An NZBN (New Zealand Business Number) is a unique 13-digit identifier for businesses in New Zealand. It is issued by the Companies Office and helps identify businesses across government agencies and private sector systems.

Is an NZBN the same as a GST number?

No. An NZBN is a business identifier issued by the Companies Office. A GST number is issued by the IRD when you register for GST. They are different numbers and serve different purposes.

Do I need to put my NZBN on my invoices?

An NZBN is not legally required on invoices. However, including it can help your clients identify your business and may be required by some larger organisations.

How do I find my NZBN?

You can look up any NZBN using the New Zealand Business Number register at nzbn.govt.nz. Search by business name or company number to find the NZBN.

What is an NZBN?

The NZBN (New Zealand Business Number) is a unique 13-digit identifier assigned to every registered business in New Zealand. Think of it like a national ID number, but for businesses.

Why Was the NZBN Created?

The NZBN was introduced by the New Zealand government to make it easier for businesses to interact with each other and with government agencies. It provides a single, consistent way to identify any business operating in New Zealand, regardless of their structure (sole trader, partnership, company, trust, etc.).

Who Gets an NZBN?

NZBNs are assigned to:

NZ registered companies - automatically assigned when you register with the Companies Office
Sole traders - can register for an NZBN through the NZBN website
Partnerships - can register voluntarily
Trusts and other entities - can register voluntarily

NZBN Format

9429XXXXXXXXX

13 digits, always starting with 9429 (New Zealand's country prefix)

How to Find Your NZBN

There are several ways to find your NZBN:

NZBN Register - search the public register at nzbn.govt.nz
Companies Office - if you have a registered company, your NZBN appears on your company record
Your registration confirmation - it was included in your original registration documents

Benefits of Using Your NZBN

Credibility - shows your business is legitimate and registered
Easy verification - clients and suppliers can quickly verify your business details
Government interactions - simplifies dealing with government agencies
Business-to-business transactions - makes it easier to set up accounts and relationships with other businesses
International recognition - the NZBN follows the global GS1 standard, making it recognisable internationally

NZBN on Your Invoices

While including your NZBN on invoices is not legally required, it is good practice. It helps your clients identify and verify your business, and it adds a layer of professionalism to your invoices.

Our invoice generator includes an optional NZBN field that displays your business number prominently on the invoice. Simply enter your 13-digit NZBN and it will appear under your business name.

NZBN vs IRD Number vs GST Number

These are often confused, but they serve different purposes:

NZBN

13-digit business identifier. Used for general business identification and verification.

IRD Number

8 or 9-digit number. Used for tax purposes, assigned by Inland Revenue.

GST Number

Same as your IRD number. Used when you are registered for GST, shown on tax invoices.

How to Register for an NZBN

If you have a registered NZ company, you already have one. For sole traders and other entities:

Visit the NZBN website (nzbn.govt.nz)
Sign in with your RealMe account
Complete the registration form with your business details
Your NZBN will be assigned immediately

Registration is free and takes just a few minutes.

Add Your NZBN to Your Invoice

Our free invoice generator includes an NZBN field. Create a professional invoice with your NZBN in minutes.

Create Invoice with NZBN