A Kaiapoi based craft brewery has been placed into liquidation.

Chinchiller Brewing Limited was placed into voluntary liquidation on 19 December 2025 after shareholders resolved the company could no longer continue trading.

The brewery, which operated from Williams Street in Kaiapoi, ceased trading on the same day.

The company had been operating as a beer brewing business since it was incorporated in April 2021.

According to the liquidator’s first report, the company had been struggling with working capital for some time, with revenue steadily declining over the past year to a level that was no longer sustainable.

Directors sought professional advice before deciding to place the company into liquidation.

Initial investigations indicate Chinchiller Brewing has limited assets available for recovery.

The company held some funds in its bank account at the time of liquidation and has accounts receivable that may be partially recovered.

Preferential creditors are owed an estimated $90,000, including approximately $50,000 to New Zealand Customs and $40,000 in GST to Inland Revenue. Unsecured creditors are estimated to be owed around $120,000.

Based on current information, the liquidator expects there will be no funds available for unsecured creditors once secured and preferential claims and liquidation costs are taken into account.

The estimated total shortfall to creditors is approximately $169,500.

The liquidator has also confirmed that New Zealand Customs had already begun proceedings to place the company into liquidation before the voluntary appointment was made.