Accounting Solutions Limited

With the general election approaching, there’s plenty of discussion around what the next few years could look like for New Zealand businesses and the wider economy.

We recently attended the South Island Election Conference 2026 in Christchurch, where political leaders, business representatives and regional stakeholders came together to discuss some of the big issues facing the South Island.

Topics ranged from economic growth and infrastructure through to employment, immigration, education, energy and regional development.

We’ve put together a politically neutral summary of some of the key themes and discussions from the conference for anyone interested in what was covered.

Read the full article here:
https://asl.co.nz/south-island-election-conference-2026/

What’s your current mindset?

As business owners, we’re often aiming for that sweet spot where the business is performing well, we’re still growing, and we have the financial freedom and lifestyle choice we set out to create.

But it’s worth pausing every now to ask, where am I actually sitting right now?

🎡 Are you in the comfort zone, doing what you’ve always done and hoping it will keep working?

☠️Are you in the danger zone, stretched too thin, carrying too much, and edging closer to burnout?

🧘‍♀️ Or are you in the performance zone, where you’re being challenged in the right way, making progress, and building a stronger business?

This matrix is a good reminder that growth doesn’t come from standing still, but it also doesn’t come from pushing yourself to breaking point.

Take a moment to look at where you sit today. Then ask yourself, what’s one small shift that would move you closer to the performance zone?

Westpac put on a breakfast with Richie McCaw & I was fortunate enough to attend. What a wise down-to-earth lovely man and ambassador for NZ.

Here’s the top 18 things I took away that I’m going to try implement:

1. Keep the team focused on where we’re heading.

2. Control the controllables.

3. See who can hang in there over time and competitors - keep them tough so we can be tough.

4. Rather than feeling helpless look at our attitude and look and be open for help and others to contribute to you.

5. My job is not to have the answers but find the answers (allows others to contribute) and be vulnerable to allow others to contribute and teach, train and give you tools to get better.

6. To get mental stability you’ve got to go through the tough times and learn.

7. As a leader you don’t gave to have all the answers - learn as you go. Learn to keep quiet, listen and allow it to be done, not your way.

8. Don’t fill the air space. If you don’t contribute, shut up. Best to have 8 people thinking different ways rather than 8 thinking the same way.

9. Set your team up so when you’re not there, they don’t miss a beat.

10. Have the real conversations around accountability and replay, look at your mistakes, talk about them. We called these inconvenient facts. we’re here to get better no matter who you are, captain included.

11. How do you progress forward when everything’s going wrong. This is what I’ve been working in for the last 4 years. This is our moment. So, change the mindset.

12. When you move on, leave the team as if you weren’t needed. You’ve installed the level of high performance standard.

13. Don’t look over your shoulder, otherwise you’ll always be disappointed. How do you replace the bits you love, when it’s time to move on. First identify them e.g. just before the start whistle goes. Replace those emotions in your next adventure in life. Don’t use that retire word. You have so much to contribute in many places and to many. If your identity was being a sportsperson, don’t give up your fitness.

14. Be a balance in your relationship, not necessarily at the same time but over the years.

15. Discomfort sets you up for life. Let others bitch & moan (including your children), be the example, and eventually they’ll appreciate the gem you’re trying to install in them.

16. Take a step back and see what we are doing well and see the opportunities, not the negatives or what’s wrong.

17. Be careful what you wish for, remember what’s important to you, like family time so before leaping into the next thing, how does that align with what's important to you, what's the sacrifice?

18. You can’t change what you can’t see. How do you get better at seeing things. Put yourself under pressure, until it affects your performance where there’s something on the line. Have a picture in your mind for when everything falls apart, so you can see it and change it, if you need to.

Thanks Richie, you are awesome ☺️

If you invest in cryptoassets, now is a good time to review your tax position and make sure everything is in order to avoid unexpected tax bills.

Inland Revenue is reminding cryptoasset investors that cryptoassets are treated as property for tax purposes. This means income from selling, trading, or exchanging cryptoassets is generally taxable and needs to be included with your other income for the year.

IRD has also advised that it will be paying closer attention to cryptoasset activity during the 2026 income tax season, from April to June. This includes matching cryptoasset information against tax returns and following up where there appear to be differences.

Some people with known cryptoasset activity have already received letters from IRD, giving them the opportunity to review their position and file an Individual income tax return if required.

IRD now has access to more data to help identify people with significant cryptoasset activity. New Zealand is also implementing the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework, which will give IRD greater visibility of cryptoasset transactions that take place overseas by New Zealand tax residents.

The key message is simple: if you have bought, sold, traded, exchanged, or earned income from cryptoassets, it is important to check whether you have tax obligations.

If you are unsure how the rules apply to you, or whether your cryptoasset activity needs to be included in your tax return, please get in touch with the team at Accounting Solutions. We can help you review your position, understand your obligations, and avoid unexpected tax bills later.

AI 101: Zero to Hero

Ready to start using AI in your business, but not sure where to begin?

Join our practical AI course designed for businesses that are new to AI and want to use it confidently in everyday operations.

Across 8 monthly sessions, you and your team will learn simple, practical strategies to:

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✅ Grow your business with confidence

✨Complimentary 1st Session
📅 Tuesdays, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
🗓️ Starting 2 June 2026
💰 $110 + GST per month / per person
Payment split over 10 months.

Whether you’re just getting started or want to help your team build AI confidence, this course will take you from zero to hero.

👉 For more information and to register: https://bit.ly/zero-to-hero-ai

Uncertainty overseas can quickly flow through to local businesses - especially through fuel, freight, supplier pricing, delivery delays, cash flow, and customer confidence.

Our latest article shares practical steps business owners can take now to stay calm, plan ahead, and focus on what is within their control.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4u6e8d6

We’re thrilled to introduce the two youngest members of the Accounting Solutions whānau — baby Zyla and baby Hudson! 💕🍼

A huge congratulations to our gorgeous first-time mums, Jenna and Monica, who are both doing an amazing job and settling into motherhood beautifully. We’re so excited for them as they soak up all the cuddles, chaos and special moments that come with their beautiful new arrivals.

Everyone at Accounting Solutions is absolutely smitten, and we can’t wait to have Jenna and Monica back with us soon enough with plenty of baby stories, of course! 💛

Welcome to the world, Zyla and Hudson you are already so loved! ✨