One-Stop Solution to register company in New Zealand
- To register company in New Zealand is hassle-free, if you know how. With Tetra Consultants at the wheel, you will be able to channel your time and energy into other more important aspects of business.
- With our lean-and-mean mentality, you can rely on our team of consultants to provide you a seamless experience throughout the whole process of New Zealand business set up. Our ultimate goal is for your New Zealand company to be operationally ready within the stipulated time frame.
- Our service package includes everything you will require to do business in New Zealand:
- Company registration with New Zealand Companies Registry
- Provision of New Zealand nominee director
- Local company secretary and registered address
- Opening local or international corporate bank account
- Financial license application (if required)
- Tax registration
- Annual accounting and tax services
When can I expect to start business?
- Tetra Consultants will register New Zealand company within 1 week. After receiving due diligence documents of the directors and shareholders, Tetra Consultants will search for the availability of your preferred company name in the Companies Registry.
- At the same time, our legal team will send you the documents required for company incorporation. Some of these documents include incorporation forms, power of attorney, nominee director agreement and others. Once the paperwork is completed, our consultants will immediately proceed with company formation.
- Our team will complete company formation without the need for travel.
- Once completed, you can expect to receive the details of your newly registered entity including company number and certificate of incorporation.
- Within 4 weeks upon company registration, Tetra Consultants will open a corporate bank account with a local reputable bank. Some of the banks we recommend include ANZ New Zealand, Bank of New Zealand and ASB Bank. Consequently, you can expect to start operations and issue invoices with your New Zealand company within 5 weeks upon engaging Tetra Consultants.
- If you are keen to know more about the process, Tetra Consultants has prepared a step by step explanation of all steps required to register company in New Zealand.
Requirements
- According to New Zealand Companies Registry, the minimum requirements for a New Zealand limited liability company are:
- 1 shareholder of any nationality
- 1 local resident director
- 1 company secretary
- A New Zealand registered office address
- No minimum paid up share capital

What types of companies are there?
- There are many different types of companies in New Zealand. It is essential to choose one that is most suitable for your business needs and long term goals. Once engaged, Tetra Consultants will fully understand your business structure and recommend the optimum business entity.
Limited Liability Company
- If you are looking to set up a company in New Zealand, our recommendation will be to set up a limited liability company (LLC). Regardless of onshore or offshore business, this is the most common business entity in the country and we can supply you company numbers within 1 week.
- Your business is required to file annual company tax return and annual financial statements. In addition, your business is subjected to a corporate tax rate of 28% and VAT rate of 15%.
- A New Zealand limited company means that it is a separate legal entity. The company can sign contracts and have possession over assets on its own. If there are legal orders, the New Zealand limited company will be sued in its own name.
- Just like limited companies in other jurisdictions, the personal assets of the shareholders are indemified from the company’s liabilities.
- In NZ, some business activities may require you to secure licenses before being allowed to conduct business. In the event you are required to apply for licenses to conduct business in New Zealand, Tetra Consultants will recommend you to consider setting up a LLC.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- A limited partner’s income generated outside of New Zealand through the company is not subjected to taxes.
- As such, New Zealand Limited Liability Partnership allows investors to benefit from being taxed as a partnership, while enjoying the protection of limited liability since the partnership is a separate legal entity from the two partners.
Branch Office
- A branch office is an extension of the parent company and can only conduct business activities in New Zealand similar to that of the parent company.
- The parent company is the 100% shareholder and is fully liable for the debts incurred by the New Zealand branch office. It is mandatory to appoint a local registered agent/secretary.
Representative Office
- A representative office is only allowed to conduct market research and marketing for the parent company. It is not allowed to sign contracts, sales agreement and earn income in New Zealand.
- Representative office is optimum for companies looking to set up New Zealand company to explore the market before entering the market.
Sole Trader
- If you are just starting a company and not planning to hire any employees, you may wish to register as a New Zealand Sole Trader. To become a sole trader, you are required to have a personal NZ IRD number for paying income tax and GST. Depending on your business activity, you may also require certain licenses.
- You are also required to inform the Inland Revenue Department that you are operating as a Sole Trader. In the event your profit exceeds NZD60,000, it is mandatory for you to be GST-registered.
Appointing local director
- It is mandatory for all New Zealand companies to appoint a local resident director. According to New Zealand Companies Office, a director is deemed “resident” only if he lives in either New Zealand or Australia. In addition, the director must be present in either New Zealand or Australia for more than 183 calendar days per year. Tetra Consultants will provide a nominee resident director for our international clients’ businesses.
- Prior to New Zealand company formation, our team will provide basic details of our nominee, including his passport copy and proof of address. In addition, our legal team will provide legal nominee agreement, ensuring our nominee has no authority in the business.
- If required, our nominee will attend bank meetings on our clients’ behalf, so as to minimize delay during the engagement.
Business license
- When you are registering for a company in New Zealand, you may need to acquire multiple types of permits and licenses based on the industry along with the nature of your activities. While the basic company registration process is controlled by the Companies Office which grants you a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), certain business licenses are separated are needed for certain sectors and activities. Here are some main types of business license:
General business registration
- All companies should register with the Companies Office to get an NZBN, this number is not a license but a unique identifier for all business transactions as well as registrations with the government agencies.
Food business
- For businesses that are preparing, serving, and selling food, a food act registration or a food control plan is needed.
Hospitality and alcohol
- For hotels, bars, and cafes that sell or supply alcohol, a Liquor License is needed.
Construction and trades
- For companies involved in construction a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) status is needed for certain work.
Financial services
- License is needed for insurance, financial, and banking related services issued by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
Professional licenses
- There are specific professions such as lawyers, real estate agents, doctors, medical practitioners, and accountants, that need professional registration or licensing from the respective authorities.
How to register a company in New Zealand?
In order to register your business in New Zealand, you must follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose an optimum business structure
- There are multiple forms of business structures available in New Zealand that you can choose from. These include the following:
- Sole Trader
- Limited Liability Company
- Limited Partnership
- Branch Office
- Representative Office
- Based on your business activities, requirements, and long-term business goal, Tetra Consultants will recommend a suitable legal entity for your business.
Step 2: Reserve your preferred business name
- Tetra Consultants 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. Prior to this, you must create a RealMe® login account with the Companies Office.
Step 3: Meet all pre-registration requirements
- You will require a local resident director in order to set up your business in New Zealand. We will assist you in finding one, if needed.
- Tetra Consultants 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 following:
- Company’s Constitution
- Proof of address
- Personal information of the directors and shareholders
- Company contacts details
- Others
Step 4: Register company in New Zealand:
- Once you have prepared all the documents, you can submit the documents along with an application form to the Companies Office.
- In this same application process, you can register your business for tax to obtain the Inland Revenue number and Goods and Services Tax (GST) Number.
- Tetra Consultants will assist you through this process.
- The registration process can be completed online such that you will not be required to travel to New Zealand throughout this process.
- 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.
Step 5: Open a corporate bank account:
- Tetra Consultants will leverage our extensive banking network to open a bank account with a reputable bank for your newly incorporated business.
Step 6: Staying Compliant
- Even after the registration process is completed, Tetra Consultants will continue to ensure your business’s compliance with the government regulations.
- We will assist you in applying for all relevant business licenses needed to operate your business in New Zealand.
- We will also assist you in the timely preparation of tax returns, financial statements, and more.
Steps for ongoing compliance post-registration
- After registering for a company in New Zealand, it is significant to maintain good standing and avoid any penalties. Here are steps to ongoing compliance post-registration and how Tetra Consultants can help you:
File annual returns
- It is mandatory for every company including LLC in New Zealand to file an annual return with the New Zealand Companies Office. This return confirms and updates the company details, such as directors, shareholders, and the registered office address. Tetra Consultants will help you with accounting/tax services and file annual returns on your behalf.
Maintain and submit financial records
- Tetra Consultants will help companies to prepare and maintain their accurate financial statements that showcase their financial positions. The financial statements are required for annual tax returns and should be audited and filed with the Companies office.
File annual tax returns
- Tetra Consultants will help companies to file an annual income tax return (IR4) with the Inland Revenue Department. The return should be filled annually based on the balance date of the company.
Register and file for GST returns
- If the annual turnover of the company is more than NZ$60,000, then Tetra Consultants will register it for GST and will also file periodic GST returns. Based on the reporting period chosen, the returns will be filed monthly, two-monthly, or six-monthly.
Adhere with employment regulations
- Employers should adhere with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) regulations, this includes ensuring safe workplaces, correct entitlements, and accurate record keeping. Tetra Consultants also offer business support services such as employee payroll, finding secured office premises, and staff recruitment to ensure compliance with necessary employment regulations.
Record keeping
- Tetra Consultants will help companies to maintain financial, employment, and tax records to make them available for inspection if needed.
Report changes
- Tetra Consultants will ensure that any changes in the organization details such as share structure, shareholders, and directors) should be reported to the companies office within 20 working days.
Hold annual general meetings
- Companies with more than 10 shareholders may need to hold an AGM unless the constitution states otherwise. In annual general meetings, minutes should be prepared, and a record should be maintained of the resolutions passed.
Compliance with the Companies Act 1993
- Tetra Consultants will ensure that companies adhere to the Companies Act 1993, and help them to stay updated on legal changes, and industry-specific regulations.
Document required
- Reservation proof of your chosen company name from the Companies Register.
- Company constitution outlining the governance structure and rules of the company.
- Signed consent forms from all the directors and shareholders.
- Details of the registered address of your company in New Zealand.
- Company registration application form
- Directors and shareholders information such as their legal name, contact details, and residential address.
- For non-resident directors and shareholders, a notarized copy of their passport will be needed.
For corporate shareholders:
- Certificate of the incorporation
- Business profile (showcasing directors, registered office, and shareholders)
- ID and the address proof of the authorized representative (director of corporate shareholder or the person signing on behalf of the company)
- Board resolution that authorizes the investment in the New Zealand company and appointing a representative
Documents required for Ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs):
- Certified copy of passport, or a government issued ID
- Residential address proof (such as a bank statement not less than 3 months, or a utility bill)
- Source of wealth documentation
- UBO declaration form
Advantages of choosing to register company in New Zealand
- New Zealand is becoming increasingly popular for businessmen who are looking to expand their businesses globally. The country is ranked as one of the easiest countries to start a business and the government is also open to the establishment of financial companies.
- There are minimal requirements prior to company formation, including a registered office address, a local director and a public officer.
- It is easy to start a business in New Zealand. The process is straightforward and the country is ranked as one of the easiest jurisdictions to do business. New Zealand government is open to the idea of foreign ownership and there is no need to attain any special approval during the process of company formation.
- There is no requirement for our overseas clients to travel. Through the website of the Companies Register. Our team will complete the incorporation form and submit the information online.
- It is easy to secure banking loans in New Zealand. The country is ranked first by the World Bank in accessibility to apply bank loans as both governments and local banks are very supportive towards SMEs.
- Compared to Australia, New Zealand business owners enjoy lower average wages, lower living costs, lower security contributions and cheaper monthly rentals.
- New Zealand is a reputable jurisdiction for people to conduct businesses in the finance industries. Tetra Consultants assists our clients in applying for New Zealand Financial Service Provider (FSP) license from NZ Financial Market Authority (FMA).
- According to Inland Revenue Department, corporate income tax applies for all New Zealand incorporated companies including branches of foreign companies. Worldwide income of a resident company is subject to tax while a non-resident company is only subject to tax for local sourced income.
Common Challenges when register company in the New Zealand
- Company registration New Zealand is a streamlined procedure, mainly because of the country’s advance digital registry systems. However, businesses, especially those that are established from overseas, often face multiple challenges throughout this process. Here are some common challenges that businesses face:
Name reservation
- It is a simple process to reserve and register a company name in New Zealand. However, issues arise if the selected name is similar to existing company names or is offensive and misleading. Before reserving a company name, businesses will have to check in New Zealand Companies Register, to verify if their chosen name is not taken. Tetra Consultants also provide international trademark registration services which help clients with name reservation. Our team ensures that the name complies with New Zealand naming regulations,
Ongoing compliance
- After registration, it is mandatory for companies to file their annual returns, maintain correct records, and adhere with ongoing tax and employment obligations. This consists of registering for payroll taxes, ensuring compliance with employment law, and getting industry-specific licenses. At Tetra Consultants we provide regulatory compliance consulting services to ensure that your regulatory environment is in compliance with international regulations to help you legally conduct your business operations.
Verification and documentation
- Collecting and preparing necessary documents like company constitution, director credentials, as well as identity proof, has proven to be a challenging task, especially for non-residents of New Zealand who may require notarized and apostilled documents. The verification procedure is robust and can easily be delayed due to incorrect documentation. At Tetra Consultants, we will ensure that all your documents are verified and are submitted to the relevant authorities to ensure proper company incorporation.
Bank account setup
- In New Zealand opening a corporate bank account is considered to be a difficult task for foreign companies, as several banks require a local director or physical presence. This delays the ability to conduct financial transactions and manage payroll. Tetra Consultants will help with corporate bank account opening, our team is familiar with the different requirements and expectations of each bank, ensuring that we will set up your account in 4 weeks.
Annual reporting requirements
- Typically, unless allowed by the Inland Revenue Department, 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 to companies that are registered with a tax agent.
Cost to setup New Zealand company
- Tetra Consultants will provide a comprehensive and transparent service package to help you in company formation New Zealand, customized to meet the specific needs of every client. The package usually includes end-to-end assistance, starting with reservation of company name, as well as preparation of company incorporation documents. Tetra Consultants will also offer a registered office address, and for the clients who do not have a local presence, we will also offer nominee resident director services in order to meet the statutory requirements.
- Furthermore, our team will help in tax registrations to obtain an IRD number, registering for Goods and Service Tax (GST), and setting up the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) if the company is planning to hire employees.
- At Tetra Consultants we also offer corporate bank account opening services. Our experts ensure that our clients understand the full scope of services provided, including any additional add-ons for tax filing, accounting, and ongoing compliance to provide a seamless and fully managed experience.
How Tetra Consultants will help you to register company in New Zealand
- Tetra Consultants provides end-to-end services to help clients with seamless company registration in New Zealand, making sure adherence with local rules and regulations. We will manage the entire registration process with the New Zealand Companies Office, if needed Tetra Consultants will also appoint a nominee resident director.
- Our legal team of experts will provide legal drafting services and will draft all the necessary documents. We will register your company with the Inland Revenue Department to get an IRD number.
- Tetra Consultants will also help in opening a New Zealand corporate bank account along with ongoing compliance services such as preparing and submitting tax returns, accounting, and bookkeeping services, and AML/CFT compliance to ensure that your company remains in good standing.
Find out more!
- 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.
FAQ
Can a foreigner register a company in New Zealand?
How to register a company in New Zealand?
How much does it cost to register a company in New Zealand?