SME desktop payroll (NZ, decommissioning)

Ace Payroll is being decommissioned – what NZ small businesses need to know

Ace Payroll is a low-cost desktop payroll product for small NZ businesses, being decommissioned 1 April 2027 – existing customers need a migration plan before that date.

Ace Payroll has served small New Zealand businesses as a low-cost, desktop-based payroll product for many years, but is being decommissioned on 1 April 2027.

Businesses currently on Ace Payroll should start evaluating a cloud-based replacement well ahead of the decommissioning date, since a forced migration under time pressure carries more compliance and data-integrity risk than a planned one.

For small NZ businesses used to a simple desktop tool, the main adjustment is moving to a cloud platform – the trade-off is ongoing compliance updates (Holidays Act, KiwiSaver, Payday Filing) being handled automatically rather than via manual desktop updates.

What Ace Payroll customers should do now

  • Decommissioning is confirmed for 1 April 2027 – start planning a migration now
  • Desktop-based tooling is being replaced by cloud platforms across the market
  • A cloud platform automates Holidays Act, KiwiSaver, and Payday Filing updates
  • Planning early avoids a rushed, higher-risk migration close to the deadline

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Frequently asked questions

When is Ace Payroll being decommissioned?

Ace Payroll, a low-cost desktop payroll product for small NZ businesses, is being decommissioned on 1 April 2027.

What should Ace Payroll customers do before the decommissioning date?

Start evaluating a cloud-based replacement well ahead of 1 April 2027. A planned migration carries far less compliance and data-integrity risk than one rushed close to the deadline.

What changes when moving from a desktop product to a cloud platform?

The main shift is ongoing compliance – Holidays Act, KiwiSaver, and IRD Payday Filing – being handled automatically within the platform, rather than via manual desktop software updates.

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