Startups Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for new zealand businesses.
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
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
How Do I Use A Service Level Agreement? (2026 Updated)
If you provide services to customers (or rely on a supplier to keep your business running), you’ve probably heard the term “SLA” thrown around. A Service Level Agreement can sound like something...
6 January 2025
How Do Small Businesses And Startups Do Legal? We Asked Them! (2026 Updated)
Most small business owners don’t start a business because they love paperwork. You start because you’ve got a product to ship, a service to deliver, a problem to solve, and (hopefully) customers...
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
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
How Supply Agreements Can Help Supply Chain Issues (2026 Updated)
If you run a business that relies on stock, materials, packaging, ingredients, or any kind of “inputs”, you’ve probably felt it: supply chain issues can turn a normal week into a scramble....
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
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
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
Why You Need A Property Licence Agreement (Shared Workspace) (2026 Updated)
Shared workspaces are everywhere now - coworking hubs, serviced offices, studios, therapy rooms, commercial kitchens, and “pop-in” desks that you can book by the hour. And if you’re the person paying for...
6 January 2025
Running An Online Course? Here’s How To Protect Yourself (2026 Updated)
Creating and selling an online course is one of the fastest ways to package your expertise into a scalable product. You can teach from anywhere, reach students across New Zealand (and overseas),...
6 January 2025
What Are Preference Shares? (2026 Updated)
If you’re raising money for your business (or thinking about bringing in investors), it won’t be long before someone mentions “preference shares”. They can sound a bit technical - but once you...
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
What’s The Difference Between A Joint Venture & A Partnership? (2026 Updated)
When you’re building something with another person (or business), it’s natural to want to “just get started” and sort the paperwork later. But if you’re collaborating on a project, launching a new...
6 January 2025
Raising Capital From Friends And Family: How To Do It Right (2026 Updated)
Getting your first injection of capital from friends and family can feel like the perfect win-win: you get the funds you need to launch or grow, and the people closest to you...
6 January 2025
What Is Trade Mark Specification In New Zealand? (2026 Updated)
If you’re registering a trade mark in New Zealand, it’s easy to focus on the “fun” part (your brand name or logo) and overlook the part that actually defines what you’ll own:...
6 January 2025
How To Set Expectations & Responsibilities Of Your Board Advisor (2026 Updated)
Bringing a board advisor into your business can feel like a turning point. Suddenly you’ve got someone experienced in your corner - a steady head, a strategic sounding board, and (ideally) a...
6 January 2025
How To Start A Business In New Zealand (2026 Updated)
Starting a business in New Zealand can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming. You’ve got the idea, the motivation, and maybe even your first customers lined up - but then the “legal...
6 January 2025
Information Memorandum Disclaimers: What You Need To Know (2026 Updated)
If you’re raising capital, selling a business, or bringing in strategic partners, you’ll probably hear the term “information memorandum” (often shortened to “IM”). It can feel like a straightforward marketing document -...
6 January 2025
How To Allocate Shares In A Startup (2026 Updated)
Allocating shares in your startup can feel like one of the most exciting steps of building your business - because it’s when “the idea” becomes a real company with real ownership. But...
6 January 2025
I’m A Startup Founder: When Can I Start Paying Myself? (2026 Updated)
You’ve incorporated your startup, you’re working long hours, and you’re probably covering a few business costs out of your own pocket. So it’s a totally fair question: when can you start paying...
6 January 2025
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