Presenters

James Coleman, Barrister, Capital Chambers
James is a specialist tax barrister practicing in Wellington. He has over 20 year experience in tax litigation and has appeared many times in the Privy Council, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. He is the author of tax avoidance law in New Zealand and teaches a unit at the University of Auckland taxation master's programme.

Bruce Bernacchi, Partner, Dentons
Bruce leads Dentons’ New Zealand tax team. He has over 28 years’ experience advising on a wide range of taxation issues, including mergers and acquisitions, domestic and international corporate tax matters, indirect taxes and employee tax issues. He specializes in advising private equity clients, the financial services sector, commercial property investors, high net-worth individuals and technology companies. Bruce has advised on some of New Zealand’s largest buy-side and sell-side transactions, led tax due diligence and cross-border deal structuring and has acted for private equity clients, trade vendors and purchasers, and sovereign wealth funds. Bruce is also a specialist in advising on in-bound investment into New Zealand by foreign companies and in advising New Zealand businesses expanding offshore. He has extensive experience in advising on inbound investment from, and outbound investment into, the United States, Australia, and many countries across Asia Pacific. Bruce is an experienced and pragmatic tax adviser who brings a strong mix of technical skills, commercial acumen, and a focus on explaining complex tax issues to clients in a clear and straightforward manner. He is also a regular media commentator on topical New Zealand tax issues, appearing on television, radio and in print media.