Receiver, Colin McCloy, of PricewaterhouseCoopers, said that this initial repayment would be followed by further dividends, but the timing and amount of the subsequent repayments was unable to be confirmed at this stage.

"This will depend on recoveries from loans to VTL Group and related parties. In particular, one of VTL Group's investments, Shop 24, has growth potential and discussions are underway with interested parties on how best to realise that potential. It would be premature to speculate on the value of Shop24 until negotiations with the interested parties are complete."

McCloy said the receivers hoped to be able to provide more clarity around the timing and amount of future payments in the March 2008 quarter.

"The complicated nature of the company's arrangements makes it difficult to accurately assess potential returns. However we have sought to provide investors with as much guidance and information as we can at this stage."

Nathans went into receivership when the finance company's trustee, Perpetual Trust Limited, appointed receivers on 20 August 2007. Nathans is a subsidiary of NZX-listed VTL Group. Trading in VTL Group shares is currently suspended. VTL Group Limited owns a number of vending machine related businesses which operate in New Zealand, Australia, North America and Europe.