The process of starting a business in New Zealand will vary based on the type of business you intend to start, whether you want to move there, and if you already own a foreign business that you want to expand to New Zealand.

In general, these are the eight steps to take to start your business:

1. Confirm your business idea is viable and that it will work.
2. Declare a company name and domain name for your business.
3. Choose a business structure:

• Sole Trader: Business is conducted solely by the owner.
• Partnership: Business is conducted in collaboration with other industry professionals and is often used within the agricultural industry.
• Limited Liability: Business is conducted as a sole entity with legal separation from any existing shareholders and owners.

4. Use the RealMe New Zealand government login tool to officiate your business.
5. Obtain a New Zealand business number.
6. Secure a business name.
7. Double-check regulations and policies, and that your business operational procedures will comply.
8. Officially register your own business.

While navigating the steps to start a business in New Zealand, here are several considerations to keep in mind:

• Do your research and stay informed about the market your business will be operating in, including specific local economies, such as in Auckland and Māori.
• Understand local territorial rules and regulations before setting up an official place of business to conduct your daily operations.
• Refer to policies outlined by the Inland Revenue Department to ensure your business complies with the required individual tax number or company tax number, depending on the structure of your business.
• Seek legal and financial advice from professionals to assist with financial operations, including setting up a business bank account. This is particularly important if you plan to transfer any funds overseas for your business. In this case, it would benefit your business to seek counsel from migrants’ services before proceeding with moving any funds around to ensure that you comply with any tax obligations.
• Triple-check with the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office and the Companies Office that your business name is protected. This will save you a headache later if you already ordered stationary and finalized logos for your business.

Easily filter searches for Advisors on Relocate, an independent platform for global migration, to find Advisors that specialize in launching new businesses in New Zealand.

If you are applying for an investor visa, there are minimum investment requirements for designated time frames. The two categories consist of the following:

Investor 1

• Minimum investment: NZ$10 million
• Time frame: At least three years

Investor 2 Minimum investment: NZ$3 million Time frame: At least four years

There are also acceptable investment criteria that must be met. Acceptable investments can range from equity firms to residential property development. The investment must also contribute to the New Zealand economy, generate a commercial return and not be for the personal use of the investor.

Maybe moving is not ideal for you in the long run, or you just prefer to operate remotely. If this is the case, there is good news. Thanks to New Zealand’s flexible regulations, the government permits businesses to operate remotely in the country so long as they meet a few requirements. This includes but is not limited to appointing at least one director who is a New Zealand resident, having a physical address in the country to serve as the registered office for the business, and delegating a staff member to be compliant with the country’s regulations.

You should expect inspectors from the New Zealand Companies Office or other government agencies to inspect your company’s New Zealand registered office to ensure compliance is maintained over time. Routine inspections typically involve a representative from the Companies Office.

Similarly, investors are permitted to conduct business internationally as long as particular criteria are met. This includes having a minimum number of years of business experience, passing English proficiency requirements, applying for ESOL tuition and being under the age of 65. Once your visa to conduct your international venture is approved, you will be permitted to operate with the same benefits of the local economy, such as that of local and resident investors. However, there might be additional income taxes that your business could incur when assets are distributed to foreign shareholders.

If you are an active business owner, investor or entrepreneur looking to expand your current non-New Zealand business venture into the country, there is a good reason to do so. The country remains a viable destination for economic growth due to its top-notch trade agreements and expanding economy.

The easiest way to expand your current business to New Zealand is to open a branch or subsidiary in the country. These two options ensure that your business can conduct commercial activities within the country.

• Subsidiary office: A subsidiary office is an independent legal entity that can be established by a foreign business. While establishing a subsidiary office of your business means you have less say over operations of the firm, a New Zealand subsidiary can conduct additional business activities that expand from the parent company. In doing so, the subsidiary office essentially becomes its own foreign company.
• Branch office: A branch office remains entirely dependent on the parent company. This means your business will retain complete control over operations and daily activities at the branch in New Zealand. As a dependent legal entity, your branch office in New Zealand would not be in compliance with local laws if it were to undertake additional or separate operations from that of your business.