Top 11 Employer of Record Providers for Seamless Expansion into New Zealand
Expanding into New Zealand offers access to a highly skilled workforce, political stability, and a strong economy. The country's reputation for innovation and ease of doing business makes it an appealing destination for global companies. However, entering a new market involves more than identifying opportunities; it requires compliance with local employment regulations, payroll processes, tax contributions, and employee benefits. For businesses unfamiliar with these requirements, the process can quickly become complex and time-consuming.
An Employer of Record New Zealand provider addresses this challenge by becoming the legal employer for your team in the country. They manage employment contracts, payroll, tax deductions, KiwiSaver contributions, and statutory benefits, while you retain control over the employees' day-to-day duties. This approach allows you to operate without setting up a local legal entity, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring compliance from the start.
Why an Employer of Record Matters in New Zealand
New Zealand's employment legislation is detailed and strictly enforced. From minimum wage requirements to health and safety laws, leave entitlements, and retirement savings obligations, there are numerous rules to follow. Even small compliance errors can lead to penalties, disputes, or reputational harm.
For foreign companies, navigating this legal landscape can be a significant barrier to entry. An Employer of Record New Zealand provider removes these obstacles by managing every aspect of employment in line with local law. This accelerates market entry, reduces overhead costs, and ensures your obligations are met. It can also improve your recruitment prospects, as local hires gain confidence knowing their rights and benefits are managed correctly from day one.
Listing Down The Best EOR Platforms in New Zealand
1. Multiplier
Multiplier is a trusted global EOR provider with extensive knowledge of New Zealand's employment framework. It enables companies to hire quickly and compliantly without creating a local entity by managing employment contracts, payroll, KiwiSaver, PAYE tax compliance, ACC levies, and Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) where applicable.
Operating in over 150 countries, Multiplier is ideal for businesses planning to expand in New Zealand and beyond.
2. Skuad
Skuad enables employers to hire and manage staff in New Zealand without establishing a legal entity. Their services include preparing compliant employment agreements, handling payroll, and managing benefits and tax deductions. Skuad is often favoured by small to mid-sized companies seeking straightforward onboarding. Alongside their work in New Zealand, they provide EOR services in more than 160 countries, supporting both local and global expansion strategies.
3. Remote People
Remote People offers EOR services tailored to New Zealand, covering employment contracts, payroll, tax compliance, and benefits management. Their operations rely on strong local expertise, making domestic hiring simpler. However, their reach appears focused on New Zealand alone, so businesses looking for multi-country expansion may need additional partners.
4. Horizons
Horizons provides EOR services in New Zealand through its in-country subsidiary, managing payroll, mandatory benefits, and HR administration in compliance with labour and tax laws. Their in-house recruitment team helps source local talent efficiently, offering personalised, on-the-ground expertise. While Horizons operates in over 180 countries, some companies may still prefer providers with more integrated global service models.
5. Velocity Global
Velocity Global delivers full EOR services in New Zealand, including locally compliant employment agreements, payroll administration with payday filing, tax handling, and KiwiSaver contributions. They also manage leave, public holidays, and terminations under the Employment Relations Act. Their structured service suits organisations focused on compliance, though pricing flexibility may vary.
6. Safeguard Global
Safeguard Global supports fast entry into New Zealand, sometimes enabling hiring within two weeks. They oversee compliant contracts, payroll processing in local currency, KiwiSaver contributions, and adherence to local employment law. Additional features include HR support, locally tailored employment documentation, and payroll services aligned with New Zealand time zones.
7. Papaya Global
Papaya Global combines EOR services in New Zealand with a technology-driven platform. They manage payroll, taxes, compliance, benefits, onboarding, and analytics, centralising workforce management through digital tools. While efficient, organisations needing more hands-on local HR support might consider providers with stronger account management alongside tech solutions.
8. Deel
Deel is an Employer-of-Record (EOR) platform enabling businesses to hire, onboard, and manage employees in New Zealand swiftly and compliantly. It handles local payroll, tax, benefits, and legal obligations without a company needing its own entity. Onboarding typically takes just two days via their centralised, automated platform.
9. Innovare
Innovare offers a full Employer of Record service in New Zealand, leveraging local expertise to simplify expansion. Though Innovare Group is based in Singapore, they offer broad EOR services there covering onboarding, payroll, tax, and social security management (including PAYE, KiwiSaver, and ACC levies) as well as support for employment contracts, leave entitlements, and compliance with IRD and ACC.
10. RemoFirst
RemoFirst provides global Employer of Record (EOR) and payroll services with an emphasis on compliance and ease of use. The platform supports local-currency payroll, automatically calculates hours, time off, holidays, bonuses, benefits, and commissions, and aggregates invoices into a single payment. Their legal and HR professionals ensure compliance across 185+ countries, including New Zealand.
11. Native Teams
Native Teams enables businesses to hire in New Zealand without establishing a local entity by acting as the legal employer. Their platform automates HR administration, offers centralized document access, and ensures compliance with New Zealand labour laws. Payroll calculators reflect tax, KiwiSaver, and statutory deductions specific to New Zealand. Benefits such as paid leave, KiwiSaver contributions, and optional perks can be managed directly via their system.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Employer of Record New Zealand partner is essential for successful expansion. The provider you select will influence how quickly you can hire, how effectively you comply with regulations, and how smoothly operations run.
While all the companies listed here, Multiplier, Skuad, Remote People, Horizons, Velocity Global, Safeguard Global, Deel, Native Teams, RemoFirst, Innovare, and Papaya Global, offer strong services, Multiplier stands out for its blend of local compliance knowledge and global reach. Partnering with an experienced EOR allows you to focus on growth while the complexities of employment are handled by experts.
With the right Employer of Record New Zealand service, you can hire quickly, operate confidently, and establish a strong presence from day one.
