Selling a business in Queenstown and the Southern Lakes

On this page

1. How the market is different
2. The questions buyers ask here
3. Brokers and advisers
4. If you're selling here

My owner-operator background in Queenstown informs the questions in this guide for owners in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Te Anau. Seasonal trading, staff accommodation, premises and local relationships can all deserve attention. The priorities depend on the particular business. For the wider process, read the New Zealand owner's guide.

How the market is different

Tourism, hospitality, retail and the businesses serving them create practical questions about seasonality, premises, staffing and local relationships. Potential buyers can include another operator, an acquisition group, the management team or an owner-operator. The buyer pool and funding depend on the business; this guide does not assume one buyer type or a local pricing premium.

Where owners, staff, landlords and customers know one another, confidentiality needs careful planning. Agree with your licensed broker how information will be released and who can receive it. A good reputation helps tell the story, but supporting records and material issues still need proper examination.

Questions to prepare for in the Southern Lakes

• Where do the staff live? Document any accommodation the business owns, leases or arranges, its cost and the relevant terms. A buyer needs to assess continuity rather than assume those arrangements carry over.
• How much of the roster is on seasonal or working-holiday visas, and what happens if that tightens?
• What does the lease say? Gather the lease, renewals and variations, then ask your lawyer to check term, permitted use, assignment and any issues raised by the proposed sale.
• Does a concession or consent need action? Check the particular permission and proposed transaction. DOC's concession guidance is one relevant starting point for activity operators.
• What happens in the lower trading months? Show the actual pattern in monthly accounts, bookings and margins rather than relying on annual totals or an assumed tourism season.
• Is the owner the brand? In a town built on personal networks, a lot of businesses are. Buyers from outside the district price the risk that the customers leave with you.

Brokers and advisers in the district

The national brokerages work the district, and there are experienced independents based in Queenstown. The regional accounting firms have seen a great many sales and will tell you plainly whether yours is ready; the advisers page says how I work alongside them, and I'm happy to suggest brokers for your kind of business when the time comes.

If you're selling here

The Sale-Readiness Review takes ten working days from payment, assuming the documents arrive by day four, and I know this market from the vendor's side. Start with a free twenty-minute conversation, or the readiness check.