Newsletter - August 2026

Closer to home, it is clear that we are now firmly in election-year territory, with the major political parties rolling out policy announcements at a steady pace. One of the most significant announcements to date has been Labour's proposed Capital Gains Tax. Given the high level of interest in this proposal, Ryan and I will be presenting a free 20-minute webinar to discuss the policy and its potential impact in more detail.

Of course, whether we ultimately see a Capital Gains Tax, or any of the other policies currently being proposed, will depend on the election result. Early voting opens on 26 October, and voters must be enrolled by 25 October. Unlike previous elections, voters can no longer enrol and vote at the same time during the advance voting period. If you or members of your family are not enrolled, now is a good time to check your details and ensure you are ready to have your say.

Enjoy the newsletter, and as always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
 

Mike

In this Newsletter

• Capital Gains Tax: What Should you do?
• Finding the Right Fit for YOUR Business
• Beyond the Power Bill
• Planning for the Unexpected
• Alzheimer's Otago Partnership with Polson Higgs
• Tom Hanning appointed to ASB's Every Hectare Matters Panel

Capital Gains Tax
What Should you Do?

Free client webinar - Wednesday 26 August | 11:00am

With the election less than 100 days away, the major political parties have begun announcing their tax policies. Of these, Labour's proposed Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is generating the most questions from our clients.

While we don't yet know the outcome of the election, our Tax Team has reviewed the proposal and considered what it could mean for you.

If you'd like to better understand the proposed changes and their potential impact, join Tax Partners Mike Turner and Ryan Ehlers for a free 20-minute webinar. They will explain Labour's proposed Capital Gains Tax, discuss the possible implications, and outline any actions you may wish to consider.
 

Topics covered:

• The tax policies of the major political parties
• Labour's proposed Capital Gains Tax
• Its potential impact on your trust(s) and tax planning arrangements
• Practical considerations and next steps
   

Finding the Right Fit for YOUR Business

How hard can it be to find a new team member for your business? With the current unemployment rate, you are guaranteed a larger pool of candidates to choose from, so it should be easy.

But a larger talent pool does not make hiring simpler. In many ways, it makes it even more important to have the right recruitment process in place. Being faced with a large volume of applications creates the challenge of identifying the best candidate from a crowded field. Reviewing CVs, shortlisting applicants, conducting interviews, checking references, and assessing skills all require time, expertise, and a structured process. All of this can place a drain on resources and shift your focus away from running your business.

You cannot afford to take shortcuts because the biggest risk is hiring the wrong person. A poor fit can have a significant impact on team morale, productivity, customer relationships, and staff retention. The costs associated with a bad hire, including recruitment expenses, training, lost productivity, and ultimately replacing the employee, can be substantial.

This is where the Polson Higgs HR Team can make a real difference. Our experienced HR consultants will work with you to develop a clear understanding of the job, and identify the skills and attributes needed for success. They can manage as much, or as little, of the recruitment and selection process as you require. We can assist with candidate assessment, interview design, interviewing techniques, reference checking, and onboarding support. Most importantly, we can help you find a candidate who is the right fit for your business.

If you would like to discuss recruitment or any other HR-related matter, please contact our HR Team directly.

Beyond the Power Bill
Your Strategic Decisions - is Solar Worth Considering for Your Business? 

Does generating your own electricity make financial sense? For many business owners, electricity is no longer just an operating expense; it is a strategic business decision.

Faced with rising power prices and an increasing need for energy security, more business owners are exploring the option of generating their own electricity.

Solar technology has evolved rapidly in recent years. Installation costs have fallen significantly, while panel efficiency has improved substantially. In addition, all major banks now offer competitive financing options, making solar a viable option for a wider range of businesses than ever before.

For businesses that consume electricity during daylight hours, such as commercial property owners, farmers, and manufacturers, solar can provide significant long-term savings. When paired with battery technology, businesses can also store excess generation, reduce reliance on peak-period electricity, and improve resilience during outages or weather-related disruptions.

However, solar should not simply be viewed as a cost-saving exercise. It is a strategic business decision and should be evaluated against your business's long-term goals. It is not only about calculating the return on investment (ROI), but also about understanding how solar can improve overall business value, efficiency, and resilience.

Your business has a unique energy profile, and the potential benefits of solar will depend on its specific circumstances. If you are interested in understanding whether solar could reduce costs, improve energy resilience, or support your long-term business strategy, contact your Partner or Manager at Polson Higgs. They can help identify available financing options and calculate the potential ROI. More importantly, they can help you assess whether solar is the right strategic decision for your business.

For more information, check out this 20-minute webinar presented by our experts David Hogue and Brad Suddaby. 

Planning for the Unexpected

Every business prefers certainty. Knowing what their costs are and what tomorrow will be. It makes planning and decision-making that much easier.

This year alone we have seen conflict in the Middle East sending oil and petrol prices on a virtual rollercoaster. If that wasn’t enough, we have also experienced storms and floods that disrupted communities, transport links, and business operations. None this makes planning easy.

Yet, none of these events are truly unexpected. Tension in the Middle East is hardly new, and winter regularly brings severe weather events. The only real uncertainty is when these disruptions will occur. That is why we need to plan for the unexpected.

One of the key lessons from COVID-19 was the importance of business continuity planning. Businesses that had contingency plans in place were often able to adapt quickly, maintain operations, and continue serving their customers. Those without a plan found themselves scrambling to respond.

Business continuity planning is about asking the right questions before a crisis occurs. How would your business operate if your premises were inaccessible? Are critical records backed up and accessible remotely? Could staff work from another location? What would happen if a key supplier was unable to deliver?

Having clear answers to these questions can reduce disruption, protect revenue, and provide peace of mind when challenges arise.

Our team can work with you to identify risks and put practical plans in place to improve resilience. If you would like talk about business continuity planning feel free to talk to your manager or Partner.

Alzheimer's Otago Partnership with Polson Higgs

Alzheimer’s Otago has strengthened its partnership with Polson Higgs following support provided through our Community Partners Programme.

Alzheimer’s Otago General Manager, Antoinette McLean, says the organisation was entering a new phase that prompted a review of its accounting structure and internal processes.

“Working with the team at Polson Higgs was fantastic. Having Sophie on site allowed her to gain a real understanding of our organisation, the challenges we face, and the opportunities for improvement.”

Through the Polson Higgs Community Partners Programme, Alzheimer’s Otago applied for assistance. Sophie Strathern worked directly with the Alzheimer’s Otago team to review its accounting processes. This enabled her to prepare a report identifying not only system improvements, but also a range of non-core functions that could be done more efficiently.

Polson Higgs established the programme to help community organisations access professional expertise as a way of giving back to the community. Each year, the programme provides thousands of dollars' worth of professional services to local charities, clubs, and community groups, offering expertise in accounting, business planning, human resources, payroll, IT, and tax.

What began as a project to review Alzheimer’s Otago’s accounting processes has since developed into an ongoing partnership, with the organisation deciding to outsource a range of accounting functions and related services to Polson Higgs.

To find out more about the Polson Higgs Community Partners Programme, or to apply, visit the Polson Higgs website at ph.co.nz.

Tom Hanning Appointed to ASB's Every Hectare Matters Panel

We're pleased to share that our Associate, Tom Hanning, has been appointed as a consultant to ASB's Every Hectare Matters Panel.

Every Hectare Matters was established by ASB to help rural businesses boost returns per hectare. By combining expert advice with access to tailored funding solutions, the programme enables landowners to strengthen resilience and plan for the future.

Tom will work closely with landowners to assess their current land use and explore opportunities, helping them develop achievable, long-term plans for their rural businesses.

Having worked with farming clients across the Lower South Island, Tom has developed a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. This appointment reflects his strong agricultural knowledge and passion for helping rural businesses succeed.

If you'd like to learn more about the programme, feel free to get in touch with Tom via email.

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