Business Set Up Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on business set up for new zealand businesses.
Class A vs Class B Shares: What NZ Companies And Founders Need To Know
If you’re setting up a company in New Zealand, raising capital, or bringing on a co-founder, you’ll quickly run into a big question: how do you split ownership fairly without giving away...
17 March 2026
Circular Resolution Template (NZ): Approve Company Decisions Without a Meeting
If you run a company in New Zealand, you’ve probably had this moment: you need to make a quick decision (open a new bank account, appoint a director, sign off year-end accounts,...
17 March 2026
Choosing A New Zealand Business Structure: Types, Pros, Cons & Key Tips
Choosing the right business structure in New Zealand can feel like one of those “adulting” tasks you’d rather put off. But it’s genuinely one of the most important decisions you’ll make when...
16 March 2026
Chairperson vs Director: Key Differences in New Zealand Governance
If you’re running a company (or thinking about setting one up), you’ll quickly run into a common question: what’s the difference between a chairperson and a director? On paper, both are part...
16 March 2026
Can You Start A Company While Employed In New Zealand?
It’s common for talented team members to have a side project. Sometimes it’s a small ecommerce store. Other times, it’s the early stages of a consultancy, an app idea, or a business...
13 March 2026
Can You Invoice Without a NZBN or GST Number in New Zealand?
If you’re starting a small business, it’s normal to want to send your first invoice quickly and worry about the “admin” later. One of the most common questions we hear is whether...
13 March 2026
Can You Be A Director Of Two Companies In New Zealand?
If you’re building (or buying into) more than one venture, it’s completely normal to ask whether you can legally sit on the board of multiple companies at the same time. The good...
12 March 2026Can You Be A Company Director Without Owning Shares In NZ?
If you’re building (or scaling) a New Zealand company, it’s common to focus on ownership first: who holds the shares, how much everyone owns, and what happens if someone wants to exit....
12 March 2026
Can You Be A Company Director With A Criminal Record In NZ?
If you’re starting a company (or bringing in a co-founder or investor) and someone involved has a past conviction, it’s normal to feel unsure about what that means for your business. The...
12 March 2026
Can Sole Traders Employ Staff In New Zealand?
If you’re running your business as a sole trader, hiring your first team member can feel like a big leap. You might be wondering whether you’re “allowed” to employ someone without setting...
11 March 2026
Can I Close My NZ Company And Start A New One?
If your current company isn’t working out, it’s completely normal to wonder whether you can shut it down and start again with a clean slate. Maybe you’ve outgrown your original structure, you’ve...
11 March 2026
Can A New Zealand Company Have No Directors? NZ Director Rules
If you’ve registered (or are about to register) a company in New Zealand, you might be wondering how “lean” you can run things. Some founders ask this when they’re between leaders, restructuring...
9 March 2026
Can A Bankrupt Person Be A Company Director In New Zealand?
If you’re running (or buying into) a small business, you might find yourself asking a surprisingly common question: can someone who is bankrupt still be a company director in New Zealand? Sometimes...
8 March 2026
Buying A Shelf Company In New Zealand: Benefits, Process & Pitfalls
If you’re trying to move fast on a new venture, it’s normal to look for shortcuts that feel “safe” and legitimate. One option you might come across is buying a shelf company...
8 March 2026Business Partnership Vs Company In New Zealand: Key Differences & Choosing The Right Structure
If you’re starting a business with someone else (or thinking about bringing in a co-founder), one of the biggest early decisions is choosing the right legal structure. Most small business owners end...
8 March 2026Business Lawyer Hourly Rates In New Zealand: What SMEs Pay
If you’re running a small business, legal costs can feel like one big unknown. Maybe you’re about to sign a lease, hire your first employee, raise funds, or launch a new website...
8 March 2026Board Resolutions in New Zealand: When and How to Record Decisions
If you’re running a company in New Zealand, you’re probably making decisions every week that affect your business (and your personal risk as a director). The tricky part is that not every...
7 March 2026
Board Meeting Minutes In New Zealand: Legal Requirements For Directors
If you’re running a company, board meetings can feel like they’re all about the big decisions - budgets, hires, strategy, growth. But the paperwork side matters too. In particular, keeping proper board...
7 March 2026Board Meeting Minutes In New Zealand: Company Legal Requirements
If you’re running a company in New Zealand (even a small one), you’ll hear a lot about “minutes”. It can sound like paperwork for the sake of paperwork - but board meeting...
7 March 2026
Branch Vs Subsidiary: Key Legal Differences In NZ
If you’re an Australian business expanding into New Zealand (or growing across regions within NZ), one of the first “big picture” decisions you’ll face is whether to operate through a branch or...
6 March 2026Beauty Salon Regulations In New Zealand
Running a beauty salon is exciting - you get to build a brand, create a space your clients love, and turn your skills into a real business. But before you open the...
6 March 2026
Are Shareholders Liable for Company Debts in New Zealand?
If you’ve set up (or you’re thinking about setting up) a company in New Zealand, chances are you’ve heard that companies offer “limited liability”. That’s usually true - and it’s one of...
4 March 2026
Are Letters Of Intent Legally Binding In New Zealand?
General information only: this article is for general guidance and isn’t legal advice. If you have a specific deal in mind, get advice on your particular facts before you sign anything. If...
2 March 2026
Alcohol Licensing And Late-Night Trading Restrictions In New Zealand
If you run (or you’re about to open) a bar, restaurant, café, club, brewery taproom, or any venue where alcohol is part of the experience, you’ve probably realised one thing pretty quickly:...
2 March 2026
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