Schedule of fees

Online transactions for which you need to pay a fee

Fees apply for completing some online transactions on the Companies Register. A number of invoicing and payment options are available for paying these fees.

Companies Office fees

All fees are in New Zealand dollars (NZD) and the fees shown below are effective from 1 July 2022.

Service Companies Office fee excl GST FMA levy excl GST XRB levy excl GST IP levy excl GST Total
excl GST		 Total incl GST
Company name reservation $10 N/A N/A N/A $10 $11.50
Company incorporation $90 $21.74 $6 $1 $118.74 $136.55
Company annual return $21 $21.74 $6 $1 $49.74 $57.20
Company annual return API $18 $21.74 $6 $1 $46.74 $53.75
Company amalgamation $350 N/A N/A N/A $350 $402.50
Company restoration $150 N/A N/A N/A $150 $172.50
Financial statement filing (under the Companies Act 1993) $175 N/A N/A N/A $175 $201.25
Financial statement filing (under the FMC) $175 $80 N/A N/A $255 $293.25

Fees for changing a company name

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). When you swap names with another company, you must pay a fee of $10 (plus GST) for each company.

Paying fees

If you have an online services account with us, a message will appear when you're performing a transaction that has a fee attached. You can select Pay Now to proceed, or Exit to end the transaction without payment.

If you've set up a direct debit payment option on your account, you're invoiced monthly for any fees charged to your account.

You can also pay fees as you go using a credit or debit card, or using internet banking.

Managing payments on the Companies Register

Using an API to pay your fees

We offer a range of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that allow customers to build software that connects directly to our systems.

The fees for some of our online services are lower if you use our API. For example, when filing an annual return, the Companies Office portion of the fee is $18 (plus GST) if you use our API, instead of $21 (plus GST) if you use our online service.

Information about APIs, including technical specifications and support to use them can be found on the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) API website.

API Explorer MBIE API website

All help topics

Before you start a company 7 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 8 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.