Your strategic guide to winning leadership buy-in for HR and payroll system change 

At 150 employees and beyond, manual workarounds are a real business risk.

The rules have changed. The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Act 2025 came into force on 14 March 2025, making it a criminal offence for employers to intentionally withhold wages or statutory entitlements, with penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment where the amount withheld exceeds NZD 1,000. 

On top of that, IRD requires employment information to be filed within two working days of every payday. From 1 April 2026, the default KiwiSaver contribution rate for both employers and employees increased from 3% to 3.5%, with another increase to 4% coming in April 2028. Every one of these changes means more for your payroll team to get right, every single pay run.

If your systems are fragmented or your processes rely on manual workarounds, the risk is sitting in your next pay run.

This guide helps you take that problem to the people who can fix it. It shows you how to translate the operational frustration your team feels every fortnight into the financial language your CEO and CFO respond to, allowing you to walk into your next leadership meeting with a clear case for change.

Inside the guide, you’ll find:

• ROI framework: Step-by-step instructions to quantify your admin inefficiency, compliance exposure and turnover costs into hard dollar figures your CFO can act on.
• Executive messaging tracks: Word-for-word talking scripts tailored for your CFO (risk and return) and your CEO (growth and scale).
• 7-slide pitch deck outline: A ready-to-use presentation structure designed to build logic and urgency in under 20 minutes.
• Objection-handling playbook: Confident, prepared responses to the pushback you’ll face, including “we can’t afford this” and “it’s too disruptive”.
• Editable business case template: A leave-behind document your leadership team can review, approve and act on.

Download the guide now by filling out the form on the right hand side.

Disclaimer: The information in this guide is current as at 21 October 2026 and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd (ABN 11 160 047 709) and its related bodies corporate (Employment Hero). The views expressed in this guide are general information only, are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees and should not be relied on as professional advice. The Information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising either directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this guide. You should undertake your own research and to seek professional advice before making any decisions or relying on the information in this guide.