Market entry · New Zealand
A fast, clean, low-cost entry point to the Pacific.
Corporate services and local representation for global financial companies and startups seeking to expand to New Zealand.
Why register in New Zealand
Twelve reasons to build your base here.
Wealthy market
5.3M high-income consumers who adopt digital payments fast, making NZ a compact test market.
Deep savings pool
NZ$151B in KiwiSaver, more than doubled since 2020, plus the NZX and an active VC scene.
Low corruption
Ranked 4th of 182 countries on the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring 81/100.
Common law
English-based common law, independent courts and enforceable contracts, familiar to UK, US and Asian firms.
Credible regulators
FMA and RBNZ oversight plus FSPR registration give a recognised credential with banks and partners.
Ease of doing business
Ranked 1st in the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 report, the final edition. Companies register online in hours.
Competitive tax
28% company tax, no general capital gains, payroll tax or stamp duty, plus a 15% R&D tax credit.
Gateway to the Pacific
Close ties to Pacific Island nations and remittance corridors, plus FTAs incl. CPTPP, RCEP, China, UK and EU.
Trans-Tasman access
Closer Economic Relations with Australia make NZ a low-cost springboard into the Australian market.
Innovation-friendly
Regulated open banking live since December 2025 under the Customer and Product Data Act. Crypto-friendly FSPR registration.
Highly rated
AA+ from S&P and Fitch, Aaa from Moody’s, a stable democracy and well-capitalised banks.
Low operating costs
A favourable NZ dollar cuts salary, office and service costs for firms earning in USD, EUR or GBP.
Sources: Plan For Life, KiwiSaver funds under management, June 2026. Transparency International, CPI 2025. World Bank, Doing Business 2020. Tax per IRD, 2026.
What Legati Partners delivers
New Zealand financial registration in one month.
- Remittance, value transfer and spot foreign exchange
- Means of Payment
- Crypto transfers and digital currency exchange
- Keeping, investing, managing money or securities for others
- Wholesale financial services
Company setup
Market entry consulting, company formation, legal, accounting & bank onboarding.
Representation
Local director representation, office manager & responsible manager appointments.
FSPR Registration
Registration with Financial Service Provider. Includes dispute resolution, DIA and FIU registration.
Ongoing Compliance
Company office compliance, AML/CFT including reporting, transaction monitoring & KYC support.
Then boots on the ground support.
Admin and back-office
Compliance tracking, CRM and onboarding
Customer and tech support
New Zealand-based staff in APAC hours
Business development
Including conference and meeting representation
Want your own FMA license to offer financial products such as derivatives? Get in touch.
Also entering Australia? View the Australia route →Our services
Everything you need to operate locally.
Compliance, legal & AML support
from NZ$250 per hour
AML/CTF programs, AUSTRAC and DIA reporting, transaction monitoring and KYC checks, AUSTRAC appointed AML officer.
Financial licensing
price on request
AFSL and AUSTRAC applications in Australia, FSPR and FMA licensing in New Zealand, from gap analysis to lodgement.
Resident director & RM
from NZ$1,070 per month
A local resident director to meet company law, and an AFSL responsible manager with the experience ASIC requires.
Market entry consulting
from NZ$160 per hour
Entry strategy, structure and licensing route, plus company formation, legal, accounting and bank onboarding.
Business development
from NZ$125 per hour
Introductions to banks, partners and clients, and local representation at meetings and conferences.
Registered office & mail
from NZ$445 per month
Registered office, mail handling, local numbers and day-to-day admin, so you can run the business remotely.
Marketing & event management
from NZ$160 per hour
Campaigns, website and content tailored to Australian and NZ audiences. Planning and running launches, client events and conferences.
Admin & back-office support
from NZ$70 per hour
Compliance tracking, CRM management, client onboarding and day-to-day paperwork, handled by our local team.
Customer & tech support
from NZ$90 per hour
Local staff handling customer queries and technical issues in APAC hours, by phone, email and chat.
Indicative starting prices in New Zealand dollars, excluding GST, which is added where it applies. Final quotes depend on scope.
Start the conversation
Turn your ambition
into action.
Tell us where you want to be in Australia and New Zealand. We will come back with the local support you need to get there, and what it costs.
