Founded on the belief that insolvency should protect value—not erode it—McDonald Vague has built a reputation for disciplined execution, commercial judgement, and recovery strategies that put creditors first.
About McDonald Vague
Our practice was established by John Vague, who, after working within a large accountancy firm, became disheartened by how administrative fees often eroded creditor returns.
He believed there had to be a better way.
- A way where insolvency was disciplined.
- Where strategy improved outcomes.
- Where fees were controlled.
- And where creditors received the maximum possible return.
That belief became the foundation of McDonald Vague.
Specialist. Independent. Recovery-Focused.
Today, the firm remains exclusively focused on insolvency and restructuring. We handle more than 100 formal insolvency appointments each year and return over $10 million annually to creditors.
We are led by five licensed insolvency practitioners who work collaboratively, bringing collective judgement and industry expertise to every engagement.
We are members of NZCA — a nationwide association of 28 independent chartered accounting firms — providing national capability with local accessibility, without large-firm overhead.
Our practitioners operate under Chartered Accountants ANZ standards and Licensed Insolvency Practitioner regulation.
Our aim is simple – to preserve value, and recover monies for creditors as quickly and cost effectively as possible
Assess Your Business
Why Choose Us
100+ formal appointments annually
$10M+ returned to creditors each year
Our commercially focused approach is designed to maximise recoveries and protect creditor interests.
Five licensed insolvency practitioners
Every appointment is led by experienced, licensed professionals with deep insolvency expertise.
28-firm national network and global reach
Local support across New Zealand, backed by national coverage and international connections.
Strategy-first approach
We assess every situation carefully to identify the most effective commercial path forward.
Disciplined fee management
Efficient processes and careful cost management help preserve value throughout every engagement.