The Registrar of Companies

Neville Harris, Registrar of Companies, Deputy Secretary Business Service Branch

Neville Harris was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Operations Branch, Ministry of Economic Development in 1995.  Previous roles included Chief Investigating Solicitor for the Commercial Affairs Division of the Department of Justice, and later the Assistant Secretary for Justice.

Neville is responsible for issues relating to Commissioner of Patents and Trade Marks, Registrar of Companies, Incorporated Societies, Industrial & Provident Societies, Official Assignee for New Zealand Functions.  Neville is also responsible for services relating to the management of the Crown Mineral estate, radio spectrum and the licensing of electrical workers.

Since his most recent appointment, the Business Services Branch has been expanded and renamed to better reflect the nature of its business-oriented services.  The Branch now includes responsibility for the Companies Office, Intellectual Property Office, Insolvency and Trustee Service, Crown Minerals, Insurance and Superannuation Unit, Radio Spectrum Management Group and the Energy Safety Service.

Neville has developed a highly successful strategy for getting the Companies Office online, in the process substantially reducing business compliance costs.  The award winning Companies Office website is recognised as a market leader in successfully encouraging clients to move to using an online service.