Register company in New Zealand

• There are multiple forms of business structures available in New Zealand that you can choose from. Examples include: 
  • Sole Trader 
  • Limited Liability Company 
  • Limited Partnership 
  • Branch Office 
  • Representative Office 

• A New Zealand Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the most common business entity in the country. However, based on your business activities, requirements, and long-term business goal, Tetra Consultants will recommend a suitable legal structure for your business. 

• In specific cases, Tetra Consultants’ lawyers and incorporation specialists suggest businesses to create a Look-Through Company (LTC). An LTC is a tax-transparent structure where company income, losses, and tax obligations pass directly to shareholders instead of being taxed at the corporate level. This structure is mainly used by small groups of investors looking for tax efficiency while also maintaining limited liability protection. 

• Our lawyers and incorporation specialists will assist you in searching for the availability of your preferred business name by checking the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE)’s ONECheck tool. 

• We will then proceed to reserve the chosen name with the online services account of the Companies Register. At the same time, Tetra Consultants will create a RealMe® login account with the Companies Office for your business. 

• It should be noted that once the company name has been reserved with the Companies Register, our team will submit the incorporation application with the validity period of the name reservation. Furthermore, all signed consent form from directors and shareholders, should be returned to the Registrar within the statutory 20 working days period to complete the registration process.  

• Tetra Consultants’ lawyers and incorporation specialists will advise you on the documents you will need to prepare for submission and assist you with the same. Some of the documents include the personal information of the directors and shareholders, proof of address, etc.  

• Businesses are also required to disclose the Ultimate Holding Company (UHC) if the New Zealand entity forms part of a larger international group. The UHC refers to the highest parent company in the ownership structure and should be declared when submitting the incorporation details to the Companies Register. 

• As per the new requirements of the New Zealand Companies Office, every New Zealand company should appoint at least one director who is the resident of New Zealand or Australia. If the director resides in Australia, the individual should also be a director of a company registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and should have an Australian Company Number (ACN).  

• If the shareholders are foreign investors, and your business does not have a local director available, then Tetra Consultants will provide nominee resident directors services in order to ensure that your company adhere to statutory requirements.  

• Once all the documents are prepared, our team will submit the documents along with an application form to the Companies Office.  Once the incorporation application receives approval, the company will get a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), which will act as a unique identifier that is used for all government registrations, tax filings, and business transactions.  

• In this same application process, we will register your business for tax to obtain the Inland Revenue number and Goods and Services Tax (GST) Number in accordance with the tax administration requirements under the Income Tax Act 2007. 

• Once the incorporation process is completed, Tetra Consultants will collect the Certificate of Incorporation, tax registration documents, and more on your behalf and courier it to your preferred address. 

• Tetra Consultants will leverage our extensive banking network to open a bank account with a reputable bank for your newly incorporated business. Some of the banks we work with include ANZ Bank New Zealand, ASB Bank, Westpac New Zealand and Rabobank New Zealand.  

• Once the bank account is opened, your company will receive international banking details including the SWIFT/BIC Code, which enables secure cross-border transactions and international wire transfers. 

• After registering your company, it is important to maintain ongoing compliance with the corporate regulations of New Zealand. These obligations are overseen by the New Zealand Companies Office, Inland Revenue Department, Financial Markets Authority, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as per the Companies Act 1993 and Income Tax Act 2007.  

• Tetra Consultants team of lawyers and compliance experts will continue to support your business to fulfil these compliance requirements. Some of these requirements are: 
  • Every New Zealand company should file an annual return with the Companies Office to confirm company details such as directors, shareholders, and registered office address. 
  • All companies must file an annual income tax return (IR4) with the Inland Revenue Department based on their financial year-end in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act 2007.  
  • Companies must maintain accurate financial records reflecting their transactions and financial position. These records are required for tax filing and regulatory reporting. Tetra Consultants’ accounting and tax experts will help you prepare financial statements and file taxes. 
  • Businesses that have annual turnover more than NZ$60,000 should register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) and submit periodic GST returns.  
  • Any changes to directors, shareholders, or company details must be reported to the Companies Office within 20 working days. 
  • Companies must follow governance requirements under the Companies Act 1993, including proper record-keeping and shareholder meeting requirements. 
  • A New Zealand entity fiscal financial year is from 1 April to 31 March. All entities are required to file an annual return within the stipulated deadline. 
  • All New Zealand businesses are required to pay a corporate income tax rate of 28% for both global and local income. The due date to file annual return for a company with a 31 March financial year end is 7 July. For a company with different financial year end the due date to submit tax deadline will be seventh day of the fourth month after the end of the company’s corresponding income year. An extension to file tax returns may be granted to companies that are registered with a tax agent. 

• Lastly, depending on the company’s projected profits, businesses may also be required to pay Provisional Tax, which is an advance payment of income tax made in instalments during the financial year. This system allows companies to spread their tax obligations across multiple payments instead of paying the full amount at the end of the financial year. Furthermore, our team of tax specialists will help in tax registrations to obtain an IRD number, registering for Goods and Services Tax (GST), and setting up the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) if the company is planning to hire employees.   

• For foreign entrepreneurs planning to relocate to New Zealand or actively manage their business locally, it may also be necessary to obtain the appropriate business visa. Common options include the Entrepreneur Work Visa and the Active Investor Plus Visa issued by Immigration New Zealand. At Tetra Consultants our team of visa specialists will help you in applying for relevant visa category based on your business needs.  

Time to register New Zealand company in 2026

• New Zealand company registration- 1 week 

• Corporate bank account opening- 4 weeks 

• Overall estimated timeline- 5 weeks 

Cost to setup New Zealand company

• For a standard New Zealand Limited Liability Company (LLC), the government registration fee payable to the Companies Office amounts to NZD 118.74 excluding GST. After GST, the amount increases to NZD 136.55.  

• Once contacted, Tetra Consultants will send over a detailed proposal with exact breakdown of the fees for company incorporation, registered agent, registered address, nominee director services, annual renewal, corporate bank account opening and other corporate service provider services.  

• At Tetra Consultants, we follow a transparent fee policy, where all costs (including government fees, professional service charges, and any third-party expenses are clearly outlined in the engagement letter prior to commencement. This is to ensure that there are no hidden charges and complete cost visibility for our clients. 

Latest business landscape in New Zealand in 2026

• New Zealand is also a strategic jurisdiction for international trade because of its participation in major global trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Furthermore, the New Zealand–European Union Free Trade Agreement (NZ-EU FTA) has recently entered into force, increasing trade opportunities between New Zealand as well as European markets.  

• Businesses that are incorporated in New Zealand can benefit from reduced tariffs, better regulatory cooperation, and easy market access across various jurisdictions.  

Looking to register company in New Zealand in 2026?

• Tetra Consultants works as your advisor and trusted partner in your business expansion and New Zealand company registration. With our own team of lawyers, licensing specialists, compliance team, and accountants, we tell our clients what they need to know, instead of what they want to hear. Most importantly, we are known for being a one-stop solution for our valued clients. 

• Contact us to find out more about how to set up business in New Zealand. Our team of experts will revert within the next 24 hours. 

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