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Understanding Ultimate Holding Companies

An ultimate holding company plays a key role in corporate structures, as it exercises control over other companies through board influence, management oversight, and policy direction—usually by holding a majority of shares. This structure allows for efficient decision-making and centralized control over subsidiaries.

Definition of an Ultimate Holding Company

Under Part 12 of the Companies Act, an ultimate holding company is legally defined as:

(a) A holding company of another company, meaning it has direct or indirect control over it.

(b) Not a subsidiary of any other corporate entity, meaning it sits at the top of the corporate hierarchy.

This means an ultimate holding company is the highest-level entity in a corporate structure, with no parent company above it.

Overseas Ultimate Holding Companies

Under Part 18 of the Companies Act, overseas companies can register with the New Zealand Companies Office to conduct business locally. This allows international corporations to establish a presence in New Zealand, either by setting up subsidiaries or acquiring existing local companies.

Links

  1. Ultimate Holding Companies - New Zealand Companies Office
  2. Companies Act 1993 - Ultimate Holding Company Definition
  3. Companies Act 1993 - Part 18 (Overseas Companies)