The Financial Markets Authority has warned investors to fully inform themselves before providing any further money to Bernard Whimp or anyone connected to Rangiora based investment firm Chance Voight.

The warning follows the High Court’s decision to appoint interim liquidators to Chance Voight Investment Corporation Limited and several related companies, at the request of the regulator.

The FMA said it understood Whimp had recently contacted investors following the interim liquidation, including requests for payments he described as donations to help fund legal expenses.

FMA Head of Enforcement Margot Gatland said investors should proceed with caution.

“The FMA recommends that investors fully inform themselves before providing any funds to Mr Whimp,” Gatland said. “Anyone with questions about their investments, including communications they may have received, should speak with the interim liquidators and seek independent legal or financial advice.”

The regulator has applied to the High Court to place Chance Voight Investment Corporation and a number of associated companies into full liquidation. The FMA said it believed there were grounds to suspect the group may be insolvent and that its affairs may have been conducted in a way that breaches the Companies Act and financial markets legislation.

The authority also said Chance Voight group companies and Whimp, as director, may have breached the Financial Markets Conduct Act and other regulatory obligations.

Before seeking court orders, the FMA had engaged with Whimp over several months and issued four compulsory information notices seeking financial and accounting records. The regulator said it was not satisfied with the responses it received.

Based on the information obtained, the FMA formed the view the group could be insolvent and operating in breach of the law.

The High Court has appointed interim liquidators to investigate the companies’ affairs and preserve assets while the liquidation application proceeds. The liquidators are required to file an initial report with the court by 5.00 pm on 26 January 2026.

The court has also granted interim asset preservation orders against Whimp and one subsidiary company, Hanmer Equities Limited. The orders prevent assets from being moved overseas but do not otherwise restrict Whimp’s access to his personal funds.

Publication restrictions that initially applied to the court’s decision have largely been lifted, with some details remaining suppressed.