NZBN and the Companies Register

The New Zealand Business Number and how it's connected to the Companies Register.

What’s the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)?

A New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) is a globally unique identifier, available to all Kiwi businesses. Registered companies have been allocated NZBNs and are automatically included on the NZBN Register. You can find your NZBN on the Companies Register or by searching at nzbn.govt.nz.

Your company’s NZBN links to the information you’re most often asked to share when doing business — like addresses and trading name. Others you work with can find your business details on the NZBN Register, meaning you don’t have to repeat the same information multiple times.

Searching the Companies Register

Find a business on the NZBN Register New Zealand Business Number

It’s for every Kiwi business

While only companies have a company number, any business in New Zealand can get an NZBN — including sole traders, partnerships and trusts. If your company interacts with other entity types, like sole traders, you can ask for their NZBN and access their information on the NZBN Register.

Having one unique way to identify businesses across sectors and industries will make it easier to do business in New Zealand, and reduce the amount of time we spend repeating information. On the Companies Register, you can search by company name, company number or NZBN.

Searching the Companies Register

Companies Register information that’s shared with the NZBN Register

Some information held on the Companies Register appears automatically on the NZBN Register, such as your company name and directors. You can choose to provide other information, like your trading name, website address and other contact details. The more information you make available on the NZBN Register, the easier it will be for other businesses to connect and transact with you.

You can provide additional NZBN information any time you need to update details for your company.

Keeping your company information up-to-date

It’s essential to keep your company details up-to-date. When something changes, the Companies Register should be the first place you update your information. This will also automatically update your NZBN records.

Adding or updating additional NZBN information

Find out more

The NZBN website provides information about the NZBN and how to use it and the primary business data associated with an NZBN. You can also search the NZBN Register.

New Zealand Business Number

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.