How to register a company in New Zealand step by step
Key takeaways
Everything can be completed online through the New Zealand Companies Register, and once you have your documents ready, you can go from zero to incorporated in around 30 minutes.
You'll need to reserve a unique company name, appoint at least one eligible director, register your shareholders, and submit signed consent forms all within 20 working days of your name reservation being approved.
Once your company is registered, Airwallex can help you open a business account, hold and convert multiple currencies, and pay international suppliers from day one.
Setting up a company in New Zealand is a relatively straightforward registration process. Everything happens online through the New Zealand Companies Register, and if you've got your documents ready, you can go from zero to incorporated in under an hour.
Is a company the right business structure for you?
Before you start the registration process, it's worth making sure a company is actually the right fit. New Zealand offers a few different business structures, and the one you choose affects your legal liability, your tax obligations, and how you can grow.
A limited liability company (Ltd) is a business that exists as a separate legal entity from the people who own it. Think of it like a separate person in the eyes of the law – it can own assets, enter contracts, and take on debt in its own name. That separation is the key reason most founders choose this structure. If things go wrong, the company carries the financial and legal responsibility – not you personally.
New Zealand recognises three types of companies: limited liability companies, co-operative companies, and unlimited companies. The limited liability company is by far the most common.
A company structure tends to make the most sense when:
You want to protect personal assets: The company – not you – is responsible for debts and legal obligations.
You're seeking outside investment: A registered company with issued shares is far easier for investors to buy into than a sole trader arrangement.
You plan to grow and hire: A company structure makes it easier to bring on employees, enter contracts, and scale.
When is a sole trader or partnership simpler
If you're keeping things small, a sole trader or partnership might be simpler – neither requires formal registration with the Companies Office. The trade-off is that there's no liability protection, so your personal assets are on the line if the business runs into trouble.
Company | Sole trader | |
|---|---|---|
Liability | Limited – the company is responsible | Unlimited – you are personally responsible |
Registration required | Yes – with the Companies Office | No formal registration, only IRD number |
Tax filing | Separate company tax return | Personal income tax return |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 8 April 2026.
Before deciding, use the Business.govt.nz "Choose a Business Structure" tool – and it's worth talking to an accountant too.
What do you need before you start
Getting organised before you open the application saves you time and cuts down on errors. Here's what to have ready:
Company name ideas: At least one unique name to check and reserve.
Director details: Full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and residential address for each director.
Shareholder details: Full name, address, and the number of shares each person will hold.
Registered office address: A physical New Zealand address – no PO boxes – where official documents will be sent.
Tax contact details: Either an internal contact or an external accountant who'll handle the company's tax affairs.
You'll also need two accounts to register: a RealMe® login and an online services account on the Companies Register. RealMe® is the New Zealand government's identity verification platform – think of it as a secure single sign-on for government services. If you don't already have one, create it on the RealMe® website before you begin.
Who can be a director?
At least one director must live in New Zealand – this person is known as a resident director. If no New Zealand resident is available, a director who lives in Australia and also directs an Australian-registered company can fill this role. All directors must be 18 or older, must not be bankrupt, and must not be legally disqualified.
Do you need a company constitution?
A company constitution sets out the rights, powers, and duties of the board, directors, and shareholders. For a limited liability company, it's optional, and if you don't have one, the Companies Act 1993 governs your company by default. Co-operative companies, though, must incorporate with one. If you're unsure whether you need a constitution, get legal advice before you file.
How to register a company in New Zealand step by step
Here's the full process for registering a company through the New Zealand Companies Register.
How much it costs and how long it takes
The total cost to register a company in New Zealand breaks down into two fees:
Name reservation: NZ$10 (plus GST)
Incorporation application: NZ$118.74 (plus GST)
The online application takes around 30 minutes, though gathering your documents in advance may take longer. Once your name is reserved, you have 20 working days to complete the entire process – including filing all consent forms. Miss that deadline and you'll need to start over and pay the fees again.
Step 1 – Set up a RealMe® login and online services account
Everything happens through the New Zealand Companies Register website. You'll need a RealMe® login first, which you can create on the RealMe® website if you don't already have one. Then use that login to create an online services account on the Companies Register. Pick the "individual account" type if you're registering as a director or shareholder.
Step 2 – Check and reserve your company name
The Companies Act 1993 prohibits names that are identical or near-identical to existing registered company names. Before paying the NZ$10 (plus GST) reservation fee, use the ONECheck tool on Business.govt.nz – it checks your chosen name across company names, domain names, trade marks, and social media handles at once, so you can spot conflicts before they cost you money.
One thing worth knowing is that reserving a company name is separate from registering a trade mark. If you want intellectual property protection for your brand, that's a separate process which you'd go through the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand for.
Step 3 – Complete the online application
With your name reserved, log in to your online services account and complete the incorporation application:
Navigate to "My Unfinished Business" → "My Tasks" → "Complete Coy Application."
Fill in director details, shareholder details, and share allocations.
Choose your annual return filing month.
Apply for an IRD number at the same time if you'd like – this saves a separate step later. An Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number is the unique tax identification number every New Zealand company needs before it starts trading.
Pay the NZ$118.74 (plus GST) incorporation fee and submit.
Step 4 – File director and shareholder consent forms
After you submit, the Companies Office emails individual consent forms to each director and shareholder within a few minutes. The forms come pre-filled with the information you provided. Each director and shareholder just reviews, signs, and sends back their own form. Submitting electronically is fine.
Here's the catch: all consent forms must be submitted within 20 working days of your name reservation. Miss that window and the Companies Register deletes all your registration information. You'll need to restart the process and pay all fees again.
Step 5 – Receive your Certificate of Incorporation and NZBN
Once all consent forms are approved, the Companies Office issues a Certificate of Incorporation – the official document that confirms your company exists as a legal entity in New Zealand. You'll also be automatically assigned a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN). Think of the NZBN as a universal ID for your business – other businesses and agencies can look it up to verify your details instantly, which speeds up interactions with suppliers, customers, and government agencies.
What to do after your company is registered
Getting your Certificate of Incorporation is a big milestone – but there are a few important steps before your company starts trading.
Register for tax and Goods and Services Tax
If you didn't apply for an IRD number during the incorporation application, do so before your company begins trading. Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration becomes mandatory once your annual turnover is expected to exceed NZ$60,000, though you can register voluntarily below that threshold. You register for both through Inland Revenue.
File annual returns and keep your details current
Your company must file an annual return with the New Zealand Companies Register once a year. This is not a tax return – it's a confirmation that your company's details (directors, shareholders, and addresses) are still accurate, and there's a small fee to file it. Miss it and your company could be struck off the register, so set a calendar reminder for your chosen filing month.
Remember to keep directors' names and addresses up to date at all times, not just at annual return time.
Open a business account
Keeping your company's finances separate from your personal accounts is good practice for any limited liability company, and it's worth understanding whether you need a dedicated business account before you start trading.
It keeps your bookkeeping clean and reinforces the legal separation that makes a company structure worth having. If you're weighing up your options, comparing business bank accounts in New Zealand is a useful starting point before you commit to a provider.
If your company plans to trade internationally, you'll want an account that supports multiple currencies and connects with your accounting software. If you're paying overseas suppliers or receiving payments from international customers, conversion fees and slow transfers can eat into your margins quickly.
That's where Airwallex comes in. Airwallex Business Accounts are built for businesses like yours that need to move money across borders without the usual friction. Here's what you get:
Global accounts: Open local currency accounts in over 20 currencies and receive payments from 70+ currencies.
FX & transfers: Pay international suppliers at interbank rates, with the majority of transfers arriving the same day – so you're not losing money to high conversion fees every time you pay an overseas invoice.
Corporate cards: Issue multi-currency virtual or physical cards for your team with no international purchase fees, so they can pay in local currencies without racking up hidden charges.
Integrations: Connect with Xero or QuickBooks to automate transaction syncing and keep your bookkeeping current without manual data entry.
Open an Airwallex account today and start trading globally from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner register a company in New Zealand?
Yes – overseas investors can register a company and hold shares without restriction, but your company must have at least one director who is a New Zealand resident, or an Australian resident who also directs an Australian-registered company.
Can you change your company name after registering in New Zealand?
Yes, shareholders can pass a special resolution to change the company name, after which you reserve the new name and submit an application to update the register through the Companies Office. The change takes effect once the New Zealand Companies Register updates your details.
Is an annual return the same as a tax return in New Zealand?
No. You file an annual return with the Companies Register to confirm your company's details are still accurate (there's a small fee for that), while you file a tax return separately with Inland Revenue covering your company's income and tax obligations. They have different deadlines and go to different government bodies.
What happens if you miss the 20 working day deadline for consent forms?
The Companies Register deletes all your registration information – including director and shareholder details – and you'll need to restart the incorporation process from the beginning and pay all fees again.
Sources
https://www.tools.business.govt.nz/choose-business-structure/
https://companies-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/starting-a-company/
https://companies-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/
Airwallex (New Zealand) Limited is registered with the New Zealand Financial Service Provider Register (FSP No. 1001602) to provide a range of financial services in New Zealand.
