10 Tips For Finding Insolvency Practitioners In New Zealand

Financial distress has a way of dominating every waking thought, whether you’re a business owner staring down mounting debts or an individual feeling the relentless pressure of creditors and complex legal obligations. In moments like these, the pathway forward can seem anything but clear. The right insolvency practitioner isn’t just a legal requirement—they can be the difference between a chaotic unravel and a carefully managed resolution that protects your interests, ensures compliance with New Zealand law, and offers the best chance for recovery.

Yet, finding a practitioner you can trust isn’t as simple as picking a name from a directory. New Zealand’s Insolvency Practitioners Regulation Act 2019 sets out strict licensing standards, while professional bodies like RITANZ and CA ANZ uphold ongoing training and ethical conduct. But what should you actually look for in a practitioner? How do you sort genuine expertise from glossy marketing? And how can you be sure your chosen adviser is equipped to guide you through the most challenging financial chapter of your life or business?

This article offers ten practical, actionable tips to help you identify, evaluate, and select the insolvency professional best suited to your needs—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Selecting the right insolvency practitioner is more than ticking boxes—it’s about combining hard facts with a sense of trust. Start by verifying licences, checking professional memberships and examining past case outcomes. Then weigh those credentials against the softer but equally important factors: clear communication, empathy for your situation and a realistic outlook on timelines and costs.

Don’t rely on a single data point. Cross-reference information from the Insolvency Practitioners Register, RITANZ or CA ANZ, and ask peers for honest feedback. Look for consistency: if licence details match what the practitioner shares, and if peer reviews echo your own impressions of their professionalism, you’re likely on the right track.

At the end of the day, you deserve someone who not only understands the legal and financial complexities but also respects the personal or emotional toll insolvency can take. By blending quantitative checks—licences, experience, specialisations—with qualitative insights—responsiveness, clarity, compassion—you’ll equip yourself to make a confident decision.

Tax Debt Coach Services

I'm not a qualified Liquidator and don't do liquidations. However, I can refer you to liquidators that are well qualified and experienced in this area.

I do make an assessment of your individual circumstances, determine if your tax arrears are manageable and outline your options. If I believe that your tax arrears have reached a level where they are not manageable or signs that your business is trading while it is insolvent, I will recommend using the services of a liquidator.

Sometimes you might be surprised what IRD is prepared to write off under financial hardship grounds. So, I would regard the use of a liquidator as a means of last resort, particularly when you are running a profitable business and it is generating a positive cashflow.

If your business is operating at a loss and you are burning through cash, you are unlikely to get tax written off under hardship grounds unless significant structural changes can be made to your business. Often in these circumstances liquidating your company might be your best option.

If you’d like holistic support that pairs expert tax arrears assessment and detailed financial analysis with financial and psychological coaching, explore our services at Tax Debt Coach and take the next step towards regaining control of your finances.