Conference Updates:

• Special rate added for staying at the Pullman for this year’s conference!
• We have added a 50% off one-day option for those who can only attend one day!
• Early bird rates will be extended until we publish the programme, and as we publish more conference information.
• Luke Bird announced as MC for this year’s conference!
• 5 Star Conference venue has been confirmed, see section below. Details regarding parking have been added.
• We will have a large group of sponsors and exhibitors at this year’s conference, and have begun slowly adding them.
• If you want to do a group booking for your team, we can offer a 25% discount. Please email: [email protected]

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: Automation reduces manual processing and compliance penalties.
• Risk Reduction: Fewer payroll errors and legal missteps.
• Better Decision-Making: Payroll data informs labour cost analysis and workforce planning.

2. For HR & Payroll Teams:

• Shift from administrative work to strategic advising.
• Empowered with real-time tools, analytics, and automation to do more with less.

3. For Employees:

• Faster access to payroll information on their pay aids an employee in financial wellness and satisfaction.
• More payroll transparency builds trust in the organisation.
• Enhanced mobile and digital access make managing pay more convenient for an employee.

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 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 Motivational Speaker:

• TBA

Conference Programme: 

• The DRAFT conference programme will be published on 17 October 2025 (Confirmed speakers will be published as confirmed).

Event Speakers

• TBA will be added as confirmed.

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: [email protected]

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

More will be added shortly…

Cost of This Year’s Conference

Early bird (In Person) up to 17 October 2025:

• NZPPA members: $680.00 + GST
• NZPPA non-members: $880.00 + GST

Standard Conference cost from 17 October 2025:

• NZPPA members: $880.00 + GST
• NZPPA non-members: $1080.00 + GST

*If you book two or more attendees at this event, we can offer 25% off for the second attendee onwards; just email [email protected]

When booking an NZPPA event, the NZPPA T&Cs apply.  To see the full set of T&C, here