Leave management software automates the tracking, requesting, and approving of employee time off — replacing spreadsheets and email chains with a centralised system that keeps balances accurate and managers informed. For New Zealand businesses, the right tool must handle the Holidays Act 2003, the statutory 4 weeks of annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and bereavement leave. In 2026, New Zealand teams have options ranging from local HR platforms to global tools adapted for the NZ market.
New Zealand’s Holidays Act 2003 provides clear leave entitlements. All employees are entitled to 4 weeks of paid annual leave per year. New Zealand observes 11 public holidays. Employees are entitled to 5 days of sick leave per year (after 6 months of employment), and 3 days of bereavement leave. A good leave management tool handles these requirements without forcing you into a complex HRIS.
:::note[Key Takeaways]
- Leave Balance offers NZD $32/month flat-rate pricing — unlimited employees, unlimited policies
- Slack and Microsoft Teams integration eliminates portal friction for leave requests
- NZ compliance requires Holidays Act support, public holiday management, and sick leave tracking
- The best tools work alongside your payroll provider — not replace it :::
What to Look for in Leave Management Software for New Zealand Businesses
Before comparing tools, define what matters for your team.
- NZ compliance — Holidays Act 2003, 4 weeks annual leave, 11 public holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave
- Pricing model — flat-rate vs per-employee, and how costs scale at 20, 50, or 100 employees
- Integrations — Slack, Microsoft Teams, Xero, MYOB, or your existing payroll
- Alternative holiday (day in lieu) — tracking for work on public holidays
- Māori and regional observances — support for additional cultural leave if applicable
The Best Leave Management Software in New Zealand (2026)
1. Leave Balance — Best Overall for New Zealand Teams
Leave Balance is a dedicated leave management tool with NZD $32/month flat-rate pricing and native Slack and Microsoft Teams integration. It covers leave tracking without the complexity and cost of a full HRIS.
Pricing: NZD $32/month flat rate (or NZD $320/year). Unlimited employees, unlimited leave policies. No per-seat fees, no minimums.
A 50-person New Zealand team pays NZD $32/month — the same as a 200-person team. Most competitors charge NZD $100 to $500/month at that headcount.
Key features:
- Native Slack and Teams integration — employees request leave, managers approve, balances update without leaving chat
- Unlimited custom leave policies — configure annual leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, alternative holidays, and any custom entitlement
- New Zealand public holiday calendar (11 public holidays)
- Team calendar with real-time absence visibility
- Analytics and reporting for leave trends and utilisation
- Multi-country support (Australia, New Zealand, and others) from one account
- CSV bulk onboarding for fast setup
- 14-day free trial, no credit card required
Limitations: Leave Balance does not include payroll processing, KiwiSaver calculations, or PAYE reporting. It works alongside Xero, MYOB, or your payroll provider rather than replacing it. There is no biometric attendance tracking.
Our take: For New Zealand SMBs that need leave management without paying for a full HRIS, Leave Balance covers the core requirement at a fraction of the cost. The Slack and Teams integration means employees actually use it, and flat-rate pricing means your bill does not grow with every new hire.
2. Employment Hero — Best Full HR Platform for NZ Businesses
Employment Hero is a leading HR and payroll platform in Australasia. Its leave management is one module within a broader suite.
Pricing: Custom quotes only. Estimated NZD $20–$60/employee/month. A 50-person team typically pays NZD $1,000–$3,000/month.
NZ compliance features:
- Holidays Act 2003 compliance
- Annual leave, sick leave, bereavement leave tracking
- Public holiday management
- Alternative holiday tracking
- Integration with NZ payroll systems
Pros: Comprehensive HR platform; Australasian focus; strong payroll integration; good compliance engine.
Cons: Expensive for leave-only needs; per-employee pricing scales; bundled features go unused; setup takes weeks.
Our take: Employment Hero is a strong platform for businesses that genuinely use its full suite. If you mainly need leave tracking, you are paying NZD $968–$2,968/month extra for modules you may never open.
3. Xero Leave — Best for Teams Already in Xero
Xero is the dominant accounting platform in New Zealand. Its payroll module includes basic leave management functionality.
Pricing: Standard NZD $55/month, Premium NZD $78/month. Leave is bundled with accounting — no standalone product.
NZ compliance features:
- Basic leave request and approval workflows
- Leave balances tracked alongside payroll
- Holidays Act leave entitlements
- PAYE reporting
Pros: Already integrated with your accounting; automatic balance updates when payroll runs; no additional tool to learn.
Cons: Very basic leave management — no team calendar, no Slack or Teams integration, limited reporting; designed as a payroll companion; outgrown quickly.
Our take: If your team is very small (under 15) and leave requests are infrequent, Xero’s built-in features may suffice. Once you need team visibility or integrations, you will outgrow it.
4. Timetastic — Best Budget Option for Small NZ Teams
Timetastic is a UK-based leave tracker with low per-user pricing. It works for NZ teams but lacks local compliance.
Pricing: USD $2.50/user/month (approximately NZD $4/user). A 50-person team pays NZD $200/month.
NZ compliance features:
- Custom leave types and allowances
- Basic accrual configuration
- Limited NZ public holiday support
- No Holidays Act-specific features
Pros: Very simple; affordable for small teams; wall chart calendar; mobile-friendly.
Cons: No Slack or Teams integration; no NZ compliance features; portal-based only; limited reporting; USD pricing requires international payment.
Our take: Timetastic works for very small NZ teams (under 40) that need basic leave tracking. Above that, Leave Balance’s NZD $32/month becomes cheaper with better integration.
5. Smartly — Best for NZ Payroll-First Teams
Smartly is a New Zealand payroll and HR platform. Leave management is integrated with its payroll engine.
Pricing: Custom quotes. Estimated NZD $10–$20/employee/month. A 50-person team typically pays NZD $500–$1,000/month.
NZ compliance features:
- Holidays Act 2003 compliance
- Leave integrated with payroll calculations
- Public holiday management
- KiwiSaver and PAYE support
Pros: NZ-built; strong payroll integration; local support; good compliance.
Cons: Expensive for leave-only needs; no Slack or Teams integration; per-employee pricing; payroll-focused.
Our take: Smartly is strong if you need a NZ payroll platform with integrated HR. For leave-only needs, Leave Balance is cheaper and offers better chat integration.
Pricing Comparison at a Glance
| Tool | 25 Employees (NZD) | 50 Employees (NZD) | 100 Employees (NZD) | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leave Balance | NZD $32/mo | NZD $32/mo | NZD $32/mo | Flat rate |
| Timetastic | NZD $100/mo | NZD $200/mo | NZD $400/mo | Per user |
| Xero Leave | NZD $55–78/mo | NZD $55–78/mo | NZD $55–78/mo | Bundled |
| Smartly | NZD $250–500/mo | NZD $500–1,000/mo | Custom | Per employee |
| Employment Hero | NZD $500–1,500/mo | NZD $1,000–3,000/mo | Custom | Per employee |
Leave Balance’s flat-rate pricing is the most affordable option at every team size. At 100 employees, it is 12x cheaper than Timetastic and over 30x cheaper than Employment Hero.
Which Leave Management Software Should You Choose?
Choose Leave Balance if:
- You need leave management without the cost and complexity of a full HRIS
- Your team uses Slack or Microsoft Teams and you want leave requests to happen in chat
- You want flat-rate pricing that does not increase with headcount
- You need configurable leave policies for Holidays Act compliance
- You want to be set up in under 15 minutes
Choose Employment Hero if:
- You need a full HR platform covering payroll, onboarding, performance, and benefits
- Budget is not a primary concern
- You want an Australasian platform with local support
Choose Xero Leave if:
- You already use Xero for accounting and payroll
- Your team is very small (under 15 employees) with basic leave needs
Choose Timetastic if:
- You need the simplest possible leave tracker for a very small team (under 40 employees)
- You do not need Slack or Teams integration
Choose Smartly if:
- You need a NZ payroll platform with integrated leave management
- Payroll is your primary need
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best leave management software for a 50-person New Zealand company?
Leave Balance at NZD $32/month flat rate offers the best value for most NZ SMBs. You get unlimited leave policies, Slack and Teams integration, and Holidays Act compliance features — all for a fraction of what competitors charge. If you need a full HRIS, Employment Hero is strong but costs 30–90x more.
How does leave management software handle Holidays Act annual leave?
The Holidays Act 2003 mandates 4 weeks of paid annual leave per year for all employees. Leave Balance lets you configure annual leave policies that match your company’s entitlements and the legal minimum, including alternative holiday tracking for work on public holidays.
Do I need leave management software if I already use Xero for payroll?
Xero’s leave features are basic — no team calendar, no Slack integration, limited policy configurability. A dedicated tool like Leave Balance adds visibility and automation that Xero lacks, while your payroll provider continues to handle pay calculations.
Can I manage alternative holidays (days in lieu) in Leave Balance?
Yes. Leave Balance supports unlimited custom leave types. You can configure alternative holidays (granted when employees work on a public holidays) as a leave type with its own balance and usage rules.
Is Leave Balance compliant with New Zealand’s Holidays Act?
Leave Balance supports configurable leave policies that you can set to align with the Holidays Act’s leave entitlements. It does not perform legal interpretation — it gives you the configurability to match your obligations. For legal advice, consult an NZ employment lawyer.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified employment attorney for compliance questions specific to your situation.