Former SPQR owner and Auckland businessman Chris Rupe has been banned from running a company until 2034.
Having been declared bankrupt in February 2025, it was initially estimated that Rupe owed more than NZD 2 million to Inland Revenue and other creditors.
Deputy Registrar of Companies, Peter Barker, said in a public notice earlier in April 2-26 that Rupe was banned from being involved, directly or indirectly, in the management of any company for the span of the imposed eight years.
“Pursuant to section 385(3) of the Companies Act 1993, I, Peter Barker, Deputy Registrar of Companies, hereby prohibit Christopher Charles Rupe from being a director or promoter of, or being concerned in or taking part, whether directly or indirectly, in the management of any company for a period of eight years and six months from the date of this notice.”
National Manager for Business Registries at MBIE, said the Deputy Registrar found that the manner in which SPQR Ltd’s affairs were managed contributed to its failure, including continuing to operate while under financial distress and being unable to meet obligations to creditors, including Inland Revenue.
He added that the length of the prohibition reflected the scale and duration of that conduct and the protective, forward-looking purpose of section 385 of the Companies Act.
Liquidators Christopher McCullen and Stephen Lawrence of PKF Corporate Recovery & Insolvency confirmed in 2025 that SPQR owed NZD 2.3 million to creditors.
The location of the former SPQR was bought by sister-hospitality operators Bronwyn and Jess Payne in August 2024. The pair opened a new restaurant, Jacuzzi, on the site in 2025. SPQR operated for 32 years before it closed its doors. At the time, Rupe said he was “really sorry” about the situation. The closure came amid a string of high-profile Auckland restaurants closing down, many claiming that the Covid-19 pandemic was a significant reason of the downfall.
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