How much do finance managers earn in New Zealand?
Finance managers in New Zealand are advertised at $130,000–$145,000 a year (middle 50% of SEEK job ads, October 2026). Base pay is $130,000–$180,000 in Auckland, $130,000–$170,000 in Wellington and $110,000–$150,000 in Christchurch (Robert Walters, 2026).
Sources: SEEK: Finance Manager salary in NZ (October 2026), Robert Walters Salary Guide 2026: Australia & New Zealand. Figures checked 18 October 2026.
| Role / level | Salary range | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance manager | $130,000–$145,000 | Advertised, national | [1] |
| Finance manager | $130,000–$180,000 | Base, Auckland | [2] |
| Finance manager | $130,000–$170,000 | Base, Wellington | [2] |
| Finance manager | $110,000–$150,000 | Base, Christchurch | [2] |
| Finance manager | $140,000–$170,000 | Salary, major centres | [3] |
| Finance managers incl. controllers (all levels) | $86,000–$175,000 | All levels, national | [4] |
Sources
- [1] SEEK: Finance Manager salary in NZ (October 2026), published October 2026. Checked 2026-10-18. Advertised salaries in SEEK job ads; range is the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile).
- [2] Robert Walters Salary Guide 2026: Australia & New Zealand, published February 2026. Checked 2026-10-18. Permanent base salaries, excluding benefits and bonuses.
- [3] Hays: Accountancy and Finance Snapshot FY26/27, published 4 September 2026. Checked 2026-10-18.
- [4] Tahatū Career Navigator: Finance manager, published 9 October 2026. Checked 2026-10-18. Government (TEC) estimate from Stats NZ and IRD data; range is the most common pay band across all experience levels.
What does the role involve?
A finance manager runs the finance function of a business or business unit: month-end reporting, budgets and forecasts, cash flow, and managing accountants. In smaller New Zealand companies the finance manager is often the most senior finance person; in larger ones they report to a financial controller or CFO.