New Zealand
New Zealand Trades Vendor Directory
Independent reviews of 14 New Zealand-relevant vendors across 5 categories. NZ has unusually strong native FSM software (Fergus, NextMinute, Tradify all NZ-origin), mandatory licensing schemes (EWRB for electrical, PGDB combining plumbing+gas+drainage), and IRD-compliant payroll requirements with KiwiSaver + ACC handling.
Deciding between two options?
See NZ vendors compared side by side — a clear verdict, pros and cons, NZ-specific notes, and pricing, head to head.
What's different about NZ trades vendor selection
New Zealand's trades market is smaller than US/UK/AU/CA but with a disproportionately strong native FSM software ecosystem — Fergus, NextMinute, and Tradify are all NZ-built (Tradify scaled internationally; the others stayed AU/NZ-focused). Licensing is structurally simpler than fragmented AU/CA — single national bodies (EWRB for electrical, PGDB for plumbing/gas/drainage) cover the entire country. Payroll requires native IRD/KiwiSaver/ACC handling that international platforms don't match.
Field service software
NZ-built FSM ecosystem — Fergus (founded by NZ plumber), NextMinute (4.9★ ratings), and globally-scaled Tradify (NZ-origin). Native ACC, GST, PAYE handling.
Fergus
Tier S · RecommendedNZ-built FSM (Auckland) — founded by an NZ plumber, 20K+ trades businesses NZ+AU
Fergus is the NZ trades-software success story — founded by a working NZ plumber, now 20K+ trades businesses across NZ + AU. Strongest job-costing and profitability features in the NZ/AU market. Native ACC, GST, PAYE handling, deep Xero/MYOB integration.
NZ-specific note
Founder is a working NZ plumber — product understanding of NZ trades workflow is genuine. ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) handling native. NZ support timezone.
Pros
- + NZ-built with NZ support timezone
- + Founder is working NZ plumber — domain expertise real
- + Strongest job-costing depth in NZ/AU market
- + Native ACC + GST + PAYE handling
Cons
- − Best fit for businesses serious about job-profitability analysis (steeper learning curve)
- − Pricing higher than entry-tier alternatives
- − Less specialized than Tradify for pure quoting/invoicing workflow
NextMinute
Tier S · RecommendedNZ-built job management — 5,000 NZ/AU tradies, 4.9★ Google/Facebook, strong for residential builders
NextMinute is NZ-built job management software with 5,000+ NZ/AU tradies. Particularly strong fit for residential builders and carpenters needing project costing. 4.9★ Google + Facebook ratings — among the highest-rated NZ-origin FSM platforms by users.
NZ-specific note
Strongest residential-builder and carpentry focus among NZ FSM platforms. NZ support + ACC/GST/PAYE handling.
Pros
- + 4.9★ user ratings across Google + Facebook
- + Strong residential builder/carpenter fit
- + NZ-built with NZ support
- + Project-costing depth
Cons
- − Less known outside NZ + AU
- − Best fit for project-based trades vs pure service trades
- − Smaller scale than Tradify globally
Tradify (NZ)
Tier S · Recommended Cross-marketNZ-built FSM with global presence (NZ/AU/UK/US) — easiest onboarding of the NZ-origin platforms
Tradify is NZ-built and now operates globally (NZ/AU/UK/US). For NZ contractors, it represents the NZ-origin FSM that has scaled internationally. Easiest onboarding of the NZ-origin platforms. PartnerStack affiliate ($160/signup).
NZ-specific note
NZ home-market product with global expansion proves the platform. NZ support + ACC/GST/PAYE compliance.
Pros
- + NZ-built with proven international scaling
- + Easiest onboarding among NZ FSM platforms
- + Cross-market consistency (NZ/AU/UK/US)
- + PartnerStack affiliate ($160/signup)
Cons
- − Less specialized than Fergus for job-costing depth
- − Pricing higher than ServiceM8 at entry tier
Lead-generation platforms
Smaller NZ market — Builderscrack dominates as the leading NZ-only marketplace.
Builderscrack
Tier A · WorkableNZ's leading trades marketplace — pay-per-lead model, NZ-only consumer audience
Builderscrack is the leading NZ-only trades marketplace. Smaller scale than UK Checkatrade or AU Hipages reflects NZ's smaller market size, but the platform dominates NZ consumer search for trades. Pay-per-lead model.
NZ-specific note
NZ-only — no cross-market presence. Smaller pool of registered tradies (~50K) than UK/AU equivalents.
Pros
- + Leading NZ trades marketplace by consumer audience
- + Pay-per-lead model means no annual commitment
- + NZ-focused with local market understanding
Cons
- − Smaller than UK/AU equivalents
- − NZ-only — no cross-market value
- − Limited affiliate program
NoCowboys
Tier A · WorkableNZ trust-led trades directory built on customer-verified reviews — Builderscrack's main rival
NoCowboys is a leading New Zealand trades directory built around customer-verified reviews — builders, mechanics, painters, plumbers, and other tradespeople rated and reviewed by real customers. It is Builderscrack's most direct trust-led competitor, differentiating on review depth and a more curated tradie listing rather than pure job-bidding.
NZ-specific note
NZ-only, with an annual listing/subscription model and verified reviews at its core — a reputation-driven approach versus Builderscrack's pay-per-lead bidding. Good for established Kiwi tradies who want a review-led profile rather than buying individual leads.
Pros
- + Trust- and review-led NZ directory
- + Annual listing means predictable cost (vs per-lead)
- + Strong consumer-trust positioning ("no cowboys")
- + Established NZ brand
Cons
- − NZ-only — no cross-market value
- − Annual commitment vs pay-per-lead flexibility
- − Smaller reach than Builderscrack's bidding marketplace
- − Limited affiliate program
Business insurance
NZ-licensed insurance with IAG family (NZI, AMI) and major underwriter Vero. PL coverage typically NZ$1-5M standard.
NZI Insurance
Tier A · Workable160-year IAG-owned NZ insurance brand — tradie packages standard
NZI is one of NZ's longest-established insurance brands — 160-year history, IAG-owned. Tradie packages cover Public Liability, Tools, Vehicle. Strong claims infrastructure backed by IAG's NZ market dominance.
NZ-specific note
IAG ownership provides institutional stability. Public Liability typically NZ$1-5M coverage standard.
Pros
- + 160-year NZ heritage — institutional stability
- + IAG ownership provides corporate backing
- + Comprehensive tradie packages
- + Mature NZ claims infrastructure
Cons
- − Pricing higher than online-only competitors
- − Less digital-native than newer entrants
- − NZ-only — no cross-market value
Vero Insurance
Tier A · WorkableMajor NZ underwriter — all-in-one tradies package, broker-distributed
Vero is one of NZ's major insurance underwriters — known for all-in-one tradies packages distributed through broker channels (Crombie Lockwood, Gallagher NZ). Strong fit for NZ tradies wanting bundled coverage in a single policy.
NZ-specific note
Broker-distributed primarily — not direct quoting. Crombie Lockwood and Gallagher NZ are common Vero brokers for tradies.
Pros
- + All-in-one tradies packages
- + Major NZ underwriter with mature claims
- + Broker distribution provides relationship-driven service
Cons
- − Not direct-online quoting
- − Pricing varies significantly by broker
- − Less transparent than direct insurers
AMI Business
Tier A · WorkableNZ IAG retail brand — Tradies Bundle accessible direct online
AMI is IAG's NZ retail brand — same parent as NZI but more consumer-facing. Tradies Bundle is direct-online quoting accessible for solo and small NZ trades. Lower pricing than NZI broker-distributed for simple cases.
NZ-specific note
Direct-online accessibility makes AMI a quick-quote option vs broker-distributed alternatives.
Pros
- + Direct-online quoting accessible
- + IAG parent provides institutional stability
- + Accessible pricing for solo/small tradies
- + Clear product bundling
Cons
- − Less coverage depth than broker-distributed Vero
- − Best fit for simple cases
- − Limited complex/specialty options
Payroll software
IRD-compliant NZ payroll — iPayroll, Smartly. KiwiSaver + ACC levy handling native.
iPayroll
Tier S · RecommendedNZ-built payroll — full PAYE/IRD compliant, cloud-native
iPayroll is NZ-built cloud payroll — full PAYE compliance with IRD (Inland Revenue Department), KiwiSaver handling, ACC levy calculation native. Strong fit for NZ SMB trades businesses wanting NZ-specific compliance without Xero subscription dependency.
NZ-specific note
IRD-compliant PAYE submissions native. KiwiSaver employer contributions handled. ACC levy auto-calculated.
Pros
- + NZ-built with native PAYE/IRD compliance
- + KiwiSaver handling automated
- + ACC levy auto-calculated
- + Cloud-native vs legacy NZ payroll options
Cons
- − NZ-only — no cross-market value
- − Smaller scale than Xero NZ
- − Pricing higher than free competitors (Thankyou Payroll)
Smartly
Tier A · WorkableNZ payroll specialist — SMB focus, IRD-compliant
Smartly is NZ payroll specialist with SMB focus. Full IRD compliance, KiwiSaver, leave management. Competes with iPayroll in the NZ SMB payroll segment.
NZ-specific note
NZ SMB focus with full compliance. Comparable to iPayroll in core feature set.
Pros
- + NZ-focused with full IRD compliance
- + SMB pricing accessible
- + Cloud-native modern UI
Cons
- − NZ-only
- − Smaller scale than iPayroll or Xero NZ
- − Less brand recognition
PayHero
Tier S · RecommendedNZ payroll by FlexiTime — Holidays Act-compliant, automated payday filing, strong for variable-hours trades
PayHero (by FlexiTime) is New Zealand payroll software designed for accurate compliance — online timesheets, employee self-service, leave management, and automated payday filing to IRD. It is notably strong on MBIE Holidays Act compliance, with legislative updates applied automatically and a dedicated NZ support team, and it offers a trades-specific payroll product.
NZ-specific note
MBIE Holidays Act compliance is a notorious NZ pain point, especially for variable-hours and overtime crews. PayHero's timesheet-driven model and automatic legislative updates are built for exactly that, with payday filing to IRD, KiwiSaver, and ACC handled.
Pros
- + NZ-built with strong MBIE Holidays Act compliance
- + Automated payday filing to IRD
- + Timesheets, self-service, and leave management built in
- + Dedicated trades-payroll product and NZ support
Cons
- − NZ-only — no cross-market value
- − Per-employee pricing adds up as the team grows
- − Full features require higher tiers
Required certifications
NZ mandatory licensing — EWRB for electrical (38K registered), PGDB for plumbing/gas/drainage (combined multi-discipline body).
EWRB (Electrical Workers Registration Board)
Tier S · RecommendedNZ electrical worker registration — ~38K registered, legally required
EWRB is NZ's mandatory electrical worker registration body. ~38,000 registered electrical workers in NZ. Registration is legally required for any electrical work — unlicensed work is criminal offense. EWRB issues different practitioner categories (Electrician, Electrical Service Technician, Electrical Inspector, etc.).
NZ-specific note
Registration is legally mandatory. Annual fees apply. Practising license required to actually work — different from registration.
Pros
- + Legally mandatory — clear NZ regulatory pathway
- + Consumer-facing registration check (trust signal)
- + Multi-tier practitioner categories
Cons
- − Annual fees + practising license costs stack
- − Practising license must be renewed regularly
- − No exceptions — every NZ electrical worker must be registered
PGDB (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board)
Tier S · RecommendedNZ plumbing/gas/drainage licensing — legally required, unlicensed work is illegal
PGDB is NZ's mandatory plumbing, gasfitting, and drainage licensing body. Legally required for any plumbing/gas/drainage work in NZ — unlicensed work is criminal offense. Issues licenses across three disciplines with separate certifications for each.
NZ-specific note
Equivalent of UK Gas Safe + plumbing licensing combined. Mandatory licensing across plumbing + gas + drainage disciplines.
Pros
- + Single NZ authority for plumbing/gas/drainage
- + Legally mandatory — clear regulatory pathway
- + Multi-discipline coverage in one body
Cons
- − Annual fees per discipline add up
- − Multi-discipline workers need multiple licenses
- − Strict enforcement — non-compliance has criminal consequences
LBP (Licensed Building Practitioners)
Tier S · RecommendedNZ building-practitioner licensing — required to carry out or supervise Restricted Building Work
LBP (Licensed Building Practitioners) is New Zealand's licensing scheme for building practitioners, required to carry out or supervise Restricted Building Work (RBW) — the structural and weathertightness-critical work on homes. License classes cover carpentry, bricklaying and blocklaying, roofing, external plastering, foundations, site, and design, and the scheme is administered by MBIE.
NZ-specific note
LBP is the building-trades counterpart to EWRB (electrical) and PGDB (plumbing/gas/drainage) — together they form NZ's three core trade-licensing regimes. Builders doing Restricted Building Work must be licensed or supervised by an LBP, and the public LBP register is a consumer trust signal.
Pros
- + Required for Restricted Building Work — clear regulatory pathway
- + Public LBP register provides a consumer trust signal
- + Multiple license classes cover the building trades
- + MBIE-administered with government backing
Cons
- − Annual fees plus skills-maintenance requirements
- − Covers Restricted Building Work specifically (not all building work)
- − Multiple license classes can be confusing to navigate
NZ research is an active expansion
14 NZ vendors covered today. Want an NZ vendor reviewed? Submit them via our vendor program.