Every business has a kit list. For a web developer it’s a laptop and two monitors. For a tradie it’s a van full of tools. For a café it’s a machine that costs more than a small car. When you’re new, buying all of it at once can swallow the cash you need for everything else.
Buy, lease or borrow?
There isn’t one right answer — it depends on how long the item lasts, how fast it dates, and what your cash can handle.
| Option | Good for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Pay cash | Small items, low-value tools | Drains working capital |
| Lease / rent | Fast-changing tech, trial periods | You don’t own it; total cost can be higher |
| Supplier or equipment finance | A single big asset | Tied to that asset only |
| Business loan | Bundling kit with fit-out, stock or other costs | Needs trading history or property security |
A business loan through Business Loanz isn’t tied to one piece of equipment, so it suits founders who need a set of things: a van plus tools plus signwriting, or a machine plus fridges plus a POS system.
How tax treats equipment in 2026
Two Inland Revenue rules are worth knowing before you buy:
- Investment Boost. From 22 May 2025, businesses can claim 20% of the cost of eligible new assets (or assets new to New Zealand) as an immediate deduction, then depreciate the remaining 80% as usual (Inland Revenue).
- Low-value assets. Items costing under the low-value asset threshold (currently $1,000) can generally be expensed in full.
Tax rules have details and exclusions, so check with your accountant — but these can make buying new more attractive than it first looks. Our equipment funding guide has more.
Funding lanes for equipment
Unsecured loan or line of credit — for businesses usually trading about six months or more, sized to turnover and bank statements. Weaker credit considered, and some decisions come back the same day. Great for a replacement machine or an upgrade you can pay back from normal trading.
Property-secured loan — $20,000 to $1m secured on NZ property you or a supporting party own, first or second mortgage. No financials or tax returns needed for the initial assessment. Ideal for brand-new businesses or big-ticket kit.
Kit lists we see a lot
- Trades: van or ute, trailer, power tools, scaffolding, safety gear.
- Hospo: espresso machine, grinders, refrigeration, combi oven, POS.
- Studios and creators: cameras, lenses, lighting, audio, edit workstations.
- E-commerce: label printers, scales, racking, a heat-press or embroidery machine.
- Tech: developer laptops, test devices, servers or lab equipment.
- Health and beauty: treatment beds, lasers, salon chairs, sterilisation units.
Before you sign a quote
- Check the total cost of ownership: servicing, consumables, insurance and eventual replacement.
- Ask about delivery and install times, especially for imported machines.
- Register your interest in warranties and keep the invoice — you’ll need it for tax.
- Don’t over-spec. Buy for the business you’ll have in two years, not ten.
Example scenario
Example scenario — generic and illustrative only. A Hamilton electrician goes out on his own after eight years as an employee. He needs a van, a full tool set and a test meter kit. His business is brand new, but he owns a home with a mortgage. A second-mortgage property-secured loan funds the van and tools together, and his accountant confirms which items may qualify for Investment Boost.
Get equipped
Enquire in about 60 seconds — free and no credit score impact. A lending specialist will talk through whether an unsecured or property-secured option suits your kit list.