Snow on them there hills

Thanks for the update Lake Wanaka Tourism. Lets hope more to come for the ski season.

For a look at the Lake Wanaka Tourism rebrand take a look at www.lakewanaka.co.nz

Performance Aviation Innovation

Our clients Matt and Lynnette Bailey receive a tip of the Findco hat for thinking smart.

We love innovation and we think the idea of saving customers money and keeping pilots safe, is on the money.

Matt is the engineer of two new innovations that have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, no mean feat in a highly regulated and strict industry.

Read ODT Article for more details.

Budget Summary

Here is a run down of the 2010 Budget Announcement.

Personal Income Tax
Personal Income tax rates were reduced and will begin October 1st of this year. The cuts are as follows:

• Income $0-$14,000 dropped from 12.5% to 10.5%
• Income $14,001-$48,000 dropped from 21% to 17.5%
• Income $48,001 -$70,000.00 dropped from 33% to 30%
• Income $70,000 and higher dropped from 38% to 33%

Company Tax Rate
The rate of company tax will decrease from 30% to 28% from 20011/12 income year

GST Rate
The rate of the goods and services tax (GST) will be increased from 12.5% to 15% beginning on October 1st 2010.

Trustee Tax Rate
This rate currently 33% is unchanged for Trustees.

Depreciation
Owners of both commercial buildings and rental houses will no longer be able to claim depreciation on investments.

Repairs and maintenance expenditure by building owners will remain deductible for income tax purposes, while depreciation deductions will remain for "fit out" items not considered to be part of the building, a review of commercial fit outs is to come.

The Budget also removes 20 per cent depreciation loading on new plant and equipment purchased after Budget day.

Working for Families
From April 1st 2011 investment losses will need to be added back to a persons taxable income for the purpose of determining eligibilty for Working for Families

A bolder budget?

This Thursday May 20th the government will announce the 2010 budget.

All talk alludes to economic growth and incentives for hard working Kiwis to get ahead.

Major changes to the NZ tax system maybe on the cards with some lavish attention being applied to the GST rate, tax rules around rental properties and personal tax rates.

"As the Prime Minister has said, we want to create a tax system that strengthens the economy, rewards effort, reduces tax avoidance and keeps talented New Zealanders at home. We also want to tilt the economy towards exports and investment, and away from consumption and borrowing."

Tune in Thursday to hear what happens.

Winner winner chocolate dinner!

Leigh Stock the General Manager of Edgewater Resort and President of Wanaka Chamber of Commerce did the honors and drew our chocolate competition today.


The lucky winner was Colleen Topping. Colleen works at Housemart - Wanaka's award winning property management company.

Congratulations Colleen, enjoy!

Wireless Wanaka??

Driving through Lawrence got me all a thinking...could we have Wireless Wanaka? Has anyone investigated, snooped, researched, read up about this idea? Wouldn't it be brilliant?

Curious to know what others think, can we do it? Read all about how Lawrence did it here! They also have free international phone calls to 44 countries, impressive.

Let us know your thoughts. You never know we might be inspired to campaign.

Let's Talk Xero

We thought it would be great to get around the table and talk Xero over a wine. Anyone keen?

We want to make sure existing Xero customers are making the most of this tool and like it as much as we do. So on May 19th in Queenstown and May 25th in Wanaka we will be hosting an informal forum to chat through anything that you may need help with.

Sign up by emailing Bronwyn to save your spot.

Where: Queenstown office, Wanaka office
When: 19th May Qt, 25th May Wanaka

Probably around an hour, no cost for our clients, see you there.

Our coach- not the one on the left!

Even Accountants have coaches.

Here is our coach Rob Nixon running London marathon with Richard Branson.

32 of Richard Bransons staff tied themselves together and broke the record for the most people to run a marathon as a caterpillar finishing in 5 hours and 13 minutes.

This appeals to our Findlay and Co sense of humour for sure.

Gotta read

Just picked up 'Every Bastard Says No' and we think this is a Gotta Read. Here at Findlay and Co we love innovation and braveness.

If you would like to check out an amazing Kiwi story with some excellent business insights pick up this book.

Thank you so much!

We have had some wonderful Real Estate Agents in today to help us with crunch research. A big shout out to the team of hip and cool agents who took part. We really appreciate your help and wanted to spell it out nice and clear!!

Thanks again!

Your first home?

At Findlay and Co we like outside of the square thinking, innovative ideas and love of the under dog. That's why we like the proposed imminent Kiwisaver bonus scheme for first home buyers. Now for a country that's smart enough to split the atom, tough enough to be first up Everest and forward thinking enough to give the lass the vote 'bout time we had some smart thinking to get generation X and Y on the property ladder. Not to mention a savvy nationwide savings plan for our retirements. Read more, be informed, make good choices!