Make employment in New Zealand easy. Let us handle payroll, benefits, taxes, compliance, and even stock options for your team in New Zealand, all in one easy-to-use platform.
Remote makes it easy for companies of all sizes to employ workers in New Zealand using our employer of record solution. We can help employ your Kiwi team using our local New Zealand-based entity. We can handle your payroll, benefits, taxes, and local legal compliance. So you can focus on more important strategic work.
Effective April 1, 2026, New Zealand's minimum wage is set at 4,151.33 NZD gross per month (based on full-time hours of 40 hours per week). The hourly wage is 23.95 NZD, the annual minimum wage (full-time) is 49,816.00 NZD, and the annual minimum wage will scale proportionally based on their contracted hours.
For customers of Remote, all employee payments will be made in equal monthly installments on or before the last working day of each calendar month, payable in arrears.
We can help you get a new employee started in New Zealand fast.
Our team ensures your employees are onboarded and paid as quickly as possible while keeping your business compliant with all local employment legislation. The minimum onboarding time begins after the employee submits all required information onto the Remote platform. The onboarding timeline is also dependent upon registration with local authorities.
For all non-nationals of the country of employment, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) will add three extra days to the total time to onboard. There may be extra time required if we need to follow-up on the right to work assessment.
Please note, payroll cut-off dates can impact the actual first day of employment. Remote has a payroll cut-off date of the 10th of the month unless otherwise specified.
Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
2026-01-01 | New Year's Day (New Year's Day) |
2026-01-02 | Second Day of the New Year (Second Day of the New Year) |
2026-02-06 | Waitangi Day (Waitangi Day) |
2026-04-03 | Good Friday (Good Friday) |
2026-04-06 | Easter Monday (Easter Monday) |
2026-04-25 | Anzac Day (Anzac Day) |
2026-06-01 | King's Birthday (King's Birthday) |
2026-07-10 | Matariki (Matariki) |
2026-10-26 | Labor Day (Labor Day) |
2026-12-25 | Christmas Day (Christmas Day) |
2026-12-26 | Boxing Day (Boxing Day) |
New Zealand is an island nation in the South Pacific. Aotearoa is the traditional Māori name of New Zealand, predominantly made up of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island (as well as other smaller islands). The North Island is home to two-thirds of the 4.9 million residents.
New Zealand has a very strong economy, consistently ranking highly on quality of life measures, making it an attractive place to do business. The land of the long white cloud is home to skilled workers across a diverse range of industries. Agriculture is its largest sector, with dairy farming at the top. The manufacturing, service, construction, and tourism industries are also growing.
The country is known for its beautiful landscapes. Because New Zealand is geographically separated from others, the country offers flora and fauna visitors can’t find anywhere else. This unique natural beauty, combined with New Zealand’s high quality of life is becoming an attractive draw for digital nomads and remote workers looking for an English-speaking relocation option.
Capital
Official language
Currency
Population
Cost of living index
GDP real growth rate
Payroll frequency
VAT rate
Ease of doing business
Want to employ workers in New Zealand? Companies hiring in New Zealand are typically required to either own a local legal entity or work with a global employment platform like Remote that can legally provide employment services in the country.
Remote can employ team members in New Zealand and keep you compliant. Remote can hire, onboard, and pay your New Zealand team so you don't have to set up local HR services in the region. Remote also makes it easy to pay contractors in New Zealand. Sign up now to get started or talk to an expert for more details.
Employment taxes and statutory fees affect both your payroll and your employees' paychecks in New Zealand. Note that your employees may be liable for additional local taxes.
Employer Company Income Tax
0%
Flat rate
KiwiSaver
Kiwisaver is a voluntary work-based retirement scheme set up by the government. The program is for citizens and permanent residents living in the country.
Employers must contribute 3.5% of the employee’s salary unless they have opted out of the scheme (or unless they are already contributing to another superannuation fund for their employees).
Employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT)
ECST is deducted from your employer contributions to your employees' KiwiSaver or complying funds.
The employer is responsible for determining the correct ESCT rate for each employee. The rate varies based on the employee’s salary and their tenure with the business.
Employee Personal Income Tax
0.0%
$0-$14,000
0.0%
$14,001-$48,000
0%
$48,001-$70,000
0%
$70,001-$180,000
0%
$180,000+
All employees are entitled to four weeks holiday leave or Annual Leave per each 12 months of employment.
Starting in July 2021, employees in New Zealand are entitled to ten days sick leave after six months of continuous employment with the same employer or if they have worked with the same employer for six months and an average of 10 hours per week or one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month. Sick leave is available if the employee, their spouse, partner, dependent child or other person depending on them for care is ill or injured. Leave must be requested at the earliest possible time. The employer may request proof of illness or injury.
Employees in New Zealand are entitled to bereavement leave of one or more days after six months of continuous employment with the same employer or if they have worked with the same employer for six months and an average of 10 hours per week or one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month. The types of bereavement leave available include: - Three days of paid bereavement leave on the death of a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild or spouse's parent - One day of paid bereavement leave on the death of any other person if the employer accepts the employee has suffered a bereavement as a result of death - Three days' bereavement leave on the end of your or another person’s (partner, former partner, primary carer) pregnancy by way of stillbirth or miscarriage
Employees may be eligible for paid and unpaid parental leave depending on whether they meet the 6 month or 12 month employment test (as set out below). As well as giving birth to a child, parental leave is available on the adoption or assumption of permanent primary care of a child under six years. Parental leave falls into six categories: Primary carer leave (also Maternity Leave), Partner's leave, Special leave, Preterm baby leave, Negotiated carer's leave; and Extended leave. Eligibility is based on the following: - 6 month employment test: An employee has been employed by the same employer for at least an average of 10 hours a week in the 6 months just before the due date of the baby or the date they or their partner becomes the primary carer of the child under 6 permanently. - 12 month employment test: An employee has been employed by the same employer for at least an average of 10 hours a week in the 12 months just before the due date of the baby or the date they or their partner becomes the permanent primary carer of the child under 6.
Female employees are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave and are paid $754.87 by the government per week before tax. Mothers who suffer from a miscarriage or a stillbirth are also entitled to three days of paid leave. Primary carer leave can begin up to 6 weeks before the due date.
Partners are given one-week unpaid leave after six months with the employer and two weeks of unpaid leave after 12 months with the same employer. Leave can be taken any time within 21 days before or after the birth. Fathers who suffer from a miscarriage or a stillbirth are also entitled to three days of paid leave.
A pregnant employee can take up to 10 days of unpaid special leave for their pregnancy.
If a pregnant employee gives birth to a child before the 36th week of pregnancy, additional leave can be taken for up to 13 weeks or until the end of the 36th week.
If an employee is not entitled to primary carer or parental leave, they can request a leave period. The employer must consider the request and notify the employee with a response.
Employees who have worked with the same employer for 12 months are entitled to up to 52 weeks of unpaid extended leave. Extended leave entitlement includes any primary carer leave taken (currently up to 22 weeks). Extended leave can be shared with a partner for a total of up 52 weeks.
- Domestic Violence Leave: Employees are entitled to ten days paid domestic violence leave after six months of continuous employment or if they have worked for six months for an average of 10 hours per week or at least one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month. Domestic violence is violence of any kind in families or intimate relationships. This includes physical, mental and emotional violence. The leave does not depend on when the violence took place. Employers may ask for proof of domestic violence. - Stress Leave: An employer may grant leave for work-related stress as part of their obligation to provide a safe work environment. Stress leave may take the form of sick leave or as another negotiated leave. Employers may ask for proof of stress or request an employee seek medical help, but the employee does not need to provide this. - Leave Without Pay (LWOP): Leave Without Pay can be granted when an employee takes time off without compensation. Common reasons for LWOP are when an employee needs time off for a vacation or illness and they do not have enough Sick Leave or Annual Leave to cover the absence. Other reasons could be for a sabbatical or similar period of study. Employees must get employer permission to take LWOP. - Defence Force Volunteers: Employers must grant leave to employees in the Armed Forces for voluntary training or service and for active service. The leave does not need to be paid. The employer must hold the employee’s job during times of service. - General Election Voting Leave: Employers must grant leave for general parliamentary election voting if you are or are qualified to be registered as an elector or if you don’t have enough time to vote before work. - Jury Service Leave: Employers must grant employees time off for jury service and hold their jobs if they are called by the Ministry of Justice.
The termination process in New Zealand must adhere to a fair and reasonable process. The details are laid out in the Employment Contract offered at the beginning of employment.
A dismissed employee who is not on a trial period is entitled to request a written statement outlining the reason for dismissal within 60 days of being notified of the dismissal. The employer must provide this within 14 days of the request.
Employers must give an appropriate amount of notice as listed in the employment agreement. Depending on the nature of the role, 4 weeks' notice is often considered fair in New Zealand.
Severance pay must be given in accordance with the employment agreement.
Employers may use a paid probationary period for a variety of reasons including to assess an employee’s skills or to allow time for an employee to improve. All details must be outlined in the employment contract. The period must include a fair assessment of the employee in writing. A probation period of three months is common.
At Remote, we provide tailored benefits to ensure that all Remote employees receive comprehensive coverage from top providers. Our plans offer competitive rates designed for larger groups - even if the team is still growing!
Upon onboarding, Remote will enroll team members in their benefits and provide detailed information about their coverage. Remote manages all administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on scaling your global team.
To ensure benefit equality, any benefits offered will apply to all team members in the country, providing consistent coverage and support across the team.
Remote’s Global Business Travel Insurance program is crafted to address the unique needs of your team, whether they are embarking on short business trips or traveling extensively throughout the year. With five comprehensive plan options—Basic, Standard, Premium, Premium Plus, and Standard Plus—this program ensures that your team members have the right level of coverage to protect their health, safety, and well-being while traveling for business.
Available in over 90 countries, the program provides extensive global coverage at competitive rates, offering peace of mind no matter where their work takes them. This optional benefit is designed to be flexible, allowing you to offer tailored coverage that meets the diverse needs of your workforce. By providing business travel insurance, you are taking proactive steps to safeguard your team from unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, trip disruptions, or loss of business equipment while they are on the road.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Excludes Medical & Evacuation
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Cancellation & Curtailment: $2,000 per trip; subject to $100 deductible per Trip *Benefit not available to residents of the USA
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Excludes Medical & Evacuation
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Cancellation & Curtailment: $2,000 per trip; subject to $100 deductible per Trip *Benefit not available to residents of the USA
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Providing health insurance in this country may not be mandatory, but offering robust health benefits can significantly elevate your employees’ healthcare experience—ensuring prompt access to top-tier providers and reducing wait times. Through our Global Health Insurance scheme, offered in partnership with one of the world’s leading insurance providers, Remote now presents four comprehensive plan options: Standard, Premium, Gold, and Platinum. • Standard delivers essential health coverage, ensuring a solid foundation for inpatient and outpatient needs. • Premium builds on this by adding dental and vision benefits for enhanced overall care. • Gold and Platinum tiers introduce significantly higher coverage limits and additional services, ideal for those seeking even more comprehensive protection. We also offer flexible options to cover the employee alone or extend benefits to their spouse/partner and children through our Family Coverage option—tailored to meet the diverse needs of your team. If you would like more insight into fair equity and benefits best practices, you can download our Global Benefits Guide
here
!
Hospital Accommodation: Private room
Intensive Care: Full coverage
Prescription Drugs and Materials: Full coverage
Surgical Fees (including anesthesia and charges): Full coverage
Physician and Therapist Fees: Full coverage
Surgical Appliances and Materials: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Organ Transplant: Full coverage
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Full coverage
Parent Accommodation (for children under 18): Full coverage
Emergency In-Patient Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Day-Care Treatment: Full coverage
Kidney Dialysis: Full coverage
Out-Patient Surgery: Full coverage
Nursing at Home or Convalescent Home: Up to $3,375
Rehabilitation Treatment: Up to $3,375
Local Ambulance: Full coverage
Emergency Treatment Outside Area of Cover: Up to $50,000
Medical Evacuation: Full coverage
Expenses for Accompanying Evacuation: Up to $2,700
Travel Costs for Family Members (Evacuation): Up to $2,700
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: Up to $13,500
Travel Costs for Family (Repatriation): Up to $4,050
CT and MRI Scans: Full coverage
PET and CT-PET Scans: Full coverage
Oncology: Full coverage
Purchase of Wig/Prosthetic Bra: Up to $270
Routine Maternity: Up to $6,000
Complications of Pregnancy/Childbirth: Up to $13,500
In-Patient Cash Benefit: $205 per night (max 25 nights)
Emergency Out-Patient Treatment: Full coverage
Palliative Care: Full coverage
Long Term Care: Full coverage (max 90 days)
HIV/AIDS Treatment: Full coverage
Maximum Plan Benefit: $3,500
Deductible: $135
Medical Practitioner Fees & Prescription Drugs: Up to $1,350
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Video Consultation Services: Full coverage
Specialist Fees: Full coverage
Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Podiatry: Full coverage
Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to $600
Non-Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to 10 visits
Prescribed Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy: Up to $1,520
Vaccinations: Up to $300
Infertility Treatment: Up to $16,000
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Max 10 visits
Prescribed Medical Aids: Up to $675
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Not covered
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Full coverage
Cancer Screening (see details below): Up to $300
Annual pap smear
Mammogram (every two years for women aged 45+, or younger where a family history exists)
Annual prostate screening (yearly for men aged 50+, or younger where a family history exists)
Colonoscopy (every five years for members aged 50+, or 40+ where a family history exists)
Annual faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (where a direct family history exists)
Health and Wellbeing Checks: Includes screenings for early detection of illness or disease (see details below): Up to $300
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count, biochemistry, lipid profile, thyroid function test, liver function test, kidney function test)
Cardiovascular examination (physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood pressure)
Neurological examination (physical examination)
Bone densitometry (every five years for women aged 50+)
Well child test (for children up to the age of six years)
The Standard tier includes the following additional services: Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion, all of which are available.
Not covered
Not covered
Co-pay: None
Outpatient Deductible: $135
You have the option to cover the cost of your team's dependents, ensuring comprehensive protection for their spouse/parter and children.
Hospital Accommodation: Private room
Intensive Care: Full coverage
Prescription Drugs and Materials: Full coverage
Surgical Fees (including anesthesia and charges): Full coverage
Physician and Therapist Fees: Full coverage
Surgical Appliances and Materials: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Organ Transplant: Full coverage
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Full coverage
Parent Accommodation (for children under 18): Full coverage
Emergency In-Patient Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Day-Care Treatment: Full coverage
Kidney Dialysis: Full coverage
Out-Patient Surgery: Full coverage
Nursing at Home or Convalescent Home: Up to $3,375
Rehabilitation Treatment: Up to $3,375
Local Ambulance: Full coverage
Emergency Treatment Outside Area of Cover: Up to $50,000
Medical Evacuation: Full coverage
Expenses for Accompanying Evacuation: Up to $2,700
Travel Costs for Family Members (Evacuation): Up to $2,700
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: Up to $13,500
Travel Costs for Family (Repatriation): Up to $4,050
CT and MRI Scans: Full coverage
PET and CT-PET Scans: Full coverage
Oncology: Full coverage
Purchase of Wig/Prosthetic Bra: Up to $270
Routine Maternity: Up to $6,000
Complications of Pregnancy/Childbirth: Up to $13,500
In-Patient Cash Benefit: $205 per night (max 25 nights)
Emergency Out-Patient Treatment: Full coverage
Palliative Care: Full coverage
Long Term Care: Full coverage (max 90 days)
HIV/AIDS Treatment: Full coverage
Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Up to $5,000
Gender Dysphoria Services: Up to $25,000 per lifetime
Maximum Plan Benefit: $5,060
Deductible: None
Medical Practitioner Fees: Up to $1,350
Prescription Drugs: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Video Consultation Services: Full coverage
Specialist Fees: Full coverage
Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Podiatry: Full coverage
Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to $600
Non-Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to 10 visits
Prescribed Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy: Up to $1,520
Vaccinations: Up to $500
Health and Wellbeing Checks: See details below
Infertility Treatment: Up to $16,000
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Max 10 visits
Prescribed Medical Aids: Up to $675
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Up to $250
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Full coverage
Cancer Screening (see details below): Up to $500
Annual pap smear
Mammogram (every two years for women aged 45+, or younger where a family history exists)
Annual prostate screening (yearly for men aged 50+, or younger where a family history exists)
Colonoscopy (every five years for members aged 50+, or 40+ where a family history exists)
Annual faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (where a direct family history exists)
Health and Wellbeing Checks: Includes screenings for early detection of illness or disease (see details below): Up to $500
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count, biochemistry, lipid profile, thyroid function test, liver function test, kidney function test)
Cardiovascular examination (physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood pressure)
Neurological examination (physical examination)
Bone densitometry (every five years for women aged 50+)
Well child test (for children up to the age of six years)
The Premium tier includes the following additional services: Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion, all of which are available.
Preventative Dental Treatment: 100% refund
Routine Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Major Restorative Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Periodontics: Full coverage
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Up to $250, including eye examination
Co-pay: None
Deductible: None
You have the option to cover the cost of your team's dependents, ensuring comprehensive protection for their spouse/partner and children.
Hospital Accommodation: Private room
Intensive Care: Full coverage
Prescription Drugs and Materials: Full coverage
Surgical Fees (including anesthesia and charges): Full coverage
Physician and Therapist Fees: Full coverage
Surgical Appliances and Materials: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Organ Transplant: Full coverage
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Full coverage
Parent Accommodation (for children under 18): Full coverage
Emergency In-Patient Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Day-Care Treatment: Full coverage
Kidney Dialysis: Full coverage
Out-Patient Surgery: Full coverage
Nursing at Home or Convalescent Home: Up to $3,375
Rehabilitation Treatment: Up to $3,375
Local Ambulance: Full coverage
Emergency Treatment Outside Area of Cover: Up to $50,000
Medical Evacuation: Full coverage
Expenses for Accompanying Evacuation: Up to $2,700
Travel Costs for Family Members (Evacuation): Up to $2,700
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: Up to $13,500
Travel Costs for Family (Repatriation): Up to $4,050
CT and MRI Scans: Full coverage
PET and CT-PET Scans: Full coverage
Oncology: Full coverage
Purchase of Wig/Prosthetic Bra: Up to $270
Routine Maternity: Up to $6,000
Complications of Pregnancy/Childbirth: Up to $13,500
In-Patient Cash Benefit: $205 per night (max 25 nights)
Emergency Out-Patient Treatment: Full coverage
Palliative Care: Full coverage
Long Term Care: Full coverage (max 90 days)
HIV/AIDS Treatment: Full coverage
Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Up to $15,000
Gender Dysphoria Services: Up to $50,000 per lifetime
Maximum Plan Benefit: $6,000
Deductible: None
Medical Practitioner Fees: Up to $1,350
Prescription Drugs: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Video Consultation Services: Full coverage
Specialist Fees: Full coverage
Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Podiatry: Full coverage
Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to $1,275
Non-Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to 10 visits
Prescribed Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy: Up to $1,520
Vaccinations: Up to $300
Health and Wellbeing Checks: See details below
Infertility Treatment: Up to $16,000
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Max 20 visits
Prescribed Medical Aids: Up to $675
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Up to $250
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Full coverage
Cancer Screening (see details below): Up to $300
Annual pap smear
Mammogram (every two years for women aged 45+, or younger where a family history exists)
Annual prostate screening (yearly for men aged 50+, or younger where a family history exists)
Colonoscopy (every five years for members aged 50+, or 40+ where a family history exists)
Annual faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (where a direct family history exists)
Health and Wellbeing Checks: Includes screenings for early detection of illness or disease (see details below): Up to $300
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count, biochemistry, lipid profile, thyroid function test, liver function test, kidney function test)
Cardiovascular examination (physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood pressure)
Neurological examination (physical examination)
Bone densitometry (every five years for women aged 50+)
Well child test (for children up to the age of six years)
The Gold tier includes the following additional services: Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion, all of which are available.
Preventative Dental Treatment: 100% refund
Routine Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Major Restorative Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Periodontics: Full coverage
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Up to $250, including eye examination
Co-pay: None
Deductible: None
You have the option to cover the cost of your team's dependents, ensuring comprehensive protection for their spouse/partner and children.
Hospital Accommodation: Private room
Intensive Care: Full coverage
Prescription Drugs and Materials: Full coverage
Surgical Fees (including anesthesia and charges): Full coverage
Physician and Therapist Fees: Full coverage
Surgical Appliances and Materials: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Organ Transplant: Full coverage
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Full coverage
Parent Accommodation (for children under 18): Full coverage
Emergency In-Patient Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Day-Care Treatment: Full coverage
Kidney Dialysis: Full coverage
Out-Patient Surgery: Full coverage
Nursing at Home or Convalescent Home: Up to $3,375
Rehabilitation Treatment: Up to $3,375
Local Ambulance: Full coverage
Emergency Treatment Outside Area of Cover: Up to $50,000
Medical Evacuation: Full coverage
Expenses for Accompanying Evacuation: Up to $2,700
Travel Costs for Family Members (Evacuation): Up to $2,700
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: Up to $13,500
Travel Costs for Family (Repatriation): Up to $4,050
CT and MRI Scans: Full coverage
PET and CT-PET Scans: Full coverage
Oncology: Full coverage
Purchase of Wig/Prosthetic Bra: Up to $270
Routine Maternity: Up to $10,000
Complications of Pregnancy/Childbirth: Up to $50,000
In-Patient Cash Benefit: $205 per night (max 25 nights)
Emergency Out-Patient Treatment: Full coverage
Palliative Care: Full coverage
Long Term Care: Full coverage (max 90 days)
HIV/AIDS Treatment: Full coverage
Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Up to $15,000
Gender Dysphoria Services: Up to $50,000 per lifetime
Maximum Plan Benefit: $15,000
Deductible: None
Medical Practitioner Fees: Full coverege
Prescription Drugs: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Video Consultation Services: Full coverage
Specialist Fees: Full coverage
Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Podiatry: Full coverage
Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to $2,500
Non-Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to 20 visits
Prescribed Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy: Up to $1,520
Vaccinations: Up to $500
Health and Wellbeing Checks: See details below
Infertility Treatment: Up to $16,000
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Max 30 visits
Prescribed Medical Aids: Up to $675
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Up to $500
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Full coverage
Cancer Screening (see details below): Up to $500
Annual pap smear
Mammogram (every two years for women aged 45+, or younger where a family history exists)
Annual prostate screening (yearly for men aged 50+, or younger where a family history exists)
Colonoscopy (every five years for members aged 50+, or 40+ where a family history exists)
Annual faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (where a direct family history exists)
Health and Wellbeing Checks: Includes screenings for early detection of illness or disease (see details below): Up to $500
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count, biochemistry, lipid profile, thyroid function test, liver function test, kidney function test)
Cardiovascular examination (physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood pressure)
Neurological examination (physical examination)
Bone densitometry (every five years for women aged 50+)
Well child test (for children up to the age of six years)
The Platinum tier includes the following additional services: Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion, all of which are available.
Preventative Dental Treatment: 100% refund
Routine Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Major Restorative Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Periodontics: Full coverage
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Up to $500, including eye examination
Co-pay: None
Deductible: None
You have the option to cover the cost of your team's dependents, ensuring comprehensive protection for their spouse/partner and children.
Offering life insurance is not mandatory in this country, but providing these additional benefits can significantly enhance the financial security and peace of mind for employees. The Global Life Insurance offering provides flexible coverage levels ranging from $50,000 to $600,000, tailored to meet the diverse needs and budgets of the company and its employees. This benefit includes two options: The Basic Offering provides Life Insurance coverage. In the unfortunate event of an employee’s demise, their beneficiary will receive a payout equivalent to up to 6 times the employee’s annual salary. However, this compensation is capped at a maximum of the selected cover limit. This means that the payout will not exceed the cover limit applicable, regardless of the employee’s salary. The Comprehensive Offering at Remote combines Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Permanent Disability (PD) coverage. In cases of accidental death, dismemberment, or a permanent disability, the compensation is equivalent to up to 5 times the employee’s annual salary, subject to a predetermined limit. This compensation is capped at a maximum cover limit provided by Remote. The payout will not exceed the applicable cover limit, regardless of the employee’s salary. It is essential to be aware that in certain countries, insurance premium taxes may be applicable. This means taxes may be due to the company for the monthly premiums paid towards the life insurance coverage for employees. Additionally, life insurance benefits may be categorized as ‘Benefits in Kind’ (BIK). This categorization means that the monthly premiums paid for the life insurance coverage might be counted as part of the employee’s taxable income according to the local tax laws. When life insurance benefits are offered, they must be provided equally to all employees in the respective country.
Provides financial protection and security for beneficiaries after the death of an insured team member.
In the unfortunate event of a team member’s demise, beneficiary compensation cannot exceed 6 times the team member’s annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower).
Example: See help article for details
Not covered
Not covered
Provides financial protection and security for beneficiaries after the death of an insured team member.
In the unfortunate event of a team member’s demise, beneficiary compensation cannot exceed 6 times the team member’s annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower).
Offers financial protection to beneficiaries in the unfortunate events of an insured team member's accidental death or dismemberment.
Compensation cannot exceed 5 times the team member's annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower). The exact payout varies depending on the type of injury sustained, as specified in the Accidental Dismemberment Table.
Designed to offer financial support to insured team members who suffer from either permanent and total or permanent and partial disabilities as a result of an accident or illness.
Compensation cannot exceed 5 times the team member's annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower). The insurance provider assesses the extent of the permanent disability to determine the final compensation:
Disabilities below 33.33%: No compensation
Disabilities between 33.33% and 66.67%: Compensation calculated as a percentage of the capped amount
Permanent disabilities exceeding 66.67%: Full capped compensation amount
For detailed examples of how the compensation is calculated for Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Permanent Disability, refer to the help article for details
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Offering mental health benefits is not mandatory in this country, but providing the benefit can significantly enhance the emotional well-being and overall productivity of employees. Remote offers a comprehensive employee mental wellbeing platform in partnership with one of the top-rated employee mental wellbeing providers. This platform is available on desktop and mobile apps and includes 1-to-1 therapy with a curated pool of top-quality therapists in over 35 languages. The advanced matching service finds each employee the right therapist within 48 hours, boasting a 98% success rate. Employees receive a personal wellbeing profile with tailored recommendations and information to track progress. The platform also offers a curated self-guided content library with audio mindfulness and meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers. Additionally, there are 24/7 mental health helplines for immediate support when an employee is struggling. Mental health program benefits may be offered to the employees from among 5 different plans. Offering mental health benefits is optional, but it can greatly enhance employee well-being and productivity. It is essential to be aware that in certain countries, mental health benefits may be categorized as ‘Benefits in Kind’ (BIK). This categorization means that the monthly premiums paid for the benefit might be counted as part of the employee’s taxable income according to the local tax laws. When mental health benefits are offered, they must be provided equally to all employees in the respective country.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Not included in the Basic plan
Team members can pay for therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes one pre-paid Therapy/Coaching session per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes three pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes six pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes twelve pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Clients can choose to offer the Wellness & Lifestyle Benefit and select from multiple contribution levels, providing their team members a monthly wallet, which they can use with their virtual card at approved stores, online retailers, or any other approved vendors related to Lifestyle and Wellness benefits. The offered services include:
Physical and mental health support such as gym memberships, fitness classes, therapy, mindfulness apps, and guided meditation.
Lifestyle services like streaming subscriptions (Spotify, Netflix), groceries, and other services that support work-life balance and personal well-being.
Personalized recommendations to help employees select benefits most relevant to their needs.
Platform support for employees needing immediate assistance or guidance on wellness-related concerns.
The available contributions are:
$25 USD
$50 USD
$100 USD
$150 USD
$200 USD
$250 USD
$300 USD
New Zealand has a strong economy with key industries in agriculture, technology, and finance. With specific labor laws and tax regulations, employers in New Zealand must ensure compliance with local payroll requirements, including social security contributions, employment contracts, and tax obligations. Understanding these regulations is essential for smooth payroll operations and legal compliance.
Employers in New Zealand must adhere to national payroll regulations regarding wages, taxes, and social contributions. Below is an overview of key payroll components:
Minimum wage : New Zealand’s minimum wage is NZD 22.70 per hour.
Payroll frequency: Salaries are generally paid weekly, biweekly, or monthly.
Standard working hours: The normal workweek in New Zealand is 40 hours, typically spread over five days.
Overtime: Employees are entitled to additional pay for overtime work, typically based on employment contracts and collective agreements.
Personal income tax: New Zealand has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 10.5% to 39% depending on income levels.
Employer contributions:
Employee contributions:
Corporate tax: The corporate income tax rate in New Zealand is 28%.
Tax reporting: Employers must file payroll taxes and contributions with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) regularly.
Employment contracts must be provided in writing and specify terms such as salary, working hours, and job responsibilities.
Payroll deductions: Employers must ensure accurate deductions for income tax, KiwiSaver, and ACC levies.
Employers must stay updated on changes to New Zealand’s labor laws and tax regulations to avoid penalties.
Managing payroll in New Zealand requires careful attention to tax regulations, employment laws, and social security requirements. Employers must stay informed about tax rates, wage laws, and reporting deadlines to ensure smooth payroll processing and avoid penalties.
The good news is, you can pay anyone, anywhere — from your team in the office to your team abroad, all with Remote Payroll. To see just how easy global payroll can be with Remote, book a demo today.
Hiring contractors in New Zealand can be a strategic and cost-effective way for businesses to complete projects without the obligations of hiring full-time employees. Whether you are engaging independent contractors for specialized services or working with subcontractors for labor-intensive tasks, understanding New Zealand’s laws and regulations is essential.
Remote helps businesses stay compliant when hiring contractors globally with these key features:
Global compliance support: Ensures adherence to labor laws in 200+ countries with localized contracts and proper documentation.
Misclassification protection: Includes built-in compliance checks and seamless contractor-to-employee conversion.
Centralized documentation: Maintains essential records for audits and automates tax filings.
Legal expertise: Provides guidance on complex local labor laws, simplifying international hiring.
Remote’s streamlined approach minimizes compliance risks and simplifies contractor management for businesses.
Remote simplifies contractor payments with:
Automated processing: One-click approvals, bulk payments, recurring invoices, and real-time tracking.
Global coverage: Payments in 200+ countries, multiple payment methods, and currency flexibility.
Cost and compliance: Fair price guarantee (pay only for active contractors), built-in compliance with regional regulations, and localized contracts.
Learn more about how Remote simplifies contractor management in New Zealand — get started for free today.
Our employer of record (EOR) service enables you to hire, manage, and pay top talent in New Zealand with speed and simplicity.
Remote’s EOR allows your company to legally hire employees in New Zealand without having to set up a local legal entity. On paper, Remote is the official employer, and we handle compliance, payroll, benefits (including equity), and other HR processes — but you maintain full control over the hire’s day-to-day management and work responsibilities. Learn more.
An EOR may be ideal if your company:
Needs to hire employees in New Zealand but doesn’t want to establish a legal entity
Is testing local markets before committing to a full business expansion
Wants to ensure full compliance with local employment laws and tax requirements
Needs a fast, cost-effective way to onboard employees in New Zealand
Needs a temporary hiring solution before establishing a legal entity
If your company wants to hire talent in New Zealand but doesn't have a legal entity there, our EOR provides a fully compliant and efficient solution. New Zealand has strict employment and payroll tax laws, and our EOR service ensures you meet these legal obligations while enabling you to grow quickly.
Key benefits of hiring through our EOR in New Zealand include:
Faster market entry. You can hire talent quickly, without having to wait months to establish a local entity.
Full compliance with local employment laws. Avoid the legal risks associated with non-compliance and misclassification.
Simplified payroll management. We automate payroll tax calculations and ensure you are fully compliant with all withholding obligations, even when laws change.
Lower costs. Setting up a legal entity in New Zealand can be costly and time-consuming. An EOR eliminates the need for entity registration, reducing overhead expenses.
Fewer resources required. With HR, payroll, and compliance managed by the EOR, your company can concentrate on scaling operations and assigning your resources elsewhere.
It’s also crucial to note that, at Remote, we own our own legal entity in New Zealand. As a result, we don’t need to rely on third parties, which can incur delays and extra costs, and result in a negative employee experience. All our EOR services — including the dedicated support of our local specialists — are provided in-house.
To learn more — and to see our EOR platform in action — book a demo with one of our friendly experts today.
Equity incentives are an invaluable way to attract, motivate, and retain top talent for your business. But when you cross hiring borders, they can become deeply complex.
Remote enables you to easily offer non-qualified stock options (NSOs) to your team members in New Zealand. There are no compliance headaches or administrative hassles — just simplicity and clarity for you and your people at every step.
NSOs are a type of equity incentive. They give your team members the right to buy a set number of shares in your company at a fixed price, known as the exercise price.
This typically happens after a vesting period, which is often based on the length of time your team member stays at your company. As a result, they are a great way to foster long-term commitment, and align people with your company’s strategic goals.
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors | |
Can receive NSOs? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Difficulty score | Easy | Easy | Hard |
You can grant NSOs to contractors in New Zealand, but under some securities laws, you cannot normally grant stock options to an advisor or a contractor who doesn’t work principally for you in New Zealand.
It’s important to note that granting stock options to contractors can also potentially increase your misclassification risk in New Zealand (although this is not the primary factor). See how Remote protects you against misclassification.
In New Zealand, NSOs are taxed in the following ways:
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors | |
At grant | There is no taxation at grant. | There is no taxation at grant. | There is no taxation at grant. |
At exercise | The spread is taxed as salary income. The spread is the difference between the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise, and the exercise price (or “strike” price) paid by your team member. | The spread is taxed as salary income. The spread is the difference between the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise, and the exercise price (or “strike” price) paid by your team member. | The spread is taxed as salary income. The spread is the difference between the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise, and the exercise price (or “strike” price) paid by your team member. |
At sale | There is no taxation at sale. | There is no taxation at sale. | There is no taxation at sale. |
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors |
There is a potential tax exemption for direct employees, but the criteria are very narrow. | You can allow your team members to exercise their non-vested stock options early (a process known as “early exercise”). This can potentially reduce their tax liability, although early exercises can be difficult to manage and may require additional paperwork. | You can allow your team members to exercise their non-vested stock options early (a process known as “early exercise”). This can potentially reduce their tax liability, although early exercises can be difficult to manage and may require additional paperwork. |
If you want to use Remote Equity Advanced to offer stock options to your New Zealand-based team members, your top corporation (i.e., your parent company) must be incorporated in Delaware. Your company must also be private — not publicly listed.
$699
per employee/month
Hire without opening a local entity in 90+ countries
Onboarding with a dedicated specialist
Local payroll paid on time, every time
Compliance protections built-in
Competitive, flexible and localized benefits
Dedicated in-house experts for local support
Includes HR Essentials as standard
$29
per employee/month
Powerful, transparent international payroll
Simple self-service platform
Personalized support from dedicated specialists
Adhere to local payroll regulations in every country
Integrated benefits management
Includes HR Core as standard
$29
per contractor/month
Only pay for contractors you actively work with
Work with international contractors
Create, edit, and sign tailored, localized contracts
Approve contractor invoices with one click or auto-pay
Transparent payments with complete visibility
Includes HR Core as standard
