NZBN Register

Goal

Query live public NZBN Register business/entity data through a small deterministic Python CLI with human-readable and JSON output.

Use this when

• A user asks to find an NZ business/entity by name
• A user has a 13-digit NZBN and wants public register details
• A workflow needs machine-readable NZBN, entity status, entity type, trading names, Companies Office source id, public addresses, websites, or contact fields published on the register
• A user needs an official NZ business identifier before checking other sources

Do not use this for

• Authenticated MyNZBN actions, authority management, watchlists, or profile edits
• Private/suppressed register data
• Bulk scraping, full-register replication, or enrichment at high volume
• Mutating NZBN records or contacting businesses automatically
• Treating live register output as legal advice

Preferred workflow

1. Run scripts/cli.py search with the narrowest business name/query that answers the task
2. Select the likely nzbn from results, then run lookup <nzbn> for exact public details
3. Use --json for agent chaining, comparisons, or structured reports
4. Cite the NZBN and source-register id/date fields when reporting findings
5. If multiple similar names appear, show candidates and avoid overclaiming identity

CLI

Run with:

python3 skills/nzbn-register/scripts/cli.py <command> [flags]

Commands

• search <query> [--limit N] [--page N] [--json] — search NZBN entities by business/entity name or NZBN text
• lookup <nzbn> [--json] [--raw] — fetch exact public details for a 13-digit NZBN

Examples:

python3 skills/nzbn-register/scripts/cli.py search "the warehouse" --limit 5
python3 skills/nzbn-register/scripts/cli.py search "the warehouse" --limit 5 --json
python3 skills/nzbn-register/scripts/cli.py lookup 9429000023795 --json
python3 skills/nzbn-register/scripts/cli.py lookup 9429000023795 --raw --json

Resources

• CLI entrypoint: scripts/cli.py
• Live smoke test: scripts/smoke_test.py
• API and stability notes: references/api-notes.md

Notes

• No API key, OAuth token, username, password, cookie, or browser automation is required for the supported read-only commands
• The official API gateway (api.business.govt.nz/gateway/nzbn/v5) requires a subscription key when called directly; this skill uses the public NZBN website proxy used by the register UI
• Treat records as live public register snapshots; entity details can change
• Keep queries small and respectful