Nick Wells Nick Wells

Nick Wells

Poutoko Rangapū (Consultant)
Wellington

Corporate & commercial

Nick consults as part of our Māori Legal Group, Te Waka Ture, specialising in commercial legal advice to iwi and Māori organisations, he provides guidance on post-Treaty settlement transactions, joint ventures and collective iwi arrangements.

He is a leading expert on corporate structuring for Māori, private equity, businesses and charities.

Nick was the independent expert to the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Limited Partnership legislation, one of the most significant structuring initiatives for Māori, charities and corporate activity in recent times.

An Adjunct Professor at The University of Auckland Law School, Nick is responsible for the iwi governance courses at undergraduate and masters levels. He is also a contributing author to the Laws of New Zealand and co-author of Wells’ Limited Partnership Handbook, both published by LexisNexis.

Nick led the firm as Hoa Rangapū Whakarae (Chief Executive Partner) from July 2016 to January 2021. 

Recent highlights

  • Advising Ngāti Whātua Orākei on their treaty settlement, related restructure and ongoing issues with the Crown.
  • Assisting Waikato-Tainui in relation to major governance issues including their recent review and first principles rewrite of their constitutional documents.
  • Advising Ngāpuhi on structuring its commercial and fisheries activities.
  • Assisting Ngāti Porou in respect of its forestry holdings and joint ventures.
  • Helping over a dozen iwi establish the ICP as a collective vehicle to maximise the fishing quota of those participating iwi.

Nick's insights

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Best visual identity in the professional services sector

With the help of creative agency Iceberg, we are pleased to have won the Transform Magazine Gold Award for ‘Best visual identity from the professional services sector’.

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Joshua Jones

Newly-appointed Special Counsel in hot demand with international clients

We have elevated Joshua Jones to Special Counsel, recognising the skills and impressive network of international contacts he brings to the firm’s financial restructuring and insolvency practice.

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Te Aopare Dewes, Nicola Swan, and Luke Ford

Legal expert superstars promoted to partner

The partnership will be enhanced with the appointment of Nicola Swan, Luke Ford and Te Aopare Dewes to partner, effective 1 December 2020.

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Pip England

Pip England appointed Chief Executive Partner

Chapman Tripp has appointed Pip England as the firm’s new Chief Executive Partner, succeeding Nick Wells.

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Zeren welcomes James Fuller as new CEO

Zeren, Chapman Tripp’s legal tech arm welcomes James Fuller as new CEO.

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Tikanga Māori increasingly prevalent in law

NZ is in a period of transformative recognition of tikanga Māori in the law, now more prevalent in legislation and increasingly being recognised as an integral part of decision-making.

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High rankings in Chambers Asia Pacific 2020

Chapman Tripp recognised with the highest number of ranked practice areas and individuals in NZ.

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KangaNews Law Firm of the Year

We have been named NZ Law Firm of the Year at the 2019 KangaNews Awards for the fourth consecutive year.

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Our three new partners are ground breakers

​In a busy and more demanding environment, we are pleased to announce the appointment of three new partners.

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Another big year at the NZ Law Awards

Chapman Tripp is thrilled to have won again at last night’s 2019 awards ceremony.

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Chapman Tripp promotes two special counsel

We are pleased to announce the appointment of two special counsel in our Wellington office.

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Celebrating the promotion of three senior solicitors

Chapman Tripp is pleased to announce the promotion of three senior solicitors in its Wellington office.

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Nine new June appointments at Chapman Tripp

Chapman Tripp is pleased to announce the promotion of seven new senior associates, and the recognition of two senior legal advisors.

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Winner at the 2019 Australasian Law Awards

​Chapman Tripp’s corporate and commercial team scooped up New Zealand Deal Firm of the Year and Partner John Strowger won New Zealand Dealmaker of the Year at last night’s Awards.

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IFLR Asia-Pacific's most innovative New Zealand law firm

​Chapman Tripp has won the Most Innovative National Law Firm (New Zealand) Award in the IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards for the third consecutive year.

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Ten new promotions at Chapman Tripp

Chapman Tripp is pleased to announce the promotion of 10 new senior solicitors across its three offices.

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Chapman Tripp proud to adopt formal te reo Māori policy

Chapman Tripp is proud to announce it has adopted a formal te reo Māori policy.

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Iwi business flourishing – more benefits for members

The Māori economy has powered beyond $50b and business-savvy iwi are now extending their investment into more social initiatives that directly benefit iwi members.

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Crown-Māori relationship evolves as $50b industry grows

Continued growth in the Māori economy off the back of what has been a tumultuous Treaty settlement process will see more active participation of iwi groups in New Zealand’s domestic M&A market, Chapman Tripp says.

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Others in the team

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