Register a company in NZ: Companies Office step-by-step

Company registration is done online through the Companies Office (MBR). You need at least one shareholder and director, a registered office in NZ, and compliance with the Companies Act 1993.

Registration alone does not give you GST registration, employer status or industry licences. IRD will assign a company IRD number; if turnover expects to exceed $60,000 in 12 months, GST registration is mandatory. Financial service providers may need FMA or AML registration.

Directors have personal duties — trading while insolvent or failing to file annual returns can lead to disqualification. Set calendar reminders for the annual return and consider whether a shareholders' agreement sits outside Companies Office but affects how you operate.

regulation.nz maps all 321 NZ regulatory bodies in one place. A $8.99 AI consultation identifies every regulator you need, the order to apply, fees and timelines — then prepares applications for checkout. OIA requests, complaints and appeals are always free.