Findex New Zealand

The best farm tech decision often starts with saying no.

New Zealand farmers have built a global edge by adopting agri-technology consistently, but cautiously. That discipline is a lesson for any business.

Alexandra-based Findex advisor Nigel Smellie sees the pattern every day. Interest in new tech is high but action only follows when the payback is clear.

"Most farmers are not short on ideas for new tech to try, but they are short on certainty. If they cannot clearly see the payback, or get support when it breaks, it is hard to justify the spend."

His advice: avoid tech for tech's sake. Start with a solid business case. Define the problem, set your baselines, and roll it out with proper training and support. That is how you turn "innovation" into measurable ROI.

The farmers who get it right rarely go it alone. They talk to advisors, peers and industry groups before they commit capital.

Read the full piece in NZ AgriBusiness magazine: https://www.agribusinessmagazine.co.nz/blog/cautious-agtech-adoption-delivers-consistent-results

Cautious agtech adoption delivers consistent results — NZ AgriBusiness Magazine New Zealand farmers have earned a global edge by consistently yet cautiously taking advantage of emerging agri-technology.

Is your business ready for the latest changes in health & safety and employment law?

The legal landscape is shifting - and expectations on employers, directors, managers and officers have never been higher. Join us for a free Auckland breakfast seminar on 6 August with one of New Zealand's most experienced H&S and HR consultants, Melissa Vining, and walk away with clear actions you can take immediately.

We'll cover:
- Key health & safety legal developments
- Officer due diligence under the Health & Safety at Work Act
- Lessons from recent prosecutions and investigations
- Emerging risks and regulator focus areas
- Recent and upcoming changes to employment legislation
- Common mistakes businesses make - and how to avoid them

📅 6 August | 7.30am - 9.00am | Northern Club, Auckland CBD | Free RSVP by 30 July - places are limited.

Navigating change in health & safety Are you confident your business is ready for the latest changes in health & safety and employment law?

Four of our New Zealand advisors have stepped into senior roles this year, and we could not be prouder. Congratulations to Jenna Anderson (Queenstown), Perry Crockett (Wanaka), Matt Edmondson (Hastings) and Rachel Fraser (Richmond), part of our class of 2026 across Australia and New Zealand.

Meet the New Zealand team and the full class of 2026: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H011-hW0

The newest tech isn't always the right tech for your farm.

Plenty of tools have launched with flashy dashboards, then fallen over the moment they hit daily use on farm.

Findex accounting and business advisory partner Nigel Smellie says New Zealand farmers have turned that caution into a real edge.

Holding out for proof before you invest isn't being slow. It's making sure the tech solves an actual problem on farm and pays its way.

His starting point is one question each morning: what are the pain points where a bit of tech could make the day easier?

He sat down with Country-Wide CONNECT to talk farm tech, where AI fits, and why the outcome never changes: producing food and fibre more efficiently.

Read the full piece: https://country-wide.co.nz/taking-the-time-to-get-tech-right-on-farm/

Taking the time to get tech right on farm - CountryWide NZ farmers have earned a global competitive edge by insisting on demonstrable results before investing in new tools.

Last week, we welcomed almost 40 clients, prospects, referrers and industry representatives to the Hamilton Hotel for a practical discussion on the forces shaping agribusiness.

The evening brought together sharp economic insight, commodity market expertise and open conversation about what lies ahead for the sector.

Thank you to our panel including:

- Cameron Bagrie, for his straight-talking view on where the economy is heading.

- Matt Manning from StoneX Group Inc., our principal event partner and a global leader in commodity risk management, for sharing practical perspectives on managing price volatility and protecting margins.

- Hayden Dillon, Findex Head of Agribusiness, for expertly facilitating the discussion.

What stood out most was the free-flowing conversation between the panel and the room, with plenty of valuable discussion on what current economic conditions mean for agribusiness.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to StoneX for partnering with us on the event.

If your business is your retirement plan, how are you actually planning for it?

Join Findex Wealth Partner Craig Smith and Business Solutions Partner Megha Jha this Thursday, 4 June to see what transitioning from business owner to retirement can really look like, including succession planning, business exit strategies, and how to turn years of hard work into the retirement you want.

Register here - https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8747430191451434071?source=Social+Media

Last week, the Findex Wānaka team had the privilege of opening our doors to local business owners across the Wānaka and Upper Clutha region for two full days of free advisory sessions.

Conversations ranged from digital solutions and staffing to insurance, Brightline, and business strategy. Areas tricky to tackle alone, and we're grateful to have been in the room to help.

Every session generated a contribution to three incredible organisations:
- Food for Love
- MAC Foundation
- WAI Wānaka

A huge thank you to the amazing goody bag contributors: Giovi Fine Food, Wānaka Lavender Farm, Edgewater Lake Wānaka, Racers Edge Wanaka, Burrito Craft, Maude Wines, Federal Diner Restaurant.

To every business owner who walked through the door, thank you for trusting us. It's why we do what we do.

Running a farm means making big calls usually with no one to talk them through, check them, or help consider it long-term.

It doesn't have to be that way. Advisory isn't just for big/corporate operations; in fact, for a farm, it's recommended. Still, nearly half of farmers have no advisory or governance support.

Findex Managing Partner Hayden Dillon sat down with Rural Exchange to talk about why that's a risk the agriculture sector cannot ignore.

Listen here:

Advisory support for farm businesses; "The evidence is pretty clear" - Hayden Dillon - REX Dom talks with Hayden Dillon, Findex Managing Partner, about concerns highlighted by recent research conducted among farmers showing nearly half of the respondents say they don’t have any advisory board or governance group support, why he thinks it's a misconceptions that structured advisory suppo...

Year-end is coming up, and your farm has different tax rules from most other businesses.

If you're not sure what adjustments need to happen at balance date, what deductions you're actually entitled to, or when to call your accountant, this session is for you.

Findex experts Craig Macalister and Michelle Turfrey are hosting a free online webinar on Thursday, 21 May (9:30 AM ACST), built specifically for farmers and agri businesses in New Zealand.

One hour, free, register here - https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/490590448218586204?source=Social+Media