Kiwisaver updates for employers and candidates
joann@employmesolutions.com
Kiwisaver update for employers and candidates from April 2026
KiwiSaver changes – important update for employers and employees
The Government has confirmed several KiwiSaver changes coming into effect between 1 July 2025, 1 April 2026, and 1 April 2028. These updates will impact payroll, employment costs, and employee take-home pay.
From 1 July 2025
- The Government KiwiSaver contribution has reduced from 50 cents to 25 cents per dollar contributed, lowering the maximum annual contribution from $521.43 to $260.72.
- Employees must still contribute at least $1,042.86 per year to receive the full government contribution.
- 16 and 17-year-olds are now eligible for the government contribution if they meet eligibility criteria.
- Employees earning over $180,000 per year are no longer eligible.
- There is no change to contributions for the year ending 30 June 2025. These will be paid in July and August 2025 at the previous rate.
From 1 April 2026
- Default employee and employer contribution rates will increase from 3% to 3.5%, with a further rise to 4% planned for April 2028.
- Employees may see a small reduction in take-home pay, while employers should plan for higher compulsory contribution costs.
- Employees can apply from 1 February 2026 for a temporary rate reduction to remain at 3% for 3 to 12 months. Applications can be made multiple times.
- During a temporary rate reduction, employers may also choose to match the reduced rate.
- From this date, 16 and 17-year-old employees will become eligible for employer KiwiSaver contributions, where previously this applied only to employees aged 18 to 65.
We recommend employers review payroll systems, employment agreements, and workforce budgets ahead of these changes.
For more detailed information, click the link below from Inland Revenue:
https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver-changes
By EmployMe Solutions | October 2026 If you're hiring in the automotive industry, or thinking about your next move, the latest SEEK NZ Employment Report is worth a few minutes of your time. SEEK NZ, New Zealand's employment marketplace, released its September 2026 figures, and the picture is one of steady demand and strong competition. The headlines Job ads rose 0.1% month-on-month and are up 7.8% on last year. Growth has eased over the past six months, but hiring demand remains well above where it was this time last year. Applications per job ad rose 2.9% month-on-month , the sharpest rise since April 2024. (This figure is a month behind, so it reflects August data.) The South Island is leading the way. Tasman (2.3%), Southland (1.8%) and Otago (1.7%) recorded the strongest monthly growth. Year on year, Otago is up 18.6%, and most regions are seeing double-digit increases. Hospitality and Tourism had a standout month , up 3.2%, as businesses gear up for summer. AI skills are appearing in more job ads. 4.2% of NZ job ads now reference AI skills, up 88.2% on last year. What this means for employers More applications per ad can look like good news, but it doesn't make hiring easy. When competition for roles is high, the strongest candidates tend to be the ones with options. They're usually talking to more than one employer, and they move quickly. In automotive, that's especially true for experienced technicians, service advisors and sales consultants. A larger pool of applicants doesn't mean a larger pool of the right applicants. A few things we see make the difference: A clear brief. Know what the role needs, what the package looks like and what sets your dealership or workshop apart. A fast process. Good candidates won't wait weeks for feedback. A proper shortlist. Screening early saves your managers' time and keeps the focus on quality, not volume. What this means for job seekers SEEK's data shows candidates are applying in greater numbers, so standing out matters more than ever. Make your CV specific. List the brands, systems and results you've worked with, not just job titles. Apply with intent. A targeted application beats a generic one. Use a recruiter who knows the industry. A specialist can put you in front of the hiring manager and tell your story properly. Whether you're building a team or looking for your next role, get in touch with the EmployMe team. We'd love to help. Source: SEEK NZ Employment Report, September 2026. SEEK NZ is New Zealand's employment marketplace. Applications per job ad data is from August 2026 .
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