How to Register Business Name in NZ: Steps & Costs

Starting a business in New Zealand means choosing and registering your business name — and New Zealand keeps this process online, affordable, and surprisingly straightforward. Use the free ONECheck tool, pay a small name reservation fee, and complete your incorporation online through the Companies Register.

Name reservation cost: NZ$10 + GST · Reservation validity: 20 working days · Availability check tool: ONECheck (free) · NZBN required for: business registration · Sole trader registration: via Companies Register (NZ$0)

The table above shows the current official fees from the Companies Office fee schedule — all figures include GST where applicable.

How do you register a business name in NZ?

The process differs depending on your business structure, but for most people setting up a company, it follows a clear three-step sequence: check availability first, reserve the name, then incorporate.

Check availability with ONECheck

Before paying any fees, use the free ONECheck tool on Business.govt.nz. It runs your chosen name across company names, domain names, trade marks, and social media handles in a single search. According to NZBN (New Zealand Business Number), ONECheck “can tell you if the business name, web domain, trade mark and social media usernames are available.” The tool searches the Companies Register, the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand, the NZBN Register, and social media platforms simultaneously.

Reserve name on Companies Register

Once ONECheck gives you the all-clear, log into the Companies Register with your RealMe account and reserve your chosen company name. The name reservation fee is NZ$10 plus GST (NZ$11.50 total), as confirmed by the Companies Office official fee schedule. Reservation is valid for 20 working days — after that, the name expires and you’ll need to pay again if you still want it.

Apply for NZBN

The New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) is automatically assigned to registered companies through the Companies Register. For sole traders and other business types, you’ll apply for an NZBN separately — it’s free and required for most official business dealings.

The pattern is straightforward: three separate actions, three different statuses. ONECheck tells you what’s available, the Companies Register locks your name for 20 working days, and the NZBN links your business to government systems across IRD, GST, and other agencies.

How much does it cost to register a business name in NZ?

Costs depend heavily on your business structure, and the differences are substantial enough to affect your decision.

Reservation fee

Company name reservation costs NZ$10 excluding GST, or NZ$11.50 with GST included (Companies Register official schedule). This is a one-time fee that holds your name for 20 working days. If you need to change an existing company name, there’s no fee for the change itself — but you must reserve the new name for NZ$10 plus GST.

Incorporation costs

After reserving your name, incorporating as a company costs NZ$118.74 excluding GST (NZ$136.55 total with GST). The online application takes about 30 minutes to complete, according to Airwallex’s guide to registering a company in New Zealand. For sole traders, there is no Companies Office fee at all — you simply register your trading name directly.

NZBN application

The NZBN itself is free for all business types. However, GST registration may be required if your turnover exceeds the threshold — though registering for GST is also free.

Do you have to register a business name in NZ?

The requirement depends entirely on your business structure. There’s no single rule that covers everyone.

Sole trader requirements

If you operate as a sole trader, you don’t legally have to register a separate business name — you can trade under your own name. However, if you want to use a trading name that’s different from your personal name, you should register it. This is free through the Companies Register, and it’s a smart move for brand clarity.

Company incorporation

For companies, registration is mandatory under the Companies Act 1993. You cannot legally operate as a company without completing incorporation through the Companies Register. The law prohibits company names that are identical or near-identical to existing registered names — a rule that exists to prevent consumer confusion.

Trading name rules

A trading name (sometimes called a business name) is different from a company name. If you operate as a company, your company name is your registered name. If you want to operate under a different public-facing name, that’s a trading name. Trading names don’t have the same legal protection as registered company names, which is why many businesses choose to incorporate rather than simply registering a trading name.

How long does it take to register a business in NZ?

Speed varies by the type of action and how you approach it.

Reservation timeline

Name reservation applications are typically reviewed within hours during business hours, according to Wise’s registration guide. This is one of the faster steps in the process.

Incorporation processing

The online incorporation application itself takes around 30 minutes to complete, as Airwallex documents in their step-by-step guide. After submission, the Companies Office reviews your application — straightforward applications often process the same day.

92 day rule

The 92 day rule in New Zealand relates to name objections: if another party objects to your company name within 92 days of registration, the Companies Office may require you to change it. This is why ONECheck matters — catching a conflict before you reserve is far cheaper than changing a name after incorporation.

How to check business name availability in NZ?

Checking availability is free and should be your first step before spending any money on reservation fees.

Use ONECheck tool

ONECheck is the government’s free tool for checking business name availability. It covers four registers at once: the Companies Register, the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (for trade marks), the NZBN Register, and social media platforms. According to the NZBN official site, ONECheck “is recommended as a starting point for businesses seeking to register a new business name.” The search itself is free, though any reservation or incorporation fees that follow are separate.

Companies Register search

You can also search the Companies Register directly to see existing company names. This gives you a narrower check than ONECheck but is useful if you want to see exactly what names are already taken as formal company registrations.

Avoid common pitfalls

The most common mistake is skipping the ONECheck step. Some business owners assume their chosen name is available, reserve it, and then discover a conflict when the Companies Office rejects their application — losing their reservation fee in the process. Another pitfall: using a name too similar to an existing registered company. Under the Companies Act 1993, names that are “identical or near-identical” are prohibited, and officials take this seriously.

Registration steps

Here’s the complete sequence for registering a company name in New Zealand.

1. Visit Business.govt.nz and run your chosen name through the free ONECheck tool. Check across all four registers it searches.
2. If ONECheck shows no conflicts, note the availability — but reconfirm immediately before reserving, as things change.
3. Log into the Companies Register using your RealMe account and online services login.
4. Submit a name reservation application. Pay the NZ$10 plus GST (NZ$11.50 total) fee.
5. Wait for confirmation — typically within hours during business hours.
6. Complete your incorporation application within 20 working days. Pay the NZ$118.74 plus GST (NZ$136.55 total) fee.
7. Receive your company registration confirmation and NZBN automatically assigned.
8. File your first annual return when due (NZ$57.20 incl GST).

Confirmed vs unclear

Based on verified official sources, here’s what’s confirmed and what remains uncertain.

What people say

Before paying the NZ$10 (plus GST) reservation fee, use the ONECheck tool on Business.govt.nz – it checks your chosen name across company names, domain names, trade marks, and social media handles at once.

— Airwallex (Business Guide)

With one easy search, ONECheck can tell you if the business name, web domain, trade mark and social media usernames are available.

— NZBN (Official NZBN)

There is no fee to register a change of company name, however there is a fee for reserving a new company name — $10 (plus GST).

— Companies Register (Official Register)

Related reading: ANZ NZ Online Banking – Login, Setup and Features Guide · ASB Raises Fixed Rates – Latest Changes and Bank Comparisons

After reserving your business name via ONECheck, many proceed with registering for GST through myIR to meet tax compliance requirements.

Frequently asked questions