Why Being Paid Properly Matters as a Nanny | Pay The Nanny [ ![Pay the nanny logo](https://assets.paythenanny.nz/images/logo-white.png) ](/) [Parents](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Families) [Nannies](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Nannies) [Agencies](https://paythenanny.nz/for-agencies) [Pricing](https://paythenanny.nz/pricing) [Contact](https://paythenanny.nz/contact) [Sign Up](https://paythenanny.nz/signup) [Log In](https://paythenanny.nz/app/login) Article ------- Why Being Paid Properly Matters as a Nanny ========================================== By Mark Hudson · 14 May, 2026 Being paid properly as a nanny is about much more than money in your account. It protects your income, your leave, your KiwiSaver and your future plans. Here's why proper payroll matters for nannies in New Zealand ![Why Being Paid Properly Matters as a Nanny](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/2512/conversions/csjF1e66YT3IWm6MfxUH-webp-featured.webp) Nannying is real work. You're caring for children, sorting school runs, making snacks, holding the line at bedtime, and quietly becoming a huge part of a family's day-to-day. So the way you're paid should reflect that. In New Zealand, being paid "properly" usually means being treated as an employee, having PAYE handled for you, getting clear payslips, and having leave and KiwiSaver managed in the background. It's not the most exciting topic, but it makes a real difference to your income, your rights and your future plans. Here's why it matters. You get a clear record of what you've earned -------------------------------------------- When you're paid through payroll, you end up with a proper paper trail. That's not just nice to have, it's genuinely useful. A good payroll process should show you: - Your gross pay - Hours worked - PAYE deducted - KiwiSaver contributions - Leave balances - Net pay in your account Employment New Zealand says employers must keep accurate wage, time and leave records, and that employees can ask to see them. Handy to know. This matters even more for nannies because hours can shift week to week. Babysitting nights, public holidays, school holidays, an extra dash to the doctor. Without proper records, things get blurry fast. Your tax is handled for you --------------------------- When you're an employee, your family's payroll deducts PAYE every pay cycle and pays it across to IRD. You don't have to think about it. Compare that to being paid cash, where you'd technically need to handle your own tax, ACC and end-of-year filings. Most nannies don't actually want to be doing all that admin in their spare time. If you'd like a clearer rundown, have a read of our guide to [PAYE for nannies in New Zealand](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/paye-for-nannies-new-zealand). KiwiSaver and leave actually get tracked ---------------------------------------- These two quietly add up over time, and they're the easiest things to miss when payroll isn't set up properly. If you're in KiwiSaver, your employer needs to deduct your contributions and pay their share alongside. When you're paid casually, this often just doesn't happen, and you can miss out on years of contributions without realising. Leave is the same story. Nannies are entitled to the same minimum entitlements as any other employee: - Four weeks annual leave after 12 months - 10 days sick leave per year once you qualify - Bereavement and family violence leave - Public holiday entitlements Done properly, all of this is tracked in the background. No awkward maths at the end of the year, no guesswork when a role ends. Proving your income suddenly gets easy -------------------------------------- This one catches people out. You might be earning a steady wage as a nanny, but if you've never had a payslip, it's hard to prove. That becomes a real problem when you're applying for a rental, talking to the bank about a loan or mortgage, sorting a visa, or buying a car on finance. Payslips show you've got regular income from a real job, not just bits and bobs paid in cash. Your work gets recognised as the profession it is ------------------------------------------------- There's a bigger point here too. Nannying is skilled, trusted work, and it should be treated that way. When you're on proper payroll, paid a fair rate, with leave and KiwiSaver sorted, the whole thing starts to feel like the professional job it actually is. That's good for you, and it's good for the wider industry. If you're unsure what's reasonable to be paid, our [nanny pay rates guide](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/nanny-pay-rates) is a solid place to start. If your family isn't set up properly ------------------------------------ If you're being paid cash or your family is winging it, you're not alone. Plenty of families are first-time employers and simply haven't been pointed in the right direction yet. A friendly chat usually does the trick. You can [recommend Pay The Nanny to your employer](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Nannies#recommend) and we'll take it from there. Most families are quietly relieved when they realise someone else can handle the admin for them. Pay The Nanny in your corner ---------------------------- [Pay The Nanny](https://paythenanny.nz/) runs payroll for hundreds of New Zealand families with nannies. That means PAYE, payslips, KiwiSaver, leave and proper records all handled in the background, so your pay just turns up correctly every cycle. If you'd like to know what other carers think, have a read of [why nannies love us](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/pay-the-nanny-for-nannies), or head over to our [nannies page](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Nannies)for more. Got questions? Feel free to [get in touch](https://paythenanny.nz/contact) and we'll happily talk you through it [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/2413/conversions/Dd5op6SRXISBNQovHZWt-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/2026-nanny-payroll-kickstart-guide)By Mark Hudson · 13 January, 2026 ### [The January Childcare Reset: What Families Should Review Before the School Year Starts](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/2026-nanny-payroll-kickstart-guide) January is the calm before the storm for most families. Before school bags, activities and routines take over, this is the one window to reset your childcare setup properly. A few focused checks now can prevent stress, confusion and payroll issues later in the year. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/2026-nanny-payroll-kickstart-guide) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/2315/conversions/v9x4n2aokeqNyDTVK1dY-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/pay-the-nanny-for-nannies)By Mark Hudson · 16 October, 2025 ### [Why Nannies Love Pay The Nanny (and How You Can Earn $50 for Referring a Family)](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/pay-the-nanny-for-nannies) If you’re a nanny in New Zealand, Pay The Nanny makes your working life easier. From payslips and tax to KiwiSaver and leave, we handle the details so you can focus on what you do best - caring for kids. And yes, we’ll even pay you $50 for referring a family! [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/pay-the-nanny-for-nannies) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/577/conversions/LnnOPr7zDEvlgLweYyVD-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/planning-christmas-leave)By Mark Hudson · 02 December, 2021 ### [Planning Christmas Leave](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/planning-christmas-leave) The holidays are nearly here! 🎄 Please ensure all Christmas leave is entered by 5pm, 17 December. From public holidays to annual closedowns, here's everything families and nannies need to know to stay organised and get paid correctly this Christmas with Pay The Nanny. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/planning-christmas-leave) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/2061/conversions/JiWgcx5NRZ7ayo3fA2S3-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/nanny-vs-au-pair-vs-babysitter-nz)By Mark Hudson · 19 June, 2025 ### [Nanny vs Au Pair vs Babysitter](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/nanny-vs-au-pair-vs-babysitter-nz) Not sure if you’ve hired a nanny, au pair, or just a babysitter? You're not alone. Here's a quick guide to help Kiwi families understand the key differences and who needs to be paid through payroll. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/nanny-vs-au-pair-vs-babysitter-nz) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/576/conversions/046XIXZIIsPBLKy45VrB-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/employing-a-nanny-in-2022)By Mark Hudson · 09 December, 2021 ### [Employing a Nanny in 2022](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/employing-a-nanny-in-2022) Found the perfect nanny? Don’t trip at the finish line. Learn why your nanny is an employee, not a contractor—and how Pay The Nanny makes compliance easy so you can stay stress-free and fully legal from day one. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/employing-a-nanny-in-2022) ![Pay the nanny](https://paythenanny.nz/images/logo-white.png)Join Our Community Stay in the loop! Subscribe to receive the latest updates, exclusive content, and special offers straight to your inbox. 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