Business Set Up Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on business set up for new zealand businesses.
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
5 Ways To Get Funding For Your Small Business (2026 Updated)
Starting (or scaling) a small business usually comes down to one practical question: where is the money coming from? Whether you’re opening your doors for the first time, hiring your first employee,...
6 January 2025
How To Transfer Shares To Another Person (2026 Updated)
Transferring shares can look simple on the surface: one person sells (or gives) shares, another person receives them, and you update the paperwork. But in practice, share transfers can quickly become messy...
6 January 2025
Not-For-Profit Company Formation: Our Guide (2026 Updated)
Starting a not-for-profit can feel like a big, values-driven step - because it is. You’re taking an idea that matters (supporting a cause, serving a community, funding a programme) and turning it...
6 January 2025
What Do Franchisees Typically Have To Pay To The Franchisor? (2026 Updated)
Buying into a franchise can feel like getting a business “shortcut” - you’re stepping into a proven model, an established brand, and (usually) a set of systems you don’t have to build...
6 January 2025
How To Choose A Co-Founder (2026 Updated)
Choosing a co-founder can be one of the most exciting steps in starting a business - and one of the riskiest if you rush it. When it works, you get a genuine...
6 January 2025
Setting Up An Incorporated Association (2026 Updated)
Starting a club, community group, or member-based organisation is exciting - you’ve got a mission, people who care, and the energy to make something happen. But once you start handling money, signing...
6 January 2025
Got An eCommerce Clothing Store? A Guide To Your T&Cs (2026 Updated)
Running an eCommerce clothing store is exciting - you get to build a brand, create products people actually want to wear, and reach customers anywhere in New Zealand (and beyond). But once...
6 January 2025
How Do Company Directors Get Paid? (2026 Updated)
If you’re starting (or growing) a company in New Zealand, it’s completely normal to wonder how directors actually get paid - and what the “right” way looks like from a legal and...
6 January 2025
What Is A Trust And Is It Right For My Business? (2026 Updated)
When you’re building a business, you’ll hear the word “trust” thrown around a lot - sometimes as a legal structure, sometimes as an “asset protection” strategy, and sometimes as a way to...
6 January 2025
What Is A Business Plan Non-Disclosure Agreement? (2026 Updated)
If you’re pitching a new business idea, seeking funding, or sounding out potential partners, you’ll probably need to share your business plan with people outside your company. That’s exciting - but it...
6 January 2025
Set Up A Foreign Business In New Zealand (2026 Updated)
Thinking about expanding into New Zealand from overseas? You’re not alone. NZ is a popular destination for international founders because it’s relatively straightforward to do business here, the market is stable, and...
6 January 2025
What You Need To Know About Voluntary Administration (2026 Updated)
When cash flow is tight and the pressure from creditors is ramping up, it can feel like you’re trying to keep a sinking ship afloat with a bucket. If you’re a director,...
6 January 2025
What Is TM Headstart ? (2026 Updated)
If you’ve ever tried to protect your brand, you’ve probably noticed that trade mark registration can feel like a “one chance to get it right” process. That’s exactly why TM Headstart exists....
6 January 2025
The Ins and Outs of Shareholders Agreements and Company Constitutions (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a company with more than one owner (or you plan to bring in investors later), the “paperwork” you put in place early can make or break the relationship when...
6 January 2025
Sole Traders - Master Your Tax Admin (2026 Updated)
Running your business as a sole trader can feel refreshingly simple. You get to move quickly, keep overheads down, and make decisions without layers of approvals. But when tax admin isn’t set...
6 January 2025
What Is A Limited Liability Partnership Agreement? (2026 Updated)
If you’re teaming up with someone to run a business, you’ll probably hear the phrase “limited liability partnership” (often shortened to “LLP”) thrown around - especially if you’ve been reading overseas startup...
6 January 2025
Setting Up A Charity Constitution (2026 Updated)
Starting a charity is an exciting step - you’re building something designed to make a genuine difference. But before you start fundraising, applying for grants, or launching programmes, you’ll want to get...
6 January 2025
Need help with your business legals?
Speak with Sprintlaw to get practical legal support and fixed-fee options tailored to your business.