High-profile Wellington property figure’s companies in receivership

Tuesday, 21 July 2026

High-profile Wellington figure Matthew Ryan has had the lion’s share of his property and finance empire put into receivership ‒ but plans to appeal the move.

Documents filed on Monday show eight companies owned entirely by Ryan were placed into receivership on Friday, with BDO Wellington acting as receivers and managers.

Ryan, reported as owning more than 148 properties in 2024, is well-known in the industry and was a regular media commentator on property. In 2023, he pledged to “sell everything up that I own in New Zealand” and move elsewhere if Labour won the election.

His run-ins with Terry Serepisos, another high-profile but failed property figure, were well-documented, including one that ended in physical violence.

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In a statement on Tuesday, Ryan said the companies “remain solvent” and came from a former partner applying for an “ex parte” – meaning by one party – notice on Friday without his knowledge.

“I’m certain the application would have failed if I’d had the opportunity to reply,” he said.

“Accordingly the order is being appealed.”

Companies Office records do not immediately show how much money, if any, Ryan’s companies owe, nor the reason for going into receivership.

They are property companies Lifestyle Rental Properties, Eastbourne Lifestyle, Gods Plan, Lifestyle Trading, Randwick Mews, Franklyn St, and Pinot Grove. His finance company Life Style Loans is also in receivership. All are limited liability companies.

His company, Lifestyle Commercial Properties, is his only current company not in receivership.

Insolvency organisation McDonald Vague’s website says receivership and liquidation are different processes. Liquidation means winding up and dissolving a company to settle debts while receivership aims to recover debt by “managing and maximising” specific assets.