Source: CompanyData.com
Small Country, Big Growth – Amsterdam, September 22, 2025 – New Zealand is seeing a surge in foreign-owned companies. Recent data from CompanyData.com shows strong growth. From 5,060 in 2015 to 9,583 in 2025: an 89.4% increase. This sharp rise highlights New Zealand’s growing role as a strategic hub for the region.
New Zealand’s reputation as a stable, well-regulated, and business-friendly economy has made it a magnet for international companies. The country’s trusted legal framework, digital-first business registers, and strong Asia-Pacific trade links have positioned it as an attractive destination for foreign-owned companies. Key contributors to this growth include firms from Australia, United States, and UK.
Australia remains the leading source
Australia remains the leading source of foreign-owned companies in New Zealand, growing from 2,417 in 2015 to 5,257 in 2025 – an increase of 117.5%. This leadership is driven by close economic integration and geographic proximity.
Strong growth from France
Another country showing remarkable growth is France. The number of companies increased from 103 in 2015 to 222 in 2025, a rise of 115.5%. This trend is mirrored by a major investment step between the two countries: in August 2025, French dairy group Lactalis agreed to acquire Fonterra’s consumer and associated businesses for NZ$3.845 billion – including iconic brands such as Anchor, Mainland, Kapiti and Anlene – pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, according to Reuters.
Top 10 countries of origin (2025)
|
Country of origin |
Companies |
|
Australia |
5,257 |
|
United States of America |
1,196 |
|
England |
429 |
|
Japan |
353 |
|
Singapore |
343 |
|
Germany |
280 |
|
France |
222 |
|
Switzerland |
215 |
|
Canada |
124 |
|
Netherlands |
122 |
Industries leading the charge
Foreign-owned companies in New Zealand span a diverse range of sectors. The top industries by number of companies are Holding companies (828), Software & IT services (215) and Motor vehicle parts (213).
Top 10 industries (2025)
|
Industry |
Companies |
|
Holding companies |
828 |
|
Software & IT services |
215 |
|
Motor vehicle parts |
213 |
|
Business services |
185 |
|
Engineering services |
176 |
|
Industrial Machinery And Equipment |
175 |
|
Insurance Agents, Brokers, And Service |
171 |
|
Industrial Supplies |
146 |
|
Electronic Parts And Equipment |
142 |
|
Management Services |
134 |
Foreign-owned companies are a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economy. Together, they generate an estimated NZD 96.0 billion in annual revenue, equal to nearly 23.2% of the nation’s GDP. Beyond their financial weight, these firms provide employment for more than 432,879 people across the country. This underlines the essential role international businesses play in both driving economic output and sustaining jobs nationwide.
About CompanyData.com
CompanyData.com (formerly BoldData) is a global company data provider headquartered in the Netherlands, with offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dubai. Since 2013, we’ve supported over 5,000 clients in 81 countries with verified, structured company data. We specialize in custom-built datasets with legal entity data, company hierarchies, contact data and B2B email data. Our mission is to make global company data simple, transparent and truly useful. Visit our new website at www.companydata.com
