Indian founders can own 100% of a New Zealand company and register it fully online. One rule blocks most do-it-yourself attempts. Every New Zealand company needs at least one director who lives in New Zealand or Australia.
You control the ownership from India. You still need a resident director and a physical New Zealand address on the ground. This guide covers that rule, the real costs, the timeline, and the documents, with every figure sourced to the New Zealand Companies Office and other primary records.
Can you register a company in New Zealand from India?
Yes. Non-residents can own 100% of a New Zealand company and incorporate remotely through the New Zealand Companies Office. Two constraints apply from day one. At least one director must live in New Zealand, or in Australia with conditions. The company also needs a physical New Zealand registered office, and P.O. boxes are not accepted.
What is the resident director requirement?
At least one director must live in New Zealand, or live in Australia and also be a director of a company incorporated in Australia. An Indian founder based in India cannot be the sole director. You have three options: appoint a professional nominee resident director, relocate a director, or use a qualifying Australian director (you supply that company’s Australian Company Number (ACN) at registration).
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Director residency | At least one director lives in New Zealand, or in Australia and directs an Australian company | Companies Act 1993, s 10(1)(d) |
| Enforcement country | Australia is the only prescribed enforcement country | Companies Act 1993 Regulations 1994, reg 12 |
| In force since | 1 May 2015 | Companies Amendment Act 2014, s 9 |
| “Lives in” test | 183+ days of physical presence treated as conclusive | Re Carr [2016] NZHC 1536 |
Read the full rule in section 10 of the Companies Act 1993.
Which business structure is best for Indian founders?
A Limited Company (Ltd) is the default for most Indian founders. It is a separate legal entity under the Companies Act 1993, with limited liability and profits paid as dividends. New Zealand has no US-style LLC. The local equivalent is simply a limited company. Co-operative and unlimited companies are niche, and a branch suits existing Indian businesses.
| Structure | Best for | Shareholder liability |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Company (Ltd) | Most Indian founders wanting a standalone entity | Limited to unpaid value of shares |
| Co-operative Company | Member-owned trading groups (60%+ voting by transacting members) | Limited |
| Unlimited Company | Rare; niche foreign tax or legal needs | Unlimited; shareholders cover debts |
| Branch (overseas company) | An Indian company extending existing operations | Indian parent carries liability |
| Sole trader / partnership | Not practical for non-residents | Personal and unlimited |
Source: Companies Act 1993, New Zealand Companies Office.
Should you open a branch or a subsidiary in New Zealand?
A subsidiary suits founders who want a standalone New Zealand entity with limited liability. A branch suits an Indian company extending its existing business without creating a new entity, but the Indian parent then carries the liability. The two paths differ on legal identity, liability, and compliance.
| Factor | Subsidiary (NZ limited company) | Branch (overseas company) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal identity | Separate New Zealand legal entity | Extension of the Indian parent |
| Liability | Contained within the New Zealand company | Indian parent is liable |
| Best fit | Founders wanting a local standalone presence | Existing Indian business expanding into NZ |
Source: Companies Act 1993, New Zealand Companies Office.
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How does a holding company structure work for Indian parents?
An Indian parent company can own a New Zealand subsidiary outright. When one company owns your New Zealand company, you must declare the Ultimate Holding Company (UHC) on the Companies Register at incorporation and keep it current. You report any change to the UHC’s name, number, address, country, or type within 20 working days, and confirm the details in each annual return.
See the official ultimate holding company guidance from the New Zealand Companies Office.
What are the requirements and documents for non-residents?
A non-resident needs one resident director, a physical New Zealand registered office, and signed consents from every director and shareholder. New Zealand sets no minimum share capital, so a company can issue a single share. A constitution is optional, because the Companies Act 1993 default rules apply otherwise.
What documents do you need?
- Valid passport and notarized proof of address (less than three months old) for each director and shareholder
- Physical New Zealand registered office and an address for service (no P.O. boxes)
- Director details: residential address, date and place of birth
- Signed consent forms from every director and shareholder
- Share structure and ownership split
- Ultimate Holding Company (UHC) details, if another company owns yours
- Constitution (optional; statutory default rules apply if you skip it)
How do you register a company in New Zealand from India, step by step?
The process runs through the New Zealand Companies Office online. Secure your resident director and registered office first, because you cannot complete incorporation without them.
- Choose your structure, usually a Limited Company (Ltd).
- Reserve the company name for NZD 10 plus Goods and Services Tax (GST), valid for 20 working days.
- Secure a physical New Zealand registered office and address for service.
- Prepare documents, including any Ultimate Holding Company (UHC) details.
- Complete the online incorporation application and pay the fee.
- Have every director and shareholder return signed consent forms within 20 working days.
- Receive your certificate of incorporation and New Zealand company number.
How much does it cost to register a company in New Zealand from India?
Government fees are low. The real cost for a non-resident is the recurring resident director and registered office services. Notarization and apostille of your Indian documents add one-off costs that vary by provider.
| Cost item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | NZD 11.50 incl. GST (NZD 10 + GST) | NZ Companies Office fee schedule |
| Company incorporation | NZD 136.55 incl. GST (NZD 118.74 + GST) | NZ Companies Office fee schedule |
| Annual return (yearly) | NZD 57.20 incl. GST | NZ Companies Office fee schedule |
| Nominee resident director service | Recurring; varies by provider | Market service, not a government fee |
| Registered office / address for service | Recurring; varies by provider | Market service, not a government fee |
| Notarization and apostille | One-off; varies by provider | Market service, not a government fee |
The incorporation fee is NZD 136.55 including GST, effective 1 July 2022, per the Companies Office fee schedule. Older guides quoting NZD 114.39 are out of date.
How long does it take to register a company in New Zealand?
Incorporation itself processes in about one to three working days once consents are in. Realistically, budget one to two weeks end to end from India, because name reservation and cross-time-zone consent collection add days. New Zealand runs 6.5 to 7.5 hours ahead of India, which slows same-day back-and-forth.
| Step | Typical duration | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | Within 2 hours in business hours; valid 20 working days | NZ Companies Office |
| Prepare documents and secure director/office | Days to weeks | Depends on your provider |
| Incorporation processing | About 1–3 working days | NZ Companies Office |
| Return signed consents | Up to 20 working days | NZ Companies Office |
Do Indian founders need FDI or OIO approval?
No. An ordinary New Zealand company registration needs no foreign direct investment (FDI) approval. New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office (OIO) screens only sensitive land and significant business assets worth more than NZD 100 million, per Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). On the India side, an Indian company funding a New Zealand subsidiary follows Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) rules, and the routing depends on your ownership stake. Get professional advice before you remit funds. Founders weighing a nearby base often compare this with registering a company in Australia from India.
Can you open a New Zealand business bank account from India?
Opening an account is harder than incorporation. Major banks (ANZ, Westpac, ASB, BNZ) require in-person or enhanced verification for non-resident owners under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act. Many founders open a digital account first and add a local bank later.
What documents do banks require?
- Certificate of incorporation and New Zealand company number
- Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number
- Certified copies of passport and proof of address for all directors and shareholders
- Apostilled documents for Indian residents, for cross-border Know Your Customer (KYC) checks
What digital banking alternatives work?
Wise offers multi-currency business accounts supporting New Zealand dollars and Indian rupees. Payoneer handles cross-border receiving and payments for exporters and service businesses. Both onboard remotely, so you can transact in New Zealand dollars before a local bank account is open.
Does registering a company in New Zealand give you a visa?
No. Incorporation grants no residency or work rights. If you plan to live and work in New Zealand, you apply separately through Immigration New Zealand. The business and investor pathways carry high thresholds, and the older Entrepreneur Work Visa is now closed to new applications.
| Visa | Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur Work Visa | Closed to new applications | Immigration New Zealand |
| Business Investor Work Visa | NZD 1 million (standard) or NZD 2 million (fast-track) | Immigration New Zealand |
| Active Investor Plus (Growth) | NZD 5 million held for 36 months | Immigration New Zealand |
| Active Investor Plus (Balanced) | NZD 10 million held for 60 months | Immigration New Zealand |
Confirm current settings on the Active Investor Plus visa page from Immigration New Zealand.
New Zealand post-incorporation compliance checklist
Compliance is light but firm. Miss an annual return and the Companies Office can remove your company from the register.
- File an annual return each year (NZD 57.20 incl. GST, per the Companies Office fee schedule)
- Keep your registered office and address for service current
- Update director, shareholder, and UHC changes on the register
- Get an IRD number and file income tax returns with Inland Revenue
- Register for GST once turnover passes NZD 60,000 in any 12 months, per Inland Revenue’s GST registration guidance
- Keep company records for 7 years
How we help you register a company in New Zealand from India
Commenda runs your New Zealand setup end to end, so the resident director rule stops being a blocker. Commenda’s incorporation service handles the resident director and registered office through local partners, prepares and files your documents with the New Zealand Companies Office, and sets up your KYC. After launch, Commenda’s entity management platform tracks your annual returns, UHC updates, and tax filings in one place.
Check your name early with the company name checker, and keep every deadline in view with the compliance calendar. Book a demo to map your New Zealand setup, resident director included, before you file anything.
About the author
Logan leads Commenda’s Services and Operations team, helping controllers, heads of tax, and finance leaders navigate international expansion. He built a global expert network across 70 countries and previously worked in management consulting across the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Disclaimer: Commenda and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
