Applying to restore a limited partnership to the register

If your limited partnership has been removed from the Limited Partnerships Register you can apply online to reinstate it. When you apply you must include evidence that supports your reason for applying for restoration. It can take several weeks but there is no fee for applying.

Completing your application

To apply for restoration, the general partner, limited partner, liquidator, receiver or creditor of the limited partnership will need to complete, and upload, the following form:

Form LP7 — Application for restoration of a limited partnership PDF, 170 KB opens in a new window

You'll need to provide the following information:

the name of the limited partnership and NZBN number
the full name and address of the applicant
the reasons for restoration
the full name, postal address, email address and phone number of the presenter.

The form must be signed by the applicant and must also be accompanied by:

any outstanding annual returns (if applicable)
evidence to support your grounds for restoration.

When outstanding annual returns need to be filed

If the application is being made by a general or limited partner, and the limited partnership has outstanding annual returns, the general partner must ensure that any outstanding annual return(s) are filed before the limited partnership can be restored to the register.

If the application is being made by a creditor, liquidator or receiver, the applicant needs only to complete the restoration application form, as they don't have the authority to file the annual returns.

Evidence to support grounds for restoration

Whatever the argument for restoration, you will need to submit documentation to support your application.

Here are some examples to help you gather documents that we'll accept.

Evidence to show that the limited partnership was in business

Examples of these might include:

A bank statement showing business-related entries — a statement showing only bank fees is not acceptable.
An invoice to, or from, the limited partnership.
A local authority or utility bill.
A receipt for rent.
A copy of a current land title search showing that the limited partnership owns land.

Evidence that there were no grounds for removal

Before your limited partnership was removed, you would have received written notice from us confirming that your limited partnership was to be removed from the register, and the reason for its removal under section 318 of the Companies Act 1993.

If you're applying because you believe it should not have been removed, you will need to provide evidence to support your application. This evidence must be in writing and confirm the following:

That at the time of removal the limited partnership had a general partner living in New Zealand, or Australia and that he was the director of an Australian company
That at the time of removal the limited partnership had responded to the requirement made under section 78(2)(aaa) or (a) of the Limited Partnerships Act 2008
That at the time of removal the limited partnership, or one or more of its general partners, had responded to a requirement made in relation to the limited partnership, or another limited partnership under section 78F, 78G, or 78H of the Limited Partnerships Act 2008
That at the time of removal the limited partnership, or one or more of its general partners had confirmed that they had provided accurate information, or that the inaccurate information had been provided unintentionally
That at the time of removal the limited partnership, or one or more of its general partners had confirmed that there was no persistent failure to comply with duties relating to the Limited Partnerships Act 2008.

Evidence that the limited partnership was party to legal proceedings

If you’ve chosen this reason for applying to restore your limited partnership, you will need to provide a copy of the first page of the court document that:

identifies the court where the proceedings were held
states the number allocated by the court, and
shows that, at the date of your company’s removal, the company was named as a party to the proceedings.

Evidence that the limited partnership was in receivership or liquidation

You will need to provide confirmation that the receiver or liquidator was appointed before the limited partnership was removed. This situation usually arises if the limited partnership is removed before the Registrar has been notified of the appointment.

How to upload your application

You need to have an online account

To apply to restore a limited partnership to the register you must have:

a RealMe login
an online services account with the Limited Partnerships Registers.

RealMe logins and setting up your online services account

Step by step

Use the 'Lodge Other Documents' service to lodge your restoration application and supporting documents.

Log in to your online services account.
On the dashboard, either —
- Select the limited partnership you wish to restore from your 'My Businesses' list or
- Use the 'Search Business' option to search for the limited partnership.
From the menu, select 'Maintain Limited Partnership' and choose 'Lodge Other Documents'.
Select 'Application for Restoration of a Limited Partnership' from the list of document types.
Upload your restoration application as the 'Document'.
If you have additional documents to submit (such as an outstanding annual return), please use the 'Supporting Documents' option within the 'Lodge Other Documents' upload service. If more than one document is required, please combine the documents and upload them together.
Click 'Submit'.

What happens next

We will give public notice of our intention to restore a limited partnership

If your application is accepted, we must give public notice that we intend to restore your limited partnership to the register. Anyone can object, provided that they do so within 20 working days.

Every 2 weeks we place notices in:

New Zealand Gazette , and
the public notices section of our website.

Wait 20 working days to allow for any objections

If no objection to the restoration is received within the time period, the limited partnership will be restored to the register as soon as possible after the objection period has expired (generally restoration occurs the next working day).

If an objection is received to the restoration, the limited partnership cannot be restored. At this point, the applicant could consider applying to the High Court for an order to restore the limited partnership to the register.

Name change may be needed

If, during the time a limited partnership is off the register, another limited partnership or overseas limited partnership or company is registered under an identical or almost identical name, the applicant for restoration will have to change the name of the limited partnership immediately upon restoration.

We will contact you if a change of name is necessary.

If the limited partnership was removed from the register due to liquidation

The limited partnership can be restored by making an application to the High Court with the consent of the liquidator.

The liquidator's final report would need to be cancelled, and the liquidation re-opened, in order for the matter to be dealt with. Without this step, there would be no-one empowered to act for the limited partnership. If the liquidator does not give consent, the applicant would have to request the High Court to appoint a replacement who was willing to act.

If such an application is under consideration, you should write to us setting out the circumstances for review.

All help topics

Getting started on the register 5 guides

About limited partnerships, the roles and responsibilities of general and limited partners, and how to set up your online services account.

Searching the Limited Partnerships Registers 2 guides

Find out how to search the registers for information about New Zealand and overseas limited partnerships, and their current status.

About limited partnerships 6 guides

Limited partnerships are registered under the Limited Partnerships Act 2008. The registers of limited partnerships and overseas limited partnerships are administered by the NZ Companies Office.

Registering a limited partnership 3 guides

To register a limited partnership you must complete the application process and pay the registration fee.

Keeping limited partnership details up to date 9 guides

Once you've registered your limited partnership, you'll need to maintain the registration by filing annual returns and keeping partnership name, partner and address details up to date.

Deregistering a limited partnership 4 guides

If a limited partnership is terminated, or you ask for it to be deregistered, you must notify us so it can be removed from the register. The Registrar can also choose to deregister limited partnerships.

Restoring a limited partnership 3 guides

You can apply to the Registrar to have your limited partnership restored to the register. You'll need to provide evidence to support your application.

Forms and fees for limited partnerships (NZ) 3 guides

Forms you'll need to register your limited partnership or keep details up to date, and a schedule of fees payable.

Managing your online account 7 guides

Your online services account allows you to update and manage personal and organisation information from your online dashboard.

Overseas limited partnerships 10 guides

Overseas limited partnerships must apply to register within 10 working days of commencing business in New Zealand, and must meet annual filing requirements to remain registered.

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