Failed Timaru company owes more than $2.2m: Owner’s son represented himself as director
Wednesday, 15 April 2026
A failed Timaru plumbing and building company owes its creditors more than $2.2 million, and the liquidator says the owner’s son has been representing himself as a director.
GFY Limited was put into liquidation on June 12, at the request of Inland Revenue, with the official assignee appointed liquidator.
It was one of two linked companies put into liquidation in 2025, with plumbing firm Nexus Services Ltd put into liquidation on July 24 at the request of Auckland-based financial services provider Buffer Premium Ltd. That company owes creditors more than $700,000.
In the first six-monthly liquidator’s report for GFY Ltd, released this month, the company debt had climbed to more than $2.2m, with $915,122 owed to Inland Revenue and just over $1.3m to unsecured creditors.
The list of known creditors of GFY Ltd included preferential creditors IRD and employees, and potential and known creditors, Bunnings, Humes Pipeline Systems, Firth Industries, Hireworx New Zealand and Speirs Finance.
A list of known and potential unsecured creditors included companies based across the country, including in Christchurch, Dunedin, Gore, Motueka, Richmond, Wellington and Auckland.
The official assignee has extended the estimated date for the completion of the liquidation by six months due to “ongoing administration”.
“The liquidator has not had any contact with the registered director, who has failed to comply with her requests.
“The liquidator is considering what action, if any, may be required to obtain his co-operation and secure a Statement of Affairs.”
Murray Bartlett was listed as the sole director and shareholder of both companies.
However, other affected parties had been forthcoming with information.
“The liquidator has received complaints regarding the conduct and activities of the company, its management, and individuals acting as de facto directors.
“Concerns have also been raised about work being carried out for the personal benefit of those with an interest in the company.”
The liquidator said investigations indicated that the director’s son had “represented himself as the company’s director, despite not being the registered director”.
“The liquidator is considering making a referral to the Companies Registrar.”
Murray Bartlett’s son, Callum Bartlett, was a former director and shareholder of GFY Ltd having been appointed as a director from September 2021 until August 2022.
He had also been a shareholder in the company, at one time holding the majority of shares. His father became the sole shareholder in July 2023.
Nexus Services, which was registered in September 2017, changed hands four months before it was placed in liquidation.
Company records, updated on March 14, 2025, show original director and shareholder Callum Bartlett and parent company Some Amigos Ltd (solely owned by Callum Bartlett) were removed, with Murray Bartlett acquiring a 100% shareholding.
Murray Bartlett was previously a director of that company for just over two weeks from August 1-16, 2022.
The liquidator said it had reviewed the records of GFY Ltd and issued demands to debtors where it was economical to do so.
“All company debtors have now been accounted for. The funds recovered ($20,400) were deposited into the liquidator’s trust account.”
All leased vehicles had been returned and a vehicle, plant and equipment owned by the company (which were subject to security in favour of a creditor) had been transferred to another company.
“The liquidator has received the loan documentation and valuations and will review them to ensure the transfer was completed at fair market value and that the company did not incur any loss.”
A letter of demand had been issued to a third party regarding a substantial company loan, and the liquidator had received a response.
“Further analysis of company invoices and related records is currently under way.”
Bank statements would be reviewed to determine if there were any transactions that may be recoverable, the liquidator said.