Search the business registry

    New Zealand business registry search

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Companies Office / NZBN at the official source

    Start with Companies Office / NZBN for New Zealand. LemReveal has not established an available native register search for this page; indexed or secondary records are not complete register coverage.

    Open official portalRequest a record check

    Official access and fees vary. A human request is an enquiry, not a guaranteed extract or completed purchase.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: NZBN

    How do I search the business registry in New Zealand?

    Use NZBN as a starting source for New Zealand, then check its scope for the business form you need. Types can include Limited Company (Ltd), Look-Through Company (LTC). A trading name may need a separate source or document; it does not automatically identify a legal entity. Official access requirements vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the trading name you were given

      Start with the name on the invoice, website or contract. It is often a trading name rather than the registered legal name.

    2. 2

      Identify the legal entity behind it

      NZBN records the legal entity. Matching a trading name to its registered entity is the whole point of a registry search — the two are frequently different.

    3. 3

      Check the entity type

      New Zealand recognises Limited Company (Ltd), Look-Through Company (LTC). Entity type determines liability and who is legally responsible, so it matters before you contract.

    4. 4

      Note what the registry does not cover

      Sole traders and unregistered activity may not appear at all. An absent record is not automatically proof of fraud — it can simply mean the business is not required to register.

    Open NZBNAll New Zealand records

    Frequently asked questions

    What does the New Zealand business registry cover?

    NZBN records Limited Company (Ltd), Look-Through Company (LTC). Businesses that are not legally required to register — commonly small sole traders — may not appear.

    Can I search the New Zealand business registry by trading name?

    Some sources index trading names; others require the legal name or a separate business-name search. Ask for the contracting entity's legal name and identifier when the relationship is unclear.

    Is a business registry search free in New Zealand?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Official searches, records and documents have their own access conditions; check NZBN's current terms.

    What if a New Zealand business has no registry entry?

    It may not be required to register, or it may be trading under a different legal name. Ask for the registration number directly before assuming either.

    What is an NZBN?

    The New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) is a unique 13-digit identifier assigned to every business entity in NZ. It's designed to simplify business-to-business and business-to-government interactions by providing a single number for identification.

    People also ask about search the business registry in New Zealand

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the New Zealand company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Companies Office / NZBN are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official New Zealand business registry?

    The Companies Office / NZBN is the official public register of companies incorporated in New Zealand. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.companiesoffice.govt.nz.

    Related guides and tools

    More New Zealand guides

    New Zealand data