The 2025 dairy season has set off with a bang! The lift in the farm gate milk price to $9.00 kg/ms, with a range of $8.25-$9.75 kg/ms has brought about some welcome confidence to the industry and our farmers. Alongside this increased payout, many farms started in a positive position for 1 June 2024 with […]

Trust Changes The law of Trusts has undergone a significant update in the past few years. Firstly, the Trusts Act 2019 came into effect in January 2021. The new Act reformed Trust law and brought it up to date by providing mechanisms to resolve trust disputes, providing Trust administration rules, setting out core trust law

Looking Beyond Fines. Unlocking the benefits of Farm Compliance. In today’s evolving agricultural landscape, farm compliance is more than just a regulatory requirement. It’s considered a strategic investment in your business’s long-term success. While non-compliance can lead to significant financial penalties, it’s important to recognise the broader benefits that compliance can offer. By prioritising compliance,

Passion for supporting Dairy Farming CooperAitken are extremely passionate about our communities and taking pride in getting involved and supporting in any way we can. One of the many ways we are involved in supporting the agricultural industry is through the  Waikato New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, as a sponsor, as well as many team

Let’s talk ACC Employer Invoices Do you employ staff? It’s that time of the year and if you have employees, you will receive an invoice  from ACC.  All businesses will pay employer levies to ACC to cover the cost of all work-related accidental injuries.   These levies go towards treatment and rehabilitation so your employee can

Evidence of Compliance Be Audit ready: Streamline Evidence Collection for your farm Running a farm requires juggling many responsibilities, and compliance can feel like another burden.  But what if you could transfer audits from stressful events to smooth demonstrations of your commitment to best practices.  The key lies in having a well-organised system for evidence

They’re here!! Tax Threshold Changes – 31 July 2024 On the 30th May 2024, the Government announced new tax thresholds, from 31st July 2024. Previously, it was indicated these changes would take place 1st July 2024, and this date was amended at announcement. What do these changes mean for you and your payroll? The new

A much anticipated change to Income Tax Rates – a Payroll perspective. On 9th May 2024, The Hon. Nicola Willis reiterated the Government position on delivering income tax reduction for working New Zealanders. The last time changes in income tax thresholds took place, was 1st October 2010*. Whilst tax relief is most welcome in this

Here we go again…. Bright-line v4 The original Bright-line test was introduced with effect from 1 October 2015 and was designed by Inland Revenue as a simple way to capture tax on property speculation.  The intention test had proven to be almost impossible for Inland Revenue to apply with speculators buying and selling houses in

ACC: Standard Cover vs CoverPlus Extra Love it or hate it, ACC levies are all part and parcel of making money!  But don’t fret, we are here to help guide you and create an ACC world much easier to stomach. Let’s start with the basics: Standard ACC Cover This includes the standard CoverPlus policy which covers