By Webfit News Desk

New Zealand’s Companies Office has published details of four individuals who have been prohibited from acting as company directors, or being involved in the promotion or management of companies, for six years or more.

The prohibitions were imposed in March 2026 under section 385 of the Companies Act 1993, after the Registrar of Companies was satisfied that mismanagement had contributed to company failures. According to the Companies Office, the provision is designed to protect the public, creditors, and the wider integrity of New Zealand’s company regime.

The latest list includes individuals connected to companies in roofing, scaffolding, horticulture labour supply, and tiling. Three of the cases relate to construction-related businesses, a sector where company failures can leave subcontractors, suppliers, workers, Inland Revenue, and customers exposed.

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What The Companies Office Has Announced

The Companies Office says section 385 allows the Registrar to prohibit a person from being a director or taking part in company management where they were involved in running a company that failed, and where their management contributed to that failure.

This is not simply a punishment after the event. The Companies Office describes the power as “protective” and “forward-looking”. In plain English, it is meant to stop people who have mismanaged failed companies from quickly returning to run another company and potentially causing fresh losses.

The advisory says prohibition notices are published in the New Zealand Gazette. A person’s prohibited status can also be checked through the Companies Register, including the “Search for a banned director” tool.

The Four Prohibitions Listed

The Companies Office has listed the following prohibitions of six years or more:

Glen Green has been prohibited for six years from 24 March 2026. The case relates to Innovative Roofing Limited, which has been removed. The Companies Office summary refers to governance and financial management shortcomings, along with creditor losses.

Marcus Raymond Kennerley has been prohibited for six years from 12 March 2026. The case relates to Scaffold Alchemy Limited, which is in liquidation. The Companies Office says the business traded while under financial distress and Inland Revenue was left unpaid.

Amandeep Singh has been prohibited for six years from 26 March 2026. The case relates to Gill Brothers Enterprises Limited, which has been removed. The company operated in labour supply for horticulture, and the advisory says liquidation followed Inland Revenue action over unpaid obligations.

Joel Harry Wiki has received the longest prohibition on the list, eight years from 30 March 2026. The case relates to Eminence Tiling Limited, which has been removed. The Companies Office says the liquidation was initiated by Inland Revenue and there were no creditor distributions.

Why Director Bans Matter

For many people, company failure sounds like a private business issue. But when a company collapses, the impact often spreads far beyond the directors and shareholders.

Creditors may be left unpaid. Workers may lose wages or entitlements. Small suppliers may never recover money owed. Inland Revenue losses affect public revenue. Customers may be left with unfinished work or no practical remedy.

This is why director conduct matters.

A limited liability company gives business owners protection, but that protection comes with responsibilities. Directors are expected to keep proper oversight of company finances, avoid reckless trading, meet tax obligations, and make decisions in the best interests of the company.

When those standards are not met, especially where failed companies leave losses behind, the Registrar has powers to step in.

How The Length Of A Ban Is Decided

The Companies Office says the length of a prohibition is determined by the Registrar after considering the circumstances of each case. Factors may include the nature and extent of the mismanagement, any pattern of non-compliance, and the person’s overall conduct in relation to the failed company or companies.

That distinction is important. Not every failed business leads to a director ban. Businesses can fail for many reasons, including market conditions, rising costs, poor demand, or unexpected disruption.

A prohibition under section 385 is different. It indicates that the Registrar was satisfied that management conduct contributed to the failure, and that public protection required a formal ban.

Construction Sector Under The Spotlight

The latest list is notable because three of the four cases involve construction-related businesses: roofing, scaffolding, and tiling.

Construction is a high-risk sector for company failures because projects often rely on tight cash flow, subcontractors, progress payments, material costs, and tax compliance. When management discipline slips, the damage can spread quickly through the supply chain.

Small subcontractors are often the most vulnerable. They may continue supplying labour or materials while a company is already under financial stress, only to discover later that they will receive little or nothing from liquidation.

This is where transparency matters. Public access to director prohibition information allows businesses, suppliers, lenders, and customers to make more informed decisions before entering into commercial relationships.

A Reminder For Business Owners

For directors, the message is clear: a company is not just a trading name, a GST number, and a bank account. It is a legal structure with serious obligations.

Directors need to know whether the company can meet its debts when they fall due. They need to understand tax obligations. They need to keep records. They need to act early when a business is under pressure.

Waiting too long can turn a business problem into a governance problem.

The Companies Office, which is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, says its business registries function is designed to help businesses operate easily, ensure transparency, and prevent the abuse of corporate structures.

Webfit News Perspective

This is not just a technical notice for accountants and insolvency specialists. It is a public interest issue.

New Zealand encourages entrepreneurship, and rightly so. People should be able to start businesses, take risks, employ staff, and contribute to the economy. But business confidence depends on trust. Suppliers need confidence that directors will act responsibly. Workers need confidence that obligations will be met. Customers need confidence that the company behind a service is being managed properly.

Director prohibitions are one way the system draws a line. They tell the public that limited liability is not a free pass for poor management.

The real lesson is simple: business failure can happen, but mismanagement has consequences.

References

Source: Companies Office / Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment media advisory, 25 May 2026.
Companies Register: Search for banned directors.