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John Peterson

Partner
Wellington
Download John's vCard

DDI:        +64 4 498 5028
Mobile:   +64 21 895 559
FAX:        +64 4 498 5001
Email:      

John specialises in the area of tax and trusts. He provides structuring solutions for clients and represents them in disputes with the Inland Revenue

Professional Qualifications

LLM (International Taxation) New York University, 2000
BCL University of Oxford, 1999
MA Victoria University of Wellington, 1999
LLB (Hons) Victoria University of Wellington, 1996
Admitted as Barrister & Solicitor (High Court of New Zealand)

Areas of expertise

Tax
Private Client
Executive Remuneration

John has been a partner in the Wellington tax team since 2006 advising clients on all aspects of New Zealand taxation.   He is a former Commonwealth Scholar with a BCL in trusts and taxation from Oxford University and an LLM in International Tax from NYU.  John has practiced tax law in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and New York, providing specialist advice on the taxation of securities offerings, managed funds, private equity investment, venture capital, structured finance and asset financing. John has also successfully represented a number of clients in disputes with the Inland Revenue.
 
Some of John's major projects
  • Advising MOVAC on establishment of venture capital fund
  • Advice to Rangitane Iwi on structuring their post-settlement governance entity
  • Advising VWR International on the acquisition of the EBOS business
  • Representing the Chesterfields Preschools Limited in a successful judicial review application against the Commissioner of Inland Revenue
  • Advising ANZ National Bank Limited on asset leases with On Site Broadcasting (NZ) Limited and Solid Energy New Zealand Limited
  • Advising Westpac on the NZ tax implications of a refinancing involving the issue of stapled securities
  • Advising Cards NZ Limited on a restructuring of Visa International
  • Advising Grosvenor, Medical Assurance and Perpetual Trustees in relation to the establishment of PIE compliant funds
  • Advising Grosvenor, NZX and Public Trust in relation to tax compliance on their investment funds
Seminars and publications
 
  • “OECD Proposals on Claiming Treaty Relief” (Taxation Today, September 2010)
  • "The End of the Qualifying Company" (Taxation Today, July 2010)
  • “The Role of Market Value in a Tax Avoidance Analysis” (Taxation Today,  May 2010)
  • “Disposing of Partnership Interests – Hidden Complications” (Taxation Today, October 2009)
  • “Taxation of Emissions Units” (Taxation Today, June 2009)
  • “No Rules in Dangerous Tax Precedent” (National Business Review, 18 June 2010)
  • Offshore Tax Planning in New Zealand, Article in BNA Journal of International Tax Planners, NZLS, August 2008
  • Taxation of Portfolio Investment Entities, New Zealand Law Society Conference, Auckland, August 2008
  • View John's regular TalkTax blog here (TalkTax is a community website for tax and accounting professionals)
International recognition
 
Finalist - 2010 NZ Law Awards - CCH Tax Law
Endorsed Lawyer (Tax) - PLC Which lawyer? - 2010
Acknowledged - World Tax (2009/2010) - International Tax Review
Recommended Lawyer (Tax) - PLC Which lawyer? - 2009
 
Memberships and Directorships
 
Member of International Fiscal Association (IFA)
Member of Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP)
 
Work history
 
Partner, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Wellington (2006 - current)
Tax Solicitor, Shearman & Sterling, London (2002 - 2005)
Tax Attorney, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, New York (1999 - 2002)
Tax Solicitor, Chapman Tripp, Wellington (1996 - 1998)




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