Names that contravene other legislation
Certain names are protected or restricted by specific statutes.
These may need approval from the relevant authorities before than can be reserved. You are able to upload a copy of such written approval when you submit your application to reserve the company name.
Important note | The following list contains examples only - it is not intended as a complete list of protected/restricted names or phrases. As existing legislation changes or new legislation is introduced words and phrases may be added to, or removed from, this list.
A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
A
Agricultural Research Centre
Air Guide
Air Ranger
Animal Research Laboratory
Anzac
Aotea Centre
Aotea Auckland Centre
B
Bank1
Banker
Banking
Boy Scout
Brownie
Brown Owl
1 Bank | To apply for a company name that includes the word Bank, or a translation of the Bank restricted words, you must first obtain written approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Then apply to reserve the name and upload a copy of the Reserve Bank's letter of approval with your application.
C
Carillon
Civil Aviation Authority
Co-operative (unless it is a co-operative company)
D
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
Dominion Physical Laboratory
DSIR
D.S.I.R.
E
Eagle Owl
F
G
Geneva Cross
Girl Guide
Girl Guides Association
Government
Government Department
Greyhound Racing Association
H
Hall of Memories
Harness Racing New Zealand
Hillary Commission for Sport, Fitness and Leisure
Her Majesty
House of Representatives
Housing Corporation of New Zealand
I
Institute of Nuclear Sciences
Insurance 2
International Atomic Energy Agency
International Bank of Reconstruction and Development
International Criminal Police Organisation
International Development Association
International Finance Corporation
2 Note | To apply for a company name that includes the word Insurance or related words, you must do so under the grounds set out in sections 22C, 22D(1) or 22D(2) of the Insurance Companies’ Deposits Act 1953. You should apply for the name as normal and expect an email from the Companies Office requesting confirmation of the section you are applying under. If no section is applicable you may apply to the Manager of the Insurance and Superannuation Unit at the Ministry of Economic Development for an exemption.
J
K
L
Land Transport Safety Authority
Laughing Owl
Lone Guide
Maori Fisheries Commission
Maritime Safety Authority
Minister
Minister of the Crown
Museum of New Zealand
N
National Archives
National Art Gallery
National Museum
National Provident Fund
National War Memorial
New Zealand Communicable Disease Centre
New Zealand Film Commission
New Zealand Export-Import Corporation
New Zealand Oceanographic Institute
New Zealand Planning Council
New Zealand Soil Bureau
O
Olympic Games
P
Parliament
Physics and Engineering Laboratory
Post Guide
Q
Queen
R
Racing Conference
Ranger Guide
Red Crescent
Red Cross
Red Lion and Sun
Returned Services
Returned Services Association
Royal 3
Royal Charter
RSA
Ruakura
3 Royal | To apply for a company name that includes the word Royal, you must first obtain written approval from the Governor-General (by applying to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage). Then apply to reserve the name and upload a copy of the Governor-General’s letter of approval with your application. There are some exceptions to this which are set out in section 14(4) of the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981.
S
Scout
Scout Association
Sea Guide
Sea Guide
Sea Ranger
Soil Conservation Centre
T
Tawny Owl
Te Papa Tongarewa
Testing Laboratory Registration
Toc H
United Nations
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
V
W
War Memorial
Wheat Research Institute
World Bank
World Health Organisation
World Meteorological Organisation
X
Y
Z
