Matt specialises in guiding families through life’s big legal decisions – from succession planning and wealth transition, to trust management and estate administration. Clients also benefit from his commercial law expertise and sound advice on property deals and investment opportunities. Matt helps people simplify their affairs so everything is fit for purpose. Whether the challenge involves untangling a maze of legal entities or managing sensitive family dynamics, Matt brings a calm head, good judgement and exceptional people skills to help find constructive and harmonious solutions.
Clients value Matt’s ability to see the bigger picture and cut through the noise. He’s known for asking the right questions, listening carefully, and helping families have the kind of open conversations that prevent surprises down the track. For many, he becomes a trusted sounding board – part legal adviser, part strategist, part counsellor – guiding people through important decisions with empathy and care.
Since joining CLM in 2003, Matt has become an expert legal advisor in the kiwifruit sector. He acts for some of the largest growing entities in the industry and has co-led the annual Zespri grower licence release project since 2012.
Around our office, Matt is renowned for his near-magnetic pull towards a whiteboard. No meeting is safe from his scribbles, sketches and flowcharts – but they always help make the complex look deceptively simple.
Life outside of work revolves around his wife, Rita, and their four children. Matt has always loved playing cricket but has now retired from the crease and is content to watch his two sons play at a much higher level than he could ever dream of doing himself. On his bucket list? Watching New Zealand win a test at the MCG, attending the Masters at Augusta, and one day shooting under his age in golf – though he admits he may need to live a very long time to achieve that goal!
