WK Strawbridge Advisors and Accountants

For wineries and vineyards, post-harvest is one of the best times to step back and review the numbers.

With rising costs, seasonal cashflow pressures, changing consumer demand and tighter margins, having a clear view of your financial position is essential for making confident decisions.

A wine industry financial review can help identify opportunities to improve profitability, manage debt, review pricing, assess stock levels and prepare for the next season.

At WK, we know and understand that wine businesses face unique challenges.

Our team provides practical advice to help wineries and vineyards plan ahead, improve performance and make informed decisions.

Visit our website to read the full blog post. - https://www.wk.co.nz/blog/wine-industry-financial-review

The changes in the Budget 2026 includes a number of tax updates that may affect how businesses manage their tax obligations, structure investments and plan for the future.

Key changes include updates to charities and not-for-profits, shareholder loans, FIF rules, non-resident contractors’ tax, RDTI and motor vehicle FBT.

Understanding these changes is important, as they may have implications for tax planning, compliance requirements and business decision-making.

At WK, we help businesses navigate legislative changes and understand the practical impact on their operations.

Visit our website to read the full Budget 2026 tax update: https://www.wk.co.nz/blog/budget-2026-tax-changes

At WK, team culture is shaped by how people work together every day.

From sharing knowledge across teams to supporting each other's growth and building strong client relationships, the focus is on creating an environment where meaningful work happens and people continue to thrive.

That's the kind of team we're proud to be.

Meet the WK Strawbridge team.

A wealth of experience across small and medium businesses in the Nelson and Tasman District.

From retail and hospitality to construction and the primary sector, this team knows the region and the people in it.

It is that local knowledge that makes the difference.

This is Part 2 of our transport margin series, and this one covers the solution.

Swipe through to learn more about:

✔️ What a Fuel Adjustment Factor (FAF) is and how to build one

✔️ How to have the client conversation without the pushback

✔️ Why the best transport businesses are not just managing fuel costs, they are protecting margin across the entire operation

The businesses that come out of this environment stronger are not the ones with the lowest costs. They are the ones operating by design, not by default.

If this resonates and you would like to discuss what that looks like for your business, reach out to the team at WK.

👉🏻 https://www.wkstrawbridge.co.nz/contact/

Preparing for the new financial year starts with getting organised early.

At WK, we help clients review key numbers well before year end, identify priorities and pressure points early, and plan ahead for tax, cashflow, and reporting.

This allows businesses to set clear focus areas and enter the new financial year with clarity, confidence, and direction. ✅

If you’d like to start the year with a clear plan in place, speak with our team today. https://www.wkstrawbridge.co.nz/

From 1 April 2026, the default KiwiSaver contribution rate will increase from 3% to 3.5% for both employees and employers.

Here’s what else is changing:

• Temporary rate reductions can be applied for from 1 February 2026
• Eligible 16–17 year olds will qualify for employer contributions
• The rate will increase again to 4% from 1 April 2028

If you’re an employer, now is a good time to review payroll settings and budgeting.

If you’re an employee, it’s worth understanding how this impacts your take-home pay and long-term savings.

Have questions about how this affects you or your business? Get in touch with the WK team.

Diesel is at $3.76 a litre. Up 85% in the last month. And it is not coming down any time soon.

For NZ transport operators, this is not just a cost problem. It is a margin crisis happening in real time.

When fuel represents 25 to 40% of your total operating cost, a spike like this does not just sting. It quietly destroys profitability across your entire fleet.

A 5% rise in fuel on 30% exposure equals 1.5% margin loss across the business.

And most operators are still absorbing it, delaying pricing decisions, and hoping it stabilises.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series on what to do instead.

Swipe through to understand your true fuel exposure. Follow us for Part 2 next week, where we cover the framework to stop carrying this risk yourself.

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