NZBN number search (New Zealand)
Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.
Search Company Records in New Zealand
3 free lookups per day. No sign-up required.
How do I look up a company by its registration number in New Zealand?
Enter the NZBN to look up a New Zealand company directly on NZBN. Unlike a name search, an NZBN returns exactly one entity, which is why it is the identifier to use for KYC, invoicing and contract checks.
Step-by-step
- 1
Find the NZBN on the paperwork
The NZBN normally appears on invoices, contracts, the website footer or official correspondence. It is the number counterparties are required to quote.
- 2
Search the NZBN
Enter the number exactly as printed. Punctuation and spacing vary between documents — strip them if the search returns nothing.
- 3
Confirm the returned entity
Check the legal name on the returned record matches the name on your paperwork. A mismatch between quoted number and quoted name is a serious warning sign.
- 4
Verify at NZBN
For anything contractual, confirm the number against the primary source at https://www.companiesoffice.govt.nz.
https://www.companiesoffice.govt.nz
Frequently asked questions
What is a NZBN in New Zealand?
It is the identifier NZBN assigns to a registered entity. It stays with the entity even if the trading name changes, which makes it the reliable way to track a company over time.
Is a NZBN lookup free?
Yes. Looking up a company by NZBN on NZBN is free and requires no account.
What if the NZBN returns no result?
Re-enter it without spaces or punctuation first. If it still returns nothing, the number may be mistyped, belong to a different country's register, or not exist — ask the counterparty to confirm it in writing.
Should I use the NZBN or the company name?
The NZBN. Names are duplicated across entities within a group; the number is unique to one entity.
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 look up a company by its registration number 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
- Search companies by name
Find any registered company from a partial name — free, no signup.
- Search the company register
What the official register holds, and how to search it free.
- Search the business registry
Match a trading name to the registered legal entity behind it.
- Find the right entity
Tell apart several entities registered under near-identical names.
New Zealand data
- New Zealand company search
Search every Companies Office / NZBN record.
- NZBN guide
New Zealand Business Number (Companies Office)