When the Registrar removes your company

Why this happens and how to object

The Registrar of Companies has authority to remove a company from the Companies Register if you haven't complied with your obligations under the Companies Act 1993, or if your company has been liquidated or amalgamated with another company.

If you don't meet your obligations under the Act

We can remove your company from the Companies Register if:

  • you intentionally provide inaccurate information to us
  • your company's directors or shareholders persistently fail to comply with duties relating to the company under the Act
  • it doesn't have a director living in:
    • New Zealand, or
    • Australia and who is a director of a company incorporated in Australia.

What it means to be a director

Your company can also be removed if we're satisfied that you're no longer in business and there's no reason for your company to continue to be on the Companies Register. For example, we may conclude that your business is no longer operating if you don't:

  • file an annual return for your company
  • respond to requests for information that you must supply to us.

Reporting to the Companies Office

If your company is in liquidation

We must remove the company if:

  • your liquidator has sent the final report for the liquidation, or
  • no liquidator is acting for the company.

What happens during liquidation

Amalgamating with another company

If your company no longer exists because of an amalgamation, we remove it from the register on the day we issue a certificate of amalgamation.

Applying for company amalgamations

If you don't want your company removed

We send you a notice if your company is going to be removed from the register. We also publish a notice on our website.

News and notices

To stop the removal, within 20 working days, you must:

  • comply with any conditions stated in the notice, or
  • object to the removal.

Objecting to the removal of a company

If you want to apply to have your company removed

If, after the Registrar has initiated the process of removing your company, you wish to request its removal voluntarily, you’ll first need to file with us any outstanding annual returns.

Before you close your company

All help topics

Before you start a company 5 guides

Get an overview of how companies are structured, find out about the company records you need to keep, and what's involved when you incorporate with and report to the Companies Office.

Starting a company 11 guides

You need to comply with New Zealand laws when you incorporate your company with the Companies Office, including reserving a company name, appointing directors, issuing shares and registering for tax.

Keeping company details up to date 13 guides

Once your company is registered with the Companies Office, nominate who will have authority to file your annual returns, and update your name, address, constitution, director and shareholder details.

See all 13 guides for Keeping company details up to date

Shares and shareholders 7 guides

When you incorporate, you must provide details of all company shares and shareholders. As changes occur, you must update this information on your own share register and in your company's annual return.

Company directors 7 guides

Directors have responsibilities to their company and shareholders, and under the Companies Act 1993. You must register all your directors with the Companies Office and they must sign a consent form.​

Filing annual returns 8 guides

Find out about filing an annual return — the information you need to update, how to change your filing month or request a time extension — and what happens if you don't file your annual return by the due date.

Complying with the law 11 guides

Find out how New Zealand law affects the directors and shareholders of your company, and your responsibility to create and maintain accurate company records, report to us and file financial statements.

Financial reporting 7 guides

​Some large New Zealand and overseas companies, and all FMC reporting entities must submit audited annual financial statements to the Companies Office.

Managing an overseas company in New Zealand 11 guides

Before they can carry out some business activities, companies incorporated in other countries, including Australia, must register with the Companies Office and then keep their company details up to date.

Closing a company 11 guides

When your company closes down you need to remove it from the register. Your company can be removed if it amalgamates with another company or doesn't file its annual return.

Restoring a company to the register 4 guides

Only some companies can be reinstated to the Companies Register once they've been removed. Find out who can apply, what evidence to provide and if you should apply to the Registrar or the High Court.

When your company fails 9 guides

Find out about voluntary administration, receivership and liquidation (external administration), and the roles and responsibilities of those appointed to manage your company's affairs.

Managing your online account 8 guides

Creating an account with the Companies Office allows you to complete the majority of your transactions online. It's free to set up, but fees apply for some transactions, such as filing annual returns.

Getting support to use the Companies Register 8 guides

Get help with any technical problems you have using the register, such as uploading documents or searching for companies, directors and shareholders.