UK expansion for New Zealand companies
Taking your business to the UK? Build it right from day one.
The UK is open for New Zealand business. The free trade agreement removed tariffs on most goods, and the language, legal roots and business culture feel familiar. The rules underneath do not. UK banks, HMRC and Companies House each expect things done their way.
Paul Beare sets up and runs the UK side for New Zealand companies. We form your UK entity, open your bank account, register you for tax and payroll, and keep you compliant as you grow. One team, with offices in Auckland and London.
Subsidiary or branch? Decide this first.
Your structure shapes your tax bill, your liability and how easily you open a UK bank account. Most New Zealand companies choose one of three routes.
UK subsidiary
A new UK limited company owned by your New Zealand parent. It is a separate legal entity, so UK liabilities stay in the UK. Banks, customers and suppliers see a local business.
UK branch
Your New Zealand company registers a UK establishment and trades under its own name. There is no new company, but the parent is directly liable for everything the branch does.
Representative office
A light UK presence for market research and building relationships. Activity must stay preparatory, or you risk creating a taxable presence in the UK.
Questions we work through with you
The right answer depends on your plans. On your advisory call, we cover:
Still weighing it up? Compare a branch, subsidiary and representative office →
Your UK setup, step by step
We run each step for you and tell you exactly what we need from New Zealand.
Agree your structure
A free advisory call to understand your plans. We recommend the right UK structure and map out the steps.
Form your UK company
We register your company at Companies House, the UK's official register of companies. We provide your registered office address and can act as your company secretary.
Open your UK bank account
UK banks run detailed checks on overseas owners. We prepare the documents and introduce you to banks that work with overseas-owned companies.
Register for tax
Corporation Tax with HMRC, the UK tax authority. VAT once taxable turnover passes £90,000 in any rolling 12 months, or earlier if it suits you. PAYE before you pay your first employee.
Hire and pay your team
UK employment contracts, right to work checks, payroll and workplace pensions, all in place before your first hire starts.
Stay compliant as you grow
Bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual accounts, Corporation Tax returns and Companies House filings. All on time, and all reported back to head office.
Rates and thresholds as at October 2026 and may change. This is a summary, not tax advice.
Everything your UK entity needs, from one team
No juggling five suppliers across two hemispheres. One team handles the lot and reports back in plain English.
Company formation
Your UK company registered, with a registered office address and ongoing company secretarial support.
UK company formation →UK business bank account
Documents prepared and bank introductions made, including the ownership checks UK banks run on overseas parents.
UK business bank account →Accounting and tax
Bookkeeping, VAT, annual accounts and Corporation Tax returns, with reporting that fits your NZ group.
Accounting for overseas companies →Payroll
PAYE, National Insurance and workplace pensions run every month, with staff paid on time.
Payroll services UK →HR and employment
UK contracts, staff handbook and qualified HR advice as the Employment Rights Act 2025 rolls out.
HR and employment services →Sponsor licence
Sending staff from New Zealand? We help you apply for the licence you need to sponsor them in the UK.
UK sponsorship licence →Two-minute UK readiness check
Are you ready to launch in the UK?
Tick each statement that is true for your business today.
Why New Zealand companies choose Paul Beare
Auckland and London
Talk to us in your time zone. Our London team handles the UK side on the ground.
One team, not five suppliers
Formation, banking, tax, payroll and HR under one roof. Nothing falls between the gaps.
Built for overseas companies
We work with businesses run from head office abroad. We know what your board needs to see.
Grows with you
From your first UK contract to a full team. Your support scales as the business does.
Part of the NZ-UK business community. Paul Beare is Treasurer of the British New Zealand Business Association, an independent not-for-profit founded in 1917. It is a member of the British Chambers of Commerce Global Business Network and the New Zealand Europe Business Council.
Free advisory call
Talk to us about your UK plans
Tell us what you are planning and pick a time that suits you in New Zealand. We will recommend the right structure and set out your next steps.
- 1Answer a couple of questions
- 2Pick a time
- 3Invite lands in your inbox
Right now in Auckland
Booking open 24/7
Our advisers take calls 07:30 to 20:00 London time.
Every enquiry gets a reply within one business day.
New Zealand companies we have helped
Prefer to talk now? Auckland +64 9 875 3755 · London +44 20 7183 8786 · info@paulbeare.com