Contact Details

email:  peter@speakmanlaw.co.nz
mobile:  021 854 642

Qualifications

LLB (Hons), University of Auckland (1987)
BCom, University of Auckland (1987)
Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand (1987)

Associations

NZ Law Society
International Fiscal Association
Royal Auckland Golf Club
Parnell Cricket Club - Honorary Vice President
Auckland University Rugby Football Club

Peter Speakman

Director

Prior to founding Speakman Law, Peter was a partner at a medium size law firm (for 9 years) and then at a large national firm (for 6 years) where he headed the corporate and tax division.

His clients include a number of multi-nationals spanning animal health, flexible packaging, financial investment, energy, IT and building components.  His clients also include many privately owned NZ companies spanning most industries, from property and waste management to IT, freight forwarding and fragrance supplies.

Peter has a strong tax background, in tandem with his corporate experience comprising mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and takeovers.  His tax expertise, particularly in the area of inbound investment, allows him to advise on the structuring components of transactions while also negotiating and drafting them.  That skill is quite unique among lawyers.

Peter is committed to delivering excellence at all times and focuses heavily on continuous learning and practice development as demonstrated by his authorship of a book published by CCH entitled "A Practical Guide to Tax Penalties in New Zealand".  In addition he has authored numerous articles for the CCH NZ Tax Planning Reports.  In the last decade these have included:

1. Residence.
2. The Compulsory Zero-Rating (CZR) Rules.
3. Taxation of Cross Border Dividends.
4. Tax Planning - Choosing between Debt and Equity for Investments.
5. Structuring for Foreign Acquisitions of NZ Businesses.
6. The FA Rules:  Is the exclusion of equity instruments justified?
7. The FA Rules:  The Spreading Methods and BPA .
8. The FA Rules:  Problems and Practical Issues.
9. Tax issues with retained earnings.
10. Trading trusts - Structuring Issues.
11. Peter has been keynote speaker at a number of tax conferences over the years.  Notably he was keynote speaker for the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants at their National Tax Conference speaking on limited partnerships.  He has also been a keynote speaker on the subject of mergers and acquisitions.

Outside of law he is a keen sportsman with interests in particular in cricket, golf, rugby, athletics and skiing.  He is also a keen tramper and regular coach of each of his 3 boys' many sports teams and doesn't like rain much.