How to Register a Business Name in New Zealand

Register your company name in New Zealand over the Internet.

New Zealand law recognizes that from the day a business opens, it begins building a brand and a reputation. The business name, therefore, is critical to the success of a business. For New Zealand entrepreneurs, registering a business name is done during the process in which you incorporate your business. New Zealand allows you to reserve a business name for up to 20 days prior to your official incorporation.

Instructions

1. Choose a business name. Your name cannot be illegal (such as a business offering to commit crimes for New Zealanders) or misleading (in that it is very similar to existing business names or government functions).

2. Complete a free business name search through New Zealand Companies Office. Use the link in the Resource section to help you conduct the search. If your search reveals that another business already has that name, revise your name in Step 1 and repeat this step.

3. Run a trademark search through New Zealand's Intellectual Property Office. Use the link in the Resource section. This step will protect your from using a business name that is too similar to another trade name.

4. Reserve your company name. Complete the application in the Resource section. You must pay a filing fee of NZ$10, as of April 2010. The New Zealand Companies Office will provide you with a name reservation number; keep this number handy. The name will be reserved for 20 days.

5. Register your business name along with your company information. Input your name reservation, and complete the application by using the link in the Resource section. At a minimum, you must provide the name of at least one director, one shareholder and a physical address for the business. Pay a filing fee of NZ$150, as of April 2010. The New Zealand Companies Office will review your materials and register your company and company name if all is in order. If not, the office will contact you regarding what you need to do to complete the process.

References

• Companies.govt.nz: Incorporating a Company (Name Registration)
• Companies.govt.nz: Protection fo Business Names

Resources

• New Zealand Companies Office: Name Register Search
• Intellectual Property Offices of New Zealand: Trademark Search
• New Zealand Companies Office: Name Reservation Form
• New Zealand Companies Office: Incorporation Form