The internet remembers, but the registry doesn’t have to: NZ’s new director privacy rules
Starting 18 November 2026, New Zealand company directors can officially remove their residential addresses from the public Companies Register to protect their privacy and personal safety.
What you need to know about the tax pooling debt scheme before 1 October
The clock is ticking for New Zealand businesses carrying historic tax debt. Inland Revenue’s (IRD) temporary tax pooling debt scheme is set to close on 1 October 2026. With Kiwi businesses owing an estimated $1.2 billion for the 2023 and 2024 financial years, this pilot program represents a massive, yet underutilised, opportunity to clean up […]
But the director told me…
What happens if a company pays off an old debt but goes into liquidation shortly after, even though they assured you everything was fine and you had no idea they were in trouble? Often such payments are a target for liquidators under the voidable transaction scheme in sections 292 – 296 of the Companies Act […]
What is considered ‘accounts receivable’ Case study: Webb v Booth [2026]
A recent case, Webb v Booth [2026] has clarified what is considered an accounts receivable and therefore what must be paid to preferential creditors (staff members and Inland Revenue) instead of the bank. Why this case is important? How recoveries are allocated in liquidation is an issue which can be complicated. I have written on […]
The great catch-up: Clearing out the ‘Zombie’ companies
The legacy of pandemic-era economics is finally catching up with the New Zealand commercial landscape. For anyone looking closely at the health of the business sector, the true story isn’t found in short-term market sentiment, but in the structural reality of the New Zealand Companies Register. Between 2019 and 2021, commercial gravity was essentially suspended. […]
The absence of a notice of assignment does not necessarily invalidate the assignment itself
It is now common practice for debt collection companies to purchase debts from parties who may lack the resources or capacity to pursue recovery themselves. In such circumstances, a notice of assignment becomes relevant. Subpart 5 of the Property Law Act 2007 (the 2007 PLA) governs the assignment of choses in action. Under section 48 […]
Solvency is a moving picture, not a snapshot
A company can look solvent on paper and still be insolvent in practice. The point is often missed. Directors, shareholders and advisers look first to the balance sheet. The company owns a plant. It has debtors. It has work in progress. It has a pipeline. But in New Zealand insolvency law, the immediate question is […]
Creditors’ rights in voluntary administrations
Creditors’ rights in voluntary administrations Creditors play a crucial role in voluntary administration. In contrast to the more restrictive provisions for liquidations, both unsecured and secured creditors are invited to participate in this process.[1] This article outlines some of the main rights of creditors in relation to voluntary administration as set out in the Companies […]
When and what employees of a liquidated company get paid?
As economic pressures continue to impact businesses across New Zealand, employees should be aware of their rights and entitlements in the event that their employer is placed into liquidation. What happens when a company goes into liquidation? When a company is placed into liquidation, it generally means the Company is unable to pay its debts […]
Budget 2026: Shareholder loans, a Kiwi love story
They go by various names: ‘overdrawn shareholder current account’, ‘shareholder loan’, but it’s the same thing, you borrowed some money from your own company, and now the government wants you to pay it back, or pay the taxes. For many, the first word of the crackdown came with Nicola Willis’ Budget on 28 May. But […]
