¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ

All Countries
Share Option Agreement

Share Option Agreement Template for New Zealand

Create a bespoke document in minutes,  or upload and review your own.

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Let's create your Share Option Agreement

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get your first 2 documents free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Key Requirements PROMPT example:

Share Option Agreement

"I need a Share Option Agreement for our New Zealand tech startup to grant options to five senior developers, with a four-year vesting schedule starting March 2025 and special provisions for accelerated vesting in case of a company sale."

Celebrated by
Collaborations with
Investors
Document background
Share Option Agreements are essential instruments used by New Zealand companies to provide individuals, typically employees or contractors, with the right to purchase company shares at a specified price within a defined timeframe. This type of agreement is particularly valuable for businesses looking to align stakeholder interests with company performance, attract top talent, or conserve cash while offering competitive compensation packages. The Share Option Agreement must comply with New Zealand's regulatory framework, including the Companies Act 1993, Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, and relevant tax legislation. It typically includes detailed provisions on option vesting, exercise procedures, adjustments for corporate events, and restrictions on transfer, making it a comprehensive document that protects both the company's and option holders' interests.
Suggested Sections

1. Parties: Identifies the company issuing the options and the option holder(s)

2. Background: Sets out the context of the agreement and the company's intention to grant options

3. Definitions and Interpretation: Defines key terms used throughout the agreement and interpretation rules

4. Grant of Options: Details of the options being granted, including number of shares, class, and exercise price

5. Exercise Period: Specifies when the options can be exercised and their expiry date

6. Vesting Conditions: Details of how and when the options vest

7. Exercise Procedure: Process for exercising options, including notice requirements and payment methods

8. Lapse of Options: Circumstances under which options will lapse or be forfeited

9. Restrictions on Transfer: Limitations on transferring or encumbering the options

10. Adjustments: Provisions for adjusting options in case of corporate events like share splits or consolidations

11. Taxes: Tax obligations and responsibilities related to the options

12. Confidentiality: Obligations to keep the terms of the option agreement confidential

13. General Provisions: Standard contract terms including notices, amendments, governing law

Optional Sections

1. Employment Relationship: Required when options are part of employment compensation, defining relationship between employment and options

2. Change of Control: Provisions for what happens to options in case of company sale or merger

3. Good Leaver/Bad Leaver: Defines treatment of options when option holder leaves employment under different circumstances

4. Shareholder Rights: Details any special rights or restrictions attached to shares once options are exercised

5. Tag-Along/Drag-Along: Include when shareholders' agreement contains these rights

6. Lock-up Period: Required when there are restrictions on selling shares after option exercise

7. Clawback Provisions: Include when company wants right to recoup or cancel options in specific circumstances

8. International Compliance: Required when option holders are in multiple jurisdictions

Suggested Schedules

1. Option Certificate: Formal certificate detailing the option grant

2. Exercise Notice: Template form for exercising options

3. Vesting Schedule: Detailed breakdown of vesting dates and conditions

4. Worked Examples: Examples of how adjustments and calculations work in practice

5. Share Capital Structure: Current structure of company's share capital

6. Deed of Adherence: Form for option holder to join existing shareholders' agreement upon exercise

7. Tax Summary: Summary of tax implications for option holders

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

alex.den.21@genieai.co
Relevant legal definitions











































Clauses

































Relevant Industries

Technology

Professional Services

Financial Services

Healthcare

Manufacturing

Retail

Biotechnology

Software Development

Consulting

E-commerce

Telecommunications

Start-ups

Scale-ups

Education Technology

Clean Technology

Relevant Teams

Legal

Human Resources

Finance

Executive Leadership

Corporate Governance

Compensation & Benefits

Compliance

Tax

Risk Management

Board Secretariat

Relevant Roles

CEO

CFO

HR Director

Legal Counsel

Company Secretary

Board Member

Finance Manager

HR Manager

Compensation Specialist

Employee Benefits Manager

Corporate Lawyer

Equity Compensation Administrator

Risk Manager

Compliance Officer

Tax Manager

Industries








Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Standard Share Purchase Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement detailing terms and conditions for the sale and purchase of company shares, including price, warranties, and completion requirements.

find out more

Letter Of Intent To Buy Shares

A preliminary document under New Zealand law outlining the proposed terms and conditions for a share purchase transaction.

find out more

Business Share Transfer Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement documenting the terms and conditions for transferring business shares between parties, ensuring legal compliance and protecting all stakeholders' interests.

find out more

Stock Buy Back Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement documenting the terms for a company's repurchase of its own shares from existing shareholders.

find out more

Preference Shares Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement establishing the terms and conditions for preference shares issuance, including dividend rights, voting rights, and capital return priorities.

find out more

Letter Of Offer To Purchase Shares

A formal offer document under New Zealand law that initiates the process of purchasing shares from existing shareholders, outlining key terms and conditions of the proposed transaction.

find out more

Simple Stock Transfer Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement for the transfer of company shares between parties, outlining terms, conditions, and compliance requirements under NZ law.

find out more

Simple Stock Purchase Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement for the straightforward transfer of company shares between a seller and purchaser, outlining key terms and conditions of the sale.

find out more

Simple Share Transfer Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement for the transfer of shares between parties, setting out essential terms and conditions of the share transfer transaction.

find out more

Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement granting employees the right to receive payment based on the increase in company value over time, without actual share ownership.

find out more

Short Form Stock Purchase Agreement

A concise agreement under New Zealand law for the sale and purchase of company shares, suitable for straightforward share transfer transactions.

find out more

Stock Lease Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for livestock leasing arrangements, including care requirements and compliance obligations.

find out more

Share Vesting Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement that sets out the terms and schedule for the gradual vesting of company shares to a recipient.

find out more

Simple Share Purchase Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement for the straightforward transfer of company shares between a seller and purchaser.

find out more

Founder Stock Purchase Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement documenting the purchase of company shares by founder(s), establishing share ownership terms and conditions.

find out more

Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement for the purchase of preferred shares, outlining investment terms and shareholder rights.

find out more

Share Cancellation Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement documenting the terms and process for cancelling shares in a company, including consideration, approvals, and regulatory compliance requirements.

find out more

Share Buyout Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement documenting the terms and conditions for the purchase of company shares from existing shareholder(s).

find out more

Share Distribution Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement setting out terms and conditions for the distribution of company shares, ensuring compliance with local securities laws and regulations.

find out more

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement establishing terms for granting Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to employees, including vesting conditions and settlement terms.

find out more

Stock Sale Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement for the sale and transfer of company shares, outlining terms, conditions, and regulatory compliance requirements.

find out more

Stock Option Purchase Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement setting out terms for stock option grants, including exercise rights, vesting conditions, and share purchase terms.

find out more

Letter Of Intent To Sell Shares

A preliminary document under New Zealand law outlining the proposed terms and conditions for a share sale transaction, serving as a framework for negotiation and formal agreement.

find out more

Shares Subscription Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement documenting the terms and conditions for an investor's purchase of newly issued shares in a company.

find out more

Share Issue Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement setting out terms for issuing new company shares to subscribers, including share details, consideration, and completion requirements.

find out more

Share For Share Exchange Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement facilitating the exchange of shares between companies, outlining terms, conditions, and compliance requirements under local law.

find out more

Share Charge Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed security agreement creating a charge over shares, establishing security rights and obligations in compliance with NZ legislation.

find out more

Vested Equity Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement outlining terms for granting and vesting of company equity to individuals, including vesting schedules, conditions, and rights.

find out more

Stock Exchange Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement establishing the regulatory and operational framework for stock exchange operations under NZ financial markets law.

find out more

Stock Buyback Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement setting out terms for a company to repurchase its own shares from existing shareholders, ensuring compliance with local corporate and securities laws.

find out more

Stock Borrowing Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement establishing terms for temporary securities lending between parties, including collateral requirements and fee structures.

find out more

Share Exchange Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement facilitating the exchange of shares between entities, detailing exchange terms and ensuring regulatory compliance.

find out more

Share Swap Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement facilitating the exchange of shares between companies, setting out terms, conditions, and mechanics of the share swap transaction.

find out more

Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement for the purchase of restricted company shares, typically used in employee equity compensation arrangements.

find out more

Stock Repurchase Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement setting out terms for a company to repurchase its own shares from existing shareholders, ensuring compliance with local corporate and financial regulations.

find out more

Employee Stock Option Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement outlining terms and conditions for granting company stock options to employees, including exercise rights, vesting conditions, and regulatory requirements.

find out more

Share Option Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement granting rights to purchase company shares at a predetermined price and time, subject to specified conditions.

find out more

Private Stock Sale Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement for the private sale and transfer of company shares between a seller and purchaser.

find out more

Common Stock Purchase Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement for the sale and purchase of company shares, detailing terms, conditions, and obligations of the transaction.

find out more

Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal

By providing your email address you are consenting to our Privacy Notice.
Thank you for downloading our whitepaper. This should arrive in your inbox shortly. In the meantime, why not jump straight to a section that interests you here: /our-research
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security

You retain IP ownership of your documents

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it

Innovation in privacy:

Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London

Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts

Want to know more?

Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.

Read our Privacy Policy.