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Business Set Up Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on business set up for new zealand businesses.
Changing Company Ownership: All You Need To Know (2026 Updated)
Changing company ownership can be an exciting step - maybe you’re bringing in an investor, selling your business, buying out a co-founder, or restructuring for growth. But it’s also one of those...
6 January 2025
How To Set Up A Tour Operator Business (2026 Updated)
Running tours can be a brilliant way to build a business around experiences people genuinely remember - whether you’re guiding hikes, wine tours, cultural experiences, city food walks, or multi-day packages. But...
6 January 2025
Does Business Structure Matter? (2026 Updated)
When you’re starting a business, it’s normal to focus on the exciting parts first: your product, your brand, your first customers, and (hopefully) your first sale. But one of the most important...
6 January 2025
How Can I Protect My Business Name? (2026 Updated)
Your business name is often the first thing customers remember (and the first thing competitors notice). So if you’ve found a name you love, it makes sense to want to “lock it...
6 January 2025
How To Start A Clothing Business (2026 Updated)
Starting a clothing business is one of those ideas that can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You might already have a clear brand vision (streetwear, workwear, kids’ basics, ethical fashion, custom prints)...
6 January 2025
Can Directors Be Shareholders? (2026 Updated)
If you’re setting up a company in New Zealand (or you’re already running one), it’s completely normal to wonder how the roles at the top fit together. One of the most common...
6 January 2025
What Happens If There Is A Breach Of A Director’s Duty? (2026 Updated)
Being a company director in New Zealand can be exciting - you’re helping steer the business, make big calls, and (hopefully) grow something valuable. But there’s a serious legal side to it...
6 January 2025
How To Start A Tour Guide Business In 2026
Starting a tour guide business is one of those ideas that sounds fun and commercially smart - you get to share what you love about Aotearoa, meet new people, and build a...
6 January 2025
Entity Name Vs Business Name (2026 Updated)
When you’re starting a business in New Zealand, it’s completely normal to feel a bit stuck on what you’re actually meant to “register” and what you’re allowed to “use”. You might have:...
6 January 2025
Franchise Agreements – What Do I Need To Know? (2026 Updated)
Buying a franchise can feel like a shortcut to running a business with a proven brand, set systems, and a customer base that already “gets it”. But before you sign anything (or...
6 January 2025
I’ve Started My Own Business… What Legal Advice Do I Need? (2026 Updated)
Starting your own business is exciting - you’ve got the idea, you’ve done the planning (or you’re learning as you go), and you’re ready to make it real. Then the legal questions...
6 January 2025
How To Change Your Business Structure (2026 Updated)
When you first start a business, it’s normal to pick the simplest structure that gets you moving (often a sole trader setup) and promise yourself you’ll “sort it out later”. Then later...
6 January 2025
Starting A Handyman Business (2026 Updated)
Starting a handyman business can be a great way to build a flexible, profitable trade-based business - especially if you’re the kind of person who loves solving problems and leaving a job...
6 January 2025
Quick Tips: Registering A Company In New Zealand (2026 Updated)
Registering a company in New Zealand is one of those “adulting” business milestones: it’s exciting, it feels official, and it can unlock bigger opportunities (think investors, hiring staff, or taking on larger...
6 January 2025
New Zealand Standards For Petrol Stations (2026 Updated)
Running (or setting up) a petrol station in New Zealand can be a great business move - especially if you’ve got the right location, strong fuel supply arrangements, and a clear plan...
6 January 2025
Everything You Need To Know: Running A Business From Home (2026 Updated)
Running a business from home can feel like the best of both worlds: lower overheads, more flexibility, and the freedom to build something on your own terms. But there’s a catch. When...
6 January 2025
Registering A Māori Incorporation: What You Need To Know (2026 Updated)
If you’re responsible for whenua or other Māori-owned assets, you’ll know the “business” side of things can feel like only one part of the bigger picture. You’re balancing tikanga, whānau expectations, long-term...
6 January 2025
Setting Up A Canadian Company In New Zealand (2026 Updated)
Expanding from Canada into New Zealand can be a smart move. The market is familiar in a lot of ways (common-law legal system, strong institutions, and a business-friendly reputation), but the “set-up”...
6 January 2025
What Is A Notice Of Intention To Defend? (2026 Updated)
Getting served with court documents can be a bit of a shock, especially if you’re running a business and you’re already juggling customers, invoices, staff, and cash flow. If you’ve been served...
6 January 2025
What Can Be Patented? (2026 Updated)
If you’ve built something new (or you’re about to), it’s completely normal to wonder: can I patent this? Patents can be one of the strongest ways to protect an invention in New...
6 January 2025
What Is A Shadow Director? (2026 Updated)
If you’re running a company in New Zealand, you might assume “director duties” only apply to the people formally listed on the Companies Office register. In reality, the law can sometimes treat...
6 January 2025
What Is A Property Licence Agreement? (2026 Updated)
If you’re letting someone use your property (or part of it) for business purposes, it can be surprisingly easy to end up in a messy situation - especially if you assume it’s...
6 January 2025
B Corps In Australia: What Are They And How Do They Work? (2026 Updated)
“B Corp” is one of those terms you’ll hear a lot in purpose-led business circles - and it’s easy to assume it’s a special type of company structure (like a charity or...
6 January 2025
New Years Resolution: Sort Out Your Legals (2026 Updated)
The New Year has a funny way of making you feel motivated and slightly attacked at the same time. Suddenly you’re inspired to organise your inbox, fix your finances, and finally start...
6 January 2025
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