ACC has just started issuing their first bills to self-employed people for two years, and it’s exposed major shortcomings in the ACC levy system, writes James Fuller. In the last week or so, thousands of self-employed New Zealanders will have received their first ever ACC bill. For many it will be a confusing and frustrating … Read more
Covid-19 has given rise to a new era of remote working, potentially opening up more income, and regions, to New Zealand’s freelance economy. For many of us, the only obstacle that ever stood in the way of a prosperous life in Dunedin was its tiny job market. Now, thanks to Covid-19 and the fundamental changes … Read more
With many of us forced to adapt to get through Covid-19 and the lockdown, the constant juggling act of freelancers should be a source of inspiration. Waiting for pay, waiting for work. Taking what you can get in between. For many people, such an austere scenario sounds like a scene from a grey and dusty … Read more
Working from home isn’t feasible for everyone, but most offices should be able to handle it without too much disruption. The Spinoff’s developer Katie Te Nahu Owen has done it for years, and shares her tips. To start with, you’ll need the basics: laptops, phones and a decent internet connection. If possible, set up a … Read more
Instead of buying a cuppa in exchange for a place to work, Coffee Supreme is flipping the script. For the last 25 years, Coffee Supreme has done one thing very well: sourcing, roasting, brewing and selling some seriously decent coffee. Running cafes is pretty much second nature to its business. Running a shared workspace? Not … Read more
In the fifth instalment of our Money Talks series, freelancers Tess Nichol and Alice Webb-Liddall talk about retirement, and having enough money squirrelled away to enjoy it comfortably. For two young writers only a few years into their careers, the thought of being on the other end of their working life seems almost unimaginably far … Read more
Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Erin Harrison, founder of The Freelance Village. ONE: How did The Freelance Village start and what was the inspiration behind it? I’ve been a freelance writer on-and-off for over 10 years and what … Read more
In the fourth instalment of our Money Talks series, Henry and Alice are inspired to discuss the differences between working full-time and freelancing – and how to switch between the two – after Henry throws a spanner in the works. After three months of confessing their money woes and missteps, Alice and Henry were ready … Read more
In the third instalment of our Money Talks series, Alice Webb-Liddall and Henry Oliver face up to how they’re using their hard-earned cash. Spending money is often considered a bad thing when it’s not completely justified. Going out for dinner or buying a new pair of pants can bring on a sense of guilt once … Read more
In the first instalment in the Money Talks series, Alice Webb-Liddall and Henry Oliver face up to their finances. As a culture, we’re not very good at talking about money. Financial literacy is hard enough as it is and it’s only made harder by our silence around money issues. We are afraid of discussing our … Read more
Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to James Fuller whose company, Hnry, handles financial admin (Income Tax, GST, ACC, Student Loans, KiwiSaver etc.) for self-employed people. ONE: How did Hnry start and what was the inspiration behind it? The … Read more
Ubisoft’s partnership with collaborative content creation company HitRecord on the game Beyond Good and Evil 2 has caused an outcry among freelancers, who argue the game’s ‘fan engagement strategy’ is exploitation, plain and simple. Ubisoft’s opening salvo at E3 this year – after their annual celebration of Just Dance – was a ten minute presentation for Beyond … Read more
Is the freelance dream souring? Victoria Crockford finds insecurity abounds inside the gig economy, and argues we need to make sure rights are not lost with the rise of flexible work. ‘Got Paid’, ‘Went Outside’, ‘Remembered to Eat!!’, cheerfully quipped some of the ‘freelance achievement stickers’ designed by Jeremy Nguyen for the New Yorker recently. … Read more
In the fifth instalment of our Money Talks series, freelancers Tess Nichol and Alice Webb-Liddall talk about retirement, and having enough money squirrelled away to enjoy it comfortably. For two young writers only a few years into their careers, the thought of being on the other end of their working life seems almost unimaginably far … Read more