The Companies (Address Information) Amendment Bill, sponsored by Labour’s Deborah Russell, replicates the purpose of Trask’s own members’ bill, the Companies (Non-publication of Directors’ Residential Addresses) Amendment Bill, which was originally lodged by ACT’s Brooke van Velden in 2021.
Both bills provide an option for company directors to leave their residential address off the Companies Office’s register.
ACT has long argued the rule requiring company directors to share their home address is unjustified and creates risks of harassment and even physical danger, says ACT MP Laura Trask.
The Post recently reported a case where a director felt forced to break the law to avoid having her address listed, because the legal option – getting a protection order – would have involved cost, delay, and potentially even coming face to face with the man harassing her. That shows why a law change is sorely needed.
‘As a former company director myself, it was seriously concerning to know I could be tracked down at home by any customer or contractor with a grievance, at any time of the day or night,’ said Traks.
‘I’d like to congratulate Deborah Russell for her advocacy on this issue. Cross-party support between ACT and Labour is a strong sign the bill will be approved by Parliament.
‘Now that she’s had her bill drawn, she’s got the opportunity to submit another one. My colleagues are hopeful she’ll again replicate one of ACT’s great initiatives. Perhaps Cameron Luxton’s bill to ease Easter Trading restrictions, or Simon Court’s bill to let Kiwi companies purchase overseas carbon credits, or Mark Cameron’s bill to introduce electronic monitoring for serious young repeat offenders.’
Many companies are run from residential addresses. It seems a little odd that further redaction of company director details should be such a high priority to all those in parliament. This actually smacks of nepotism. Considering that some local body councils can redact properties’ owners names this would appear to be a parallel obfuscation. Setting up a company in New Zealand is, apparently, incredibly easy in comparison with other countries, with little or no certification as to directors’ status, background or sources of finance a requirement for registry with the companies office. Very often a company will liquidate when faced with fines or court action. We have situations such as this convoluted story occurring: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/lady-deborah-holmes-unleashes-at-range-rover-servicing-nightmare-after-ruined-engine-600-taxi-ride/LMK427N6WZHP7GSKMQINZEEGQ4/
A residential address maybe not a top requirement as a public resource via the Companies Register, however more transparency and redress without resorting to expensive court action should be built into the Companies act as there are far too many legal loopholes enabling rogue operators, counterfeiters etc.
“We need to protect people’s privacy!”
As they listen in on your calls, read your texts, fill your computer with spyware and photograph your car from one of Auckland’s 14 trillion traffic cameras.
Unquazzy, u never (well, almost 😉 disappoint. ‘THEY’ (the globalist elite who bribe govt and unelected bureaucrats) have managed to change the troop, same shit-show.
Where is Winnie?