JULY--1st----Today's changes that could affect your bank account

The start of July brings a raft of changes that will affect households across the country.
From prescription changes to mortgage tweaks, the rules, fees and taxes will affect the way that many people spend and borrow money.
Here are a few of them.
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Debt-to-income ratios and loan-to-value restriction tweaks
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New debt-to-income rules will limit how much banks can lend to borrowers, compared to their household income.
Only 20 percent of lending can go to owner-occupier buyers with a debt-to-income ratio of six, and only 20 percent of investors loans will be able to be at a debt-to-income ratio of more than seven.
The debt-to-income calculation takes into account other debt, such as student loans.
These rules are not expected to make a big difference initially, because not much lending is currently being done above those levels. However, they are likely to limit the extent of future house price growth.
At the same time, loan-to-value rules will be eased slightly to allow banks to give 20 percent of lending to owner-occupier borrowers with a deposit or equity of less than 20 percent, and 5 percent of lending to investors with a deposit or equity of less than 30 per cent.
Previously, they could only lend 15 percent to owner-occupiers with less than 20 percent deposit and 5 percent of lending to investors with less than 35 percent.

Prescription charges
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A $5 charge is coming back on for prescriptions.
This does not apply to people who are over 65, Community Services Card holders, people who are under 14 or people ages 14 to 17 who are dependent on a Community Services Cardholder.

Auckland regional fuel tax abolished
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The Auckland Regional Fuel Tax scheme ended on 30 June.
This is worth 11.5c per litre on petrol, diesel and their biovariants.

FamilyBoost introduced
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The FamilyBoost policy takes effect from 1 July, offering a payment of 25 percent of early childhood education fees for households up to $75 a week.
This is available in full to households earning up to $140,000 and reduces for those earning up to $170,000.
Households should start saving their invoices from 1 July as either PDF or JPG files, Inland Revenue says.
Payments will be made in three-monthly blocks, starting in October.

Bright-line test reduced
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From 1 July, the bright-line test will reduce to two years, from the current 10 years, or five for new builds.
The bright-line test sets a limit on how long properties, apart from someone's main home, have to be held to avoid tax on capital gains when they are sold.
That means that properties sold on or after Monday now need to have been held for at least two years to avoid the automatic tax.
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand is warning there could be some confusion, though, because the new rules focus on the "disposal" date of a property rather than the acquisition date.
"Care needs to be taken as the dates are determined differently. The bright-line end date is determined by when the seller first enters a contract for sale, whereas the start, or acquisition date is typically determined when title transfers."
He said that could mean that anyone who had entered negotiations before 1 July could still be captured under the old rule.

Paid parental leave increases
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Each year, the maximum amount of paid parental leave available increases.
How much you get is determined by how much you were earning before you went on leave.
From 1 July, the maximum is $754.87 a week before tax, compared to $712.17 previously.

Gaming duty for offshore operators
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From 1 July, a 12 percent offshore gambling duty applies operators who are taking bets from New Zealand residents.
Offshore gambling operators have to register for GST if they make more than $60,000 in a 120-month period. Those that are registered for GST must also now register for the duty.
Excise tax on alcohol increases
The annual adjustment of excise tax on alcohol takes place on 1 July. This is based on movements in the consumer price index in the year to March.
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5 hours ago

Assistant Manager - Restaurant

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

Date posted: February 20, 2026

Pay: NZ$25.00 - NZ$30.00 per hour

Job description:

Date posted: February 20, 2026

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Job description:

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Assistant Restaurant Managers to help lead operations at our popular Indian restaurant located in the vibrant heart of Milford, Auckland. These full-time, permanent position is ideal for hospitality professionals who thrive in fast-paced environments and take pride in delivering outstanding dining experiences.

About the Role

As an Assistant Restaurant Manager, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Restaurant Manager in the smooth day-to-day running of the business. You’ll assist in maintaining high standards of food quality, customer service, and operational efficiency while mentoring a diverse and energetic team. You will also contribute to building a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the warmth and authenticity of Indian hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

Support the Restaurant Manager and business owner in planning, coordinating, and monitoring daily restaurant operations to ensure consistent quality and efficiency.
Collaborate with Chefs to plan seasonal and promotional menus, ensuring dishes remain true to traditional Indian flavours while appealing to a broad customer base.
Supervise and actively participate in front-of-house operations, including guest greetings, reservations, service flow, and complaint resolution.
Oversee stock management, cost control, and supplier relationships, ensure accurate ordering, inventory tracking, and waste minimisation within budgetary parameters.
Organise and coordinate special events, functions, and catering services in collaboration with the Restaurant Manager.
Maintain compliance with health, safety, and hygiene standards in accordance with New Zealand food regulations.
Recruit, train, roster, and coach staff members to foster a motivated and customer-focused team culture.
Review customer feedback and identify opportunities for service improvement.
Assist with administrative duties such as cash handling, daily reconciliation, and performance reporting.
Monitor Delivery App side of business, co-ordinate with the service providers to increase the sale.
Skills and Requirements

Minimum 4 year of relevant management or supervisory experience in a busy hospitality environment, or a relevant qualification in Hospitality Management or a related field.
Availability to work 30 – 35 hours per week on a 7-day roster, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and guide staff in a team-oriented environment.
Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities, capable of staying calm under pressure.
Solid understanding of food cost management, stock control, and basic financial reporting.
Genuine passion for Indian cuisine and hospitality, with an eye for detail and customer satisfaction.
A proactive, hands-on attitude and willingness to assist in all areas of service when required.
What We Offer

Competitive pay based on experience and performance.
A friendly, multicultural work environment with opportunities for career development and advancement.
The chance to contribute to restaurant's improvement with loyal customer followings and strong community ties.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens, Permanent Residents, or credentials to seek work visa in New Zealand.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Free food
Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person