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Payroll in New Zealand
Payroll in New Zealand runs in NZD on a payroll is typically run fortnightly or monthly depending on employer practice. cycle, with statutory employer contributions and no statutory 13th-month bonus is mandated.. Gracemark operates it end-to-end, humans, not tickets.
Currency
NZD, New Zealand dollar
Payroll cycle
Payroll is typically run fortnightly or monthly depending on employer practice.
Working week
Standard working week is around 40 hours with no fixed statutory overtime premium; hours and any overtime terms are set by individual employment agreements.
Minimum wage
The adult statutory minimum wage is NZD 23.50 per hour effective 1 April 2026 under the Minimum Wage Order 2026 [2](https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/employment-and-skills/employment-legislation-reviews/minimum-wage-reviews).
13th-month
No statutory 13th-month bonus is mandated.
Employer cost
Employers pay ACC levies for workplace injury cover and KiwiSaver employer contributions of at least 3% of gross salary for enrolled employees; there is no separate general payroll tax.
Probation
Trial periods (for businesses under 20 employees, up to 90 days) or probationary periods can be used, but must be agreed in writing before employment starts.
Notice period
Termination requires a fair process and justified reason under the Employment Relations Act; notice periods are set by the employment agreement, and no statutory severance is mandated absent redundancy provisions in the contract.
Two ways to run payroll in New Zealand
Own-entity payroll
For long-term presence in New Zealand. Gracemark manages statutory filings, pay runs, and year-end reporting under your entity, with a named operator on Australia and New Zealand time.
EOR-run payroll
No entity in New Zealand? Employ and pay talent under Gracemark's local infrastructure via EOR, onboard in 1–2 weeks (eor), no local incorporation.
Compliance essentials in New Zealand
- KiwiSaver employer contributions plus ACC levies apply
- 90-day trial periods available for small employers
- Four weeks' annual leave is the statutory floor
- Good-faith obligations run through the employment relationship
- Strong English-first professional talent
Get a payroll quote for New Zealand
Send your headcount and salary band. We reply with employer burden, net-to-gross, and setup timeline, no sales scripts.
Deeper guide
Hiring guide: New Zealand →
Employ without entity
EOR services →
All countries
Global payroll overview →