← New Zealand hubs Cafe Owner
New Zealand English (English) $ NZD
Ariana runs a busy independent cafe, balancing staff wages, food safety compliance, and the constant pressure of rising supply costs. This hub tracks the national regulations, tax obligations, and business support schemes that keep her doors open and her books balanced.
Staying on top of GST and PAYE is the difference between a thriving business and a massive audit headache.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) national · Inland Revenue Department (IRD)
Who qualifies Businesses with an annual turnover exceeding $60,000.
What you get A structured system to collect and return tax on goods and services.
What it actually costs you Requires accurate record-keeping and filing returns every 1, 2, or 6 months.
Common gotcha Forgetting to claim GST on business expenses like coffee beans and milk.
Pay As You Earn (PAYE) national · Inland Revenue Department (IRD)
Who qualifies All employers with staff on the payroll.
What you get Automated tax deduction system for employees.
What it actually costs you Monthly filing through payday filing systems.
Common gotcha Failing to file on time results in immediate automated penalties.
ACC Employer Levies national · Accident Compensation Corporation
Who qualifies All employers in New Zealand.
What you get Insurance coverage for workplace injuries.
What it actually costs you Annual levy based on payroll size and industry risk.
Common gotcha Misclassifying the business industry code leads to overpaying.
New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) national · MBIE
Who qualifies All registered businesses.
What you get A unique identifier to simplify interactions with government and suppliers.
What it actually costs you Free to register online.
Common gotcha Not updating contact details when moving premises.
Companies Office Registration national · Companies Office
Who qualifies Business owners choosing to operate as a limited liability company.
What you get Legal separation of personal and business assets.
What it actually costs you Annual filing fee of approximately $60.
Common gotcha Failing to file the annual return on the anniversary date.
KiwiSaver Employer Contributions national · Inland Revenue Department (IRD)
Who qualifies All employees aged 18-65.
What you get Mandatory 3% employer contribution to employee retirement funds.
What it actually costs you 3% of gross salary added to payroll costs.
Common gotcha Forgetting to enroll new staff within the required timeframe.
Employment law in NZ is strict; getting it wrong can lead to expensive Employment Relations Authority cases.
Employment New Zealand Templates national · Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Who qualifies All employers.
What you get Legally compliant employment agreement templates.
What it actually costs you Time to customize and ensure signatures are collected.
Common gotcha Using outdated templates that don't include current leave entitlements.
Minimum Wage Act national · MBIE
Who qualifies All employees.
What you get Legal framework for fair pay.
What it actually costs you Annual payroll adjustments every April.
Common gotcha Not adjusting pay for staff on the anniversary of their start date.
Holidays Act Compliance national · MBIE
Who qualifies All employees.
What you get Standardized leave entitlements (4 weeks annual leave).
What it actually costs you Complex payroll calculations for leave payouts.
Common gotcha Incorrectly calculating 'average weekly earnings' for casual staff.
Paid Parental Leave national · Inland Revenue Department (IRD)
Who qualifies Eligible employees expecting a child.
What you get Government-funded leave pay for the employee.
What it actually costs you Administrative time to process leave applications.
Common gotcha Thinking the employer has to pay the full salary during leave.
Immigration NZ Employer Accreditation national · Immigration New Zealand
Who qualifies Employers wanting to hire migrant workers.
What you get Ability to sponsor work visas.
What it actually costs you Significant application fees and rigorous audit requirements.
Common gotcha Accreditation expires and needs renewal before hiring.
Health and Safety at Work Act national · WorkSafe NZ
Who qualifies All businesses.
What you get Safety guidelines to prevent workplace accidents.
What it actually costs you Time spent documenting risks and training staff.
Common gotcha Ignoring 'near miss' reporting. Cafe owners must adhere to strict food safety standards to avoid closure by council inspectors.
Food Control Plan (FCP) national · Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Who qualifies All food service businesses.
What you get A structured plan to manage food safety risks.
What it actually costs you Registration fees and regular verification audits.
Common gotcha Not recording fridge temperatures daily.
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act national · Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority
Who qualifies Cafes serving alcohol.
What you get Legal right to sell liquor.
What it actually costs you Annual licensing fees and manager certification.
Common gotcha Manager's certificate expiring without notice.
Smoke-free Environments Act national · Ministry of Health
Who qualifies All hospitality venues.
What you get Standardized public health compliance.
What it actually costs you Signage costs and staff training.
Common gotcha Failing to display mandatory 'no smoking' signs.
Weights and Measures Act national · Trading Standards
Who qualifies Businesses selling weighed goods.
What you get Consumer trust in pricing.
What it actually costs you Periodic calibration of scales.
Common gotcha Using uncertified scales for retail sales.
Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) national · Commerce Commission
Who qualifies All retail and hospitality businesses.
What you get Legal framework for customer returns and complaints.
What it actually costs you Potential cost of refunds or replacements.
Common gotcha Displaying 'no refunds' signs which are illegal.
Fair Trading Act national · Commerce Commission
Who qualifies All businesses.
What you get Protection against misleading advertising.
What it actually costs you Reviewing all marketing materials for accuracy.
Common gotcha Overstating the health benefits of menu items.
Accessing government grants or advisory services can help with expansion or digital transformation.
Regional Business Partner Network national · NZTE / Callaghan Innovation
Who qualifies Small businesses seeking growth advice.
What you get Vouchers for business training and consultancy.
What it actually costs you Partial co-funding required.
Common gotcha Not being registered before applying for vouchers.
business.govt.nz Tools national · MBIE
Who qualifies All NZ businesses.
What you get Free calculators for tax, employment, and compliance.
What it actually costs you Free.
Common gotcha Underutilizing the free payroll calculators.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Support national · NZTE
Who qualifies Businesses looking to export products.
What you get Market research and export coaching.
What it actually costs you Time and commitment to export readiness programs.
Common gotcha Expecting immediate funding without market validation.
Digital Boost national · MBIE
Who qualifies Small business owners.
What you get Free training on digital tools and e-commerce.
What it actually costs you Time to complete online modules.
Common gotcha Not applying the training to actual cafe operations.
Small Business Cashflow Scheme (SBCS) national · Inland Revenue Department (IRD)
Who qualifies Businesses impacted by economic downturns.
What you get Low-interest loans for working capital.
What it actually costs you Repayment schedule and interest accrual.
Common gotcha Missing repayment deadlines triggers higher interest.
Callaghan Innovation R&D Grants national · Callaghan Innovation
Who qualifies Businesses developing new food products or tech.
What you get Co-funding for research and development.
What it actually costs you Rigorous application and reporting process.
Common gotcha Assuming standard cafe operations qualify as R&D.
One honest app. Real lives, real businesses. Free for what people need, paid only for what runs a business — on our own model, our own metal.
Where we run
Bangalore + Czechia
Our own metal · GDPR · DPDPA
