Employer Hub: Payroll and HR Advice for NZ

Public holidays under the Employment Leave Bill: a clearer test and a few changes

Otherwise working days are where public holiday pay goes wrong. The Employment Leave Act 2026 brings a clearer test. What changes for employers.

How annual and sick leave will accrue under the Employment Leave Bill

Under the Employment Leave Act 2026, leave is earned by the hour from day one, with no waiting period. How accrual works and what changes for employers.

Standard, additional and casual hours: your framework for accrual and payments

Under the Employment Leave Act 2026, the hours an employee works decide how they accrue leave and how they are paid. Standard, additional and casual.

Leave payments under the Employment Leave Bill: one rate to rule them all

The Holidays Act relies on four leave calculations. The Employment Leave Act 2026 replaces them with a single hourly rate. What it means for payroll.

Hiring workers from overseas

Hiring workers from overseas? As an employer, there are a few important steps to take before you welcome your new team member.

The hidden costs of doing payroll manually

Spreadsheets and manual timesheets cost more than the hours they take. The errors, rework and compliance risk add up faster than most employers think.

Why your payroll and your payments should be the same process

Running payroll in one system and payments in another means double handling and a second chance to get it wrong. Why integrated payments are safer.

Why using a PAYE intermediary is one of the best things you can do for your business

Holding PAYE until the due date feels like cashflow, but it is money you already owe. How a PAYE intermediary removes the temptation and the risk.

How to talk about pay with your employees

With a bit of preparation and the right approach, you can handle pay discussions confidently and fairly.

How to give feedback to employees

For many small-business employers, giving feedback to employees is one of the trickiest parts of the job.

KiwiSaver Changes FAQs

Employer KiwiSaver contributions rose to 3.5% on 1 April 2026 and reach 4% in 2028. Answers to the questions NZ employers are asking about the changes.

KiwiSaver changes and total remuneration: What you need to know

If you use inclusive (total remuneration) pay rates, this article is for you.

What's changing on 1 April, and what you need to do

From 1 April 2026 the adult minimum wage is $23.95 and KiwiSaver employer contributions rise to 3.5%. A checklist of what to change in your payroll.

Hiring an Apprentice in NZ: Wages, Costs and Employer Obligations

This guide covers everything you need to know about employing an apprentice, from the paperwork to the pay, and how to set both of you up for success.

Rights, Responsibilities, and Employment Agreements

Hiring your first employee in NZ means a written employment agreement, minimum entitlements and IR registration. What you legally have to get right.

Getting the basics sorted

Getting started as a first-time employer

The Power of No

Why saying yes to everything and everyone might be killing your business

Cybersecurity: Together we've got it covered

Running a small business means wearing many hats – and cybersecurity is one of them. But don't worry, you're not in it alone.

Unlocking the hidden potential of payroll giving

Support community initiatives while boosting employee engagement.

Employee or Contractor NZ? How to Tell the Difference

Whether someone is an employee or a contractor in NZ comes down to control, integration and independence, not what the contract calls them.

Paying Contractors: Getting it right with withholding tax

An uncomplicated guide to getting contractor payments right.

Understanding Minimum Wage Requirements

Tips here to help you out with minimum wage requirements. UPDATED 23 February 2026

Casual Employment Arrangements

Understanding casual entitlements and how to use them correctly

Contracted hours, availability clauses and shift cancellations

Understanding Minimum Working Hours

April 2025 Tax Changes

Archived: the payroll and tax changes that took effect on 1 April 2025. For the current year, see our guide to the 1 April 2026 changes.

Top 8 Tips for Building a Successful Team

Wise words from Alando Soakai, Head Coach of the Wellington Lions

Parental Leave Rules

A parental leave rule that catches out even experienced employers, and what it means for how you calculate leave and pay when staff return.

Preparing for your financial future

Part 4 in our Money Month Series: Preparing for your financial future

Managing your Debt

Part 2 in our Money Month Series: Managing your Debt

How you can take control of your finances

Part 3 in our Money Month Series: How you can take control

Navigating through the Tough Times

Part 1 in our Money Month Series: Navigating through the Tough Times

July 2024 Tax Changes

Archived: the personal income tax threshold changes that took effect on 31 July 2024 and what they meant for NZ payroll.

Talking Tax Rates, Bills and Refunds

How on earth do they work?

Preparing for Moving Day

A Payroll Guide for Farming Business

End of the Financial Year

Tax changes, reporting, and Easter

90 day trial periods are back for all employers (again)

A Summary of the 90-Day Trial

Phishing Safety

Staying Safe in an Interconnected World

Tips for Small Businesses

Doing business over the Easter or ANZAC holidays

When to open or shut up shop over Easter and ANZAC day

Parental Leave - Returning to work

When an employee comes back from parental leave, their role, pay and leave balances all need handling correctly. What NZ employers must do.

Parental Leave - During Parental Leave

Keeping in touch days, cover arrangements and what an employee on parental leave is still entitled to. A guide for NZ employers.

Parental Leave - When employees are expecting

What to do when an employee tells you they are expecting: notice periods, eligibility for paid parental leave, and the paperwork you need to complete.

Parental Leave - Entitlements when returning to work

Leave accrued during parental leave is paid differently from ordinary annual leave, which catches employers out. Entitlements on return, explained.

Parental Leave - Protections

An employee on parental leave has a right to return to their job, or a comparable one. What job protection means for NZ employers in practice.

Parental Leave - Entitlements

Employee parental leave entitlements.

Parental Leave - Common Errors

The parental leave errors NZ employers make most often, from notice periods and leave accrual to getting the return-to-work pay calculation wrong.

Did you get payroll right over the holiday season?

Public holiday pay, closedown periods and annual leave over Christmas trip up more NZ employers than any other pay run. What to check before December.

Password Safety

Tips to stay safe online with Declan from TrustHound

Patching

What is it, and are you really safe online?