Matthew Smith is a director of Southpac Group in New Zealand and holds the role of Director: Business Development. A dual-qualified UK/NZ lawyer, he is focused on growing Southpac’s profile, product range, referrer base and business throughout the world, and is an advocate for the international financial services industries in the Cook Islands and Nevis.
Education and Credentials. Matthew holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Durham, UK, as well as Postgraduate Diplomas in Law and Legal Practice. He is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand and as a Solicitor in England and Wales, and has been designated as a registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Recognition and Leadership. Matthew has previously received three Excellence Awards from STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, recognizing his expertise in the field of international trust management.
Professional Involvement. Matthew regularly represents Southpac and its jurisdictions on the international stage. He has spoken at numerous conferences and participated in several podcasts and webinars, including continuing legal education webinars. He has contributed to Cook Islands trust legislation and is a member of the Nevis Joint Legislative Review Committee.
Experience. After six years as a government lawyer in the UK, Matthew relocated to New Zealand and joined Southpac Group in 2017, spending nearly six years in the roles of Legal Counsel and General Counsel. He assumed the role of Group General Manager in 2023 before moving into his current role in 2025. As Director: Business Development, his work centers on ensuring Southpac provides world-class fiduciary services to its clients to help them safeguard their assets and protect their legacies.
