Budget 2025: Cost of living, families and social support
Cost of living support is targeted in specific areas, expanding some, shrinking others. Families receiving Working for Families support will see a bit extra for their fortnightly groceries. Budget 2025 lifts the Working for Families abatement threshold from $42,700 to $44,900 and the abatement rate from 27% to 27.5%. This is offset against savings from […]
Budget 2025: Health, education and defence
Budget 2025 allocates $6.8b of capital expenditure for hospitals, schools, rail and roads, and defence hardware and infrastructure. In health, just under $6b will fund hospital and specialist services and expand urgent and after-hours healthcare. An $886m education package supports children with additional learning needs, strengthens school attendance, and funds maths intervention teachers and maths […]
Did the dry summer hit hard? Support may be available
Have you seen a drop in income after months of hot, dry weather? On 7 March 2025, the Government officially classified the prolonged dry conditions as a medium-scale adverse event for: Northland, Waikato, King Country, Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui), and Marlborough-Tasman. If you’re in one of these regions and your business has been affected, get in touch […]
What to know before (and after) you borrow
While interest rates may be easing elsewhere, rural lending in New Zealand is a different story. Because of regulatory requirements, agricultural loans often come with tighter conditions and higher interest rates—some reports suggest up to 1.7% more. Lenders also place more emphasis on climate resilience, compliance, and seasonal volatility, while larger farms face increased scrutiny […]
Innovation in farming: What it looks like and how to fund it
Innovation is about working smarter, not harder — adapting to change, improving efficiency, and building long-term resilience. And it looks different on every farm. Sometimes it’s a tweak, other times it’s an overhaul. But it’s always about balancing your budget with your values, short-term costs with long-term gains, and finding what works for you. No […]
Farming for the future: How to stay resilient in a changeable world
From extreme weather to shifting global demand, farmers are facing more uncertainty than ever. The future of farming depends on your ability to adapt, both in the paddock and your business. Here are four challenges shaping the sector right now — and what you can do to stay ahead. 1. Climate resilience is realFeeling the […]
How to keep your people safe when the pressure’s on
‘Farming consists of a never-ending list of tasks and constant reprioritisation. However, we cannot let those challenges contribute to loss of life or injury.’ — WorkSafe NZ Whether you’re managing livestock, packing fruit, pruning vines, or preparing for planting, seasonal pressure doesn’t have to come at the cost of safety. Make health and safety part […]
What the latest OCR cuts mean for SMEs in 2025
On 19 February and 9 April, the Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR). It is now at 3.5%. What does this mean for your business? Simply put, the OCR cut is a positive shift for many SMEs—but smart financial planning is important. Need personalised advice? Get in touch — we’re here to help. […]
Payroll and tax rules: What you need to know right now
1. New income tax brackets are now in full effect Last year’s income tax adjustments are now fully in place for the 2024–25 tax year. That means employees may see slight changes to their take-home pay, impacting payroll calculations. The consequential changes on fringe benefit tax brackets for attributed benefits such as company cars apply […]
Confidence check: Where do you sit on the business barometer?
How are you feeling about your business right now? Are you on solid financial footing, or taking a more cautious approach? Is demand steady, growing, or unpredictable? Business confidence is a key economic indicator, and right now in New Zealand, the latest data paints a mixed picture: Use the current business confidence to your advantage: […]
