Resources for NZ Small Business Owners

Running a business in New Zealand comes with rules most people were never taught.

These resources are educational, designed to support informed decision-making and help you work confidently with professionals when needed.

Clear, practical guides designed to help you understand how business actually works in New Zealand without fear, or guesswork.

NZ Small Business Tax: What You’re Not Taught (PDF)

A plain-English guide for NZ sole traders and small business owners who want clarity — not confusion.

profit vs revenue
allowable expenses
home office claims
depreciation
GST and provisional tax
when to review your business structure

Download the Guide

This is not accounting advice.
It’s practical education to help you understand the system you’re operating in.

Work & Income — Self-Employment Support

Official information and forms to help you understand what support may be available and what to prepare.

The Links below go to official websites. I also offer support to help you organise your business plan, costs, and cashflow in a clear, assessor-friendly way.

Start your own business (WINZ hub)

Self-employment start-up payment (help with essential start-up costs)

Business Training and Advice Grant (help with plan/training/advice)

What to bring / documents to provide

Appointments (when you need one + what to do)

Apply online / MyMSD next steps (upload docs, verify ID, book appt)

Flexi-wage self-employment online form (contact request form)

Government grants and help

Need help preparing your application info?

Practical templates and calculators you can use immediately.
Business.govt.nz

Cash Flow Forecaster

Business Template (DOCX)

Business Plan Template direct download (DOCX)

Quick Focus Business Plan (DOCX)

https://www.business.govt.nz/

Tax & GST

Official guidance to help you understand your responsibilities and make clean decisions early.

Starting a new business

Registering for GST

Choosing your GST accounting basis and Filing frequency

IRD
Inland Revenue

https://www.ird.govt.nz/

Registering your business and checking details

Useful for name checks, legitimacy checks, and keeping business info consistent.

Search companies register

Search NZBN Register

Employing and compliance basics

The “don’t get caught out later” essentials.

Employee or contractor? — Employment New Zealand
https://www.employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/types-of-worker/employee-or-contractor
Health and safety basics for businesses — WorkSafe New Zealand
https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/businesses/
Privacy obligations (good if you collect customer info) — Office of the Privacy Commissioner
https://www.privacy.org.nz/responsibilities/your-obligations/
ACC levy calculators — Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
https://levycalculators.acc.co.nz/
Consumer Guarantees Act basics — Consumer Protection
https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/consumer-laws/consumer-guarantees-act