidators have many causes of action to sue Director/Shareholders. Some of these are:
Liquidators can take action against directors and there can be serious consequences.
At Norling Law we have expert insolvency and liquidation lawyers to assist our clients to navigate insolvency and to determine the correct procedure or whether an alternative will result in the best outcome for all concerned.
There is a process to appoint your own Liquidator. We assist clients to navigate this process correctly. There are many pitfalls if implemented incorrectly.
We offer a FREE 30-minute Legal Consultation where we can discuss the issues and we can add strategic value. After the discussion, we can decide whether we can help you and at what cost. Please refer to our People for more information on who we are, our experience and how we can help you.
We have offices on the North Shore in Auckland, New Zealand or can have the consultation by phone.
Voluntary business liquidation occurs when a company’s shareholders choose to wind up the company’s affairs because it can no longer meet its financial obligations or has reached the end of its useful life. Unlike receivership, which is typically initiated by a secured creditor to recover debts, Court-ordered liquidation, which normally happens when a creditor applies to the Court for an order liquidating an insolvent company, or voluntary administration, which aims to restructure and save the business, voluntary liquidation focuses on an orderly closure and fair distribution of assets to creditors under the oversight of a liquidator.
The process generally includes the following steps:
• Shareholder resolution: Shareholders pass a special resolution agreeing to place the company into liquidation.
• Appointment of a liquidator: A qualified liquidator is formally appointed to oversee the process.
• Public notification: The liquidation is publicly advertised to inform creditors and other stakeholders.
• Asset realisation: The liquidator gathers and sells company assets.
• Claims assessment: Creditors submit claims which are reviewed and assessed.
• Investigation: The liquidator investigates the company’s affairs, including any potential misconduct or voidable transactions.
• Distribution: Proceeds from asset sales are distributed according to the statutory priority of claims.
• Final reporting and deregistration: Once all matters are concluded, the liquidator files final reports and the company is removed from the Companies Register.
In a voluntary liquidation, the company’s shareholders typically appoint the liquidator through a special resolution. The liquidator must be a licensed insolvency practitioner. A suitable liquidator should have expertise in insolvency law, experience managing complex financial matters, and a reputation for impartiality and professionalism.
Yes, a shareholder-appointed liquidator can be removed. Creditors may resolve to replace the liquidator at the first creditors’ meeting or by application to the court if there are concerns about the liquidator’s conduct, independence, or competence. The process requires a majority vote of creditors or court approval, depending on the circumstances.
A liquidator’s duties include:
• Securing and realising company assets.
• Conducting investigations into the company’s financial affairs and transactions.
• Identifying and pursuing voidable transactions or claims against directors where applicable.
• Reviewing creditor claims and adjudicating their validity.
• Distributing proceeds in accordance with the statutory order of priority.
• Reporting to creditors and the Companies Office.
• Completing all administrative steps required to deregister the company.
Directors and shareholders can be held personally liable if they have breached their legal duties, traded while insolvent, engaged in reckless trading, or committed fraudulent or negligent acts. Shareholders’ liability is generally limited to unpaid shares unless they have provided personal guarantees. Liquidators have the authority to pursue claims where wrongdoing is identified.
While not legally required, engaging a specialist liquidation lawyer provides valuable legal expertise and protection throughout the process. Norling Law assists with pre-liquidation advice, risk assessment, preparation of resolutions, creditor negotiations, director liability matters, dispute resolution, and legal representation in court proceedings if necessary. This support helps minimise personal exposure and ensures compliance with legal obligations.
For directors, voluntary liquidation can trigger investigations into their conduct, with potential liability if breaches are uncovered. Shareholders may lose their investment and any unpaid shares may become payable. However, entering voluntary liquidation can demonstrate responsible management in addressing insolvency, potentially mitigating reputational damage if handled correctly.
Prior to liquidation, creditors can get personal guarantees and security interests in place. Otherwise, in a liquidation creditors can submit formal claims to the liquidator and participate in creditors’ meetings. They may form a creditors’ committee to oversee the liquidation process and hold the liquidator accountable. Creditors also have rights to request information, challenge liquidator decisions, or apply to the court if necessary.
Norling Law provides comprehensive legal support for businesses contemplating voluntary liquidation. Our services include pre-liquidation assessments, director advisory services, preparation of documentation, negotiation with creditors, and ongoing legal representation throughout the liquidation. We aim to ensure our clients make informed decisions and navigate the process with confidence and compliance.
Download your guide to corporate and personal insolvency in New Zealand by signing up to our newsletter.
We’ve been guiding people through times of uncertainty since 2015. Talk to us for free to see what we can do for you.
