NZ Pay & Tax Blog
Plain-English guides to understanding your pay, tax and take-home in New Zealand — income tax rates, PAYE, the minimum wage and more. When you’re ready, work out your own numbers with the pay calculator.
New Zealand Income Tax Rates & Brackets (2026/27)
The current PAYE brackets for 2026/27, how progressive tax really works, and what you actually pay — with worked examples.
Read guide →What Is PAYE and How Is It Calculated in NZ?
PAYE explained simply: what your employer deducts, how it is worked out, and which tax code to use.
Read guide →Gross Pay vs Net Pay: What You Actually Take Home
Gross is what you're paid; net is what you keep. Here's exactly what comes out in between — and how to work out your take-home.
Read guide →NZ Minimum Wage & Living Wage 2026
The minimum wage rises to $23.95/hour on 1 April 2026. Here's what that means per week, per year, and after tax — plus the living wage.
Read guide →Secondary Tax in New Zealand Explained
Second job? Here's how secondary tax codes and rates work — and the myth that you pay "more" tax on a second income.
Read guide →Understanding Your New Zealand Payslip
Gross, PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver, student loan, net — what each line on your NZ payslip actually means, with a worked example.
Read guide →KiwiSaver Employee & Employer Contributions, and ESCT
The 3.5% default from 1 April 2026, temporary rate reductions, and how ESCT reduces what your employer actually pays into your KiwiSaver.
Read guide →Student Loan Repayments in New Zealand
12% over $24,128, how your main job and second job are treated differently, and why NZ-based loans stay interest-free.
Read guide →Contractor vs Employee: What Changes for Your Pay
Provisional tax, GST, your own ACC, no paid leave, no employer KiwiSaver — what really changes when you contract, and how to compare take-home.
Read guide →The Independent Earner Tax Credit (IETC) and Your Tax Code
Up to $520 a year if you earn between $24,000 and $70,000 and don't get certain payments — plus which tax code claims it.
Read guide →Salary Packaging & Employer Benefits in New Zealand
NZ has far less tax-effective "packaging" than Australia. Here's what actually helps — KiwiSaver and employer contributions — and how FBT works.
Read guide →How to Use the NZ Pay Calculators
Which calculator to use for which question — take-home, reverse, pay rise, bonus, contractor, employer cost and holiday pay.
Read guide →