From the ground up: celebrating 20 years of empowering Kiwi businesses
What started as a vision in a small Kiwi office, to simplify payroll for local businesses, has grown into something far more powerful: a homegrown technology partner trusted by hundreds of organisations across Aotearoa.
Twenty years ago, a small team of passionate Kiwis set out to make payroll easier for local businesses. They understood the unique challenges of working life in Aotearoa - the seasonal peaks of agriculture, the dynamism of retail and hospitality, and the nuanced compliance requirements of the NZ tax system.
Fast-forward to today, and that vision has evolved into ReadyTech in New Zealand - a trusted partner in workforce management for thousands of Kiwi organisations. As we mark two decades in business, we’re proud to celebrate the milestones, people and partnerships that have shaped our journey.
A look back: 20 years of innovation
Our story began in the early 2000s with the founding of Zambion - a New Zealand-built platform designed to address the real-world complexities of Kiwi payroll. At a time when many providers were trying to retrofit offshore systems to local regulations, Zambion was different. It was purpose-built, from the ground up, for New Zealand businesses.
From the early days of payroll to today’s comprehensive workforce solutions, our commitment has remained the same: empowering Kiwi businesses to do their best work.
Built for Kiwis, by Kiwis
We aren’t just another software provider operating at arm’s length. We’re part of the same communities that our customers serve. With product teams, support specialists and customer success managers based right here in Aotearoa; when you call, you’re speaking to someone who understands your world - whether it’s seasonal rosters at your orchard or compliance updates for long-distance drivers. In New Zealand, business isn’t just business - it’s deeply local. Relationships matter. People matter. And understanding how things really work on the ground makes all the difference.
We have ensured that our system is built for New Zealand and not just adapted to it. With a deep knowledge of payroll, tax and leave legislation built into our platform, and regular updates to reflect changes in law or workforce expectations, we provide fast, reliable, local support when you need it most.
Community is what sets New Zealand apart. In the stand-up economy, local knowledge is more than just helpful, it’s essential.
Our platform supports a wide range of industries where local context is crucial:
- Agriculture: Meeting the needs of seasonal workers and remote operations
- Retail: Managing shift work, leave and compliance in dynamic environments
- Tourism & Hospitality: Navigating fluctuations in demand, high turnover, and rostering complexity
We’re proud to be a trusted part of the operational fabric of so many iconic Kiwi organisations.
Voices of our customers
Our journey wouldn’t be possible without the businesses who have put their trust in us. Here’s what a few of them had to say:
Mr Apple
"ReadyTech has enabled us to streamline the complexity of seasonal payroll across our orchards. Their team understands the quirks of the horticulture industry – and that makes all the difference."
Millbrook Resort
"We’ve seen real value in a solution that adapts to our workforce – not the other way around. ReadyTech has helped us modernise how we manage our people, all while maintaining the personal touch we pride ourselves on."
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
"From compliance to rostering, ReadyTech gives us confidence. Their local support team is exceptional – they know us, and they care about our success."
These partnerships remind us of why we do what we do and inspire us to keep innovating.
What’s next for NZ?
As we celebrate our history, we’re even more excited about our future in New Zealand and we’re not slowing down. We’re committed to the next generation of workforce technology, so that even more Kiwi businesses, from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island, can access smart, scalable solutions tailored to the realities of life and work in Aotearoa.
- Cloud-first platforms that are scalable, secure and always up to date
- Mobile-first experiences for a workforce that’s increasingly on the move
- Automation that reduces admin and frees up teams to focus on what matters
- AI-driven insights to support smarter decision-making
We’re not just building for today, we’re building for the future of work in Aotearoa.
Thank you
To everyone that’s worked with us, supported us, or grown alongside us over the last 20 years - thank you.
Your trust has shaped who we are. Your challenges have guided our innovation. And your success is what motivates us every day.
Here’s to the next 20 years of local partnerships, bold innovations, and empowering Kiwi businesses to thrive - in every region, in every season, in every industry.
To learn more about our journey and how we’re supporting New Zealand’s workforce, visit: https://readytech.io/what-we-do/workforce/overview/kiwi-at-our-core
