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Articles by John Cuthbertson FCA
Looking beyond tax and superannuation in New Zealand
In my previous columns, I outlined why the long-term sustainability of New Zealand’s tax base and the country’s retirement settings need to be at the centre of this year’s election debate. The policies in these areas are fundamental for New Zealand’s fiscal future. Treasury and IR have both highlighted the pressures that demographic change will place on government finances, while our own member survey found strong support for action in both areas.
Advocacy for a stronger profession and economy
As our CEO Ainslie van Onselen mentioned in her column, CA ANZ is shaping important discussions about the future regulation of audit firms. In August, we provided Treasury with our five-point reform plan to strengthen accountability, oversight and audit quality across Australia’s auditing profession, while ensuring reforms remain targeted, proportionate and carefully scoped so smaller practices and entities are not caught by requirements designed for the largest firms.
Managing solar construction waste in Aotearoa
Solar energy is often hailed as the cornerstone of a low-carbon future but its construction-waste footprint is rarely discussed. In New Zealand, each utility-scale solar farm may generate hundreds of tonnes of waste – from broken panels and timber pallets to cabling and excess packaging – before it even begins producing electricity. International experience highlights both the scale of the problem and possible solutions. By 2050, global solar waste could reach between 60 and 78 million tonnes.
4 TED Talks on climate action
From innovative solutions and urgent calls to action to stories of resilience and hope, TED Talks continue to shape how we think about the climate crisis. These four videos offer fresh perspectives – highlighting practical ways governments, businesses and individuals can drive meaningful change. 1. Tax the Rich – and Save the Planet Run time: 11 mins What it’s about: by 2100, rising temperatures could lead to an additional six million deaths, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.
Why professional judgement matters in the era of AI tax advice
Australians have never had easier access to tax information. A taxpayer can now ask an artificial intelligence platform about deductions, capital gains tax or investment structures and receive an instant, confident-sounding answer. Social media and so-called ‘finfluencers’ also offer quick tips, shortcuts and tax ‘hacks’ that can appear persuasive, especially at tax time. But information is not the same as advice. Tax law is complex, fact-specific and often dependent on context.
How NZ can create a better tax administration environment
Tax administration – how taxpayers, intermediaries and IR interact in the 21st century – is ready for an overhaul. The Tax Administration Act 1994 is a product of an analogue era and later amendments have struggled to keep pace with rapid digital change, let alone improving the system. Technology, digital interactions, AI and new intermediary models create both risks and opportunities for the tax ecosystem.
Update from the CA ANZ CEO: Acuity October-December 2026
As we head into the final quarter of 2026, the accounting profession is operating in an environment more consequential than at any point in recent memory. Businesses and communities across Australia and New Zealand continue to navigate geopolitical uncertainty, cost pressures, changing regulatory expectations and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence. Yet the defining issue for our profession this year has been trust.
Dear Abby: how clear communication can help in the workplace
3 min read In our most recent Dear Abby column, we ask an Australian HR expert for advice on two common work queries. Read on to find out what she had to say. The expert HR professional Sharon McDonald is director of McDonald HR in New Zealand. Questions Does your organisation have a development process as part of performance reviews? That’s a good moment to bring this up. If not, just ask your manager for a catch-up to talk about your development in your role. Be upfront about your intentions.
A strategic approach to public interest tax advocacy in NZ
CA ANZ takes a strategic approach to its public interest tax advocacy. We engage constructively with IR, government and other tax stakeholders to ensure that tax legislation and pronouncements are well thought out, practical and workable. We focus on areas where we can make a difference and, often by necessity, take a long-term view in our efforts to effect change. We advocate in the public interest: what is considered best for New Zealand and the tax system.
What the GAA 2025 Trust in Tax Survey results reveal
Public Trust in Tax 2025: Asia and Beyond is the latest report from the global Public Trust in Tax survey. Produced by ACCA, IFAC, CA ANZ and, more recently, the OECD, this annual survey canvasses more than 12,000 people in 29 countries on their attitudes towards tax systems. So, what does it tell us about Australians’ perspectives on tax? Tax – who, me? Almost half of Australians (48%) see paying tax primarily as a matter of laws and regulations.
CA ANZ’s 2025 Investor Confidence survey reveals AI use
Trust and confidence are the bedrock of audit’s public‑interest role, which is why CA ANZ runs an annual investor confidence survey: to find out what investors truly think and need. Now in its seventh year, the 2025 Retail Investor Confidence Survey reveals confidence in audited financial reports remains exceptionally strong across Australia and New Zealand. Every year since the survey began, investors have ranked independent auditors as the most trusted guardians of investor protection.
How CA ANZ contributes to the GAA tax work group
The Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) is a grouping of peak member bodies around the world. It has a number of technical work groups and I co-chair the tax work group. This group meets six times a year, predominately online, with one in-person meeting hosted by each of the member bodies on a rotational basis. CA ANZ is unique in that it is a Trans-Tasman body representing two tax jurisdictions.
FBT overhaul: A chance to cut complexity, not corners
Fringe benefit tax (FBT) is often seen as complex, costly to comply with, easy to get wrong, and not universally complied with. It raises only modest revenue yet remains in place for one important reason: to protect the PAYE system. Before FBT was introduced, employers could sidestep PAYE by boosting remuneration through non-cash perks. Only the cash salary was taxed, leaving benefits untouched. FBT closed that loophole and it still needs to. If we’re stuck with FBT, let’s make it fit for purpose.
Compliance Cost Savings The Next Best Thing to a Tax Cut
While the Government has committed to no new taxes in its current term, the Minister of Revenue is clearly interested in strategies to reduce tax compliance costs. This should be music to taxpayers’ ears as any compliance cost savings (time, opportunity cost and money) directly impact the bottom line and in one sense are just as good as a tax cut.
How NZ and Ireland’s tax systems dance to a similar tune - discover the Craic
On my latest trip to Ireland, I had the privilege of engaging with fellow accounting professionals. Our discussions brought to light the intriguing nuances between the tax systems of the Emerald Isle and our own Shaky Isles. Overall tax revenue Both countries’ tax systems raise a significant amount of revenue for their respective governments.
Intergenerational Report 2023
The release of the sixth edition of the Federal Government’s Intergenerational Report (IGR) has generated more commentary this year than previous editions. Past editions We have had IGRs in 2002 and 2007 (Costello), 2010 (Swan), 2015 (Hockey) and 2021 (Frydenberg). Why have an IGR? An IGR is required by the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 (CBH Act).
What does 2023 hold for sustainability and climate-related disclosure
2023 has truly started off with a bang in Australia, New Zealand and internationally when it comes to climate and sustainability reporting.
Is it time to revisit the taxation of interest
It’s time to revisit how we tax interest, taking inflation into account and taxing the actual (real) earnings on term deposits. Interest rates on deposits are finally starting to trend upwards however this is against a backdrop of relatively high inflation. In real terms, investors’ purchasing power (the value of their investment funds) is decreasing and their return on that investment (interest) is not keeping pace with inflation.
Unpacking the impact of New Zealands new climaterelated standards
New Zealand business news outlet the National Business Review (NBR) recently hosted an opinion piece written by CA ANZ Business Reform Leader Karen McWilliams FCA, sharing CA ANZ’s response to the recently released climate standards. The key points are shared below, and the full article can be read at nbr.co.nz. What are the standards?
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