OCTIS vs register a New Zealand company yourself or use an agent
Government fees, the resident director rule, and what a lawyer or formation agent adds.
Last checked · 4 sources
Otty's short answer
Registering yourself is cheap. The Companies Office charges NZ$136.55 including GST to incorporate and NZ$11.50 to reserve a name. The hard part is the rule that at least one director must live in New Zealand, or in Australia as a director of an Australian company. If you meet it, do it yourself. If you are abroad with no such director, you need local help.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | NZ Companies Office (register yourself) | Law firm or formation agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incorporation fee | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | NZ$136.55 incl. GST | Govt fee plus agent fee |
| Agent or lawyer fee | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | None | Quote-based |
| Annual return fee | Annual return to the Companies Registry, filings prepared by OCTIS | NZ$57.20 incl. GST | Quote-based, if managed |
| Needs a NZ-resident director | Director can live anywhere | Yes, you supply one | Yes, you still need one |
| NZ registered office needed | Needs a Hong Kong registered office address | Yes, you supply one | Some agents supply one |
| Login needed | Filed online with the Companies Registry | RealMe and online account | Agent files for you |
| Sole director and shareholder | At least 1 director (an individual) and 1 shareholder, who can live anywhere | Allowed | Allowed |
| NZBN issued on registration | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Yes | Yes |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you are abroad and want one team to form the company and then run its accounts and compliance.
NZ Companies Office (register yourself)
Register yourself if you or a co-director live in New Zealand, you have a NZ address, and you want the lowest cost.
Law firm or formation agent
Use a lawyer or agent if you are overseas, need a registered office, or want shareholder terms drafted at the start.
What the table does not show
What the Companies Office charges
From 1 July 2022 the fees are: name reservation NZ$10 plus GST, incorporation NZ$118.74 plus GST (NZ$136.55 incl. GST), and the annual return NZ$49.74 plus GST (NZ$57.20 incl. GST). The incorporation fee includes government levies. You need a RealMe login and an online account on the Companies Register. A Sprintlaw guide puts the total for name and incorporation at about NZ$148 incl. GST. Fees can change, so check the schedule before you apply.
The resident director rule
Every New Zealand company needs at least one director who lives in New Zealand. A director who lives in Australia counts if they are also a director of an Australian-incorporated company, and you give that company's ACN. The Registrar usually accepts more than 183 days in New Zealand in a 12-month period, and may accept other ties. A founder abroad cannot register alone. This is the point where most overseas founders need an agent or a local director.
What an agent or lawyer adds
Agents and law firms price on a quote. Sprintlaw, a NZ law firm, publishes the government fees but not its own fee on that page, and the figure varies by package. What you pay for is speed, a registered office, a constitution and shareholder terms, and someone to file the annual return. Ask each firm to price the registered office and the annual return separately.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not incorporate New Zealand companies. If you run a Malaysian or Hong Kong company and plan a New Zealand subsidiary, OCTIS keeps the home company's books and can consolidate the subsidiary's statements. If you are comparing where to set up, OCTIS can also price a Malaysian or Hong Kong company, and customers can save 10–30% off their current bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a company in New Zealand?
The Companies Office charges NZ$136.55 including GST to incorporate and NZ$11.50 to reserve a name, about NZ$148 in total. Agents and lawyers add their own fee on top, which is quote-based. The annual return then costs NZ$57.20 incl. GST.
Can a foreigner own a New Zealand company?
Yes. Shareholders can live anywhere. The rule is on directors: at least one must live in New Zealand, or in Australia as a director of an Australian company. One person can be sole director and sole shareholder.
Do I need a New Zealand address?
Yes. You provide a registered office and an address for service in New Zealand when you register. A formation agent or law firm may supply one. Ask what it costs per year.
How long does it take to register a company in NZ?
The Companies Office does not publish a fixed time on the pages we checked. Straightforward companies can often be registered quickly once the name is reserved. You get an NZBN on registration. Ask an agent for a time commitment in writing.
What must a company file each year?
An annual return on the Companies Register, which costs NZ$49.74 plus GST (NZ$57.20 incl. GST). Tax returns go to Inland Revenue separately, and GST applies once turnover reaches NZ$60,000.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.