NZ Companies Act Reform — Smarter, Faster, Fairer for Business

The Government’s modernising the Companies Act to make doing business easier and cleaner. Here’s what’s underway or proposed.

Modern, Simple, Digital

Less paper, clearer rules, more online — a push to modernise and simplify filings and processes.

Director (and Shareholder) IDs

Plans for unique identifiers to curb phoenixing and confusion from similar names. Privacy gets a boost with using an address for service instead of a home address.

Stronger Creditor Protection

In insolvency, the clawback period for related-party transactions is set to be standardised at four years — improving fairness to creditors.

Directors’ Duties Under Review

A formal Law Commission review in 2025 will examine directors’ duties, liabilities, offences, penalties, and enforcement — including lessons from the Mainzeal case.

Fees: Clarity Coming

The Companies Office is consulting on a new fees & levies model, with final fees set to apply from 1 December 2025.

What to Do Now

• Map your risks: related-party deals, solvency, creditor exposure

• Get governance-ready: board charters, delegation limits, risk settings

• Prepare for IDs: director/shareholder records, privacy settings

• Budget for fees: factor in changes from 1 December 2025

Bottom line: Less admin, clearer accountability, stronger protections.

Good business gets easier; bad behaviour gets harder.

If the above all feels a bit daunting and you feel exposed, please reach out.