Company Lookup NZ
Looking up a New Zealand company is straightforward once you know the three main ways to search: by company name, by NZBN, or by company number. This guide explains each method and how to confirm you have found the right company.
Three ways to look up a company
1. Search by company name
The most common method. Type the company's name, or part of it, into a company search. The search returns companies whose registered names match, including companies with similar names. Name searches are useful when you only know roughly what a business is called, but they can return several results, so you may need to check the details to pick the right one.
2. Search by NZBN
Every New Zealand company has a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), a unique 13-digit identifier. If you have a company's NZBN, searching with it takes you directly to that one company with no ambiguity. Invoices, quotes and government correspondence often show the NZBN.
3. Search by company number
The company number is assigned at incorporation and is also unique to one company. Like an NZBN search, a company-number search identifies exactly one company.
Which identifier should you use?
| Identifier | Format | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Company name | Words, e.g. "Fergburger Limited" | You only know the trading name |
| NZBN | 13 digits | You have an invoice or official document |
| Company number | Numeric, assigned at incorporation | You have older company paperwork |
How to confirm you have the correct company
Similar company names are common, so before relying on a result, check a few details on the company's record:
- Status — is the company Registered, or has it been Removed, or is it In Liquidation or In Receivership?
- Incorporation date — does the company's age match what you expect?
- Registered office — is it in the city or region you expect?
- Directors — do the recorded director names match the people you are dealing with?
If several details line up, you can be confident you have the right company. If only the name matches, treat the result with caution.
What a lookup can and cannot tell you
A company lookup confirms that a company exists as a legal entity and shows what has been filed on the Companies Register. It does not tell you whether a company is financially sound, honest or safe to deal with. Register information is one input into your decision, not a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
What if I only know part of the company name?
Search with the part you know. The results will include companies with matching or similar names, and you can narrow down from the status, location and director details.
Why are there several companies with almost the same name?
Company names only need to be distinguishable, not completely different. Always confirm the NZBN or company number before relying on a lookup.
Can I look up a removed company?
Yes. Removed companies remain searchable, and their records show their removal status and history.
Search for a New Zealand company
Look up any registered New Zealand company by name, NZBN or company number, and order a detailed report generated fresh from the live registers.
Search companies