Face of the Day

The former owner of SPQR, one of Auckland’s most well-known restaurants, has been banned from running a company for more than eight years.

Chris Rupe was declared bankrupt in February last year after his Ponsonby Rd establishment went into liquidation in July 2024. It was initially estimated to owe more than $2 million to Inland Revenue (IRD) and other creditors.

Liquidators revealed the company’s trademark was transferred to a related party shortly before they were appointed.

Rupe, who lives in St Marys Bay, has now copped a ban that prohibits him from running a company for eight-and-a-half years.

A public notice published earlier this month by Peter Barker, Deputy Registrar of Companies, says Rupe is banned from being involved directly or indirectly in the management of any company over that time.

NZ Herald