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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Companies Act 1993

Overseas companies

336: Application for registration

You could also call this:

“How to apply to register an overseas company in New Zealand”

If you want to register an overseas company in New Zealand, you need to send an application to the Registrar. The application must be in the right form and signed by someone from the company or on their behalf.

Your application needs to include some important information. You have to tell the Registrar the name of your overseas company. You also need to provide the full names and home addresses of all the directors of your company at the time you’re applying.

You must give the full address of your company’s place of business in New Zealand. If your company has more than one place of business here, you need to provide the address of the main one.

With your application, you need to include proof that your company is incorporated overseas. You also need to provide a copy of the document that sets out your company’s rules. If these documents aren’t in English, you need to get them translated and certified according to the rules.

You also need to attach a notice that shows your company name has been approved.

Lastly, you need to give the full name and address of at least one person who lives in New Zealand or a company based here. This person or company must be allowed to accept legal documents on behalf of your overseas company in New Zealand.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM322868.

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Part 18 Overseas companies

336Application for registration

  1. An application for registration of an overseas company under this Part must be delivered to the Registrar and must—

  2. be in the prescribed form; and
    1. be signed by or on behalf of the overseas company.

      1. Without limiting subsection (1), the application must—

      2. state the name of the overseas company; and
        1. state the full names and residential addresses of the directors of the overseas company at the date of the application; and
          1. state the full address of the place of business in New Zealand of the overseas company or, if the overseas company has more than 1 place of business in New Zealand, the full address of the principal place of business in New Zealand of the overseas company; and
            1. have attached evidence of incorporation of the overseas company and a copy of the instrument constituting or defining the constitution of the company, and, if not in English, a translation of such documents certified in accordance with regulations made under this Act; and
              1. have attached the notice of name approval; and
                1. state the full name and address of 1 or more persons resident or incorporated in New Zealand who are authorised to accept service in New Zealand of documents on behalf of the overseas company.

                  Compare
                  • 1955 No 63 s 397