Updating a director's details

Change a director's name, address or appointment status​

The name, address and appointment status of all company directors must be kept up to date on the Companies Register. The register must be updated within 20 working days of a change to these details occurring.

Authority to update a director's details

To update a director's name, address or appointment status you must have:

  • a RealMe® login
  • an online services account with the Companies Register
  • authority to act for your company.

RealMe logins and setting up your online services account

Confirming your authority to manage information

Updating a director's name

You must notify us within 20 working days of becoming aware of a change to a director's name. The change must have already occurred before you update the register.

You can only change a director's name if they have:

  • married or divorced
  • changed their full legal name by deed poll, or
  • corrected their full legal name.

Update a director's name

To update a director's name log in to your online services account, enter a company name, company number or New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) and follow these steps.

  1. Select the Directors tab, and select the Update details button next to the name of the director whose details have changed.
  2. Select the Change button next to the director's existing name and update the information.
  3. Enter the Effective date on which the change occurred.
  4. From the Reason for change of name dropdown menu, select which of the 3 reasons for changing the name applies.
  5. Confirm the director's details are changing and that you're not appointing a new director.
  6. Select Review and Submit.
Update director details

Updating a director's address

You must notify us within 20 working days of becoming aware of a change of address for a director. The change must have already occurred before you update the register.

The new address must be a physical residential address, not a Private Bag, PO Box or DX service.

The address details you enter into the register are verified against the address recorded on the New Zealand Post database. You can enter the address manually if the address is not found in the database.

Update a director's address

To update a director's address log in to your online services account, enter a company name, company number or New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) and follow these steps.

  1. Select the Directors tab.
  2. Select the Update details button next to the name of the director whose details have changed.
  3. Select the Change button next to the existing address and update the information.
  4. Enter the Effective date on which the change occurred.
  5. Select Use this Address.
  6. Select Review and Submit.
Update director details

Removing a director

If your company has only 1 director, a new director who meets the live in NZ requirement must be appointed before the current director can be removed.

Who can be a director

If a director dies, is removed or resigns from the role, you must notify us within 20 working days of the event taking place. The change must have already occurred before you update the register.

Remove a director

To remove a director, log in to your online services account, enter a company name, company number or New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) and follow these steps.

  1. Select the Directors tab.
  2. Select the Update details button next to the name of the director to be removed.
  3. Under Director Status select the Cease Director option.
  4. Enter the Effective date the director ceased to hold office.
  5. Review and Submit screen.
Update director details

Australian company directors' details

If your company has no directors living in New Zealand but has one or more directors living in Australia, at least one of them must be a director of an Australian company, and these details must be kept up-to-date on the New Zealand Companies Register.

Updating a director’s ASIC details

To update a director's Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) details including Australian Company Number (ACN), company name and addresses you must have:

  • a RealMe® login
  • an online services account with the Companies Register
  • authority to manage information on behalf of your company.

RealMe logins and setting up your online services account

Confirming your authority to manage information

How to update a director's ASIC details

To update a director’s ASIC details log in to your online services account and follow these steps.

  1. From the Manage and Maintain menu, select Maintain directors.
  2. Search for and select the company you want to update.
  3. Select the Directors tab.
  4. Click on the Update details button next to the name of the director whose details have changed.
  5. Click on the Change button next to the existing residential address.
  6. Enter the new residential address details and click on the Use This Address button.
  7. Enter the correct date in the Change of this address effective from field.
  8. On the Australian company directorship screen, enter the ACN and click on the Retrieve Company Details button.
  9. Select the first Change button and update the ACN and/or company name.
  10. Select the second Change button next to the registered office address.
  11. Enter the new registered office address details and click on the Use This Address button.
  12. Click on the Submit button.
  13. You will be then asked to review your details. Once this is done, confirm by clicking on the Submit button again.
Update director details

If your company is only registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), you need to update a directors' details with them.

Updating a directors' details on the overseas register

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.