The Companies' Office has introduced a number of new features to their internet based register (www.companies.govt.nz) that will make the day to day administration of a company register easier and cheaper.
Company keysUnder the Companies Act 1993, directors have a duty to maintain the company's register at the Companies' Office. Each company on the New Zealand register has been allocated a 7-character password known as a
company key, which allows an authorised person to update a company's addresses, directors' details and constitution on-line. The company key will be emailed or posted to the company's address for communication.
If you take care of administration of a company, and have not yet received a company key, you should contact the Companies' Office on 0508 539 4636. Using your company key you can now inform the Companies' Office electronically if there are changes to your company's:
registered office address for service address for communication constitution, and directors residential addresses and details.Other online servicesOther services that are available online are:
name reservations for incorporation of new companies and changing an existing company's name ($10 fee) company incorporation ($50 fee) annual returns ($15 fee).In most instances the fee for doing the above electronically is half of what is charged using the old system of lodging paper documents with the Companies' Office.
Registration of charges, such as mortgages and debentures, at the Companies' Office still need to be completed manually but the fee for registration has decreased from $50 to $5. However, when the Personal Properties Securities Act 1999 comes into force on 1 May 2002, all company charges will need to be registered on the Personal Properties Security Register.
A full search of any New Zealand company can be completed online for $2. This will provide details of a company's registered office, directors, shareholders and any current charges. You can also download a company's constitution at no cost.
All Companies Office charges can be paid online by credit card or, if you are administering a large number of companies, an account can be set up with Companies' Office.
This is a general summary only and should not be taken as a substitute for specific advice.
Further information on maintaining your company's register or the services available through the Companies' Office web site please contact Carl Allwood: carl.allwood@phillipsfox.com
Alternatively you can call Companies Office on 0508 266 726.
Web site:
Phillips Fox