This Year’s Conference Theme

The payroll pulse – Insights, Innovation, and Impact

This year’s conference focuses on current insights into where we stand in payroll today, what innovations will change what we do going forward, and their impact on the business-critical work that all payroll practitioners do to pay employees correctly and on time.

INSIGHTS – What Are We Learning About Payroll Today?

1. Strategic Value of Payroll

• Payroll is no longer just a back-office function—it’s becoming a strategic lever for employee experience, compliance, and financial forecasting.
• Real-time payroll data is being used to monitor labour costs, optimise workforce planning, and inform decisions.

2. Legislative Complexity

• Businesses are struggling to keep up with legislative changes, including employment law (a replacement to the Holidays Act).

INNOVATION – What’s Changing or Being Reinvented in Payroll?

1. Automation & AI

• Automated payroll processing reduces human error, ensures compliance, and improves accuracy.
• AI is being used to detect anomalies, suggest corrections, and forecast future payroll liabilities.

2. Cloud-based, Unified HCM Systems

• Payroll is being integrated with HR, benefits, time tracking, and finance in cloud platforms.
• Real-time reporting, mobile access, and self-service portals are standard features.

IMPACT – How Are These Changes Affecting Businesses and Employees?

1. For Businesses:

• Cost savings through reduced manual processing and fewer compliance penalties.
• Lower risk due to fewer payroll errors and legal missteps.
• Better decision-making, supported by payroll data informing labour cost analysis and workforce planning.

2. For HR & Payroll Teams:

• A shift from administrative tasks to strategic advising.
• Improved capability through real-time tools, analytics, and automation.

3. For Employees:

• Faster access to payroll information improves financial wellness and satisfaction.
• More payroll transparency builds trust in the organisation.
• Enhanced mobile and digital access makes managing pay more convenient.

This year’s annual conference will have speakers talking on a range of topics related to the theme.

This Year’s Conference Venue

Pullman Hotel – Corner Waterloo Quadrant, & Princes Street, Auckland

If you are attending this year’s conference from out of town, the Hotel has special rates for conference attendees. Use this link with the code below.

CODE: AKSCF7
Details are:

• 15% off Flexible Rates
• Pre-payment required at time of booking
• Free cancellation up to 7 days in advance of arrival
• Rates are subject to availability/change

This Year’s Keynote Speaker

Right Honourable Brooke van Velden, Workplace Relations and Safety Hon Brooke van Velden is the Minister of Internal Affairs and for Workplace Relations and Safety. Qualified in international trade and economics, Brooke has also been a factory worker and corporate affairs consultant. She was elected to Parliament as an ACT Party MP in 2020, returning as MP for Tāmaki in 2023.

This Year’s MC Will Keep the Conference Running Smoothly and on Track

Luke Bird is a charismatic and award-winning vocalist with a passion for musical theatre, opera, and comedy. His infectious energy and sharp wit make him a standout entertainer, celebrated for his versatility across multiple performance disciplines.

A graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts, Luke’s career has been shaped by his flair for storytelling and his dynamic stage presence. From his exuberant portrayal of Widow Twankey in Aladdin to sharing the stage with New Zealand’s finest operatic talents, he has built a career defined by creativity and excellence. Trained under the esteemed NZ Opera Diva, Joan Kennaway QSM, Luke has performed at prestigious events such as the Lockwood NZ Aria competitions, the 2012 NZ Opera Rigoletto, and as a guest artist for Opera in the Park and Opera in the Garden. His operatic journey has seen him perform alongside luminaries like Ben Makisi, Lilia Carpinelli, Dame Malvina Major, and Dame Helen Medlyn, as well as being a regular feature in Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park.

Luke’s theatrical career spans some of the most iconic musicals, including Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll and Hyde, The Full Monty, and Cabaret. His role as Monsieur André in The Phantom of the Opera showcased his talent for bringing comedic yet nuanced characters to life. In Cats, he played Bustopher Jones, sharing the stage with renowned performers Tina Cross and Shane Cortese. His versatility extends to modern theatre productions, including his work with Auckland Theatre Company in Shrew’d and a celebrated turn as Gabriel Von Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus.

This Year’s Conference Conference Dinner Speakers:

Brendan Dooley, described by The Press as “A New Generation of Talent Already Snapping The Heels Of Established Acts” he combines his skillset of world-class and never-before-seen magic with quick wit comedy, insane mind-reading, cheeky pickpocketing and plenty of audience participation to create the ultimate entertainment experience that has made him an audience favourite worldwide!

On top of hundreds of live appearances under his belt, Brendan has been awarded as “NZ’s Top Comedy Magician” being the youngest ever recipient, starred on the world’s longest running magic show for the past 5 years and more recently Brendan was headlining at the prestigious “World Famous Magic Castle” in Hollywood, California which is the No. 1 place to see the best magicians in the world, with a highly acclaimed 30 show run. This was completed at the age of only twenty-two, making him one of their youngest ever headliners.

Tony Lyall MC for the dinner and comedic relief! Tony is one of New Zealand’s busiest comedians and his mix of high energy storytelling, off the cuff crowd work and general good times vibe makes him a crowd favourite on any stage he appears on.

Tony is the match day MC for the Black Caps, has been seen on 7 Days, The Project, and The New Zealand Comedy Gala, is a member of the Alternative Commentary Collective and can be heard on Radio Hauraki. Originally from Blenheim, Tony now lives in West Auckland with his three kids where he often remembers to put the bins out on time.

This Year’s Conference Motivational Speaker:

Helen Corban, Business Productivity Coach, REACH Potential, has 27 years of experience in training and coaching, across a wide range of industries, including engineering, manufacturing, sport, beauty, retail, financial services, interior design, motorsport, and construction, in both corporate and SME environments.

To Helen, being a lifelong learner is one of the keys to a successful life, along with a growth mindset and positive attitude.  Helen comes from a family that prioritised education, though when she initially went to university, it was only because of the expectation. I ended up with a Bachelor of Arts in Education (and Psychology), which has been invaluable as she discovered early on that I love to teach, train, mentor and coach people.

Conference & Workshop Programme: 

• You can view the current programme here.

Conference Workshops Running (5 Dec)

Confirmed workshops (subject to change):

• ACC
• Holiday Pay Clarity: Getting RDP and ADP Right (The Holidays Act is still here! Understand when ADP is appropriate and how to calculate RDP correctly for FBAPS leave.)
  
• TAKING BACK CONTROL OF PAYROLL: Identify key blockers to effective payroll processing and develop strategies to mitigate or remove these blockers to ensure payroll is processed efficiently and accurately. Using innovation and online tools to explore and create effective tools to enhance employee experience, compliance, and workforce planning
• WorkForce Software Presents: The Lighter Side of Payroll
• Holidays Act – How to calculate and use RDP.
• Reducing Errors & Rework for Payroll Filings
• Termination Pays (and the new extra pay method)
• KiwiSaver (overview of end-to-end payroll steps)
• Payroll selection (key points to consider)
• Allowances (taxable, non-taxable, reimbursing) and common issues
• Quick checks for Holidays Act compliance
• Employment agreement essentials (clauses, types of employees
• Excel essential payroll tools

Event Speakers

Our Conference Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Datacom is Australasia’s largest homegrown tech company, bringing together a broad range of technology, insight and expertise to deliver innovative and sustainable technology solutions to corporate and government customers throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Datapay powered by Datacom, is a modern cloud-based payroll solution developed specifically for medium to large enterprises. Tailored to meet the unique needs of payroll leaders, Datapay empowers them to modernise payroll through precise configuration, seamless system integration, and ongoing high-touch support from local payroll experts.

Datapay has a track record of success, and 1 out of 6 employees in New Zealand has their pay processed by Datacom.

Link to website: https://datacom.com/nz/en/products/datapay

Gold Sponsor

Employment Hero is redefining how employment works. As the leading platform for HR, payroll and hiring, we help over 300,000 businesses worldwide simplify workforce management, reduce administrative costs and hire faster. Our solution supports every stage of employment, making it easier for businesses to grow and for people to find meaningful work. With deep expertise in employment operations, we are building a future where employment is simpler, more accessible and more rewarding for everyone. We offer:

• • Powerful HR and payroll software
  • AI-driven recruitment and onboarding

• Automated payroll calculations, leave management and processing
• Employee engagement and retention tools
• Managed payroll and HR advisory

Link to website: employmenthero.com/nz

Silver Sponsor

At Fusion5, we empower organisations across New Zealand and Australia to transform their people operations through smart, scalable, and locally supported HCM solutions. Our Human Capital Management practice brings together deep domain expertise, innovative technology, and a commitment to customer success.

We offer a comprehensive suite of Payroll and HR solutions, including our flagship platform Jemini, as well as Jade Star, EmpowerHR, Timecloud, TimeFiler, MyWorkplace, and Org Chart. These tools are designed to streamline everything from payroll and time tracking to organisational planning and workforce planning.

What sets us apart? Our people. With a dedicated team of consultants, account managers, and support specialists based right here in New Zealand, we understand the unique compliance, cultural, and operational needs of Kiwi businesses. Whether it’s navigating the Holidays Act, implementing Fair Pay Agreements (Australia), if you have an Australian business or subsidiary, integrating across your solutions, or optimising workforce planning, we’re with you every step of the way.

Fusion5 is more than a technology provider—we’re your strategic partner in building a future-ready workforce

Link to website: https://www.fusion5.co.nz/

This Year’s Exhibitors

Frontier Software, established in 1983, is a leading provider of human capital management and payroll solutions. Our flagship product, ichris (International Comprehensive Human Resource Integrated Solution), offers a modular and flexible approach to HR and payroll management, catering to diverse business requirements. With a presence in multiple countries, including New Zealand, we serve a wide range of industries, ensuring compliance with local regulations and delivering exceptional customer support.

Contact Details:

• New Zealand Office:
  • Address: 87 Grafton Road, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
  • Phone: +64 9 373 5191, 021 101 7959
  • Email: NZsales@frontiersoftware.com

Link to website: https://nz.frontiersoftware.com/

Transforming Payroll, HR and Workforce Management Across Aotearoa

Alxemy is a trusted New Zealand–based consultancy specialising in HRIS, Payroll, and Workforce Management solutions. We partner with leading platforms, including Dayforce, Employment Hero, and MYOB PayGlobal, helping organisations streamline operations, ensure compliance, and empower their people.

Our PMP-certified project leaders, functional consultants, and technical experts deliver tailored solutions – from system selection and implementation to technical optimisation and managed payroll services. We combine deep local expertise with global best practice to deliver seamless transitions and long-term value.

At Alxemy, we believe in transforming complexity into clarity, enabling organisations to focus on what matters most: their people.

Link to website: https://alxemy.co.nz/

TimeFiler is a cloud-based SaaS provider offering workforce management software for tasks like employee rosters, timesheets, leave management, and award interpretation. It integrates with other business systems and is popular in industries like construction and healthcare, due to its real-time validation, mobile app accessibility, and flexible features.

Link to website: https://www.timefiler.com/

 

At Robert Walters, we connect people and organisations to achieve their unique potential. With a global presence across 30 countries, we deliver recruitment, outsourcing, and talent advisory services to businesses of all sizes – from start-ups to global leaders. Whether it’s finding the right professional, building an outsourced team, or rethinking strategies around diversity or remuneration, we provide trusted solutions tailored to each story. By truly understanding the goals and challenges of those we partner with, we help organisations succeed and individuals shape career-defining pathways. The biggest opportunities start with a story – tell us yours today.

Link to website: http://www.robertwalters.co.nz/

Business Toolbox is New Zealand’s authorised BambooHR Partner, backed by over three decades of experience helping organisations streamline HR and payroll. We provide comprehensive implementation, local support, and trusted expertise to ensure your BambooHR system is set up for success. Our team specialises in connecting BambooHR with leading NZ payroll systems such as iPayroll and Datacom – creating one seamless, integrated solution. By combining best-of-breed products with hands-on local support, Business Toolbox empowers Kiwi organisations to reduce admin, improve data accuracy and focus on what matters most — their people.

Link to website: www.businesstoolbox.co

Tanda’s all-in-one software has everything you need to employ staff in New Zealand. Tanda combines payroll, rostering, timesheets, and HR into a single solution, built to help automate payroll and stay compliant with the Holidays Act.

• From hire to retire, Tanda’s recruitment, employee onboarding and self-service tools make bringing new staff into the business even easier. 

• Design rosters based on sales data, not hunches, and digitise timesheets for hourly and salaried staff with pay rule compliance built in
• Collect and store Kiwi Saver, Tax Code Declaration, and Bank details for easier record-keeping and a streamlined payday
• Manage the entire employee experience with a true all-in-one software, eliminating multiple logins and clunky integrations

Link to website: https://www.tanda.co.nz

Donorbees is supercharging the giving experience for charities by simplifying payroll giving from end to end. We make it effortless for employees and organisations to donate, with no administration, clear reporting, and flexible options that let donors give their way.

By removing barriers and streamlining the entire process, Donorbees helps charities magnify their impact while saving valuable time and reducing costs.

Link to website: donorbees.org.nz

At Crystal Payroll, our mission is simple: to make payroll crystal clear for New Zealand businesses. With one of the world’s most complex tax and payroll systems, managing payroll can feel overwhelming. But we’re here to change that. Our cloud-based payroll system offers total clarity—no murky areas, no foggy moments, and no confusion.

From PAYE and leave calculations to IR filings and KiwiSaver contributions, Crystal Payroll ensures you’re always compliant and up-to-date with the latest legislation. As an NZ IRD-accredited intermediary, we work closely with the IRD and accountants to keep everything running smoothly, so you don’t have to worry about fines or missed updates.

Tailored to New Zealand’s businesses and industries, Crystal Payroll offers intuitive payroll management from any device, anywhere, anytime. With affordable pricing and friendly, local support, we’re committed to helping you manage your payroll with ease.

Step out of the haze of complexity and into total payroll clarity with Crystal Payroll.

Link to website: https://crystalpayroll.com/

At Cultivate, we help people and organisations grow by connecting potential with opportunity. We’re proudly purpose-driven, award-winning (SEEK medium agency of the year 2023 & 2024), and committed to doing recruitment differently – with a focus on lasting results and genuine relationships. Across Aotearoa, we work across multiple sectors, with deep expertise in accounting, finance, and payroll, placing professionals at every level and supporting organisations to build high-performing teams.

Cultivate also proudly hosts Aotearoa’s largest Payroll Leaders Network, a senior community we’ve grown and supported for more than seven years. This network connects leaders from the country’s biggest payrolls with expert guest speakers across legal, technology, and AI, equipping them to navigate the complex payroll landscape and drive meaningful change across their teams.

For us, great recruitment is about more than filling roles – it’s about helping people and organisations thrive. If you’re looking to strengthen your payroll function or explore what’s possible, we’d love to connect.

Link to website: https://www.cultivate.co.nz/