🇳🇿 New Zealand · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
Companies register online with the Companies Office — one of the fastest processes globally — and need at least one director resident in New Zealand or Australia. An IRD number and NZBN accompany registration.
Companies in New Zealand register online with the Companies Office, one of the world's fastest processes. At least one director must reside in New Zealand or Australia.
- Companies register online with the Companies Office, often within a day.
- At least one director must reside in New Zealand or Australia.
- An IRD number and NZBN accompany registration.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose and reserve a company name
Reserve the company name with the Companies Office; check it is available and not identical to an existing name.
- 2
Get director and shareholder consents
Obtain written consents from all directors and shareholders; at least one director must live in New Zealand (or in Australia and be a director of an Australian company).
- 3
Register with the Companies Office
Register the company online with the Companies Office; you receive a company number and a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN).
- 4
Get an IRD number
Apply for the company’s IRD (tax) number with Inland Revenue, usually as part of the registration.
- 5
Register for GST if applicable
Register for GST with Inland Revenue if turnover will exceed NZD 60,000, and for PAYE if you employ staff.
- 6
Open a bank account and meet ongoing duties
Open a business bank account and keep the company details current on the register, including the annual return and any changes of directors or shareholders.
Checklist
- Company name reserved with the Companies Office
- Written consents from directors and shareholders
- At least one NZ-resident director (or AU-resident AU-company director)
- Companies Office registration → company number + NZBN
- IRD (tax) number from Inland Revenue
- GST registration if turnover > NZD 60,000
- Business bank account
- Annual return + keeping the register current
Official authorities
- Companies Office
Company registration authority.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I register a company?
Online registration with the Companies Office is often completed within a day.
Do I need a local director?
Yes — at least one director must reside in New Zealand or Australia.
What is an NZBN?
The New Zealand Business Number, a unique identifier issued to businesses for dealings and invoicing.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- govt.nz — New Zealand government services portal
- Immigration New Zealand — Visas, work/student visas, and residence
- Inland Revenue (IRD) — Income tax, GST, and the IRD number
- business.govt.nz — Company registration, employment, and compliance