NZ New Company Office Setup Checklist: 12 Things to Sort in Your First 30 Days

Registering a company with the New Zealand Companies Office takes about 20 minutes online. Then reality hits: you need a bank account, a GST number, a phone system, an email address, an accountant, business insurance, and somewhere to actually work. This checklist keeps you from missing the things that bite new founders hardest.

1. Open a dedicated business bank account

Never mix personal and business funds. The IRD will thank you, and so will your accountant at year-end. Most NZ banks (ANZ, BNZ, ASB, Westpac, Kiwibank) offer business accounts — compare fees and online banking features before committing. You will need your certificate of incorporation and two forms of ID.

2. Register for GST (if applicable)

If your turnover will exceed NZ$60,000 per year, GST registration is compulsory. Even below that threshold, voluntary registration can be advantageous if you have significant input tax credits to claim. Your accountant can advise. Register online via myIR.

3. Get an accountant or bookkeeper

Year-one tax mistakes are expensive to unpick. An accountant who specialises in new NZ companies can set up your chart of accounts correctly, advise on provisional tax, and ensure you do not miss the first-year GST filing. Find a local accountant through FreshFirms.

4. Set up business internet and phone

A professional business internet connection (separate from your home broadband), a dedicated business phone number, and a VoIP or hosted PBX system make you look credible to clients. Business fibre plans from Spark, 2degrees, Vodafone, and various resellers are available across most NZ regions.

5. Create a business email address on your own domain

A @gmail.com or @yahoo.com address signals a hobby, not a business. Register your domain (domain.co.nz or domain.com) and set up Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for professional email, shared storage, and video conferencing. Typically NZ$10 to NZ$25 per month per user.

6. Get business insurance

At minimum: public liability insurance (protects you if a client or visitor is injured or their property is damaged), and professional indemnity insurance if you give advice (required by many professional bodies and clients). Specialist business insurance brokers can package multiple covers. Find a local broker through FreshFirms.

7. Set up accounting software

Xero dominates NZ small business accounting. QuickBooks and MYOB are alternatives. Set up your chart of accounts, connect your bank feed, and invoice from day one — even before your first client. Your accountant can help with the initial configuration.

8. Establish your registered office address

Your company must have a NZ registered office address. This can be your accountant's address, a virtual office provider, or your business premises. It will appear on the public register, so many founders use their accountant's address for privacy. Accountants on FreshFirms often provide registered office services.

9. Draft an employment agreement template

If you plan to hire anyone — even casually — you need an Individual Employment Agreement before they start work. This is a legal requirement under the Employment Relations Act 2000. Employment lawyers and HR consultants can draft one. Do not download a generic template without legal review. Find a local employment lawyer.

10. Sort your health and safety baseline

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, all businesses have a duty of care. A simple risk register and induction checklist is the minimum. If you have a physical workplace, H&S consultants can complete a gap assessment for a fixed fee.

11. Protect your brand

Check your business name and logo against the IPONZ trademark register before you invest in branding. Registering a trademark costs NZ$150 per class online. IP lawyers can conduct a clearance search and file the application for a fixed fee. Do it early — changing a brand after launch is expensive.

12. Set up a basic website

A five-page website (home, about, services, contact, and a privacy policy) establishes credibility with clients and suppliers. It also enables Google Business Profile, which drives local search traffic. Web design agencies and freelancers are available in every NZ region. Find a local web designer through FreshFirms.

One more thing: service providers in every category above use FreshFirms to find new clients like you at exactly this stage. If you registered your company recently and are looking for an accountant, insurer, IT provider, or lawyer, tell us what you need and we will connect you with a local specialist.