Registering overseas companies (other jurisdictions)

An overseas company can operate in New Zealand in one of three ways:

1. Subsidiary (New Zealand company on the New Zealand register)

A subsidiary company is like a 'child' that is a wholly owned subsidiary of a 'parent' (overseas company).  You can establish a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary by registering a New Zealand company with 100% shareholding held by the overseas company.

2. Branch (the New Zealand operations of an overseas company on the New Zealand overseas register)

A branch means the New Zealand operations of an overseas company.  It is not a separate legal entity.  The company incorporation is still held under another country's jurisdiction, but the New Zealand operations are governed by New Zealand law.

Part XVIII of the Companies Act 1993 (sections 332 to 337) allows overseas companies to establish and register a branch operation in New Zealand on the overseas register.

3. Become a New Zealand company (transferring incorporation from another country to the New Zealand register)

This option allows an overseas company to abandon its country of incorporation and transfer its incorporation to the New Zealand Companies Office Register.  A company can transfer its incorporation from the country in which it is registered to New Zealand under Part XIX of the Act and become a New Zealand company by registering under Part II of the Companies Act 1993 (sections 344 to 349 and 11 to 15).

Registering an overseas company online is simple and inexpensive (NZ$163.55).  To apply to register your company as an overseas company you will need a Companies Office Logon.

• Log on to our website
• Select Online Services - Do It Now
• Choose Register an overseas company (other)