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Business Set Up Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on business set up for new zealand businesses.
Partnership Advantages And Disadvantages In New Zealand
Going into business with someone else can feel like the best of both worlds: you get to share the workload, bring different skills to the table, and (hopefully) grow faster than you...
24 February 2026
Ordinary Shares In New Zealand: How They Work
If you’re building a startup or growing an SME in New Zealand, chances are you’ll hear the term ordinary shares very early on - often before you’ve even raised your first dollar....
24 February 2026
Privately Held Companies In New Zealand: Definition And Legal Considerations
If you’re building a business in New Zealand, there’s a good chance you’re already running (or planning to run) a privately held company. That’s because most small businesses and growing startups aren’t...
23 February 2026
Joint Venture Examples In New Zealand: Structures, Pros And Cons
If you’re a small business owner in New Zealand, a joint venture can be a practical way to grow faster, take on bigger opportunities, or share risk on a project that would...
23 February 2026
Legal Steps To Start A Fitness Franchise In New Zealand
Starting a fitness franchise can feel like the best of both worlds: you’re building your own business, but with a proven model, established systems, and brand recognition already in place. It’s also...
23 February 2026
Legal Essentials Before Taking On Investors In New Zealand
Bringing investors into your business can be a real turning point. With the right funding (and the right people backing you), you can hire faster, build product quicker, expand into new markets,...
23 February 2026
Incorporating a Business in New Zealand: What It Means and How to Set Up
When you’re starting (or growing) a small business, “getting incorporated” can sound like a big, formal step - and it is. But for many founders, incorporating is also one of the best...
22 February 2026
How To Start A Charity In New Zealand: Legal Steps And Compliance
Starting a charity can be one of the most meaningful ways to build a mission-led organisation in New Zealand - whether you’re tackling a community problem, funding research, supporting families, or creating...
22 February 2026
How To Search The New Zealand Trademark Register And Handle Name Conflicts
This article is general information only and doesn’t take into account your specific circumstances. It isn’t legal advice. Coming up with a business name can feel like a big win. It’s catchy,...
22 February 2026
How To Register A Company In New Zealand: Step-By-Step Guide
If you’re starting a new venture, it’s normal to feel like there are a hundred things to do at once - product, sales, branding, hiring, cashflow… and then the legal set-up. One...
22 February 2026
How To Register A Business Online In New Zealand (Step-By-Step)
Registering a business is one of those “adulting” steps that can feel confusing at first - especially when you’re also trying to validate your idea, build a product, and get your first...
22 February 2026
How To Incorporate A Company In New Zealand: Step-By-Step Guide
Starting a business is exciting - but it can also feel like there are a thousand “admin” tasks standing between you and actually launching. Incorporating a company is one of those steps...
22 February 2026
How To Format A Clear, Enforceable Business Contract In New Zealand
When you’re running a small business, contracts can feel like “paperwork” you’ll deal with later. But in practice, having a good contract format is one of the easiest ways to protect your...
21 February 2026
Do NZ Companies Need A Company Seal (Common Seal)?
If you’ve ever been asked for a company seal (sometimes called a common seal), it can feel like you’ve been teleported into an older, more formal era of business. You might be...
21 February 2026
Disadvantages Of A Partnership In New Zealand: Key Risks To Know
Going into business with someone you trust can feel like the perfect shortcut to growth. You can split the workload, combine skills, share costs, and move faster than you could alone. But...
21 February 2026
Directors’ Purpose In New Zealand: What Company Directors Must Do
If you run a company in New Zealand, you’ll probably hear people talk about a director’s “purpose” sooner or later. Sometimes it comes up when you’re about to sign a contract, take...
21 February 2026
Director Fees In New Zealand: Legal Obligations For Companies
If you’re running a company in New Zealand, paying director fees can feel like a simple admin task - until you realise it touches a few different legal and tax obligations at...
20 February 2026Barrister vs Solicitor vs Lawyer In New Zealand: Key Differences
When you’re running a business, “legal help” can mean a lot of different things. Maybe you’re signing your first commercial lease, dealing with a shareholder disagreement, responding to a complaint from a...
19 February 2026
What “Limited” Means In A New Zealand Business Name And Liability
If you’re starting a business, you’ve probably seen “Limited” (or “Ltd”) on company names everywhere - and you might be wondering what “limited” actually means, and whether it protects you personally. It’s...
18 February 2026
Trading Trusts In New Zealand: How They Work And Key Legal Risks
If you’re running (or about to start) a business in New Zealand, you’ve probably heard someone mention a “trading trust” as a way to protect assets and keep things flexible. It can...
18 February 2026Shelf Companies In New Zealand: Pros, Cons And Legal Risks
When you’re trying to get your business off the ground, time feels like everything. You might be pitching investors, negotiating with suppliers, applying for finance, or trying to secure a commercial lease...
17 February 2026
Retail Legal Checklist In New Zealand: Contracts, Staff, IP & Compliance
Running a retail business is exciting - you’re building something real, serving real customers, and (hopefully) watching steady sales come in. But retail also comes with a lot of moving parts: suppliers,...
17 February 2026
Public Limited Companies In New Zealand: Pros, Cons And Legal Requirements
If your business is growing fast, it’s normal to start thinking bigger: raising capital, bringing in new shareholders, or even listing on a public market one day. That’s often when people start...
17 February 2026
Starting A Business In New Zealand As A Foreigner: Legal Steps To Set Up
If you’re thinking about starting a business in New Zealand as a foreigner, you’re not alone. NZ is a popular place to build a business, especially if you’re bringing new skills, products,...
16 February 2026
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