Background
In December 2025, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) confirmed it was investigating Chance Voight Investment Corporation Limited and related entities and sought the appointment of interim liquidators over six associated companies. The High Court approved the application and appointed Malcolm Hollis, John Fisk, and Lara Bennett of PwC New Zealand as interim liquidators, effective 10 December 2025.
The Court initially imposed restrictions on the publication of its reasons for appointing interim liquidators. While some restrictions were later lifted, certain aspects of the decisions and related material remain subject to ongoing suppression orders. Copies of the Court’s decisions have been released in redacted form where suppression applies.
In parallel, the High Court granted interim asset preservation orders against Bernard Whimp and a subsidiary entity, Hanmer Equities Limited, to protect assets pending the outcome of the FMA’s investigation. The Court’s reasons for granting these orders remain subject to a publication prohibition.
In February 2026, the FMA asked the Court to schedule hearings to progress its substantive application to place the six Chance Voight companies into liquidation and to consider whether PwC’s interim liquidators’ report—currently suppressed—may be released. The Court scheduled a hearing on 3 March 2026 in the Christchurch High Court to determine whether the interim liquidators’ report may be published.
The Court has also set down a three-day hearing from 29 June to 1 July 2026 to determine the FMA’s substantive application to liquidate the six Chance Voight entities currently in interim liquidation.
The FMA has publicly cautioned investors to fully inform themselves before providing any further funds to Bernard Whimp or any Chance Voight–related person or entity. The investigation remains ongoing, with the FMA and the interim liquidators continuing to receive information from investors, creditors, and other parties.
For enquiries, investors and creditors have been directed to the interim liquidators via [email protected], while information relevant to the investigation may be provided directly to the FMA at [email protected].
