Evergrande – is it China’s Hanover Finance?

Evergrande – is it China’s Hanover Finance?
Evergrande has completed, or partially completed 787 projects. (Image: Deposit Photos)
Brian Gaynor
It may seem strange to compare the troubled property giant, China Evergrande Group, with Mark Hotchin and Eric Watson’s Hanover Finance, but there are similarities.Evergrande can also be compared with Colin Reynolds and Peter Francis’ Chase Corporation and a huge number of other failed property groups.The most obvious comparison is that these property-related organisations have huge amounts of debt secured against property, and these borrowings have to be repaid.This debt is usually rolled over, and often increased, but major proble...

More Opinion

A year of tech milestones
Opinion

Peter Griffin: A year of tech milestones

NZ’s tech sector in 2025 has been a rare bright spot in a decidedly average year.

Peter Griffin 26 Nov 2025
How National learned to love KiwiSaver
Opinion

David Chaplin: How National learned to love KiwiSaver

National is whistling in a different key on savings tax incentives today.

David Chaplin 25 Nov 2025
Why a 5% mortgage for 5 years looks good
Opinion

Cameron Bagrie: Why a 5% mortgage for 5 years looks good

The RBNZ to cut by 25bps this week to 2.25% but then likely done.

Cameron Bagrie 24 Nov 2025