New Zealand’s long, (hopefully) sunshine-filled summer break is almost here — and it’s the ideal time for businesses to prepare. Whether you’re closing completely or operating with a reduced team, these NZ holiday shutdown tips for businesses will help you manage leave smoothly, stay organised, and head into the new year without stress.

Below, we share simple, practical advice to get your business summer-ready.

Get Clear on Annual Leave and Shutdown Plans

Most workplaces see a surge of annual leave requests as soon as the sun comes out. To avoid last-minute confusion:

Plan leave early

Encourage your team to lock in their holiday dates well ahead of the break. This helps you manage workloads, arrange cover, and keep projects moving.

Know your obligations

Under the Holidays Act, employers can require an annual closedown — but you must notify employees at least 14 days in advance. Make sure everyone understands:

      • When the closedown starts and ends

      • How much annual leave will be used

      • What happens if staff don’t have enough accrued leave

    Double-check payroll

    Leave balances, public holidays, and shutdown dates can get messy fast. Make sure payroll is set up correctly long before people clock off for the beach.

    Stay Ahead of Tax and Compliance Dates

    January can sneak up on you, especially when you’re halfway through a pavlova and trying to remember what day it is. A few financial housekeeping tasks before you switch off will save stress later.

        • Set reminders for provisional tax — many businesses will have a 15 January payment due.

        • Check upcoming GST periods so you’re not scrambling after the break.

        • Review cash flow heading into December and January, when revenue can dip but expenses don’t.

      If you’re not sure what needs doing, touch base with us before the holidays to confirm what needs attention and what can wait until February.

      Wrap Up Admin Before the Office Empties Out

      The end of the year is the perfect excuse to blitz the tasks that get pushed aside when things are busy. Before you lock the door:

          • Clear overdue invoices and follow up late payments

          • Make sure supplier bills are scheduled or paid

          • Back up key systems and check software updates

          • Organise maintenance for tools, equipment, vehicles, or IT gear

          • Tidy shared spaces — your January self will thank you

        A bit of pre-holiday organisation helps your team return motivated, not overwhelmed.

        Set Goals and Reset for the New Year

        Summer gives business owners the breathing room they often don’t get during the rest of the year. Use that clarity!

        Ask yourself:

            • What worked well this year?

            • What needs to change?

            • Where could you automate, outsource, or improve efficiency?

          Whether it’s investing in better systems, tightening financial processes, or seeking expert support, the quieter holiday period is a great time to plan improvements for the year ahead.

          Keep Communication Clear While You’re Away

          A well-planned communication setup will stop holiday interruptions — and prevent small issues from turning into big problems.

          Set expectations

          Let staff, clients, and partners know:

              • When your business is closed

              • Who is on call (if anyone)

              • What qualifies as a genuine emergency

            Use tech to your advantage

                • Set professional out-of-office messages

                • Update your phone system or website with holiday hours

                • Route urgent enquiries to a dedicated email or voicemail

              Encourage proper rest

              Make it clear to your team that switching off is encouraged. A refreshed crew in January is far more valuable than one glued to their inbox on Christmas Eve.

              Enjoy a Stress-Free Break — We’re Here to Help

              The summer holidays shouldn’t be a source of stress. With some planning and the right support, you can close out the year cleanly and step into January refreshed.

              Whether you need payroll checks, advice on provisional tax, or support planning for the new year, Traktion is here to help.

              If you’d like help getting ready for the holidays, or want us to review your year-end financials, get in touch with the Traktion team.

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