Owner of defunct Ponsonby restaurant SPQR declared bankrupt

Tuesday, 4 February 2025

SPQR shut its doors in July 2024 after going into liquidation.

The restauranter behind SPQR, which closed suddenly in 2024, has been declared bankrupt.

The restaurant on Auckland’s Ponsonby Rd went into liquidation after more than 30 years in business in July 2024.

Its owner, Christopher Rupe, 64, was declared bankrupt on Tuesday, according to the Insolvency Register.

SPQR, pictured here in 2006, was known for its white clothed tables along Ponsonby Rd.

Liquidator PKF’s second report showed the business owed Inland Revenue $1.06 million, including for GST arrears, while 24 employees had claimed a total of $132,727 in outstanding wages and holiday pay.

Other creditors included ANZ ($253k) and loan company Propsa ($93k).

The restaurant’s owner, Chris Rupe, has been declared bankrupt.

SPQR closed after IRD served a statutory demand for tax arrears. The business was unable to pay the debt, or negotiate a repayment plan, which saw it enter liquidation.

The business initially owed creditors more than $2m, however some payments had been made following the sale of assets, including kitchen equipment, dining furniture and remaining beverages.

The first liquidator’s report stated SPQR had run into difficulty during the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by a struggle with staff shortages and wage increases.

In July, Rupe told Stuff he was “really sorry for the current situation” and thanked Aucklanders for their love of SPQR over the past three decades.

“In the meantime, please spread your patronage around other locally owned hospo businesses and show your support for the challenging but highly rewarding job they do.”

A new restaurant named Jacuzzi is due to open in 2025.