Form a Company in New Zealand
Set up a New Zealand limited company as a resident or non-resident. We explain the process and connect you with a New Zealand provider for Companies Office registration, a registered office and ongoing compliance. Remote formation is often possible, subject to acceptance.
Stable, Trusted Jurisdiction
New Zealand is consistently ranked among the easiest and most transparent places to do business, with a strong international reputation.
English Common Law
A mature common-law framework and the efficient New Zealand Companies Office, widely recognised by banks and counterparties.
Company Formation Support
Get guidance on the company formation process, required documents and next steps for setting up your business in this jurisdiction.
Efficient Online Setup
New Zealand company registration is largely online and efficient, with modest government fees.
Why Form a Company in New Zealand?
New Zealand is a well-established base for international business. The points below are general commercial considerations, not guarantees, and your own circumstances should be reviewed with a qualified adviser.
Strong Reputation
New Zealand is regularly ranked highly for ease of doing business, transparency and low corruption, which can support credibility with banks and counterparties.
Efficient Registration
Company registration through the Companies Office is largely online and efficient once requirements, including the resident-director rule, are met.
English Common Law
A mature, well-documented legal framework with strong contract and property law that many international businesses value.
Gateway to Asia-Pacific
New Zealand offers a stable base with strong trade links across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Clear Tax System
A relatively straightforward tax system with a broad treaty network that may reduce withholding taxes in cross-border situations. Eligibility should be confirmed case by case.
Foreign Ownership
Non-residents can generally own a New Zealand company. At least one director must live in New Zealand. Alternatively, a director may live in Australia, provided that person is also a director of a company incorporated in Australia.
Formation Packages
Choose the structure that fits your business. Every engagement is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need.
- Company registration with the Companies Office
- Constitution & share structure
- Registered office & address for service
- Assistance with IRD and GST registration, where applicable.
- Corporate document set
- Resident-director support, where required
- Bookkeeping & annual accounts support
- Annual return support
- Bank account introduction
- Ongoing compliance reminders
- Holding company + operating company
- Review of structuring options
- Registered office for both entities
- Accounting for the structure
- Coordination with your adviser
Statutory costs such as notary, registry and government fees are set by third parties and quoted separately. Figures are confirmed in writing before you commit.
New Zealand Formation Services
Everything you need to form, register and run a New Zealand company, handled with an in-country service provider.
Company Formation
Full New Zealand limited company registration: name reservation, constitution and registration with the Companies Office, with the corporate document set.
Registered Office & Address
A New Zealand company must maintain a registered office and address for service in New Zealand. We can arrange these, subject to the provider's acceptance and requirements.
Directors & Shareholders
Foreign individuals and corporate shareholders can own a New Zealand company. At least one director must live in New Zealand. Alternatively, a director may live in Australia, provided that person is also a director of a company incorporated in Australia. A provider may be able to assist with a resident director.
Banking
Introductions to New Zealand banks. Account approval always rests with the bank after its own KYC, and non-resident applications can take longer.
Accounting & Compliance
Bookkeeping, annual accounts, the annual return, income-tax and GST returns, kept on schedule against Companies Office and Inland Revenue deadlines.
Tax & Treaty Guidance
A general overview of New Zealand income tax, GST and the treaty network, so the structure fits your plans.
How to Form a New Zealand Company
- 1
Tell Us Your Plans
Send your details through the quote form. We explain the options, including the resident-director requirement, and connect you with a provider where appropriate.
- 2
KYC & Documents
The provider verifies identity and collects the usual documents: passport and proof of address for individuals, and incorporation documents for corporate shareholders.
- 3
Companies Office Registration
The name is reserved and the company is registered with the Companies Office, with directors, shareholders and a registered office recorded. The application may often be coordinated remotely, but the company must still satisfy the New Zealand director, registered-office, address-for-service and identity requirements.
- 4
Tax, Banking & Compliance
IRD number and GST registration are arranged where applicable, and assistance may be provided with opening a corporate account.
What You Receive
- Certificate of incorporation
- Constitution & share structure
- Companies Office registration number
- IRD number & GST, where applicable.
- Corporate document set
Timelines depend on the resident-director arrangement, KYC and bank onboarding. Companies Office registration itself is usually quick. We confirm expected turnaround with your quote.
New Zealand Tax & Annual Compliance: General Overview
A plain-language summary of the main New Zealand tax and filing points for a company in 2026. This is general information to help you plan, not tax or legal advice. Your New Zealand provider or adviser confirms what applies to your situation.
Company Income Tax
New Zealand generally taxes company income at a flat rate of 28%. A company files an annual income-tax return with Inland Revenue, and provisional tax may apply during the year.
GST
The standard GST rate is 15%. GST registration is generally compulsory when taxable supplies exceed the statutory registration threshold in a 12-month period, while voluntary registration may be possible below the threshold.
Resident Director Requirement
At least one director must live in New Zealand. Alternatively, a director may live in Australia, provided that person is also a director of a company incorporated in Australia. This is a formation requirement, not a tax as such.
Withholding & Treaties
New Zealand levies withholding taxes on certain payments to non-residents, though treaty relief may apply. Eligibility should be confirmed for the specific payment and treaty.
Annual Return
Every company files an annual return with the Companies Office confirming its details. This is a confirmation filing to the Companies Office and is separate from the income-tax return filed with Inland Revenue.
Records & Accounts
Companies must keep proper accounting records. Many small private companies do not require a statutory audit, but audit or financial-reporting obligations may apply to large companies, public entities, overseas-owned companies and other specified entities.
New Zealand Company Formation FAQ
Common questions about forming a company in New Zealand. General information only, not legal or tax advice.
Yes. Shareholders do not need to be New Zealand residents. However, at least one director must live in New Zealand. Alternatively, a director may live in Australia, provided that person is also a director of a company incorporated in Australia.
At least one director must live in New Zealand. Alternatively, a director may live in Australia, provided that person is also a director of a company incorporated in Australia. A provider may be able to assist with a resident director.
Often, the incorporation application can be coordinated remotely. However, the company must still satisfy the New Zealand director requirement, a New Zealand registered office and address for service, and identity checks. We confirm what is possible in your case.
Companies Office registration itself is usually quick. Overall timing depends on arranging a resident director where needed, identity checks and, separately, bank onboarding.
Mainly company income tax at a flat 28% rate, and GST (standard 15%) where registered. This is general information, not tax advice.
A corporate account is normal in practice but not a strict registration requirement. Account opening is a separate process with its own checks, and non-resident applications can take longer.
Yes. A corporate shareholder, including a foreign company, can own a New Zealand company. Its constitutional documents and beneficial owners will be needed for KYC.
Every New Zealand company files an annual return with the Companies Office confirming its details. It is a confirmation filing and is separate from the income-tax return to Inland Revenue.
A New Zealand company generally needs an IRD number for tax purposes. GST registration is generally compulsory once taxable supplies exceed the registration threshold in a 12-month period, with voluntary registration possible below it. These can be arranged as part of formation.
Yes. New Zealand companies can be used as holding structures. The tax result depends on the nature and source of income and should be reviewed.
For individuals, generally a passport, proof of address, business-activity and source-of-funds information and tax-residency details. For corporate shareholders, incorporation and constitutional documents, registers, an ownership chart and beneficial-ownership information.
Still Have Questions?
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