Shareholders agreements, partnerships and joint ventures for New Zealand businesses

Pitt & Moore & your business

When you go into business with others, clarity at the beginning protects everyone in the long term.

Whether you are starting a new venture, investing alongside others, or formalising an existing arrangement, a well-drafted agreement reduces risk, prevents disputes and provides a clear pathway if circumstances change. 

At Pitt & Moore, our business structuring and governance practice is led by lawyers who specialise in this area, advising business owners, investors and family enterprises across Nelson Tasman and throughout New Zealand on shareholders agreements, partnership agreements and joint venture structures. Our focus is practical and commercially grounded. We ensure your arrangements are legally sound and workable in real life. 

Speak with our team 

For clear structures, aligned expectations and protected relationships. 

Talk to our team today

Shareholder agreements

A shareholders agreement sets out how a company will be owned, governed and managed. Without a well-planned one, default Companies Act provisions apply and disputes can quickly become complex and costly.  

We assist with: 

  • New shareholders agreements

  • Reviewing and updating existing agreements

  • Minority shareholder protections

  • Dividend and distribution policies

  • Governance and voting arrangements

  • Director appointment and removal

  • Share transfers and pre-emptive rights

  • Exit and buy-out mechanisms

We ensure expectations are aligned from the outset and that your agreement anticipates foreseeable risks. 

Partnership agreements

Many businesses begin informally. However, without a written partnership agreement, the Partnership Act applies by default and may not reflect your intentions. 

A carefully structured agreement protects both the business and the individuals involved. 

We advise on:

Joint ventures

Joint ventures are often used for property developments, farming arrangements, commercial projects and one off investments. 

Clear documentation ensures the venture operates smoothly and reduces the risk of later conflict. 

We assist with: 

Planning for change

Business relationships evolve. Circumstances change. Disputes often arise when agreements fail to address what happens next. 

We assist with: 

By addressing these scenarios early, you protect the continuity and
value of your enterprise. 

REVIEW YOUR CURRENT AGREEMENT TODAY

Preventing disputes
before they arise

Many commercial disputes stem from poorly drafted or outdated agreements. Our role is not simply to document your arrangement, but to identify potential areas of tension and address them clearly.

Clients choose Pitt & Moore because we provide: 

We aim to structure arrangements that are fair, workable and resilient over time. 

Speak with our legal commercial team

If you are entering a new business relationship or reviewing an existing structure, early advice can prevent significant issues later. 

Talk with our Nelson Tasman commercial lawyers about shareholders agreements, partnerships or joint ventures.