Resources for new directors
What you need to know as a new director
Once you’ve registered your company there are a number of things you need to do on the Companies Register.
- Keep your company details up to date
- Complete annual returns
- Remember your RealMe® login details
- Make sure you have confirmed your authority to update the register
As a director of a registered company you have obligations to your company and shareholders, and responsibilities under the Companies Act 1993. What it means to be a good director.
If you'd like more assistance to meet the government's requirements and to help you succeed in business, there are free resources that can help. More help and resources.
Keeping your company details up to date on the Companies Register
Make sure you tell us if your company's details change, for example:
- Your company's name
- Your company addresses
- Your directors or their addresses
- Changes to the total number of shares in your company or how they're allocated, and
- Your company's constitution.
For more information read our guide on reporting to the Companies Office.
Completing an annual return
What an annual return is
An annual return is an action the director of a company needs to take every year that confirms your company is carrying on business. Some directors may authorise another person to complete this on their behalf, such as their solicitor or accountant.
To complete your annual return, you confirm your company’s details that are recorded on the Companies Register. We’ll ask you to update any details that have changed. You don’t need to provide any financial information in your annual return. A tax return is different and is collected by Inland Revenue.
When to complete your annual return
You don't need to complete an annual return in the first calendar year of your company’s incorporation. For example, if you started your company in 2024 your first annual return won't be due until 2025.
We will send you an email when your company’s annual return is due. If you’ve provided a mobile phone number as a contact number for your company, we will also send you text reminders.
How much time to put aside to complete an annual return
On average, it takes 10 minutes or less to complete an annual return. We encourage you to do it as soon as you receive your first reminder, so you can get back to doing business.
Read our guides on annual returns
Remember your RealMe® login details
Make sure you remember the username and password you used when you first logged into the Companies Register. You will use these again any time you need to update details or complete your annual return.
Find out what to do if you forget your RealMe® username or password
Confirming your authority to update the register
To update your company’s details on the Companies Register or complete your annual returns, you must have authority to do so.
If you registered your company using your RealMe® login, we have automatically confirmed your authority.
If someone else registered your company (for example, another director or your solicitor or accountant) using their RealMe login, we will have automatically confirmed their authority. You may still need to confirm your authority before you can update any details on the register for this company.
Read our guide on confirming your authority to manage information
What it means to be a good director
All companies have at least one director who handle the company’s business and affairs. Understanding the director’s duties and responsibilities can help you keep your business on track.
Your responsibilities
Include 3 responsibilities which you can delegate.
- Update information on the Companies Register
- Keep company records
- File annual returns and financial statements.
Your duties
Include 3 duties which you cannot delegate.
- Act in good faith and in the best interests of the company
- Exercise a duty of care
- Trade sensibly.
Find out more about directors’ duties
More help and resources
Read the guides in our 'Help centre' to help you manage your company’s responsibilities under the Companies Act. We have information covering every stage of your company’s life cycle.
Business.govt.nz help small businesses in New Zealand understand and meet the government's requirements and to succeed. They do this by packaging content and advice from across government into tools and resources designed with small business in mind.
New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) — Every company in New Zealand has an NZBN, including yours. This is a globally unique number used to identify your business. Visit the NZBN website to learn more about what NZBN can do for you.
Other guides in
Company directors
- What it means to be a director
- Who can be a director
- Registering the appointment of a director
- Banned directors
- Updating a director's details
- Filing director and shareholder consent forms