Our tools and resources

Ten steps to start a business

Our guide gives you the complete picture of what's involved in starting up, from testing your idea to registering a trade mark.

Business plan template

This template is useful any time you need a full and thorough business plan.

Customise it to suit — this could mean adding in extra sections, or cutting out ones that you don't need.

Discover how your approach to management and leadership works for your business, and if it could be holding you back.

If you’re experienced or just learning the ropes, find out where you need to focus to boost your business.

Think about ways to sharpen your communication and feedback skills.

Use this assessment to reflect on what your strengths are, and pinpoint how you can improve.

Discover how well you work trust and fairness into your business, and why it’s important.

If you’re experienced or just learning the ropes, find out where you need to focus to boost your business.

See how numbers can help you make big decisions, including those that involve borrowing money or seeking investors.

Exporting is exciting but challenging. It takes time, money, and commitment — maybe more than you’re ready for. Use this assessment to check if doing business overseas is for you.

Quiz: Can my customer return it?

Test yourself on when you must give a refund, repair, or replacement for a faulty product service.

Reduce the amount of tax you need to pay by claiming as many business expenses as you can.

From vehicle costs to business assets, use these tips to pay less tax — while also following Inland Revenue's rules

Test yourself on what expenses you can claim.  Then follow links from the answers to find out more.

Test yourself on tax basics, from GST to tax forms, plus how to handle PAYE and KiwiSaver contributions.

When you're done, follow links from the answers to find out more and to pick up tips to help with tax tasks.

Quiz: Test yourself on FBT

Know your fringe benefit taxes from your employee allowances and expenses? Take our quiz and find out.

When you’re done, follow links from the answers to pick up tips and find out more.

Avoid stress by following these tips on getting ready for tax time, whether you're starting out or well established.

See how to save time, get organised, and avoid complications — for different types of tax.

Employee, contractor or intern — which is right for your business and the tasks you need doing? 

Here's an overview of staff types so you can choose the right kind of help. You'll also pick up tips on what you must do for each type of worker.

Hiring the right person will help your business flourish.

Get tips on what to ask and how to ask it — plus advice on other things you can do to find the best person for your team.

Follow these steps to get ready for your new recruit, from getting the right paperwork in place to setting up their workspace.

These tips will help get your working relationship off to a great start — and set your business up for success.

Our quiz runs through the basics of hiring and managing people — and sticking to employment law.

Test yourself on job descriptions and sick leave, jury service and flexible working. 

Test yourself on staff types

Know the difference between a casual worker and a part-timer? Test yourself on all staff types with our quiz.

When you're done, follow links from the answers to pick up tips and find out more.

Work through these questions to make sure you’re not holding your employee back.

This guide shows you and any staff the requirements products or services must meet — if not, you must give a remedy.

From broken deliveries to spilled drinks, this quiz covers when to give a refund, repair or replacement — and when not to. 

Going contracting

If you’re going contracting over the summer, or in general, we have tips, tools, templates and case studies to help no matter what stage you’re at.

From logos to customer databases, secret recipes to software codes, your business has intellectual property.

Use this list to identify your business’s IP assets and get tips on how to protect what’s yours.

Follow these five tips to have meaningful and effective H&S talks.

From toolbox talks to office chats, make it worker-led and hands-on so everyone is involved in staying healthy and safe. 

Health and safety isn’t about paperwork and ticking boxes.

It’s about creating a work environment where everyone behaves in a safe and healthy way. Here’s how to get everyone involved in H&S.

Pick up tips on how to protect your business name, brand and best ideas.

Whether you’ve got trade marks or patents, copyright or plant varieties, find out more about different types of intellectual property.

This sets out common current assets — bank accounts, money owed to your business, and items that can easily be sold. 

Customise this list to identify your business’s current assets.

This sets out common fixed assets — big-ticket items valued at $500+, including equipment, land and long-term investments.

Customise this list to identify your business’s fixed assets.