Companies Amendment Act 2014

1: Title
This Act is the Companies Amendment Act 2014.
2: Commencement
1: Except as provided in subsection (2), Parts 2 4
2: Sections 58 59 Schedule 2
3: For the purpose of subsection (2),—
a: 1 or more orders may be made bringing different provisions into force on different dates and for different purposes; and
b: provision Schedule 2
4: The rest of this Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent. Section 2(1) brought into force 1 May 2015 clause 2(4) Companies Amendment Act 2014 Commencement Order 2014 Section 2(2) brought into force 1 September 2014 clause 2(1) Section 2(2) brought into force 11 September 2014 clause 2(2) Companies Amendment Act 2014 Commencement Order 2014 Section 2(2) brought into force 11 September 2014 clause 2(3) Companies Amendment Act 2014 Commencement Order 2014
3: Principal Act amended
This Act amends the Companies Act 1993 OIC LI 2014/273 2015-05-01 Companies Act 1993 Section 2(1): Except as provided in subsection (2), Parts 2 and 4 come into force 365 days after the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent unless they are earlier brought into force on a date appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council. and The whole of Part 2 and the remaining provisions of Part 4 brought in force by cl 2(4) of the OIC 2014-07-03 Companies Act 1993 Section 2(4): Excluding Parts 2 and 4, sections 58, 59 and Schedule 2. The rest of this Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
1: Criminalisation of breaches of certain directors’ duties
4: New section 138A inserted
The following section is inserted after section 138
138A: Offence for serious breach of director's duty to act in good faith and in best interests of company
1: A director of a company commits an offence if the director exercises powers or performs duties as a director of the company—
a: in bad faith towards the company and believing that the conduct is not in the best interests of the company; and
b: knowing that the conduct will cause serious loss to the company.
2: However, a director does not commit an offence under subsection (1) if the power or duty in question is exercised or performed under any of section 131(2) to (4) or is a power exercised under section 132.
3: A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction to the penalties set out in section 373(4).
5: Penalty for failure to comply with Act
Section 373(4)⁠(f) or dishonestly incurring debt fraudulently
6: Fraudulent use or destruction of property
Section 378(a) , or for the use or benefit of a person other than the company use or purpose of the company
7: Carrying on business fraudulently
1: The heading to section 380 or dishonestly incurring debt
2: Section 380
4: Every director of a company commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalties set out in section 373(4) if—
a: the company incurs a debt (the debt
b: the company—
i: is insolvent at the time that it incurs the debt; or
ii: becomes insolvent by incurring the debt; or
iii: is insolvent at the time that it incurs debts that include the debt; or
iv: becomes insolvent by incurring debts that include the debt; and
c: the director knows, at the time when the company incurs the debt, that the company is insolvent or will become insolvent as a result of incurring the debt or other debts that include the debt; and
d: the director’s failure to prevent the company incurring the debt is dishonest.
5: In subsection (4), insolvent
2: One or more directors to live in New Zealand and other measures
8: Interpretation
Section 2(1) enforcement country section 10(d) limited partnership overseas limited partnership ultimate holding company
a: is a holding company of the company; and
b: is itself not a subsidiary of any body corporate ultimate holding company information section 94A
9: Essential requirements
Section 10
d: 1 or more directors, of whom at least 1 must—
i: live in New Zealand; or
ii: live in an enforcement country and be a director of a company that is registered (except as the equivalent of an overseas company) in that enforcement country.
10: Application for registration
1: Section 12(2)
b: in relation to every director of the proposed company,—
i: his or her full name and date and place of birth; and
ii: his or her residential address; and
iii: if the residential address is in an enforcement country, whether the director is a director of a company that is registered (except as the equivalent of an overseas company) in that enforcement country and, if so, the prescribed information; and
2: Section 12(2)
ca: the proposed company's ultimate holding company information; and
11: New heading and sections 94A and 94B inserted
The following heading and sections are inserted after section 94 Ultimate holding company
94A: Meaning of ultimate holding company information
For the purposes of this Act, ultimate holding company information
a: the name of the ultimate holding company:
b: the ultimate holding company's country of registration:
c: the ultimate holding company's registration number or code (if any):
d: the registered office of the ultimate holding company:
e: any other prescribed information.
94B: Notice of ultimate holding company changes
1: The board of a company must ensure that notice (in the form and manner required by the Registrar) of any changes in the company's ultimate holding company information is delivered to the Registrar for registration.
2: A notice under subsection (1) must—
a: specify the date of the change; and
b: include the new ultimate holding company information; and
c: be delivered to the Registrar within 20 working days of the date of the change.
3: If a board of a company fails to comply with this section, every director of the company commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 374(2).
12: Number of directors
Section 150 at least 1 director 1 or more directors ( see section 10(d)
13: Notice of change of directors
Section 159(2)
b: include, in relation to every person who is a director of the company from the date of the notice, the information required by section 12(2)⁠(b)⁠(i) to (iii)
14: Public inspection of company records
Section 215(1)
ca: the company's ultimate holding company information:
15: Amalgamation proposal
1: Section 220(1)
c: in relation to every director of the amalgamated company, his or her full name and the information required by section 12(2)⁠(b)⁠(ii) and (iii):
2: Section 220(1)
ea: the ultimate holding company information of each of the amalgamating companies and of the amalgamated company:
16: Registration of amalgamation proposal
Section 223
ba: the date and place of birth of every director of the amalgamated company; and
17: Inspection and evidence of registers
Section 363
6: This section is subject to section 367A
18: New section 367A inserted
The following section is inserted after section 367
367A: Confidentiality of director information
1: The Registrar must treat director information as confidential and must not make it available to a member of the public.
2: The Official Information Act 1982 does not apply to director information.
3: In this section, director information 2008 No 1 s 115
19: New section 387A inserted
The following section is inserted after section 387
387A: Service of documents on directors in legal proceedings
1: A document, including a writ, summons, notice, or order, in any legal proceedings involving a director in his or her capacity as director may be served on the director as follows:
a: by delivery to the director; or
b: by leaving it at the director's residential address (as that address is shown in the register); or
c: by leaving it at the company's registered office or address for service; or
d: by serving it in accordance with any directions as to service given by the court having jurisdiction in the proceedings; or
e: in accordance with an agreement made with the director; or
f: by serving it at an address for service given in accordance with the rules of the court having jurisdiction in the proceedings or by such means as a solicitor has, in accordance with those rules, stated that the solicitor will accept service.
2: The methods of service specified in subsection (1) are the only methods by which a document in legal proceedings may be served on a director in New Zealand.
20: Service of other documents on companies
Section 388(1) ; or
d: by sending it by email to an electronic address used by the company.
21: New section 388A inserted
The following section is inserted after section 388
388A: Service of other documents on directors
A document, other than a document in any legal proceedings, may be served on a director as follows:
a: by any of the methods set out in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (e) of section 387A
b: by posting it to the director at the director's residential address (as that address is shown in the register) or delivering it to a box at a document exchange that the director is using at the time; or
c: by posting it to the company's registered office or address for service or delivering it to a box at a document exchange that the company is using at the time; or
d: by sending it by fax machine to a telephone number used for the transmission of documents by fax at the director's residential address (as that address is shown in the register); or
e: by sending it by fax machine to a telephone number used for the transmission of documents by fax at the company's registered office or address for service or its head office or principal place of business; or
f: by sending it by email to an electronic address used by the director; or
g: by sending it by email to an electronic address used by the company.
22: Additional provisions relating to service
1: Section 392(1)
ca: a document sent by email is deemed to have been received on the working day following the day on which it was sent:
2: Section 392(1)
f: in proving service of a document by email, it is sufficient to prove that—
i: the document was properly addressed; and
ii: the document was properly sent to the email address.
23: Regulations
Section 395(1)
ba: prescribing a country, State, or territory outside New Zealand as an enforcement country for the purposes of section 10(d)
bb: prescribing information required for the purposes of section 12(2)⁠(b)⁠(iii) and paragraph (ga) of Schedule 4
bc: prescribing information required for the purposes of section 94A(e)
24: Schedule 4 amended
1: Paragraph (g) of Schedule 4 , dates and places of birth, names
2: Schedule 4
ga: if a director is resident in an enforcement country, the prescribed information in respect of the company or companies in that country of which the director is a director:
gb: the company's ultimate holding company information: Transitional provision relating to requirement for 1 or more directors to live in New Zealand, etc
25: Transitional provision relating to requirement for 1 or more directors to live in New Zealand, etc
1: Before the close of the 180th day after the commencement of this section, section 10(d)⁠(i) and (ii)
2: A company incorporated before the commencement of this section that does not comply with the requirements in section 10(d)⁠(i) or (ii)
a: arrange for a director who complies with the requirements in section 10(d)⁠(i) or (ii)
b: in the manner required by the Registrar, notify the Registrar of the following:
i: that a director complies with the requirements in section 10(d)⁠(i) or (ii)
ii: the information required under section 12(2)⁠(b)⁠(i) to (iii)
3: If a company fails to comply with subsection (2), the company does not comply with section 10 see section 318(1)⁠(aaa) Transitional provision relating to directors' date and place of birth information and company's ultimate holding company information
26: Transitional provision relating to directors' date and place of birth information and company's ultimate holding company information
1: A company incorporated before the commencement of this section must provide the Registrar with the following information (at the time and in the manner required by the Registrar):
a: the date and place of birth of each director; and
b: the company's ultimate holding company information.
2: If a company fails to comply with subsection (1),—
a: the company commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 373(2)
b: every director of the company commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 374(2)
3: Sections 373(2) 374(2) 375 to 380
3: Arrangements and amalgamations of code companies
No long-form amalgamations of code company under Part 13 of principal Act
27: Interpretation
Section 2(1) code company
28: Amalgamations
1: Section 219 Two or more Except as provided in subsection (2)
2: Section 219
2: A code company may not amalgamate under sections 220 and 221. Transitional provision relating to amendments to Part 13 of principal Act
29: Transitional provision relating to amendments to Part 13 of principal Act
1: An amalgamation proposal involving 1 or more code companies that has been approved by the boards of all amalgamating companies in accordance with section 221(1) section 28
2: Section 28
a: an amalgamation described in subsection (1) that takes effect on or after the 180th day after the commencement of section 28
b: any other amalgamation proposal that has not been approved by the boards of all companies in accordance with section 221(1) section 28
3: In this section, takes effect sections 224 225 No court approval of arrangement or amalgamation involving code company under Part 15 of principal Act except in certain circumstances
30: New sections 236A and 236B inserted
The following sections are inserted after section 236
236A: Arrangement or amalgamation involving code company
1: If a proposed arrangement or amalgamation affects the voting rights of a code company, the applicant for an order under section 236(1) must, at the same time as filing the application, notify the Takeovers Panel of the application.
2: The court may not make an order under section 236(1) that affects the voting rights of a code company unless—
a: the code company's shareholders approve the arrangement or amalgamation in accordance with subsection (4); and
b: either of the following applies:
i: the court is satisfied that the shareholders of the code company will not be adversely affected by the use of section 236(1) rather than the takeovers code to effect the change involving the code company; or
ii: the applicant has filed a statement from the Takeovers Panel indicating that the Takeovers Panel has no objection to an order being made under section 236(1).
3: The court need not approve a proposed arrangement or amalgamation merely because the Takeovers Panel has no objection to an order being made under section 236(1).
4: For the purposes of subsection (2)⁠(a), the code company's shareholders may only approve the arrangement or amalgamation in the following way:
a: by a resolution approved by a majority of 75% of the votes of the shareholders in each interest class entitled to vote and voting on the question; and
b: by a resolution approved by a simple majority of the votes of those shareholders entitled to vote.
5: For the purposes of this section and section 236B,— affects the voting rights interest class Schedule 10 voting right
236B: Takeovers code does not apply where court order under section 236
The takeovers code does not apply where the court has made an order under section 236(1) that affects the voting rights of a code company.
31: Consequential amendments to Takeovers Act 1993
1: This section amends the Takeovers Act 1993
2: Section 2(1) director director
a: in relation to a company, means a person occupying the position of a director of the company, by whatever name called; and
b: in relation to a partnership (other than a special partnership or a limited partnership), means a partner; and
c: in relation to a special partnership or a limited partnership, means a general partner; and
d: in relation to a body corporate or unincorporate not referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c), means a person occupying a position in the body corporate that is comparable with that of a director of a company; and
e: in relation to any other person, means that person; and
f: includes a person in accordance with whose directions or instructions a person referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e)
3: Section 8(1)
eb: to consider applications for an order under section 236(1) of the Companies Act 1993 that affects the voting rights of a code company (within the meaning of that term in section 236A of the Companies Act 1993), and to indicate whether or not it has an objection to such an order:
4: The following section is inserted after section 23
23A: Takeovers code does not apply where court order under section 236 of Companies Act 1993
The takeovers code does not apply where the court has made an order under section 236(1) of the Companies Act 1993 that affects the voting rights of a code company (within the meaning of that term in section 236A of the Companies Act 1993). 2014-07-03 Takeovers Act 1993
32: Consequential amendments to takeovers code
1: This section amends the takeovers code set out in the Schedule
2: Paragraphs (b) and (c) of the definition of director rule 3(1) or a limited partnership special partnership
3: The definition of director rule 3(1)
d: in relation to a body corporate or unincorporate not referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c), means a person occupying a position in the body corporate that is comparable with that of a director of a company; and
4: The definition of director rule 3(1)
f: includes a person in accordance with whose directions or instructions a person referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e) 2014-07-03 Takeovers Code Approval Order 2000
33: Consequential amendment to Takeovers (Fees) Regulations 2001
1: This section amends the Takeovers (Fees) Regulations 2001
2: Regulation 4(2)
aa: considering an application for an order under section 236(1) of the Companies Act 1993 that affects the voting rights of a code company (within the meaning of that term in section 236A of the Companies Act 1993), and indicating whether or not the Panel has an objection to such an order: 2014-07-03 Takeovers (Fees) Regulations 2001 Transitional provision relating to amendments to Part 15 of principal Act
34: Transitional provision relating to amendments to Part 15 of principal Act
1: An application for an order under section 236(1) section 30 section 30
2: Section 236A section 30 section 236(1) section 30 New Schedule 10 added
35: New Schedule 10 added
The Schedule 10 Schedule 1
4: Enhanced powers of Registrar
36: Interpretation
Section 2(1) control interest
37: Meaning of director
1: Section 126(1)⁠(b) 318(1)⁠(bb), 301,
2: Section 126(1)⁠(c) 318(1)⁠(bb), 301,
38: Grounds for removal from register
1: Section 318(1)
aaa: the company does not comply with section 10; or
2: Section 318(1)
b: the Registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that—
i: the company is not carrying on business; and
ii: there is no proper reason for the company to continue in existence; or
ba: the company has failed to respond to a requirement made under section 365(1)⁠(caaa)
bb: the Registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that the company, or 1 or more of its directors or shareholders, has failed to respond to a requirement made in relation to that or another company under section 365F or 365G; or
bc: the Registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that the company, or 1 or more of its directors or shareholders, has intentionally provided the Registrar with inaccurate information; or
bd: the Registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that the company, or 1 or more of its directors or shareholders, has failed in a persistent or serious way to comply with duties relating to the company—
i: under this Act; or
ii: under the Financial Reporting Act 1993 while in force, except that the Registrar may not rely on this ground after 5 years have elapsed after this subparagraph came into force; or
3: Section 318 is amended by inserting the following subsection after subsection (1):
1A: The Registrar may choose not to proceed with the removal of a company from the New Zealand register despite subsection (1)⁠(aaa), (bb), (bc), or (bd) applying.
4: Section 318(4)⁠(b) reason a proper reason
5: Section 318
4A: The Registrar may remove a company from the New Zealand register under subsection (1)⁠(aaa), (ba), (bb), (bc), or (bd) only if—
a: the Registrar has complied with section 319; and
b: the Registrar—
i: is satisfied that no person has objected to the removal under section 321; or
ii: if an objection to the removal has been received, has complied with section 322.
39: Notice of intention to remove where company has ceased to carry on business or application fee not paid
1: The heading to section 319 where company has ceased to carry on business or application fee not paid company under paragraph (aaa), (b), (ba), (bb), (bc), (bd), or (f) of section 318(1)
2: Section 319(1) section 318(1)⁠(b) section 318(1)⁠(aaa), (b), (ba), (bb), (bc), (bd),
3: Section 319
2: The notice to be given under subsection (1)⁠(a) must state the section under, and the grounds on which, it is intended to remove the company from the New Zealand register and must include the following information in respect of the relevant grounds:
a: if section 318(1)⁠(aaa)
i: the Registrar does not, in accordance with section 322, proceed to remove the company from the register; or
ii: by the date specified in the notice, which must be at least 20 working days after the date of the notice, the company satisfies the Registrar (by notice in writing) that it complies with section 10:
b: if section 318(1)⁠(b)
i: the Registrar does not, in accordance with section 322, proceed to remove the company from the register; or
ii: by the date specified in the notice, which must be at least 20 working days after the date of the notice, the company satisfies the Registrar (by notice in writing) that it is carrying on business or that there is a proper reason for it to continue in existence:
c: if section 318(1)⁠(ba)
i: the Registrar does not, in accordance with section 322, proceed to remove the company from the register; or
ii: by the date specified in the notice, which must be at least 20 working days after the date of the notice, the company (by notice in writing)—
A: responds to the requirement made under section 365(1)⁠(caaa)
B: satisfies the Registrar that there is a proper reason for it to continue in existence:
d: if section 318(1)⁠(bb) applies, that the company will be removed from the New Zealand register unless—
i: the Registrar does not, in accordance with section 322, proceed to remove the company from the register; or
ii: by the date specified in the notice, which must be at least 20 working days after the date of the notice, the company satisfies the Registrar (by notice in writing) that—
A: information has been disclosed as required by the Registrar under section 365F or 365G (in accordance with any specification under section 365H); or
B: there is a proper reason for the company to continue in existence:
e: if section 318(1)⁠(bc)
i: the Registrar does not, in accordance with section 322, proceed to remove the company from the register; or
ii: by the date specified in the notice, which must be at least 20 working days after the date of the notice, the company satisfies the Registrar (by notice in writing) that—
A: the information provided is accurate; or
B: the inaccurate information was provided unintentionally; or
C: accurate information has since been supplied; or
D: there is a proper reason for the company to continue in existence:
f: if section 318(1)⁠(bd)
i: the Registrar does not, in accordance with section 322, proceed to remove the company from the register; or
ii: by the date specified in the notice, which must be at least 20 working days after the date of the notice, the company satisfies the Registrar (by notice in writing) that—
A: there has been no persistent or serious failure to comply with duties relating to the company under this Act or the Financial Reporting Act 1993; or
B: there is a proper reason for the company to continue in existence:
g: if section 318(1)⁠(f) applies, that the company will be removed from the New Zealand register unless the fee prescribed by regulations for the application for registration of the company under section 12 is paid in full to the Registrar within 20 working days after the date of the notice.
4: Section 319(3)⁠(c) section 318(1)⁠(b) applies section 318(1)⁠(aaa), (b), (ba), (bb), (bc), or (bd) applies
40: Notice of intention to remove in other cases
The heading to section 320 in other cases company under paragraph (c), (d), or (e) of section 318(1)
41: Objection to removal from register
1: Section 321(1)⁠(a)
a: omitting still
b: omitting other a proper
2: Section 321
4: Where a notice is given of an intention to remove a company from the New Zealand register, in addition to an objection to the removal on 1 or more of the grounds identified in subsection (1), in relation to any of the grounds for removal specified in the first column of the following table, any person may deliver to the Registrar, not later than the date specified in the notice, an objection to the removal on any of the corresponding grounds specified in the second column of the following table: The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Grounds for removal. Column 2 is headed Grounds for objection. Grounds for removal Grounds for objection The company does not comply with section 10 The company complies with section 10 The company has failed to respond to a requirement made under section 365(1)⁠(caaa) or (c) The company has responded to the requirement made under section 365(1)⁠(caaa) or (c) The Registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that the company, or 1 or more of its directors or shareholders, has failed to respond to a requirement made in relation to that or another company under section 365F or 365G Information has been disclosed as required by the Registrar under section 365F or 365G (in accordance with any specification under section 365H) The Registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that the company, or 1 or more of its directors or shareholders, has intentionally provided the Registrar with inaccurate information The company has provided accurate information or inaccurate information was provided unintentionally The Registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that the company, or 1 or more of its directors or shareholders, has failed to comply with duties relating to the company under this Act or the Financial Reporting Act 1993 in a serious or persistent way There has been no serious or persistent failure to comply with duties relating to the company under this Act or the Financial Reporting Act 1993
3: Section 321
5: An objection on the grounds described in subsection (1) or (4) must, if required by the Registrar, be verified by the production of original documents or certified copies of original documents or by statutory declaration.
42: Duties of Registrar if objection received
1: Section 322(1) , or (4) or (c)
2: Section 322(1)
ba: despite the objection, section 318(1)⁠(aaa), (ba), (bb), (bc), or (bd)
43: Registrar may restore company to New Zealand register
1: Section 328(1)
a: the grounds for the removal did not exist at the time the company was removed; or
2: Section 328
1A: The Registrar may, on the application of a person referred to in subsection (2), or on his or her own motion, restore a company that has been removed from the register to the register if the Registrar is satisfied that the company was carrying on business at the time of its removal and there is a proper reason for the company to continue in existence.
3: Section 328(3)⁠(a) paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of section 318(1) section 318(1) (aaa), (b), (ba), (bb), (bc), (bd)
44: Court may restore company to New Zealand register
1: Section 329(1)⁠(a)⁠(i)
a: omitting still
b: omitting other a proper
2: Section 329
1A: In considering whether to restore a company to the register on the ground referred to in subsection (1)⁠(a)⁠(i) or (b), the court must have regard to the reasons for the company’s removal and whether those grounds existed at the time of removal or exist at the time of the hearing of the application.
45: Rectification or correction of New Zealand register and overseas register
1: Section 360A(1)⁠(b) due to a clerical error by the Registrar
2: Section 360A(2) Before the Registrar rectifies the New Zealand register or the overseas register under subsection (1)⁠(a), the Registrar must Unless the rectification or correction relates solely to the person who provided it, the Registrar, before rectifying the register under subsection (1)⁠(a), must
46: Registration of documents
Section 362(2)
ba: is involved in a requirement made under section 365(1)⁠(caaa)
47: Registrar's powers of inspection
1: Section 365(1)⁠(a)
iaa: ascertaining whether information provided to the Registrar is correct; or
2: Section 365(1)
caaa: require a person, in relation to information provided to the Registrar, to—
i: confirm that the information is correct; or
ii: correct the information; or
3: Section 365
1A: When exercising the powers described in subsection (1)⁠(caaa)
a: a particular form in which the confirmation or correction must be provided; and
b: a date by which the confirmation or correction must be provided; and
c: whether the confirmation or correction must be verified by the production of original documents or certified copies of original documents or by a statutory declaration.
4: Section 365(5)⁠(a) subsection (1)⁠(c) subsection (1)⁠(caaa)
48: New sections 365A to 365H and headings inserted
The following sections and headings are inserted after section 365 Registrar's powers to identify controllers of company
365A: Purpose of sections 365B to 365H
1: The purpose of sections 365B to 365H is to ensure that the Registrar may, for law enforcement purposes, obtain adequate, accurate, and timely information on the beneficial ownership and control of companies in order to conform with New Zealand's obligations under the FATF Recommendations.
2: In this section,— FATF FATF Recommendations
365B: Control interests in shares (basic rule)
1: In sections 365D to 365F, a person has a control interest
a: is a shareholder; or
b: is a beneficial owner of the share; or
c: has the power to exercise, or to control the exercise of, a right to vote attached to the share; or
d: has the power to acquire or dispose of, or to control the acquisition or disposal of, the share.
2: Subsection (1) applies regardless of whether the power or control is express or implied, direct or indirect, legally enforceable or not, related to a particular share or not, exercisable presently or in the future, or exercisable alone or jointly with another person or persons (but a power to cast merely 1 of many votes is not, in itself, a joint power of this kind).
3: Subsection (1) applies regardless of whether or not the power or control is or can be made subject to restraint or restriction or is exercisable only on the fulfilment of a condition.
4: If 2 or more persons can jointly exercise a power, each of those persons is taken to have that power. 1988 No 234 s 5
365C: Extension of basic rule to powers or controls exercisable through trust, agreement, etc
1: A person has a power or control referred to in section 365B if the power or control is, or may at any time be, exercised under, by virtue of, by means of, or as a result of a revocation or breach of, a trust or an agreement (or any combination of them).
2: Subsection (1) applies regardless of whether or not the trust or agreement is legally enforceable or whether or not the person is a party to it. 1988 No 234 s 5A
365D: Extension of basic rule to interests held by other persons under control or acting jointly
1: A person ( A B
a: B or B's directors are accustomed or under an obligation (whether legally enforceable or not) to act in accordance with A's directions, instructions, or wishes in relation to a power or control referred to in section 365B; or
b: A has the power to exercise, or control the exercise of, 20% or more of the votes that may be cast at a meeting of shareholders of B; or
c: A has the power to acquire or dispose of, or to control the acquisition or disposal of, shares that have 20% or more of votes that may be cast at a meeting of shareholders of B; or
d: A and B are related bodies corporate; or
e: A and B have an agreement, arrangement, or understanding to act in concert in relation to a power or control referred to in section 365B.
2: For the purposes of subsection (1),— share
a: a share in a company:
b: a share in an industrial and provident society:
c: a share in a building society:
d: a partnership interest in a partnership shareholder
3: For the purposes of subsection (1)⁠(a), director
a: in relation to a company, any person occupying the position of a director of the company by whatever name called:
b: in relation to a partnership (other than a limited partnership), any partner:
c: in relation to a limited partnership, any general partner:
d: in relation to a body corporate or unincorporate other than a company, partnership, or limited partnership, any person occupying a position in the body that is comparable with that of a director of a company.
4: For the purposes of subsection (1)⁠(d), a body corporate ( A related B
a: B is A's holding company or subsidiary; or
b: more than half of A's issued shares (other than shares that carry no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital) are held by B and bodies corporate that are related to B (whether directly or indirectly, but other than in a fiduciary capacity), or vice versa; or
c: more than half of the issued shares (other than shares that carry no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital) of each of A and B are held by members of the other (whether directly or indirectly, but other than in a fiduciary capacity); or
d: the businesses of A and B have been so carried on that the separate business of each body corporate, or a substantial part of that business, is not readily identifiable; or
e: there is another body corporate to which A and B are both related. 1988 No 234 s 5B(1)
365E: Situations not giving rise to control interests
A person ( A
a: the ordinary business of A consists of, or includes, the lending of money or the provision of financial services, or both, and A has the control interest only as security given for the purposes of a transaction entered into in the ordinary course of the business of A; or
b: A is authorised to undertake trading activities on a licensed market and A acts for another person to acquire or dispose of the share on behalf of that person in the ordinary course of A's business of carrying out those trading activities; or
c: A has been authorised by resolution of the directors of a company to act as its representative at a particular meeting of shareholders, or of a class of shareholders, of the company, and a copy of the resolution is deposited with the company before the meeting; or
d: A is appointed as a proxy to vote at a particular meeting of shareholders, or of a class of shareholders, of a company and the instrument of A's appointment is deposited with the company before the meeting; or
e: A is a shareholder of a company and the company's constitution gives the shareholder pre-emptive rights on the transfer of the shares, if all shareholders have pre-emptive rights on the same terms. 1988 No 234 s 6
365F: Registrar may require persons to disclose control interests and powers to get control interests
1: The Registrar (or a person authorised by the Registrar) may, by notice given after having regard to the purpose in section 365A, require a specified person to disclose full details of all (or any class of)—
a: control interests that the specified person has in shares of a company and of the circumstances that give rise to those interests; or
b: powers that the specified person has or may at any time have to acquire a control interest in shares of a company and of the circumstances that give rise to that interest; or
c: control interests that any other person (whom the specified person must identify by name and with current contact details) has in shares of a company and of the circumstances that give rise to the other person's interests.
2: However, a matter referred to in subsection (1)⁠(c) need only be disclosed to the extent to which it is known to the specified person required to make the disclosure.
3: Subsection (1) applies regardless of whether the shares referred to in subsection (1) have voting rights or not or are issued or yet to be issued.
4: Sections 365B to 365E apply in determining whether or not a person has a power referred to in subsection (1)⁠(b) (and for this purpose every reference in those sections to a control interest must be read as including a reference to the power to acquire a control interest).
5: The person must disclose the information required under subsection (1) in accordance with any specifications under section 365H.
6: For the purposes of this section, specified person
a: a shareholder in the company:
b: a director of the company:
c: a person named in a previous disclosure under subsection (5) as having a control interest in shares of the company.
7: If a person fails to comply with subsection (5), he or she commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 373(2). 1988 No 234 ss 34, 35; Corporations Act 2001 ss 672A, 672B (Aust)
365G: Registrar may require disclosure about controllers or delegates of directors
1: The Registrar (or a person authorised by the Registrar) may, by notice given after having regard to the purpose in section 365A, require a specified person to disclose control information in relation to a company.
2: However, the following types of control information need only be disclosed to the extent to which they are known to the specified person:
a: directions or instructions given to any other person:
b: directions or instructions—
i: given to the board that were not provided to the specified person; or
ii: given to the board when the specified person was not a director.
3: A specified person must disclose the information required under subsection (1) in accordance with any specifications under section 365H.
4: If a specified person fails to comply with subsection (3), he or she commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 374(2).
5: For the purposes of this section,— control information
a: any directions or instructions relating to the management and administration of the company given to a specified person ( A B
b: any delegation of powers relating to the management and administration of the company by a specified person to another person specified person
a: a director of the company:
b: a person named in a previous disclosure under subsection (3) concerning that company.
365H: Registrar may specify deadlines, form, and verification for information required under section 365F or 365G
When exercising a power described in section 365F or 365G, the Registrar (or a person authorised by the Registrar) may specify—
a: a particular form in which the information must be provided; and
b: a date by which the information must be provided; and
c: whether the information must be verified by the production of original documents or certified copies of original documents or by a statutory declaration. Other matters relating to Registrar's powers
49: Disclosure of information and reports
1: Section 366(1)
a: omitting purpose purposes
b: inserting , 365F, 365G, or 365H section 365
2: Section 366(1)⁠(g) except in the case of an authorisation under section 365F, 365G, or 365H, any person
3: Section 366
1A: The Registrar or any person authorised by the Registrar may give information disclosed to the Registrar under section 365F or 365G to a government agency for law enforcement purposes if the Registrar is satisfied that the agency has a proper interest in receiving the information.
1B: For the purposes of subsection (1A),— government agency
a: the Crown Law Office:
b: the Department of Internal Affairs:
c: the Financial Markets Authority:
d: the Government Communications Security Bureau:
e: the Inland Revenue Department:
f: the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment:
g: the Ministry of Justice:
h: the New Zealand Customs Service:
i: the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service:
j: the New Zealand Police:
k: the Reserve Bank of New Zealand:
l: the Serious Fraud Office:
m: any international counterpart of the entities in paragraphs (a) to (l) law enforcement purposes
a: the administration of this Act and the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009:
b: the detection, investigation, and prosecution of—
i: any offence under this Act; or
ii: any offence under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009; or
iii: a money laundering offence (within the meaning of section 5 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009); or
iv: any offence under section 143B of the Tax Administration Act 1994; or
v: any serious offence (within the meaning of section 243(1) of the Crimes Act 1961):
c: the enforcement of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1991 or the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009:
d: the enforcement of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975:
e: the enforcement of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002:
f: the administration of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992:
g: the investigation of matters relating to security under the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act 1969:
h: any action referred to in paragraphs (a) to (g) taken in respect of legislation of an overseas jurisdiction that is broadly equivalent to the enactments listed in those paragraphs.
4: Section 366(2) and (3) , 365F, 365G, or 365H section 365
5: Section 366(3)⁠(c) (1) or subsection (2) (1), (1A), (1B), or (2)
50: New sections 366A and 366B inserted
The following sections are inserted after section 366
366A: Registrar's powers to insert note of warning in register
1: The Registrar may, if the Registrar thinks it is appropriate, insert a note of warning in the register in relation to a company in any of the following circumstances:
a: information or documents relating to the company are subject to a requirement made under section 365(1)⁠(caaa)
b: any of the grounds described in section 318(1)⁠(aaa) or (b) to (f) apply to the company.
2: If the Registrar has inserted a note of warning in relation to a company ( company A
366B: Registrar must remove note of warning
The Registrar must remove a note of warning inserted under section 366A
51: Inspector's report admissible in liquidation proceedings
Section 369 , or in relation to a disclosure under section 365F, 365G, or 365H, section 365
52: Exercise of powers under section 365 not affected by appeal
1: The heading to section 371 , 365F, 365G, or 365H section 365
2: Section 371(1) , 365F, 365G, or 365H section 365 Additional power for Registrar or FMA to prohibit persons from managing companies
53: Persons prohibited from managing companies
Section 382(1)
a: a person has been convicted of an offence in connection with the promotion, formation, or management of a company (being an offence that is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than 3 months); or
54: Court may disqualify directors
Section 383(1)
a: a person has been convicted of an offence in connection with the promotion, formation, or management of a company (being an offence that is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than 3 months), or has been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty as defined in section 2(1) of the Crimes Act 1961; or
55: New section 385AA inserted
The following section is inserted after section 385
385AA: Additional power for Registrar or FMA to prohibit persons from managing companies
1: This section applies in relation to a company that has been removed from the New Zealand register on any of the grounds described in section 318(1)⁠(ba), (bb), (bc), or (bd)
2: The Registrar or the FMA may, by notice in writing given to a person, prohibit that person from being a director or promoter of a company, or being concerned in, or taking part (whether directly or indirectly) in the management of a company, during such period not exceeding 10 years after the date of the notice as is specified in the notice. Every notice must be published in the Gazette
3: The power conferred by subsection (2) may be exercised in relation to any person who the Registrar or the FMA is satisfied was, within a period of 5 years before a notice was given to that person under subsection (4) (whether that period commenced before or after the commencement of this section), a director of, or concerned in, or a person who took part in, the management of, a company to which this section applies, unless that person satisfies the Registrar or the FMA—
a: that the acts or omissions of that person were not wholly or partly responsible for the company being a company to which this section applies; or
b: that it would not be just or equitable for the power to be exercised.
4: The Registrar or the FMA must not exercise the power conferred by subsection (2) unless—
a: not less than 10 working days' notice of the fact that the Registrar or the FMA intends to consider the exercise of it is given to the person; and
b: the Registrar or the FMA considers any representations made by the person.
5: No person to whom a notice under subsection (2) applies may be a director or promoter of a company, or be concerned or take part (whether directly or indirectly) in the management of a company.
6: Where a person to whom the Registrar or the FMA has issued a notice under subsection (2) appeals against the issue of the notice under this Act or otherwise seeks judicial review of the notice, the notice remains in full force and effect pending the determination of the appeal or review, as the case may be.
7: The Registrar or the FMA may, by notice in writing to a person to whom a notice under subsection (2) has been given,—
a: revoke that notice; or
b: exempt that person from the notice in relation to a specified company or companies.
8: The Registrar or the FMA must publish a notice under subsection (7) in the Gazette
9: Every person to whom a notice under subsection (2) is given who fails to comply with the notice commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalties set out in section 373(4).
56: Appeals from FMA's exercise of power under section 385
1: The heading to section 385A or section 385AA section 385
2: Section 385A(1) or section 385AA section 385
57: Liability for contravening section 385
1: The heading to section 386 or section 385AA section 385
2: Section 386 section 385 section 385 or 385AA Consequential amendments to principal Act
58: Consequential amendments to principal Act
The principal Act is consequentially amended in the manner indicated in Schedule 2 OIC LI 2014/273 2014-09-01 Companies Act 1993 refer to section 2(2): Section 58 and Schedule 2 comes into force by OIC. See cl 2(1) of the OIC OIC LI 2014/273 2014-09-11 Companies Act 1993 refer to section 2(2): Section 58 and Schedule 2 comes into force by OIC. See cl 2(2) of the OIC OIC LI 2014/273 2015-05-01 Companies Act 1993 refer to section 2(2): Section 58 and Schedule 2 comes into force by OIC. See cl 2(4) of the OIC
59: Section 207R amended
Section 207R
2: If a company fails to comply with subsection (1),—
a: the company commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 373(2); and
b: every director of the company commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 374(2). OIC LI 2014/273 2014-09-11 Companies Act 1993 refer to section 2(2): Section 59 comes into force on a date appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council. See cl 2(3) of the OIC