Back to the calculator
NZ Pay & Tax Guides
The calculators give you the number. These guides explain what current wage news means for your pay, how KiwiSaver works, how tax brackets apply to income, and which tax code belongs on your IR330.
Pay and wage guides
Current wage developments translated into practical, original calculations and next steps.
- Is your pay rise keeping up with inflation?What 4.1% inflation means for a pay review, with original gross and after-tax examples.9 min read
- Minimum wage vs Living Wage NZ 2026The $5.95 hourly gap worked out at 20, 30 and 40 hours, before and after deductions.8 min read
- How to ask for a pay rise in NZBuild an evidence-led case, choose a number and use a practical meeting script.10 min read
KiwiSaver guides
Contribution rates, employer contributions and the rules for getting your money out.
- KiwiSaver contribution rates: 3.5%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10%?What each rate actually costs you per week after tax, what your employer adds, and how to change your rate.7 min read
- When can you withdraw your KiwiSaver?The five situations that let you take money out — retirement, first home, hardship, illness and leaving NZ.8 min read
Income tax guides
How PAYE, brackets, tax codes and secondary tax work on a New Zealand pay slip.
- NZ tax brackets explained (with worked examples)Why a higher bracket never taxes all of your income, and what each band costs on real salaries.8 min read
- Which NZ tax code should I use?M, ME, M SL, ME SL and the secondary codes — a plain-English walkthrough of the IR330.7 min read
- Secondary tax explained: you are not taxed more for a second jobThe most misunderstood part of NZ tax. What secondary codes really do and when you get money back.7 min read
Put the guides to work
Each guide pairs with a calculator that runs the numbers on your own income.
- PAYE Calculator NZ 2026Band-by-band PAYE on your income, plus ACC and student loan.
- KiwiSaver CalculatorCompare 3–10% contribution rates and project your balance.
- NZ Tax Code CalculatorFind the right IR330 code — M, ME, M SL or a secondary code.
- NZ Tax Rates & BracketsCurrent income tax brackets, ACC levy and student loan thresholds.