Why set up business in New Zealand? Our strong, free economy, with growing infrastructure, commercial and consumer spending, offers ample opportunities for foreign companies to expand their operations and enter a growing new market.

In The World Bank’s most recent “Ease of Doing Business” international report, and in other independent surveys, New Zealand is often listed at or near the top of most business-friendly countries.

Couple this with a high education rate, skilled workforce, culture of innovation and easy access to Australian, South-East Asian and South American markets, and you can see why New Zealand is an attractive destination in which to invest and base your business.

Whether you’re exploring options, servicing your first New Zealand contract or have made the decision to open a fully functioning business, you will face a range of accounting, tax, HR and legal considerations, so it's best to have a local Baker Tilly Staples Rodway advisor who can help you set up and operate effectively.

Specialised services for international clients

Incorporating a company or registering a branch is much easier with our comprehensive support and extensive network of connections across all areas. Whether you’re from Australia, the US, UK, Germany, France, Singapore, China or beyond, we can help! View our full suite of business solutions below or contact our trusted team to learn more.

Establishing a business in New Zealand

The first steps include:

• Registering your company, branch or other entity.
• Listing a New Zealand or Australian resident director if you’re establishing a company (we can assist if you meet the criteria)
• Liaising with your preferred bank to open a bank account
• Obtaining IRD numbers and register for the right tax types
• Registering for New Zealand Customs for imported goods
• Enrolling with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
• Getting advice on business structure and tax matters

Our experienced and knowledgeable tax specialists provide practical, tailored solutions for the best tax and operational outcomes for businesses coming to New Zealand.

We help with income taxes, Goods and Services Tax (our VAT), withholding taxes, customs procedures, non-resident withholding tax, payroll and non-resident contractors’ tax, and financial considerations for short-term operations.

Auditing services

Our licensed auditors use a risk-based methodology to prepare effective and competitive audits that meet subsidiary or branch requirements. We also provide advice and support to financial industry clients to ensure compliance with Financial Markets Authority legislation, plus internal audits, and fraud identification and prevention.

Business advice

If you need advice on running a successful business in New Zealand, we offer the following:

• Assistance with and preparation of annual accounts, acting as the registered office and filing annual returns
• Preparation and filing of income tax and GST returns
• Preparation of monthly payroll returns and advising of amounts payable to Inland Revenue and employees

Human resources

We provide internal HR management, compliance, recruitment and selection. We also ensure employment agreements are New Zealand compliant, oversee disputes and disciplinary procedures, and offer advice on remuneration.

Transaction assistance

Our financial, tax and HR due-diligence services include structuring advice for new acquisitions. We work closely with our Baker Tilly International network, including Pitcher Partners (Australia’s leading mid-market accounting firm) and other experts to deliver clear and effective findings.

We have strong links with legal advisors to assist with any contractual matters or where specialist legal advice is required in documenting structures.