ATH Consulting

11/05/2026

Its Privacy Week! A great chance to upskill yourself and your team on privacy. The Privacy Commission has lots of events, please feel free to check out their website:

https://www.privacy.org.nz/tuhono-connect/events/privacy-week-2026/

The Privacy Commission also provides free training on Privacy that has three separate aspects to it, Privacy ABCs, Privacy for Health and Privacy for Schools - check this out https://www.privacy.org.nz/resources-and-learning/online-privacy-training-free/

If you need a hand please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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24/02/2026

🌟 Important KiwiSaver Changes Coming 1 April 2026 🌟

Kia ora everyone!

A few key KiwiSaver updates are kicking in from 1 April 2026, and we want to keep you in the loop so you can plan with confidence:
🔸 Default contribution rates are increasing
Both employee and employer minimum KiwiSaver contributions will rise from 3% to 3.5%. This happens automatically if you're currently on the default rate.
🔸 Option to stay at 3% temporarily
If the increase doesn’t suit your or an employee's budget right now, you/they can apply for a temporary rate reduction and continue contributing at 3%. Applications open from 1 February 2026, and the reduced rate can last 3–12 months. Employer's may choose to match a lower contribution rate.
🔸 Employer contributions expand to younger workers
From April, 16- and 17‑year‑olds who contribute to KiwiSaver from their wages will now also receive employer contributions — a great boost for young savers starting early!

These changes aim to help build stronger long‑term retirement savings for all New Zealanders. If you’d like help reviewing your KiwiSaver settings, feel free to get in touch!

17/02/2026

There are some major changes ahead in the employment landscape in NZ over the coming months:
* Minimum wage will increase on 1 April 2026 to $23.95.

* Minimum KiwiSaver Contributions will increase on 1 April 2026 to 3.5% matched.

* The Employment Relations Act Amendment Bill has passed its third reading and will likely be out in March 2026.

If you want to know more please do not hesitate to get in touch before Thursday 26 February 2026 when I am heading away for a period.

03/02/2026

This morning’s Stuff articles (linked in the comments) highlighted two cases where financial hardship significantly impacted employers.

The first involved a business partner and their spouse failing to pay suppliers and the IRD, resulting in receivership.

The second involved an employee obtaining money by deception through various methods.
For any business to succeed, you need strong cashflow and trust in the people who support you. Here are some practical steps you can take to protect your business:
Stay in Control of Your Obligations

* Know your tax due dates.
* Ensure all invoices are paid on time.

Even if someone else processes these tasks for you, you should always retain access to your accounting software (e.g., Xero) and payroll system (e.g., Smartly).

Strengthen Your Controls

Paying invoices:

* Set up dual approval on your bank account so every payment requires your authorisation.
* Make a habit of reviewing payments—even checking 10% each month sends a clear message
and helps you spot irregularities early.

Raising invoices:

* Complete a monthly peer review, even if it’s just a 10% sample.

This keeps you familiar with your systems and demonstrates you are actively involved in your business oversight.

Payroll

* Review every pay run and ask yourself: Does the total payroll look right this week?
* Perform a full check of one or two employees each pay period, including:

- Bank account details
- KiwiSaver contributions
- IRD numbers
- Any payroll splitting or deductions

You can even invite employees to review their own details with you—this promotes transparency and reduces the risk of errors or fraud.

* Be especially vigilant with employees on ACC or similar leave, as this area is often vulnerable to manipulation.

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If this post resonates with you, or if you’d like help reviewing your processes or approaching difficult conversations, please feel free to get in touch. I’m here to support you.

13/01/2026

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to be the Store Manager at Miss Maude in Greytown. Please check this out and share it with anyone with a passion for people leadership and quality fabrics.

We’re are small but mighty team that needs a little expansion. Are you or someone you know keen to join our crew?
✂️ We are on the lookout for someone with a passion for making who has a can-do attitude, is adaptable, and can lead, inspire and support our award winning team to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
✂️ This is a full time Store Manager position - based here in Greytown Village.
✂️ Regular weekend work, but there will be flexibility to manage hours/work from home as appropriate
✂️ Competitive compensation and benefits
You can find all the details and application via the Seek link below
If this isn’t you, we’d love for you to spread the word! ☺️☺️
https://www.seek.co.nz/job/89607018?ref=search-standalone&type=standard&origin=showNewTab =6602f8ef65bad99192f26de5a919d16d43905ba2

12/01/2026

Welcome to 2026! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, New Years and a break!

There is a lot happening in the employment space and some of it quite soon! Here are some things to know about now and to put in your diaries:

KiwiSaver, is increasing to 3.5% matched contributions https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver-changes

Minimum wage increases on 1 April 2026. I will provide a link when one comes out.

Improvements to the Holidays Act - some major changes are signaled for this yearhttps://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2021-02/Holiday%20Act%20Taskforce%20Govt%20Response%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

17/12/2025

🎄 Meri Kirihimete! Summer Holiday Close Down Notice

Kia ora koutou,

As the year winds down and the summer sun shines brighter, we're getting ready to put our feet up, enjoy a pavlova or two, and spend some quality time with our whānau and friends.
We want to let you know about our Christmas and New Year close-down period:
________________________________________
⏰ Important Dates for Your Diary
• Our last full day of business: Monday, 22nd December 2025
• Close Down Begins: Midday (12:00 PM) Tuesday, 23rd December 2025
• We Re-Open: Tuesday, 6th January 2026 10:00 AM
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✨ A Time for Thanks

Thank you for your incredible support throughout the year. We appreciate your business and the relationships we've built with you especially with the changes when Alyn joined the ERA. We hope you get to enjoy a truly well-deserved break, whether you're heading away, hitting the beach and trails, or just having a relaxed time at home.

🏖️ Wishing You a Wonderful Summer Holiday

From our bubble to yours, we wish you a very Meri Kirihimete / Merry Christmas and a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year.

We look forward to reconnecting in 2026, refreshed and ready for a brand-new year.
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Ngā mihi nui,

Trace

07/11/2025

Are You Ready for Your End-of-Year Christmas Function?

The end of the year is approaching quickly—have you started planning your Christmas celebration? Whether you're organising a small team gathering or a large company-wide event, there’s a lot to consider: budget, venue, transport, gifts (or no gifts), and most importantly, how to make it a celebration that reflects your values and culture.

If you're a business owner or manager, you also carry the responsibility for the health and safety of your team. Celebrations involving alcohol can sometimes lead to unintended consequences—what starts as fun can quickly turn into a problem if boundaries are crossed, or if substance use leads to unsafe behaviour.

We’ve all heard “don’t drink and drive,” but maybe it’s time to add “don’t party without a plan.” Here are a few key things to include in your event planning:
• Set clear expectations around behaviour before the event.
• Organise safe transport options—taxis, ride shares, or designated drivers.
• Manage alcohol responsibly by offering plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks, and curbing
alcohol service early.
• Lead by example—model respectful and responsible behaviour.
• Discreetly supervise the event and be prepared to step in if needed.

With a little foresight, your end-of-year function can be a safe, inclusive, and memorable celebration for everyone. If you need a hand, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Merry Christmas everyone!

30/10/2025

Privacy
Do you work information that is classed as private under the Privacy Act 2020? Do you understand what you can collect and how you can use it?

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has free online training courses; such as:
* Privacy ABC (general and for schools)
* Health ABC
* Privacy Act 2020
* Privacy Breach reporting
* Employment and Privacy
* Health 101
* Privacy Act 101

I did a privacy refresher this week and found it very beneficial. Please consider you and all your team who handle client's information doing privacy training, you can create a log on here and complete your training

21/10/2025

Its breezy out! When natural events / disasters happen / schools close etc you might be wondering what you can do with your team members if they need to leave work and how do you treat this time???

Each workplace is different in how they manage this. But from a reasonable employer perspective do you think you will have a happy, productive team if you:
* Dock their pay;
* Tell them they can't leave; or
* Force them to make alternative arrangements?

or will you have a happy productive team if you:
* Acknowledge what is happening;
* Allow the person to tend to what they need to tend to;
* Know that the person can make up the time / do this anyway and don't dock their pay;
* If the person never works anything extra you could ask them to use their AL or make up the time when they are able to, or offer for them to work remotely.

A happy team = a productive team

If you have questions, please get in touch.