New Zealand hubs

Sarah

Travel Agent

New ZealandEnglish (English)$ NZD

Sarah is a busy travel agent navigating the complexities of New Zealand's travel industry and personal tax landscape. This hub covers the essential national schemes, tax obligations, and professional support systems she encounters while balancing her business and personal life.

Keeping the business running

Managing GST, income tax, and business compliance is the backbone of Sarah's travel agency.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

national · Inland Revenue Department

Who qualifies
Businesses with annual turnover exceeding $60,000.
What you get
Legal requirement to collect and return tax on travel services.
What it actually costs you
Requires accurate record-keeping and filing returns every 1, 2, or 6 months.
Common gotcha
Forgetting that GST applies to the service fee, not necessarily the full cost of international airfares.

Small Business Cashflow Scheme

national · Inland Revenue Department

Who qualifies
Small businesses impacted by revenue downturns.
What you get
Low-interest loans to support operational liquidity.
What it actually costs you
Application via MyIR portal; strict repayment terms apply.
Common gotcha
Misunderstanding the interest-free period conditions.

ACC Business Levies

national · Accident Compensation Corporation

Who qualifies
All self-employed individuals and business owners.
What you get
No-fault personal injury cover for work-related accidents.
What it actually costs you
Annual invoice based on your industry classification code.
Common gotcha
Classifying your business under the wrong risk code leads to overpaying.

New Zealand Business Number

national · MBIE

Who qualifies
All businesses operating in NZ.
What you get
A unique identifier to simplify interactions with government and suppliers.
What it actually costs you
Free to register; takes minutes online.
Common gotcha
Not updating your contact details on the register.

KiwiSaver Employer Contributions

national · Inland Revenue Department

Who qualifies
Employers of staff in the travel agency.
What you get
Mandatory retirement savings contribution matching.
What it actually costs you
3% of gross salary as a minimum employer contribution.
Common gotcha
Failing to deduct the correct employee contribution rate.

Companies Office Annual Return

national · Companies Office

Who qualifies
All registered limited liability companies.
What you get
Maintains the company's active status on the register.
What it actually costs you
$45 annual fee plus time to verify director details.
Common gotcha
Missing the filing deadline results in late fees and potential deregistration.

Staying legal in the travel trade

Sarah must adhere to consumer protection laws and industry standards to maintain her reputation.

Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) Compliance

national · Commerce Commission

Who qualifies
All travel agents selling to consumers.
What you get
Framework for handling travel cancellations and service failures.
What it actually costs you
Requires clear terms and conditions in all client contracts.
Common gotcha
Thinking you can contract out of the CGA; you cannot.

Fair Trading Act Obligations

national · Commerce Commission

Who qualifies
All businesses marketing travel services.
What you get
Guidelines for honest advertising and pricing.
What it actually costs you
Must ensure all 'sale' prices are genuine and not misleading.
Common gotcha
Bait advertising or hidden surcharges in travel packages.

Privacy Act 2020 Compliance

national · Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Who qualifies
Any business handling client passport and personal data.
What you get
Legal framework for protecting sensitive travel data.
What it actually costs you
Requires a privacy policy and data breach response plan.
Common gotcha
Sharing client passport details via unencrypted email.

NZeTA Verification Portal

national · Immigration New Zealand

Who qualifies
Agents assisting international clients entering NZ.
What you get
Official verification of visa-waiver entry requirements.
What it actually costs you
Time spent assisting clients with online applications.
Common gotcha
Clients assuming the NZeTA is a full visa.

Travel Agents Association (TAANZ) Bonding

national · TAANZ

Who qualifies
Travel agents seeking industry accreditation.
What you get
Financial bonding to protect client funds.
What it actually costs you
Annual membership fees and bonding premiums.
Common gotcha
Confusing voluntary accreditation with mandatory government licensing.

AML/CFT Compliance

national · Department of Internal Affairs

Who qualifies
Travel agents handling large cash transactions or high-risk payments.
What you get
Regulatory framework to prevent financial crime.
What it actually costs you
Rigorous 'Know Your Customer' (KYC) checks on high-value clients.
Common gotcha
Failing to report suspicious transactions to the FIU.

Looking after myself

Sarah needs to stay healthy to keep the agency running, relying on national health services.

Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) Services

national · Te Whatu Ora

Who qualifies
All NZ citizens and permanent residents.
What you get
Subsidized GP visits and free emergency hospital care.
What it actually costs you
Co-payments for GP visits; prescriptions usually $5.
Common gotcha
Assuming all services are free; specialist care often requires referrals.

National Immunisation Schedule

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Free access to vaccines for travel-related health protection.
What it actually costs you
Free at participating clinics.
Common gotcha
Not checking vaccine expiry or requirements for specific travel destinations.

Need to Talk? (1737)

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
Anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
What you get
Free 24/7 counseling support via phone or text.
What it actually costs you
Free.
Common gotcha
Waiting until a crisis to call instead of using it for early support.

PHARMAC Subsidy

national · PHARMAC

Who qualifies
Anyone with a valid prescription.
What you get
Subsidized costs for essential medications.
What it actually costs you
Standard co-payment per item.
Common gotcha
Some specialized travel medications are not on the funded list.

BreastScreen Aotearoa

national · National Screening Unit

Who qualifies
Women aged 45-69.
What you get
Free biennial mammograms.
What it actually costs you
Free.
Common gotcha
Missing the invitation letter; you can call to book anytime.

National Cervical Screening Programme

national · National Screening Unit

Who qualifies
Women aged 25-69.
What you get
Regular screening to prevent cervical cancer.
What it actually costs you
Usually free or low-cost depending on the provider.
Common gotcha
Thinking you only need it if you have symptoms.

Planning for the future

Sarah needs to manage her personal savings and retirement planning outside of her business assets.

KiwiSaver Personal Contributions

national · Inland Revenue Department

Who qualifies
All employees and self-employed.
What you get
Government contribution of up to $521 per year.
What it actually costs you
Voluntary contributions from your own income.
Common gotcha
Forgetting to contribute enough to get the full government match.

New Zealand Superannuation

national · Ministry of Social Development

Who qualifies
Citizens and residents aged 65+.
What you get
Universal pension payments.
What it actually costs you
Must meet residency requirements.
Common gotcha
Assuming it is means-tested; it is not, but it is taxable.

Working for Families Tax Credits

national · Inland Revenue Department

Who qualifies
Low to middle-income families with dependent children.
What you get
Regular payments to help with family costs.
What it actually costs you
Requires annual income estimation and reporting.
Common gotcha
Underestimating income leading to an end-of-year tax bill.

Student Loan Scheme

national · Inland Revenue Department

Who qualifies
Anyone with an outstanding student loan.
What you get
Interest-free loans for those living in NZ.
What it actually costs you
Mandatory repayment based on income thresholds.
Common gotcha
Interest is charged if you move overseas for more than 6 months.

First Home Grant

national · Kāinga Ora

Who qualifies
First-time buyers meeting income caps.
What you get
Grant of up to $10,000 towards a deposit.
What it actually costs you
Must have contributed to KiwiSaver for 3+ years.
Common gotcha
Property price caps vary by region.

Winter Energy Payment

national · Ministry of Social Development

Who qualifies
Superannuitants and benefit recipients.
What you get
Automatic payment to assist with heating costs in winter.
What it actually costs you
Automatic if you receive qualifying benefits.
Common gotcha
It is taxable income.