New Zealand-based law firm K3 Legal has formed an association with Hong Kong law firm Fred Kan & Co to launch its first international office in the SAR, eyeing work on cross-border investment between China and New Zealand.

Branded as K3 Legal Hong Kong, it will be led by director Margaret Chen, who has relocated to lead the new office. Chen’s practice areas include litigation, commercial law, and New Zealand immigration.

The association will enable K3’s clients to “access new markets including China, Hong Kong, and Japan, without the need to seek external counsel. And likewise, for clients in those markets, looking to enter New Zealand, our dual presence allows for a seamless experience,” Chen said in a statement.

“K3 Hong Kong in Association with Fred Kan & Co. now gives investors, private equity, family offices, ultra and high net worth individuals a means to invest in China, Japan and New Zealand through one entity,” Chen explained. “Other services offered include dispute resolution, litigation management, corporate and commercial, and employment among other services, and helping companies establish a foothold in each market.”

Fred Kan has a presence in Beijing, Shanghai, the Greater Bay Area and in Japan. Currently, the firm has teams practicing in the areas of arbitration and mediation, construction, litigation, corporate and corporate finance, intellectual property, employment, and real estate.

China is now New Zealand's largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at over NZ$37 billion ($22 billion) in 2021, according to NZ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The two countries even ramped up their free trade agreement during the pandemic, despite a cooling between the Westand China.

Investment sectors of focus between China and New Zealand include food and beverages, natural health and wellness, pet food, and agriculture and technology, K3 said.