For many retail business owners and directors, the requirement to publicly list a residential address on the New Zealand Companies Register has created ongoing privacy and safety concerns.
The Companies (Address Information) Amendment Act 2025 (“the Act”) was passed on 18 November 2025 and introduces new privacy protections for company directors. The Act will come into force on a date set by Order in Council, or automatically on 18 November 2026 if no earlier commencement date is appointed.
Why does this matter for the retail sector?
Retail is a highly customer‑facing industry, and directors are often more visible than in other sectors, whether through store ownership, online brand presence, or community roles.
Many retail businesses also operate in high‑traffic environments where directors are involved in customer interactions, complaint resolution, or online operations using their full names.
This heightened visibility increases personal risk, exposing directors to potential harassment, stalking, or threats from disgruntled customers, former employees, or members of the public.
Against this backdrop, the Act introduces meaningful changes for retail leaders concerned about personal safety, brand exposure, and privacy.
What were the old rules?
Before the Act, the rules were strict and inflexible. A director or shareholder could only apply to have their residential address suppressed on the Companies Register if they had a protection order issued by the New Zealand Family Court. The Companies Office granted approval only if suppression did not compromise the transparency of the register, and if the individual moved house, they were required to update their address and apply again for suppression.
What’s new under the Act?
The Act creates a more accessible pathway for directors to protect their residential address.
A director, prospective director, or a shareholder who is also a director or lives with a director may now apply to the Registrar to substitute their residential address with an alternative address. To do so, the applicant must:
- complete the application in the prescribed form;
- include a statutory declaration verifying that making their home address publicly available is likely to result in physical or mental harm to the director or someone they live with;
- provide an alternative address for public display, such as the offices of the company’s accountants or lawyers; and
- pay any prescribed fee.
Further guidance from the Companies Office and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is expected to clarify the application requirements and procedural steps.
This piece is authored by Ford Sumner, Retail NZ’s legal partner. Retail NZ members are entitled to a 10% discount on Ford Sumner’s standard hourly rates. If your business would like legal assistance with this, or any other issue, you can contact Ford Sumner at retail@fsl.nz.