Still Waters Bookkeeping Limited

18/06/2026

IRD has updated its official kilometre rates for 2025–26.

If you use your personal vehicle for business purposes, this is worth paying attention to.

The updated rates were published by Inland Revenue on 3 June 2026 and have increased across all vehicle types.

New rates (Tier 1 / Tier 2):
• Petrol: $1.20 / $0.37 per km
• Diesel: $1.30 / $0.38 per km
• Petrol Hybrid: $0.90 / $0.24 per km
• Electric: $1.22 / $0.23 per km

Tier 1 applies to the first 14,000 km travelled during the year, with Tier 2 applying thereafter.

This serves as a good reminder of why accurate trip tracking matters. Whether you're claiming vehicle expenses, calculating reimbursements, or keeping records for tax purposes, having reliable mileage records can make a significant difference.

Do you currently track your business travel consistently, or is it one of those tasks that often gets left until later?

If you're unsure how vehicle expenses should be recorded in your business, I'd be happy to help.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz

14/06/2026

The bookkeeping profession may be taking an important step forward in New Zealand.

The Inland Revenue Department is currently consulting on proposals that could see bookkeepers receive greater formal recognition within New Zealand's tax system.

The proposed changes include recognising bookkeepers as a distinct professional group and strengthening professional standards across the industry.

For small business owners, this highlights the important role bookkeepers play in helping businesses maintain:
• accurate financial records
• GST and payroll compliance
• meaningful financial reporting
• confidence in their numbers

Professional bookkeeping is about more than data entry. It's about creating clarity, supporting compliance, and helping business owners make informed decisions.

You can read more about the consultation here:

https://icnzb.org.nz/blog/important-inland-revenue-consultation-recognition-of-bookkeepers-in-the-tax-system/

What are your thoughts? Should bookkeepers receive greater recognition within New Zealand's tax system?

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz

The significant consultation released by Inland Revenue could help shape the future recognition and regulation of bookkeepers within New Zealand’s tax system. 

10/06/2026

Bookkeeping mistakes happen to every business at some point.

The good news? Many of the most common errors are easy to identify and correct once you know what to look for.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing a series of practical tips covering common bookkeeping mistakes, why they happen, and how to avoid them.

Topics may include:
• GST errors
• Mixing personal and business expenses
• Missing receipts and records
• Bank reconciliation mistakes
• Cash flow oversights
• Unpaid invoices

But we'd love to hear from you.
What bookkeeping topic would you find most helpful?

Is there a bookkeeping challenge you've struggled with that you'd like us to cover?

Share your thoughts in the comments below 👇

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz

07/06/2026

Have you ever started a tradition without even realising it?

A few months ago, my friend Alicia and I decided to catch up over brunch. Before we knew it, it had become our monthly tradition, with the added fun of trying a new café each time.

This month, we visited a café recently opened by friends of Alicia, Mini and Jay.

Now, anyone who knows me knows I have a weakness for creamy mushrooms. In fact, whenever my husband takes me out for breakfast, he usually chooses a place that serves them because he knows I'll order them! So when I spotted creamy mushrooms on the specials board, my decision was made before I even looked at the menu. Mini and Jay, if they're not already on the permanent menu, they definitely should be! 😄

Beyond the delicious food, I loved how thoughtfully designed the space is. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff make you feel genuinely welcome from the moment you walk in.

If you're in Christchurch and looking for a great spot for brunch, coffee, or a fresh cabinet scone, this is definitely one to add to your list. I'll certainly be bringing my husband here soon.

Congratulations, Mini and Jay. Wishing you every success in this exciting new chapter.

01/06/2026

Your balance sheet tells a story about your business.

Not just what’s coming in, but:

• what you own
• what you owe
• and what’s actually left over

Understanding these numbers helps you make clearer, more confident business decisions.

Many business owners avoid looking at their balance sheet because it feels overwhelming, but with the right support, it becomes a powerful tool for clarity and growth.

If your financial reports feel confusing, you don’t have to figure them out alone.

Let’s simplify your bookkeeping and help you understand what your numbers are really saying.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz

26/05/2026

Sometimes DIY accounting feels a little like this 😅

You’ve spent hours trying to make the numbers work…
and somehow they still don’t add up.

Many business owners start out doing everything themselves, and that’s completely understandable. But over time, bookkeeping can become stressful, time-consuming, and overwhelming.

That’s where having support makes a difference.

Clear bookkeeping helps you understand your numbers, stay on top of GST, and spend less time stressing over spreadsheets. Because your time is better spent growing your business, not fighting with formulas.

Have you ever had one of those “nothing adds up” moments?

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz

24/05/2026

Trying to remember everything in your business becomes exhausting after a while.

The invoice you still need to send.
The expense you meant to log.
The follow-up you didn’t write down.

When everything lives in your head, even small tasks start to feel heavy.
That’s why good systems matter.

Clear processes and organised bookkeeping don’t just support your business, they support your peace of mind too.

Because the goal isn’t to hold everything together manually.
It’s to create structure that helps your business run more smoothly.

What’s one thing you wish was more organised in your business right now?

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz

21/05/2026

Avoidance usually increases anxiety, not peace.

Like dark clouds gathering in the distance, financial stress often builds quietly when things are left unchecked.

The unopened email
The overdue invoice.
The numbers you keep meaning to look at later.

Ignoring them may feel easier in the moment, but over time, the pressure grows heavier.

Clarity may feel uncomfortable at first, but it brings direction, confidence, and peace of mind.

You don’t need perfect finances.
You just need visibility, consistency, and support.

What’s one financial task you’ve been putting off?

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz

18/05/2026

The receipt gets left for tomorrow.

The invoice gets sent a few days late
The bank reconciliation keeps getting pushed back.

And before you know it, everything feels heavier than it needs to.
Most financial stress in business doesn’t happen all at once.
It builds quietly through postponed tasks and unclear systems.

That’s why small, consistent habits matter.

A little organisation now can prevent a lot of pressure later.
What’s one business task you’ve been putting off?

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz

13/05/2026

A full calendar doesn’t always mean a financially healthy business.
You can be busy every day and still feel pressure behind the scenes.

That’s where clear bookkeeping makes a difference.

By keeping your records organised, tracking cash flow, managing GST, and staying on top of your numbers, I help bring clarity to what’s really happening in your business.

Because confidence comes from knowing, not guessing.
Does your business feel financially clear… or just busy?

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.stillwatersbookkeepinglimited.co.nz