Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith

She/herSpecial Counsel
Wellington
About

Wendy is a corporate and commercial lawyer who advises insurers, financial institutions, listed entities and public sector clients on complex governance, regulatory and transactional matters in New Zealand.

She works with boards, general counsel and executive teams on corporate governance frameworks, regulatory compliance and commercial strategy, with particular depth in insurance and financial services regulation.

Wendy regularly supports clients on the establishment and structuring of New Zealand operations, including joint ventures and large-scale commercial arrangements, and advises on mergers and acquisitions and long-term strategic partnerships.

Wendy provides clear, pragmatic advice on complex issues, particularly where legal, regulatory and commercial considerations intersect.

Areas of FocusCorporatePublic Company and Corporate GovernanceMergers and AcquisitionsCommercial ContractsInsuranceFinancial Services RegulatoryRegulatory and Government AffairsFinancial ServicesInfrastructure, Construction and TransportEnergy and Natural Resources
Professional QualificationsBarrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising insurers on regulatory risk and compliance, including in relation to new products and marketing strategies in evolving regulatory environments.
  • Supporting public and private sector clients on complex corporate governance matters, including board-level advice on governance structures, listing rules and decision-making frameworks.
  • Assisting international clients entering the New Zealand market with structuring, entity establishment and regulatory requirements.
  • Acting on mergers and acquisitions and corporate and commercial transactions, including asset sales, joint ventures and distribution arrangements.
Languages
  • English

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • NZ Lawyer Rising Star (2024)
  • New Zealand Law Awards – Young Private Practice Lawyer Excellence Awardee (2024)
Education
  • Bachelor of Laws, Victoria University of Wellington

Speaker events

Wendy regularly presents at DLA Piper New Zealand’s Quarterly Funds Industry Update and the OnBoard director training programme. She also presents director training sessions on governance and directors’ duties.

Prior Experience

Wendy’s experience includes in-house and private practice roles advising government entities, regulators and corporates in New Zealand on governance, commercial and transactional matters. She has also held in-house roles with an insurer and an NZX-listed entity, advising on corporate governance and listing rules compliance.

Memberships

  • New Zealand Law Society
  • Wellington Women Lawyers' Association.

My latest insights

Publication
Fragment of modern urban architecture

DLA Piper Financial Futures Report – A New Zealand Lens

24 April 2026

Publication
Tenney_Park_Madison_WI_PPT

Key points for insurers in the new IPSA Bill

21 April 2026

Publication
Modern_building_N_2358_PPT

Unfair contract terms: FMCA power enables FMA to seek court declarations

30 January 2026

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Phone

+64 4 474 3206
(Work, New Zealand )
+64 27 408 7156
(Mobile, New Zealand )