Sidekick Rural

02/06/2026

The 2025/26 Herd Scheme values are out.

With sheep, beef and dairy values all seeing significant movements, now's a good time to understand what it could mean for your farm.

Read our latest blog for a breakdown of the changes and access the full IRD valuations.
www.sidekickca.co.nz/herd-scheme-25-26/

28/05/2026

Most farmers are only scratching the surface of what Figured can actually do.

Starting next week, we’re running practical Figured training sessions designed to help you:
✅ Build a workable 2027 budget
✅ Track production and valuation movements
✅ Understand cashflow, P&L and balance sheets
✅ Forecast tax before it becomes a surprise
✅ Use tools like Cropping Tracker properly

If you’re located near Timaru or Masterton and want to use Figured to its full potential, this free training is worth your time.

View our upcoming training dates and secure your spot 👇
https://www.facebook.com/sidekickrural/events

25/05/2026

What if the numbers change this season?
What if milk price dips?
What if fuel keeps climbing?
What if insurance takes another jump?

These are the conversations we’re having with farmers right now.

Using our Insights tool, we can test different scenarios and see how they play out on your farm before they actually happen. It gives you a clearer picture of cashflow, working capital and where pressure might come from.

More importantly, it helps you make decisions early, not when it’s too late.

In this reel, we walk through how rising fuel and insurance costs could impact your season and show how the tool works behind the scenes.

It’s a simple way to plan ahead, have better conversations with your bank, and stay in control of your numbers.

Want to see what this looks like for your farm? Book a call and we’ll get you started.
https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/rural-appt/

18/05/2026

Got more going on than just the farm?

If you’ve got a rental property, farm-stay, Airbnb or even a beach house that earns income, we need to know about it.

It changes what needs to be reported at year-end, and missing information can cause delays or issues later on.

We’ve created free EOFY resources that include checklists for both long and short-term rental property owners.

Download the checklist that applies to your situation to get a clear understanding of what information and paperwork you need to have ready.

Better to have it sorted now than chase it later.
https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/eofy-sorted-for-farmers/

11/05/2026

Before things ramp up, it’s time to get your budget and forecast sorted and understand what working capital you’ll need for the season ahead.

Costs like fert, fuel and freight are still moving. If you haven’t allowed for that, it can put pressure on cashflow pretty quickly.

This is also when early conversations with the bank start. The farmers who are prepared, with clear numbers and a plan, are in a much stronger position.

Ask yourself:
• Do I know my tax position?
• Do I know how much working capital I’ll need?
• Have I stress-tested my budget for cost increases?
• Am I ready to sit down with the bank?

If not, we can help.
We’ll work through your numbers, sense-check your plan, and get you bank-ready so those conversations are a whole lot easier.

Send us a message or book a call with our Rural team and let’s get you set up for the season ahead. https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/rural-appt/

04/05/2026

EOFY has a habit of creeping up on farmers.

If you’re not clear on what needs to be pulled together, it can slow everything down and create unnecessary back and forth.

We’ve put together a FREE End-Of-Financial-Year checklist to help you get organised early and avoid the last-minute scramble.

It covers the key information your accountant needs, so you can get through year-end quicker and with less stress.

Download the checklist and get organised early.

And if you know another farmer who’s usually digging through emails at the last minute, send this post their way, or tag them below.

No gatekeeping here, our EOY resources are free for anyone who wants a smoother run into year-end, so you they can focus on the season ahead.

https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/eofy-sorted-for-farmers/

22/04/2026

This new initiative can potentially change how farmers manage tax debt.

The IRD recently announced that tax pooling can now be used to help settle existing income tax debt, not just provisional tax.

That means:
• No late payment penalties
• Lower interest
• More flexibility & freedom

We’ve broken it down in our latest blog
https://t.mtrbio.com/sidekickrural

If you’d like to check whether you’re eligible to take part in the pilot, talk to your Sidekick Rural advisor or book a call at the link above ⬆️

14/04/2026

Time is a major resource constraint when managing rising costs. Don't wait to plan and make decisions for your farm... It's time to act now.

When global pressure builds, it affects your cashflow and your ability to work your land effectively.

The farmers that handle it best don’t ‘wait and see’.

Here are some practical actions you can take now:

1. Get your budget & forecast sorted for the next season now
2. Get to know your tax position and whether tax pooling is an option to help you spread your compliance costs throughout the year.
3. Ask your suppliers to defer invoices – Some suppliers will do this, but many farmers don’t ask.
4. Dive into your cashflow and get a better understanding of your overdraft requirements.
5. Talk to your bank — we can help you prepare for that conversation.

If you’re not 100% sure where things are heading for your business this year, that’s where we come in.

Book a 1:1 with a Sidekick Rural advisor and get a plan in place. Let's work together to help your farm be more successful

https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/rural-appt/

08/04/2026

Brett recently sat down with Sidekick CEO Ric to share our story.

From our early days as one of the first Xero partners, to building a network of people-driven accounting firms across New Zealand.

It’s a look at how we’re growing, what we stand for, and why more firms are choosing to be part of Sidekick.

If you’re a business owner thinking of making a switch to a new accountant, it’s a chance to see what drives us, and how helping people be more successful is at the core of what we do.

Have a read 👇

A different kind of accounting firm taking shape in New Zealand.

01/04/2026

A reminder that Terminal Tax is due April 7…

Farmers, tax is something you should plan for, and there are options you may not have considered.

You haven’t already, book a tax planning session with your Sidekick Rural advisor

We’ll look at your budget & cashflow, and help you forecast your tax position for the new financial year, so there are no surprises.

This is also a great time to sit down with your advisor to set your budget before the new season.

Let’s use this moment to get ahead.
Book a call with our rural team to tee up a 1:1
https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/rural-appt/ (linked in our bio)