Definition
What is Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR)?
The public register of all entities providing financial services in New Zealand, maintained by the Companies Office.
The Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) is established under the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008 (FSP Act). It is the public record of every entity authorised to provide financial services in NZ.
Who must register: anyone providing one of the listed financial services to NZ residents — managers of managed investment schemes, derivatives issuers, financial advisers, brokers, custodians, money-changers, peer-to-peer lenders, crowdfunding platforms, AML/CFT-reporting entities. Registration is mandatory; operating without registration is a criminal offence under s11 of the FSP Act.
What FSPR registration is NOT: it is not an endorsement, recommendation, or quality assurance. The register confirms the entity has met the procedural requirements to operate — including AML/CFT registration and dispute resolution scheme membership — but says nothing about investment quality, returns, or manager competence.
How to check: the public search is at fsp-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz. Search by FSP number (e.g. FSP1581 for Devon Funds Management), entity name, or NZBN. Each listing shows the entity's registered name, contact details, registered services, dispute resolution scheme, and AML/CFT supervisor.
Wholesale Investor NZ posture: every provider profile page links the manager's FSP number to its FSPR entry as a primary-source verification step. Investors can confirm independently that the manager is registered before considering an offer.
Common confusion: FSPR registration is separate from FMA licensing. A MIS manager must be both FSPR-registered AND FMA-licensed under FMCA Part 6. A financial advice provider must be both FSPR-registered AND FMA-licensed. The two registers serve different regulatory purposes.
Cross-jurisdictional issue: historically the FSP Act was abused by overseas-controlled entities registering for credibility without actually providing services in NZ. The FSP Act 2008 was amended in 2014 and 2018 to require a "place of business in NZ" and ongoing local activity, which significantly reduced offshore mis-use.
Related Terms
FMA (Financial Markets Authority)
New Zealand's financial markets regulator responsible for oversight of investment products and services.
Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMCA)
The primary NZ statute governing the offer of financial products, fair dealing in financial markets, and licensing of financial-service providers.
New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)
A unique 13-digit identifier issued to every NZ-registered business entity by the Companies Office.
AML/CFT Act 2009
The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 — applies to all NZ financial service providers regardless of wholesale or retail focus.
Official Resources
Educational Content Disclaimer
This glossary provides general educational information only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Definitions and explanations are simplified for educational purposes and may not cover all aspects or nuances of each term.
Before making any investment decision, you should seek independent advice from appropriately qualified professionals. Wholesale Investor does not recommend or endorse any particular investment, strategy, or fund manager.