Max Kwan

Solicitor
Auckland
About

Max Kwan is a solicitor working in the Auckland corporate and tax team. Max has experience advising clients on the legal and tax implications associated with M&A, corporate restructuring, financing, ESOPs and renewable energy projects, with a particular focus on international tax and corporate structuring. Max also has significant experience in underwriting W&I insurance for New Zealand's largest transactions.

Max's clients range from high-net wealth individuals to domestic start-ups, to large listed multinational enterprises across a variety of different industries including private equity, entertainment, technology, insurance and renewable energy.

Max has a strong interest in renewable energy, financial markets and the potential opportunities that arise from emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain.

Areas of FocusMergers and AcquisitionsCorporatePrivate EquityEnergy and Natural ResourcesTaxConsumer Goods, Food and RetailMedia, Sport and EntertainmentTechnologyFinancial Services
Professional QualificationsBarrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising Yamaha Motor Co. on its acquisition of Robotics Plus.
  • Advising Contact Energy on the acquisition of the Todd Corporation's stake in the Forest Partners Limited Partnership. This required careful consideration of the forestry and ETS rules under the Income Tax Act under bespoke limited partnership and JV arrangements.
  • Advising multinational enterprises on employee share option plans (ESOPs) offered to New Zealand domiciled employees and contractors.
  • Advising warranty and indemnity insurers across the Asia-Pacific region including AIG, Liberty Global Solutions, Fusion and Volante on the provision of warranty and indemnity insurance for large-scale New Zealand and cross-border transactions.
  • Advising various renewable energy businesses on regulatory and structuring matters associated with projects in New Zealand.
  • Advising various multinational enterprises on their New Zealand tax and transfer pricing obligations.
  • Advising various private equity clients on fund formation, regulation and operational matters.
 
Languages
  • English
  • Chinese (Cantonese)

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

ITR World Tax 2025 – Rising Star

Education
  • University of Auckland, LLB, 2022
  • University of Auckland, BCom (Economics and Finance), 2022

Prior Experience

2020-21, Corporate International Tax at Big 4 accounting firm

Memberships and Affiliations

  • International Fiscal Association (IFA)
  • Young IFA Network (YIN)
  • Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association (HKNZBA) 
  • New Zealand Young Asian Lawyers

My latest insights

Publication

New Tax Bill aims to attract migrants to New Zealand

27 August 2025 .5 minute read

Publication

Budget 2025, the Growth Budget

22 May 2025 .3 minute read

News

DLA Piper advises on Yamaha Motor’s acquisition of Robotics Plus

12 March 2025 .3 minute read

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Phone

+64 9 300 3806
(Work, Auckland)