CreditWorks Group

CreditWorks Group CreditWorks Group is New Zealand's largest trade credit bureau. We have helped make industry a safer place to trade for over 20 years.

August 2025 brought steady sales but look closer, growth is flat. Margins are tight. Debt is climbing. Payment cycles ar...
07/10/2025

August 2025 brought steady sales but look closer, growth is flat. Margins are tight. Debt is climbing. Payment cycles are stretching.

Here is what is happening:

- Debt and Cash Flow: Arrears are steady. DSO is rising across trade suppliers.

- Sector Signals: Construction stabilising. Manufacturing and Food & Beverage steady. Plumbing and Electrical under repayment pressure. Retail disciplined.

- Insolvency Trends: IRD leads 78 percent of winding-up filings. Corporate and personal insolvencies are rising.

- Regional Divergence: North Island is behind South. South Island shows steadier pipelines.

The surface is calm, but businesses must act. Smarter credit monitoring, proactive engagement, and disciplined risk management are essential heading into Q4.

Read the full August Insights Report to see the data, trends, and what your business can do to stay ahead.

Read the report here:https://creditworks.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CreditWorks-Insights-August-2025-month-end.pdf

Construction is steadying, suggesting the K-shaped economy is giving one last flicker as the recovery takes hold. Spendi...
01/10/2025

Construction is steadying, suggesting the K-shaped economy is giving one last flicker as the recovery takes hold. Spending has returned to early 2022 levels, but volumes remain low. Stronger companies are paying on time and managing debt, while others face tighter cashflow.

- More new businesses are starting than closing, though growth has slowed since 2021–2022.

- Residential construction is down 20 percent, with the North Island hardest hit and new homes smaller and lower in value.

- Commercial construction is up almost 5 percent, driven by a handful of larger firms.

- Arrears are higher, mostly because larger debtors are stretching payment terms. Subcontractors linked to residential projects are under pressure, while civil and concreting work is steadier. South Island regions are performing stronger.

The takeaway is clear. Residential work in the North Island will remain challenging, but commercial projects and South Island regions offer opportunity. Success comes down to knowing who you back and how well they manage cashflow.

➡️ Read the full report here:https://creditworks.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Construction-Deep-Dive.pdf

We’re proud to share that CreditWorks has successfully renewed our ISO 27001 certification ✅This globally recognised sta...
19/09/2025

We’re proud to share that CreditWorks has successfully renewed our ISO 27001 certification ✅

This globally recognised standard in information security demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting client data and maintaining the highest level of security across our business.

A big thank you to the entire CreditWorks team for continuing to uphold and improve the rigorous processes that support this certification - it’s truly a team effort!

Learn more about our ISO 27001 journey here: https://creditworks.co.nz/iso-27001-certification-renewal/

11/09/2025

Today our Founder Ronnie Tan shared the stage with Ankit Sharma, CEO of the Registered Master Builders Association, at Constructive 2025 to launch FINZscore - Financial viability ratings for Kiwi Builders.

CreditWorks is proud to partner with Registered Master Builders NZ to launch another first for the NZ construction industry - improving transparency and creating greater financial confidence for all stakeholders.

Find out more: https://creditworks.co.nz/finzscore/

In construction, trust is everything, but financial visibility has long been a blind spot. With insolvencies on the rise...
10/09/2025

In construction, trust is everything, but financial visibility has long been a blind spot. With insolvencies on the rise, it’s time for a change.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Registered Master Builders Association to launch FINZscore, New Zealand’s first financial rating system for the construction industry. A simple A–E score that makes financial trust transparent and accessible.

Our Founder Ronnie Tan will be showcasing FINZscore tomorrow at Constructive 2025 - see you there!

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Constructive 2025 is almost here, and CreditWorks Group hopes you are coming to this pinnacle industry event. We are de...
08/09/2025

Constructive 2025 is almost here, and CreditWorks Group hopes you are coming to this pinnacle industry event.

We are delighted to be Gold Sponsor for this year’s construction industry forum – led by Registered Master Builders Association. Together, we look forward to showing you FINZscore – New Zealand’s first Financial Rating System for the construction industry – a simple A-E scorecard, built from audited financials of Master Builder members, that makes financial trust transparent and accessible.
See you at Constructive 2025!

July’s market data shows an economy that looks steady but carries underlying pressures. Nominal sales are holding, but i...
03/09/2025

July’s market data shows an economy that looks steady but carries underlying pressures. Nominal sales are holding, but inflation-adjusted growth is flat and margins are under pressure. Industries are diverging, with some sectors performing strongly while others face volatility and rising debt. Insolvency activity remains elevated, and construction shows mixed signals across regions.

Key takeaways
- Manufacturing growth: Christchurch 3.6% MoM, Wellington 1.1% MoM
- Arrears: Food & Beverage +2.5%, Concrete & Steel -1.8%
- Total debtor balances +1.7% MoM
- 90-day arrears +0.37% YoY
- IRD driving 67% of winding-up applications

Sharing your data with Creditworks gives you the visibility to monitor risk, act early, and protect your business before issues escalate.

Read the full report here:
https://creditworks.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CreditWorks-Insights-July-2025-month-end.pdf

CreditWorks Group is proud to be Gold Sponsor of Constructive 2025 – the Construction Industry Forum to be held at the A...
01/09/2025

CreditWorks Group is proud to be Gold Sponsor of Constructive 2025 – the Construction Industry Forum to be held at the Aotea Centre, Auckland, on 11-12 September.

Led by Registered Master Builders Association, Constructive is an industry led effort to enhance collaboration, build resilience and ensure a vibrant and sustainable sector that delivers what New Zealand needs now, and for our future.

As New Zealand’s leading commercial credit bureau, CreditWorks has enjoyed rich collaboration with the construction sector for more than 20 years, and we are excited to be part of this flagship industry event.

CreditWorks Founder, Ronnie Tan, will be showcasing FINZscore – our new solution developed in conjunction with Master Builders – as New Zealand’s first financial rating system for the construction sector.

The CreditWorks team looks forward to seeing you at Constructive 2025.

June’s data confirms that the economy is under pressure. Sales in key building sectors have dropped, building consents a...
07/08/2025

June’s data confirms that the economy is under pressure. Sales in key building sectors have dropped, building consents are softening further, arrears are up, and insolvency action is growing. Payment delays are getting worse. Risk is rising, and now is the time to act.

What you’ll find:
• Building and Plumbing sales declined by 15.1 percent and 14.6 percent respectively
• New dwelling consents trending downward again, led by Auckland
• Arrears rising in Retail and construction-linked sectors
• Insolvency applications are climbing, driven by increased IRD enforcement
• Payments are slowing with a 2.8 percent rise in Days Sales Outstanding

Sharing your data through CreditWorks helps you make faster, more confident decisions, whether it’s taking on a new customer or reassessing existing ones. You’ll quickly see who’s worth growing with, who poses a risk, and where your exposure really sits.

Read the full June report now and get the insights you need to protect your business as the market shifts.
https://creditworks.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CreditWorks-Insights-June-2025-month-end.pdf

May’s data shows a market shifting gears steadily but cautiously. Sales have picked up after April’s stall and arrears a...
09/07/2025

May’s data shows a market shifting gears steadily but cautiously. Sales have picked up after April’s stall and arrears are easing across most sectors and regions. But beneath these surface improvements, risk remains.

Sector performance is uneven. Construction is flat on average while Food and Beverage sees strong sales but rising arrears. Manufacturing and concrete face ongoing challenges while Christchurch continues steady growth. Different industries are adjusting at different speeds.

Businesses are tightening credit. Days Sales Outstanding are falling as companies collect faster and offer less credit, driven by Solvency Anxiety - the growing concern about customers’ financial stability, which is prompting tighter terms, faster collections, and more cautious credit decisions.

Solvency Anxiety is founded. Winding up applications are up nearly 24 percent year on year, with bad debts rising at a similar rate. These are clear signs many businesses are struggling to stay ahead of risk. For many, if not all, it’s not a question of if but when. This anxiety does not stimulate growth.

This pressure is reflected in insolvency figures that remain above long-term averages. Company insolvencies and winding up applications are tracking at levels not seen since 2011. While personal insolvencies have been stable so far, they are expected to rise alongside corporate failures. Low business confidence and a soft property market suggest these risks will persist through 2025.

In this environment, sharing accurate credit data with CreditWorks is essential. It turns solvency anxiety into insight, and keeps credit flowing to reliable customers, managing risk without stifling growth.

Read the latest insights: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3n8l3ngpsarlr8w9h5vxi/CreditWorks-Insights-May-2025-month-end.pdf?rlkey=l81umy1vfd3pye3wh1fqjw4b1&e=1&st=zvtu1aag&dl=0

April showed a slowdown across much of the market. Sales remain behind 2024 levels, partly due to fewer trading days, bu...
10/06/2025

April showed a slowdown across much of the market. Sales remain behind 2024 levels, partly due to fewer trading days, but the real story is beneath the surface. Credit risk is quietly building, even as some arrears figures improved slightly month-on-month.

Businesses are holding less debt than last year, reflecting a more cautious approach focused on stability over growth. At the same time, Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) is creeping up across industries like Roofing, Concrete, and Residential Building, signalling longer wait times for payments and added strain on cash flow.

Liquidations
Winding-up applications dropped slightly from March but remain over 24% higher than this time last year. Bad debtor volumes fell for the first time in months but still sit nearly 30% above 2024 levels. It’s not a market crashing down but a selective one, where businesses are watching cash flow more closely and becoming more selective about who they trade with.

Media commentary focuses on rising insolvencies to indicate an industry faltering but often misses the main motivator. The IRD has shifted from COVID cuddles to cracking down on historic debt, driving a considerable share of winding-up applications. This tougher stance reflects overdue accountability rather than a widespread cash flow collapse and doesn’t necessarily signal an increase in systemic industry risk. Meanwhile, personal insolvencies remain subdued and voluntary liquidations have dipped, highlighting a move toward forced insolvencies.

Sectors
Retail and Food & Beverage sectors performed well, particularly in Christchurch and Wellington, while some manufacturing segments show signs of stabilising. However, construction-linked sectors, including Concrete and Plumbing, face challenges with rising DSO and slower collections.

The evolving credit environment demands businesses stay sharp. Real-time monitoring of customer payment behaviour, tighter credit policies, and firm follow-up will separate those who stay in control from those caught out.

Read the latest insights: Knowing your customers’ financial health is no longer optional.

https://creditworks.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/CreditWorks-Insights-April-2025-month-end.pdf

March data paints a mixed picture. Sales are holding steady with a 4.8% increase in invoice volumes, indicating demand r...
07/05/2025

March data paints a mixed picture. Sales are holding steady with a 4.8% increase in invoice volumes, indicating demand remains strong in certain parts of the market. But behind that growth, pressure is building.

DSO has climbed to 47.2 days, the highest level in years. This delay in payments means less working capital and more exposure to credit risk. Arrears are rising, with more businesses slipping into the 60 and 90-day categories, especially in labour hire, manufacturing, and sub-trades.

Construction remains active, but momentum is slowing in some areas. Building consents have dipped slightly, and residential activity is under pressure. Insolvency activity is trending up, with early signs of distress in Auckland and Wellington.

Economic conditions remain tough. High interest rates and reduced government support are squeezing margins and liquidity. The result is a growing divide with strong sales on the surface and financial stress underneath.

Now more than ever, businesses need to look beyond top-line growth. Monitoring payment behaviour, credit risk, and early signs of distress is crucial to protecting cashflow.

Read the full report for the full picture:https://creditworks.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CreditWorks-Insights-March-2025-month-end.pdf

Address

Level 1, 29 Great South Road
Auckland
1051

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CreditWorks Group posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to CreditWorks Group:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category