Over the past week, I was reminded — more than once — how powerful it can be to pause and look back at your journey.
Not in a nostalgic way, and not to get stuck in the past, but to recognise progress.
The first reminder came during a webinar about the Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers Excelle...
This year, in addition to the usual payroll updates, there is a change to the minimum KiwiSaver contributions.
Below is a summary of the changes from 1st April 2026 and what this means for you as an Employer:
When you start or grow a business, there is one piece of advice you hear over and over again:
“You need to network.”
Join networking groups.
Go to events.
Meet people.
Hand out business cards.
For some people, that sounds exciting, but for many bookkeepers, who tend to be on the introverted side… ...
The storms recently were a good reminder of something many of us quietly push down the list.
After being prompted into action, my own emergency plan is now mostly finished. My updated Will is ready to be signed. My insurance has been reviewed and adjusted to suit where I am now — and where I’m head...
Unlike 88% of Fonterra farmers in New Zealand who voted in favour of selling, I am not entirely convinced it is in the long-term interest of our dairy industry, as we are now basically back in the commodities market.
The sale is done and has gone unconditional, and Fonterra has an
...
Happy International Women’s Day from the team at The Farm Office 🌸
Today, we celebrate the incredible women who keep so many things running smoothly — on farms, in businesses, in families, and in communities.
At The Farm Office, we’re proud to be an all-female team, supporting farmers across New Z...
The wild weather of the past couple of weeks reminded me of my not-quite-finished emergency plan, so I am determined to finish it this week.
It also reminded me how easy it is to think, “I’ll get to it later,” while hoping nothing serious happens in the meantime, so I am sharing i
...
A big theme in client conversations over the last few weeks of the old year – and in the first weeks of the new one – has been succession and retirement planning.
And no, that doesn’t mean “I’m done farming next year.” or "I am selling my business this year".
The clients I’ve been talking to are a...
New Zealand’s retirement landscape is changing, and this week’s announcement has brought a real sense of relief for many - especially those in physically demanding jobs like farming. The government has confirmed it will not lift the retirement age to 67. Instead, a new, more stable superannuation fr...
I am sure many of you have already started planning for Christmas and making sure your roster works, and so have I. In my case, I am pre-planning payroll processing for my clients so my team can get a break and payroll gets processed and paid on time.
Payroll processing is relatively simp
...
There is a lot of discussion in my social circles at the moment about boundaries and values. They work together as your values determine what your boundaries are and where they are.Â
Until the last couple of years, I had not truly articulated my values and boundaries. Everyone has values and boundari...
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