Business Accountants: Minimum Wage Increase in New Zealand from 1 April 2025: What Employers Need to Know

 

From 1 April 2025, New Zealand’s minimum wage will increase, impacting businesses across the country. As an employer, it’s essential to understand how these changes affect your payroll, budgeting, and overall business operations. Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and prepared.


New Minimum Wage Rates from 1 April 2025

 

The updated minimum wage rates are as follows:


  • Adult Minimum Wage: Increasing from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour.
  • Starting-Out and Training Wage: Increasing from $18.52 to $18.80 per hour (80% of the adult minimum wage).

These increases are designed to help employees manage rising living costs while ensuring businesses can continue to thrive.


How the Minimum Wage Increase Impacts Your Business

 

The wage increase will directly impact businesses that employ staff on minimum wage rates, but there are also indirect effects to consider.


  1. Payroll Costs

  • If you have employees on minimum wage, their pay must be adjusted by 1 April 2025.
  • For staff earning slightly above the current minimum wage, consider reviewing their pay rates to maintain fair wage structures.

  1. Budgeting and Forecasting

  • Update your cash flow projections and budgets to account for increased wage expenses.
  • Review your pricing strategies and profit margins to ensure your business can absorb higher labour costs.

  1. Employment Agreements

  • Check that employment contracts reflect the new minimum wage requirements.
  • If employment agreements reference specific dollar amounts rather than “minimum wage,” you may need to formally update these contracts.

  1. Payroll Systems

  • Update your payroll software to reflect the new wage rates.
  • Ensure any automated calculations for wages, allowances, and deductions are adjusted accordingly.

  1. Staff Communication

  • Clearly communicate the wage increase to your employees to maintain transparency and foster positive relationships.

Steps to Prepare for the Minimum Wage Increase

 

To ensure a smooth transition and ongoing compliance:


  1. Review Your Payroll: Confirm your payroll system is updated to calculate the correct rates from 1 April.
  2. Update Budgets: Adjust your financial forecasts to account for the increased wage expenses.
  3. Assess Pricing Strategies: If necessary, adjust your pricing structure to balance increased costs.
  4. Communicate with Staff: Inform employees about the changes and how this will affect their pay.
  5. Consult a Professional: Speak with your accountant or payroll specialist for tailored advice to manage the changes effectively.

Need Help Navigating the Minimum Wage Increase?

 

At Outside Accounting, we can help you prepare for the upcoming wage changes, ensuring your payroll processes, budgets, and cash flow are all set for success.

Get in touch with our team today for expert advice on managing wage increases and maintaining business profitability.

 

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Business Accountants: Minimum Wage Increase in New Zealand from 1 April 2025: What Employers Need to Know

From 1 April 2025, New Zealand’s minimum wage will increase, impacting businesses across the country. As an employer, it’s essential to understand how these changes affect your payroll, budgeting, and overall business operations. Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and prepared.
The good news? There are practical steps you can take to regain control of your time and create a healthier work-life balance.

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Energetic, efficient, and friendly service - no business is too small for them and no question too basic. Susie and Saroj have made my accounting feel easy and even fun.
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As a new client of Outside Accounting I can only use one word - outstanding. Very proactive and communicative and they take all the hassle out of tax returns. Best around if you have a rental property and are new to the taxation issues that can come up. A++++
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The team at outside are a dedicated bunch. They go above and beyond in every situation and provide so much more than your standard tax accounting. They have developed process maps, management reports, managed our invoicing, payables and pretty much taken care of every part of our business when we have needed it. They are a big part of our business and will continue to be moving forward.
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A great team - striking the right balance between professional, knowledgable accountants while being fun and personable to deal with. Always quick to respond. Harri has prepared my end of year statements and GST returns. I'm based in Auckland and have managed to snag a spot at the "co-working desk" in their office a couple of times while I'm down in Wellington.
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These guys are not the typical accountants. We engaged with Outside originally for our small business accounting needs, but over the years they have provided invaluable services above and beyond. We have grown as a business and Outside worked alongside us the entire time, supporting us with expert and professional advice throughout our journey. They are an awesome bunch, so easy to get along with, they break everything down into regular speak and no question is too dumb to ask. Their door is always open, everyone is super welcoming and they make a mean coffee.
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Gus and the team at outside accounting are the best in the business. Top notch advice, always willing to go above and beyond and seriously good people to go with it. Would highly recommend!
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Congress Rental have been working with Outside Accounting for over 1 year and I can honestly say it's been perfect. I work closely with Harriet and her friendliness and professionalism makes it a pleasure getting our accounting needs sorted. Not having to worry about if our accounting gets done is pressure off our business. Harriet breaks everything down into regular terms and nothing asked is a dumb question making learning alot quicker and easier. Not your typical place for accounting as it's a great environment, friendly and things get done in a very high quality manner. Very refreshing. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Harriet and the team. Liam. Managing Director Congress Rental New Zealand Ltd
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Cam, Harriet and the team at Outside Accounting go above and beyond to make the accounting side of our business stress free. They genuinely care about our business and our success. We get all questions big and small answered promptly and receive detailed progress reports and recommendations, along with face to face meetings. We highly recommend Outside Accounting.
MX Hockey
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