Newsletter - April 2025

In addition to the promotion of David to Partner we had the retirement of Steve Dunbar after a 42-year stint at 139 Moray Place. I am also pleased to announce that Gayan Mendis has been promoted to Manager and LeWen Tran to Assistant Manager. One of Polson Higgs greatest strengths is its ability to develop and grow accountants like Gayan, LeWen and David into strong business leaders. It has been great to see these people develop and take the opportunities presented to them.

Enjoy the newsletter and as always if you have any questions just ask.

Mike

In this newsletter

• New Partner - David Hogue
• New Manager - Gayan Mendis
• New Assistant Manager - LeWen Tran
• Steve Dunbar's Retirement
• Changes to Minimum Wage
• New Engagement Letter

New Partner - David Hogue

David has worked alongside all the Partners at Polson Higgs during his 13 years at the firm. He has taken the opportunity to gain expertise and experience across a range of disciplines, including agribusiness, commercial property, health, and large reporting entities.

When asked about joining the partnership David said he is “very excited to play a role in shaping the future of Polson Higgs.” Listening to clients and ensuring effective communication is the most important aspect of the job, “I feel that at times I can be guilty of over-communicating, but I want to make sure our clients are valued, and I can provide value.”

David’s professional career began in 2010 as a graduate accountant for Polson Higgs. After becoming a Chartered Accountant, he then moved to Melbourne to gain experience working as a management accountant for a media company. In 2015, David and his wife Claire, decided it was time to move back to Dunedin - a decision they do not regret. “I only really wanted one job when deciding to move back home and that was at Polson Higgs” David explained. “I like giving advice and working with great family businesses. Polson Higgs is a family itself; it’s a place you feel valued and empowered to contribute.”

David and Claire have a young daughter and enjoy spending time together doing family activities on the weekend. When he has time outside of work or family, David enjoys keeping fit and active by running and playing golf.

He is a firm believer in being part of the community, being chairperson and treasurer of the Creative Arts Trust, an art studio for people who use mental health and addiction services. He is also on the board of the Dunedin Master Games.
 

New Manager - Gayan Mendis

Our newest Manager, Gayan Mendis credits his wide range of experience with his success at the firm. From working as a management accountant in Sri Lanka to managing a Dairy Farm in Lumsden he has a great understanding of not just the numbers but real hands-on farm experience.

Born in Colombo Gayan is a certified Business Accountant of the Institute of Charted Accountants of Sri Lanka. In 2012 Gayan and his wife, Madusha made the decision to move their young family to Invercargill to study at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT).

In 2022, Gayan moved with his family to Dunedin and accepted an opportunity at Polson Higgs. He explained that working at Polson Higgs has allowed him to interact with multiple clients across different industries. As for living in Dunedin, Gayan described it as a “five-minute city” with wildlife and beaches at your fingertips – a big change from Colombo.

Outside of work and family Gayan’s less than secret passion is cricket. He is a specialist opening batsman playing for the Carisbrook cricket club and occasionally the Polson Higgs Social Sixes team. When asked who he supported in the cricket Gayan gave a very politic answer, “my brain says the Black Caps, but my heart says Sri Lanka.”
 

New Assistant Manager - LeWen Tran

Accounting was not LeWens first career choice. In fact, when she left Otago Girls High School the plan was to be a Microbiologist. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in microbiology and immunology from the University of Otago she decided to look at another path. Whilst trying to decide what that path was, she took a short course in accounting at the Otago Polytechnic, which in turn proved to be a real eye opener.

So, with accounting as the new career goal LeWen went on to study for a Bachelor of Applied Management, majoring in accounting. In the final year of her studies, she joined Polson Higgs as an intern. LeWen enjoyed her internship saying that Polson Higgs had a “good team environment and everybody was just so approachable.” So, for LeWen it was an easy decision to accept an offer as a Graduate Accountant once she completed her degree. Newly appointed Partner, David Hogue said he first noted LeWen’s “excellent work ethic and ability to fit into the team” during her internship and has no doubt that she will succeed in her new role as Assistant Manager.

Having completed her CA, LeWen is part of the Accounting Solutions Team and enjoys helping Polson Higgs clients. She is looking forward to developing in her new role and is ready to take on the challenge and assist her peers along the way.

Outside of work, family and friends come first for LeWen. She is also a keen swimmer and social badminton player but when needing to slow down LeWen enjoys going for walks on the various tracks Dunedin has to offer.
 

Pictured: SAD at his last client function

Steve Dunbar's Retirement

In 1983, Stephen Dunbar walked into 139 Moray Place and started work as a graduate accountant.

Last Friday after 42 years, Steve decided it was time to put the pencil down and enjoy some more time with his family. Steve has made a major contribution to Polson Higgs and was the last of the founding partners that created Polson Higgs & Co in 1997.

Steve has played a major role in Polson Higgs and vice versa bringing him and his wife Cindy together. During his farewell speech on Friday, Steve expressed pride in the family values upheld by the firm and shared his excitement for upcoming travel adventures, spending time in the garden, and honing his brewing skills.

We thank Steve for his many years of service and the lasting impact he has had on the firm.

Changes to Minimum Wage 

With the end of the financial year, it is not unusual for there to be some changes to tax rates, and the minimum wage that you should be aware of.

The key changes are:

• Employer Superannuation Contribution Tax (ESCT): The thresholds for earnings are increasing.
• ACC Earners Levy Rates: Both the rates and maximum liable earning thresholds will increase.
• Extra Pay Thresholds: Changes will be implemented.
• Taxation of Extra Pay on Termination: Adjustments will be made.

If you are a Polson Higgs payroll client, we will take care of all these changes for you, so you don’t have to worry about the fine print. But if you have any questions or would more details then please feel free to contact our payroll team at payroll@ph.co.nz.

Additionally, the minimum wage will increase from $23.15 per hour to $23.50 per hour ($48,880 per annum). If you have employees currently being paid the minimum wage, their pay should be updated automatically. While the increase is small, it is still useful to consider how this change may impact the rest of your team or if it creates any relativity issues. Our HR team are experts in this area and are happy to have a chat at hr@ph.co.nz.
 

New Engagement Letter 

Many of you will be receiving a new engagement letter from us this year (even if you have been with us for years). This letter is a requirement of our professional body and sets out not only what we do for you but also the terms & conditions we operate under and the professional standards we will maintain.

While it is a timely exercise for us to update our engagement letter, it also ensures that changes to professional standards issued by CAANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand) are included.

It is important that you review the letter before you sign and return it. If you have any questions, please contact your Partner.

Kind regards,

The Polson Higgs Team.

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