Announcement • Aug 14
Secure Asset Fund, managed by Pacific Equity Partners Pty Limited entered into an agreement to acquire 75% stake in Data Centre Business from Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) for approximately NZD 580 million. Secure Asset Fund, managed by Pacific Equity Partners Pty Limited entered into an agreement to acquire 75% stake in Data Centre Business from Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) for approximately NZD 580 million on August 12, 2025. A cash consideration of NZD 486 million will be paid by Pacific Equity Partners Pty Limited. Pacific Equity Partners Pty Limited will pay an earnout/contingent payment of NZD 98 million cash. As part of consideration, NZD 584 million is paid towards business division of Data Centre Business of Pacific Equity Partners Pty Limited. Spark New Zealand will retain 25% stake to continuing to participate in the growing market. The transaction values the data Centre business at up to NZD 705 million.
As part of the transaction, Spark will move its data Centre assets and operations into a new stand-alone company that is currently being referred to as ‘DC Co’, which will have its own Board, management team and debt financing facilities.
The transaction is subject to regulatory and customary consents including Overseas Investment Office approval.
The expected completion of the transaction is December 31, 2025. Proceeds will be used to reduce group net debt.
Jarden Securities Limited acted as financial advisor for Spark New Zealand Limited. RBC Capital Markets, Australia acted as financial advisor to Pacific Equity Partners Pty Limited. Announcement • Jun 12
KKR Reportedly Among Parties Doing Sums on Spark Buyout It is only a stake in its data centres that Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) has up for sale, but that does not appear to be deterring parties from weighing a deal to buy the entire $4 billion telecommunications provider. DataRoom can reveal that New York-based private equity powerhouse KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE:KKR) has been considering a buyout of the entire company in recent months, as investment bank Jarden runs a process to sell a 50% stake in its data centres, with the half share valued at about NZD 400 million ($370 million). Spark, which was spawned out of government-owned entity Telecom, is New Zealand's version of Telstra - the nation's dominant telecommunications provider. First-round offers for the data centres were due last week, and infrastructure funds are conspicuously missing from the auction. But all the focus now from market insiders is on the parties considering a buyout proposal for Spark and whether a bid in fact eventuates. It is understood that there has been at least one private equity firm circling. Another logical suitor would be Swedish private equity firm EQT. Big infrastructure funds are not looking at the centres, sources say. Sources say data centre operator Next DC is taking a look, as is Global Data Centre Group. Announcement • May 20
Spark of Interest as Private Equity Reportedly Looks At Buyout The $3.7 billion Australia and New Zealand listed telecoms company Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) is understood to have at least two private equity firms running the ruler over the business for a buyout proposal. It comes as the group has an auction afoot through Jarden for its data centre assets, with hopes that they may fetch a price of about $800 million. DataRoom understands that buyout funds with expertise in telecommunication businesses are doing work on whether to make an offer for the largest telco across the Tasman that was previously owned by the New Zealand government. Funds that have experience running telcos abroad and previously bid for Australian telco Vocus when it was listed included Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and EQT, along with private equity firm Affinity. Brookfield is not a contender, but BGH Capital may be looking, along with TPG Capital, although some observers believe the business would be too operational for those parties. Well-connected sources believe any suitor would likely take the view that a deal could stack up at NZD 2.50, but not at NZD 3, so that means its share price would need to fall below NZD 2 - it's currently trading around NZD 2.18, or $2 in Australia. Yet Spark remains under pressure with large levels of debt (net debt was at almost NZD 1.7 billion at December), and it is a situation which has prompted the group to sell its capital-intensive data centres. Should it fail to achieve its price ambitions, an equity raising may need to occur, which could come at a deep discount, pushing its share price lower. Also in question is how long chairman Justine Smythe remains, with suggestions surfacing that her departure could be imminent. Australian-listed telecoms giant Telstra is understood to have weighed an acquisition of New Zealand counterpart Spark in recent years, sources say. However, it is understood to have passed on the opportunity, determining it was not the right priority for the No.1-listed Australian telco player, which has about 40% of the local market share. Some private equity firms have also shied away, not wanting such a large exposure to the New Zealand market. Also, some industry operatives question where the value will be for a private equity buyer, with many of the costs recently stripped out. But others believe in private hands, operatives can substantially lift the financial performance. A buyout fund would also need to consider what its sale options would be in future years, with another listing its likely only option, as Asian telcos are also adverse to major New Zealand investment. Announcement • May 12
Interest in Spark Lights Up Stonepeak Partners LP appears to be continuing its unrelenting march when it comes to investing in the Australian and New Zealand infrastructure space, with the global group believed to be weighing a move to buy Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK)'s data centre portfolio that may sell for about $800 million. The US infrastructure investor that counts former Macquarie banker Darren Keogh in its top ranks is considering a purchase of Australia's largest diagnostic imaging provider, I-Med, and recently fended off competition from Williams and GIP to acquire a 40% interest in Woodside's Louisiana-based LNG Infrastructure. Stonepeak is listed in New York with more than $50 billion of assets under management and it joins groups like Canadian pension fund CDPQ and private equity firms like KKR, EQT and Pacific Equity Partners in considering a purchase of the assets across the Tasman. The data centres are up for sale through Jarden. The process has launched but is in its early stages as Spark seeks to get money through the door to pay down debt. Announcement • Feb 28
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec completed the acquisition of 50% stake in Connexa Limited from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK). Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec agreed to acquire 50% stake in Connexa Limited from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) for approximately AUD 310 million on December 12, 2024. A cash consideration of AUD 314 million will be paid by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. As part of consideration, AUD 314 million is paid towards common equity of Connexa Limited. On completion of the transaction, Ontario Teachers’ and CDPQ will each hold a 50% co-controlling interest in Connexa.
Under the terms of the deal, Spark will remain a key customer of Connexa. Spark will continue to determine how its mobile network is developed, including where and when capacity investments occur, with Connexa then designing and deploying these build programmes. Spark will also continue to own all the 'smarts' of the network – such as radio equipment and spectrum.
The transaction is subject to approval by regulatory board / committee. The expected completion of the transaction is July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025.
BofA acted as the exclusive financial adviser to Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. Allens and Russell McVeagh acted as legal advisor to Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. The Allens legal team was led by Tom Story and Gavin Smith.
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec completed the acquisition of 50% stake in Connexa Limited from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) on February 28, 2025.
As of February 28, 2025, regulatory approval has been received. Announcement • Feb 21
Spark New Zealand Limited Estimates Ordinary Dividend for the Period of Six Months Ended December 31, 2024, Payable on April 4, 2025 Spark New Zealand Limited estimated ordinary fully paid foreign exempt dividend of NZD 0.14154412 per security for the period of six months ended December 31, 2024. Record Date is March 21, 2025; Ex Date is March 20, 2025; Payment Date is April 4, 2025. Announcement • Dec 12
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec agreed to acquire 50% stake in Connexa Limited from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) for approximately AUD 310 million. Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec agreed to acquire 50% stake in Connexa Limited from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) for approximately AUD 310 million on December 12, 2024. A cash consideration of AUD 314 million will be paid by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. As part of consideration, AUD 314 million is paid towards common equity of Connexa Limited. On completion of the transaction
Ontario Teachers’ and CDPQ will each hold a 50% co-controlling interest in Connexa.
Under the terms of the deal, Spark will remain a key customer of Connexa. Spark will continue to determine how its mobile network is developed, including where and when capacity investments occur, with Connexa then designing and deploying these build programmes. Spark will also continue to own all the 'smarts' of the network – such as radio equipment and spectrum.
The transaction is subject to approval by regulatory board / committee. The expected completion of the transaction is July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025.
BofA acted as the exclusive financial adviser to Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. Announcement • Nov 26
Spark New Zealand Limited Appoints Stewart Taylor as Chief Financial Officer, Effective 9 December 2024 Spark New Zealand Limited announced the appointment of Stewart Taylor as Chief Financial Officer, effective 9 December 2024. Stewart has over 25 years' experience across a range of finance and executive roles in the financial services sector. He was most recently Chief Financial Officer at Partners Life, where he worked with private equity firm Blackstone on the sale and transition of ownership of the business to Dai-ichi Life Holdings. This followed a substantial 15-year career at ANZ New Zealand, including as Chief Financial Officer for over four years and Chief Executive Officer of ANZ Investments, along with a series of other senior finance roles. Stewart is a Chartered Accountant, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Durham, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. As previously announced, outgoing Finance Director Stefan Knight will depart the business on 20 December 2024. Once the changes are effective the Spark Leadership Squad will include: Jolie Hodson, CEO, Stewart Taylor, Chief Financial Officer, Mark Beder, Customer Director Enterprise and Government, Greg Clark, SME and Consumer Director, Matt Bain, Marketing Director, Renee Mateparae, Network and Operations Director, Heather Polglase, People and Culture Director, Melissa Anastasiou, General Counsel, Leela Ashford, Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director, John Wesley-Smith, Strategy and Regulatory Director. Announcement • Aug 30
Spark New Zealand Limited Announces Board Changes Spark New Zealand Chair Justine Smyth announced that Alison Barrass will not be seeking re-election at Spark's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on 1 November 2024, and will be stepping down from the Spark Board, effective from the close of the meeting. Alison is currently Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, and sits on the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee. Announcement • May 06
Spark New Zealand Limited Reaffirms Dividend Guidance for the Full Year 2024 Spark New Zealand Limited reaffirmed dividend guidance for the full year 2024. For the period, the company expected dividend of 27.5 cents per share compared to previous guidance of 27.5 cents per share. Announcement • Mar 29
Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) announces an Equity Buyback for 33,659,451 shares, representing 5% for NZD 45 million. Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) announces a share repurchase program. Under the plan, the company will repurchase up to 33,659,451 shares, representing 5% of issued share capital for NZD 45 million. The repurchased shares will be cancelled. The program will be valid for 12 months. Announcement • Dec 20
Spark New Zealand Limited, Annual General Meeting, Nov 01, 2024 Spark New Zealand Limited, Annual General Meeting, Nov 01, 2024. Announcement • Oct 18
Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) signed a conditional agreement to acquire remaining 53% stake in Adroit Group of Companies. Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) signed a conditional agreement to acquire remaining 53% stake in Adroit Group of Companies on October 17, 2023. Announcement • Sep 22
Spark New Zealand Announces Board Changes Spark New Zealand Chair Justine Smyth announced that Charles Sitch has decided to step down from the Spark Board, effective from the close of Spark's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on 3 November 2023. Charles has been a Director on the Spark Board since 2011 and is currently Chair of the Audit Risk Management Committee. Gordon MacLeod has been appointed Chair of the Audit Risk Management Committee, effective from the close of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on 3 November 2023. Announcement • Sep 21
Spark New Zealand Limited Announces Dividend for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023, Payable on October 6, 2023 Spark New Zealand Limited announced ordinary dividend of NZD 0.15882353 per security for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Record Date is September 15, 2023; Ex Date is September 14, 2023; Payment Date is October 6, 2023. Announcement • Jul 23
Spark Appoints John Wesley-Smith as Strategy and Regulatory Director, Effective from 1 August 2023 Spark announced the appointment of John Wesley-Smith to the role of Strategy and Regulatory Director, which will form part of the Leadership Squad from 1 August 2023. John joined Spark in 2005 and is currently Regulatory and Industry Affairs Lead. Having led the company's regulatory team for the last 14 years, John has significant knowledge of the sector and the drivers of value within it. He has also played a pivotal role in Spark's major capital investments and transactions, including the recent sale of a majority stake in the company's passive mobile infrastructure assets. From 1 August, the Spark Leadership Squad will be as follows: Jolie Hodson, CEO, Melissa Anastasiou, General Counsel, Matt Bain, Marketing Director, Mark Beder, Customer Director Enterprise and Government, Greg Clark, SME and Consumer Director, Leela Gantman, Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director, Stefan Knight, Finance Director, Renee Mateparae, Network and Operations Director, Heather Polglase, People and Culture Director, Tessa Tierney, Product Director, John Wesley-Smith, Strategy and Regulatory Director. Announcement • Jun 23
Spark New Zealand Appoints Renee Mateparae to the Role of Network and Operations Director, Effective from 1 July 2023 Spark New Zealand announced the appointment of Renee Mateparae to the role of Network and Operations Director, which is part of Spark's Leadership Squad. Spark previously announced Leadership Squad changes in March, with the creation of two Customer Director roles that will provide greater focus on both the enterprise and small-medium business segments of the market. As a result of these changes Spark announced its intention to complete a search process for the Network and Operations Director role. Renee brings with her a broad depth of experience that spans leadership roles across Spark and other large New Zealand businesses. Renee joined Spark in 2017 and is currently Technology Evolution Tribe Lead - responsible for Spark's emerging technology development, including the roll-out of its 5G and IoT networks. Prior to joining Spark, Renee was Head of Product Strategy at BNZ and spent five years at Air New Zealand, working across a variety of senior strategy roles. In 2019 Renee was appointed to the board of The Warehouse Group for a two-year term as part of the Future Directors programme. Renee will join the Leadership Squad from 1 July 2023. From that time, the Spark Leadership Squad will be as follows: Jolie Hodson, CEO, Melissa Anastasiou, General Counsel, Matt Bain, Marketing Director, Mark Beder, Customer Director Enterprise and Government, Greg Clark, SME and Consumer Director, Leela Gantman, Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director, Stefan Knight, Finance Director, Renee Mateparae, Network and Operations Director, Heather Polglase, People and Culture Director and Tessa Tierney, Product Director. 
