Register company in New Zealand

One-Stop Solution to Register a Company in New Zealand 

Registering a company in New Zealand can be straightforward with the right support. With Tax Partners at the helm, you can focus on the more critical aspects of your business while we handle the company registration process.

Our streamlined process ensures your business is operational and compliant within the stipulated timeframe, giving you peace of mind from start to finish.

Our service package includes

    Company registration with New Zealand Companies Registry (NZCR)

    Provision of a New Zealand resident director (nominee service available)

    Company secretary and registered address in New Zealand

    Opening a corporate bank account (local or international)

    License applications (if required)

    Tax registration

    Annual accounting and tax services

    New Zealand compliance officer services

How Long Does It Take to Register a Company in New Zealand? 

At Tax Partners, we aim for a smooth and efficient process.

Step 1: After receiving the necessary documents from the directors and shareholders, we’ll begin by checking the availability of your preferred company name with the Companies Registry.

Step 2: Once the name is reserved, our legal team will prepare the incorporation documents, including the Constitution and other necessary paperwork.

Step 3: Your company registration will be submitted to the New Zealand Companies Registry, and approval typically takes 7 days.

Step 4: After the registration is complete, we’ll assist you in opening a corporate bank account with a reputable local bank like ANZ New Zealand, Bank of New Zealand, or ASB Bank.

On average, you can expect to have everything ready and your business operational within 5 weeks of engaging Tax Partners. If you require faster registration, we offer options to expedite the process.

Types of Companies in New Zealand 

Choosing the right business structure is critical to ensuring your business operates efficiently and compliantly. Based on your business model and goals, Tax Partners will recommend the best company structure for you. Here are the main types of companies available in New Zealand:

Limited Liability Company (LLC): This is the most common type of company in New Zealand. An LLC offers limited liability protection to its shareholders, meaning that shareholders are not personally responsible for company debts.

    1 shareholder (any nationality)

    1 resident director in New Zealand

    No minimum paid-up capital

    Required to file annual tax returns and financial statements

    Corporate tax rate: 28%

    GST rate: 15%

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): An LLP allows you to enjoy the benefits of limited liability while being taxed as a partnership. This structure is popular with professional service providers.

Branch Office: If your business already exists outside New Zealand, you can set up a branch office. The branch office is an extension of the parent company, and the parent company is fully liable for its debts.

Representative Office: A representative office is ideal for businesses looking to explore the New Zealand market. It can carry out market research and promotional activities but cannot engage in any direct business operations like signing contracts or earning income.

Sole Trader: A Sole Trader is the simplest form of business in New Zealand but requires the business owner to be a New Zealand resident or citizen. This option is not available for foreign nationals.

How to Register a Company in New Zealand?

Here’s how Tax Partners can help you set up your business in New Zealand:

1. Choose the right business structure: We’ll discuss your goals and business activities to recommend the optimal structure for your company.

2. Reserve your company name: We’ll assist you in checking name availability through the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) and proceed to reserve it on the Companies Registry.

3. Meet pre-registration requirements: We’ll guide you through the process of appointing a local director, providing a company secretary, and preparing necessary documents like the Company Constitution and proof of address.

4. Register your company: Once the documents are ready, we’ll submit them to the Companies Office. We’ll also register your business for tax and apply for a GST number if required.

5. Open a corporate bank account: After your company is incorporated, we’ll help you open a corporate bank account with a reputable bank in New Zealand.

6. Ongoing compliance: We offer comprehensive services to ensure your business remains compliant with local regulations, including preparing financial statements, filing annual returns, and assisting with tax filings.

Post-Registration Compliance

Once your company is registered, Tax Partners will help you maintain compliance with New Zealand’s regulatory requirements:

Annual returns: Every company must file an annual return with the Companies Office.

Financial statements: Companies must prepare annual financial statements and submit them to the Companies Office and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Tax returns: We will assist you in preparing and submitting your annual tax returns to the IRD.

GST returns: If your business turnover exceeds NZD 60,000, we will assist with registering for GST and filing periodic GST returns.

Employment regulations: We will help you comply with local employment laws, ensuring safe workplaces and accurate payroll records.

Advantages of Registering a Company in New Zealand 

Business-friendly environment: New Zealand is known for its ease of doing business, with minimal regulatory hurdles and strong support for foreign investors.

Strategic location: New Zealand’s location offers easy access to Asia-Pacific markets, making it a strategic place to base your operations.

Access to capital: New Zealand offers good access to bank loans and venture capital, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Tax advantages: With a 28% corporate tax rate and a 15% GST rate, New Zealand offers competitive tax rates compared to other jurisdictions.

Legal protection: Limited liability protects shareholders from personal responsibility for the company’s debts.

Common Challenges in Registering a Company in New Zealand 

While the process is relatively straightforward, some challenges can arise, including:

Name reservation: Your chosen company name must not be similar to existing companies or be misleading. We assist in ensuring your name meets all legal requirements.

Ongoing compliance: Maintaining compliance with tax and employment laws is essential. We offer ongoing support to keep your business in good standing.

Bank account setup: Opening a corporate bank account can sometimes require physical presence or additional paperwork. We have strong relationships with local banks and can help you through this process.

How Tax Partners Can Help You Register a Company in New Zealand?

Tax Partners provides end-to-end services for New Zealand company registration, ensuring that you meet all regulatory requirements and can start doing business as quickly as possible. We handle the entire registration process, from choosing the right business structure to opening your corporate bank account.

Our legal team will assist with document preparation and tax registration, and we’ll guide you through the post-registration compliance process, ensuring your business stays in good standing with New Zealand authorities.

For more information on setting up a business in New Zealand, contact Tax Partners today. Our expert team will respond within 24 hours.