Major changes to KiwiSaver were announced in Budget 2025. Some of these changes have now come into effect, so it’s important to check that you’re complying with the new rules. Let’s look at what KiwiSaver is and the impact of the recently changed rules. What is KiwiSaver? The KiwiSaver voluntary savings scheme is aimed at helping New Zealand workers save for retirement or buy a first house. But with the rising cost of living, action was needed to make KiwiSaver fit for purpose and more fiscally sustainable as a savings scheme. Changes to the KiwiSaver rules How will the changes to KiwiSaver affect your employees and your small business? Here’s a brief rundown of the changes that are already in effect, those that came into effect in April 2026 and those that will hit in April 2028. Legislation that’s already in effect: If an employee is aged 16 or 17, they qualify for government contributions, so long as they meet other eligibility requirements. From 1 July 2025, the government will contribute 25 cents for each dollar your employee contributes to KiwiSaver each year, with the maximum government contribution being $260.72. If they earn more than $180,000 of taxable income a year, your employee does not qualify for the government contribution. Legislation that came into effect in April 2026: For employees: If an employee is contributing at the default rate of 3%, this will automatically rise to 3.5% for both the employee’s contribution and your employer’s contribution. As an employer, you will deduct 3.5% from 1 April (unless your employee applies for a temporary rate reduction). The new rate will affect all pay days from 1 April. So even if your employee’s pay period covers before and after 1 April, the whole contribution for that pay period will be deducted at the new rate. If an employee is contributing more than 3% already, their contributions will not change. However, if your contribution as an employer is 3%, this will rise to 3.5%. For employees aged 16 or 17: Younger employees will qualify for employer KiwiSaver contributions of 3.5% of their pay from 1 April 2026, so long as they meet other eligibility requirements. If an employee is an existing KiwiSaver member, as their employer, you will start making contributions automatically. The employee doesn’t need to do anything. Temporary rate reduction: A temporary rate reduction is available for people who want to carry on contributing at 3% from 1 April 2026. Employees can apply for a temporary rate reduction for between 3 and 12 months. Their contributions will be reset to the default rate after 12 months. They can apply for the rate reduction as many times as they like. As their employer, you can choose to match their temporary rate reduction. Once they move from the temporary rate to a higher rate, as their employer, you’ll be notified. If you’re an employer: You will need to: Ensure your payroll settings are updated to apply the default employee and employer contribution rates of 3.5%. Make employer contributions for your 16- and 17-year-old employees who are existing KiwiSaver members or join through a provider. Process any temporary rate reduction letters your employees give you. Legislation that will come into effect in April 2028: From April 2028, the default KiwiSaver contribution rate will rise again to 4% (from 3.5%) for you and your employees. Helping you comply with the KiwiSaver changes: These amendments to KiwiSaver could have a significant impact for your small business. Increased employer contributions will increase your payroll costs and stretch your cashflow, as will making contributions for younger workers in the 16 to 17-year-old age bracket. It’s important for your payroll software and processes to be updated, ensuring that you’re making the correct contributions for the right people, at the right rates. Come and talk to the team about complying with the KiwiSaver changes. 

Say goodbye to tab-jumping and constant back-button clicking. Xero’s Quick View panel is here to make bill management significantly faster. With split-screen editing, you can now review, edit, and approve bills without ever losing sight of your main list. How to Use Quick View for Bills: 1. Under Purchases, select Bills 2. Click the View (eye) icon next to any bill to slide open the split-screen panel. 3. Within the Quick View panel, you can: Approve bills quickly with Approve & Next or arrow buttons Edit bill details and line items instantly Check attachments - View the source invoice alongside the data entry. Update supplier info or adjust payment dates Resize the panel or show/hide columns to suit your workflow Next time you’re working through your payables, use Quick View to speed up your workflow and complete your bill processing in record time.

With ongoing fuel price pressures affecting many New Zealand businesses, managing vehicle-related costs is becoming an increasingly important part of protecting your bottom line. Whether you operate a fleet or simply rely on day-to-day travel, small changes can make a meaningful difference over time, both in cost savings and overall efficiency. Simple Ways to Reduce Fuel Costs: Drive smoothly and consistently: Rapid acceleration and hard braking use more fuel than most people realise. A smoother driving style, including gentle acceleration, anticipating traffic, and maintaining steady speeds, can significantly improve efficiency. Ease off the speed slightly: Higher speeds increase fuel consumption. Even a small reduction in speed on open roads can lead to noticeable savings over time. Lighten the load: Carrying unnecessary weight or using roof racks when they’re not needed increases fuel use. Keeping vehicles as light and streamlined as possible helps improve efficiency. Avoid unnecessary idling: Leaving vehicles running while stationary wastes fuel. Turning the engine off when parked or waiting (where safe to do so) can reduce unnecessary spend. Check tyre pressure regularly: Under-inflated tyres create more resistance, meaning the engine has to work harder. Keeping tyres properly inflated is a simple way to improve fuel economy. Stay on top of maintenance: Well-maintained vehicles run more efficiently. Regular servicing, oil changes, and wheel alignment can help reduce fuel consumption and prevent larger costs down the track. Plan ahead where possible: Short trips and unplanned travel can use more fuel. Combining errands and planning routes can help reduce overall fuel usage. While each of these changes may seem small on their own, applied consistently across a business they can add up to meaningful savings over the course of a year. A quick reminder:  If fuel and travel costs are becoming a larger part of your expenses, it may be worth reviewing how these are tracked and managed. We can help you: Identify trends in vehicle-related costs Review expense categories and claims Find opportunities to improve efficiency across your operations If you’d like to talk through ways to better manage your business costs, feel free to get in touch with our team on 04 970 1182.

The start of a new financial year is an important milestone for businesses and individuals alike. It marks the close of one chapter and the beginning of another - providing a fresh opportunity to refocus on your financial goals, strengthen your planning, and set the tone for the year ahead. While much of the attention around the financial year focuses on completing tax returns and finalising accounts, the beginning of a new financial year is equally important. It’s the ideal time to review your financial position and start the year with a clear strategy in place. A Fresh Start for Your Finances The new financial year offers a clean slate. It’s an opportunity to assess what worked well over the past year and consider where improvements can be made. Whether it’s refining your budgeting processes, improving cash flow management, or reviewing your business structure, small adjustments early in the year can have a significant impact over time. Set the Direction for the Year Ahead Starting the year with clear financial goals can help guide your decisions and keep your business moving in the right direction. This may involve planning for growth, managing costs more effectively, investing in new opportunities, or building stronger financial reserves. Taking the time to outline your priorities now can help ensure your financial decisions throughout the year align with your long-term objectives. Stay Ahead of Changes Each financial year can bring updates to tax rules, reporting requirements, and employment obligations. Staying informed about these changes helps ensure you remain compliant and prepared. Our team closely monitors any developments that may affect you or your business and will continue to share relevant updates and guidance throughout the year. Working Together in the 2026-2027 Financial Year Ahead  As your accountant, we’re here to support you throughout the financial year, not just at year-end. Regular communication and proactive planning can help ensure you stay on track, remain compliant, and make informed financial decisions as your business grows and evolves. If there are any changes in your business, upcoming plans, or financial goals you would like to discuss, we encourage you to reach out to our team. The earlier we understand your plans, the better we can help you plan effectively and identify opportunities along the way.

Did you know you don’t have to manually calculate due dates for each invoice? Here’s an easy Xero tip that many users overlook, but once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. When you’re entering a due date on an invoice, you don’t need to stop and calculate the exact date based on your payment terms. Instead, Xero allows you to use quick shorthand to do the work for you. Simply type shortcuts like “+7” , “+14” , or “+30” into the Due Date field, and Xero will automatically convert that into the correct calendar date. This is especially helpful if you work with different payment terms for different suppliers or if you’re batching a large number of invoices at once

View our April 2026 General Ledger: - Planning for Success in the New Financial Year - 2026 Annual Accounts Questionnaires - Making Every Litre Count: Practical Fuel-Saving Tips for Your Business - Are You up to Speed With the Recent Changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT)? - Xero Tip of the Month: Save Time With Xero’s Invoice Due Date Shortcuts - Tax Question of the Month: Case Study - Simplifying Tax in the 2026/27 Financial Year - IRD Upcoming Tax Payment Dates https://public2.bomamarketing.com/email/MQDQ 

Running a trade business is rewarding, but it comes with its own set of challenges. From juggling multiple jobs to managing staff, materials, and client expectations, keeping your finances in check can easily take a back seat.  That’s where we come in. At AAF, we specialise in helping tradies take control of their finances and grow their business with confidence. We know the trade industry inside out, so we understand what matters most to you. Here’s how we help tradies thrive: Cash Flow & Profit Tracking - Know exactly where your money is going and keep your profits healthy. Tax & Compliance Made Simple - Stay on top of obligations without the stress. Smart Business Planning - Plan for growth, new equipment, or additional staff with confidence. Time-Saving Tools & Advice - Get systems in place that free up your time for the work you love. Friendly, Practical Support - Jargon-free advice whenever you need it. Whether you’re a builder, plumber, painter, or any other trade professional, we help you spend less time on paperwork and more time on the tools, while making sure your business is financially solid. Talk to us today and discover how your trade business can work smarter, grow faster, and remain profitable.

Positive cashflow is the heartbeat of any successful business - but with rising costs and unpredictable revenue, keeping on top of it can be challenging. That’s where cashflow forecasting comes in. By projecting your cash inflows and outflows into the future, you can: Spot potential cashflow gaps before they happen Plan costs and stick to your budgets Make informed decisions about reinvesting in your business The result? No more "end-of-month" surprises. A robust forecast doesn't just show you the numbers; it gives you the clarity to navigate the year ahead without the guesswork. Whether you’re looking to weather a quiet period or gear up for growth, we’re here to help you map out the path. Ready to get a clearer view of your financial future? Call us on 04 970 1182 or flick an email to admin@aafl.nz to chat about how we can build a custom cashflow forecast for your business.