New year, new perspectives: BDO’s newest Partners share their top business tips for 2026

New partner BDO New Zealand

A new year brings new opportunities and New Zealand businesses are stepping into 2026 with cautious optimism. Economic indicators are showing signs of improvement, but uncertainty remains with persisting cost pressures, changing consumer demand and fast-developing technologies that are reshaping how businesses operate.  

We spoke to our 10 newly appointed Partners across BDO New Zealand’s national network to get their take on what lies ahead and how businesses can best position themselves for success during 2026. 

Liesl Lombard 
Audit and Assurance Partner, BDO Northland

Liesl began her career in South Africa before relocating to New Zealand in 2018. Since joining BDO Northland in 2021, she has become a trusted advisor to not-for-profit organisations, with a strong focus on financial resilience, governance, and sustainability. Liesl is passionate about supporting her Northland community and helping organisations embed practices that create positive impact.

“Our not-for-profit clients are facing funding constraints, rising operational costs, and increased compliance requirements. In 2026, I’ll be working alongside boards and management by providing independent insights and recommendations to strengthen financial oversight, help them understand how solid their financial planning is, highlight where income pressures or risks may exist, and support them in getting ready for upcoming regulatory changes.

Embracing technology and upskilling governance teams will be essential to stay flexible and sustainable, so they can keep delivering the services their communities rely on. With compliance requirements expected to shift in the new year, we’re encouraging our clients to stay ahead by understanding what’s changing and being ready to adapt where it makes sense.”

Top tip: Plan ahead – look for ways to broaden your funding base, use technology to work smarter, and make sure your board clearly understands the financial picture. These steps help organisations stay resilient and adaptable.

Liesl Lombard BDO

Liesl Lombard

Partner, Audit and Assurance
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Alex Thornton
Advisory Partner, BDO Auckland

Since joining BDO as a graduate, Alex has gained extensive experience in helping a wide range of SMEs navigate the evolving business and tax landscape. With her strong commercial background combined with her overseas work experience in London, she brings a global and local perspective to helping businesses solve challenges. She has a particular focus in supporting women-led businesses and women entrepreneurs. 

“What I’m hearing from clients is that there is still a lot of uncertainty in the new year — particularly around cashflow and whether there will be enough demand for their products or services.

In 2026, my focus will continue to be on helping clients make business decisions with clarity and confidence. From navigating risks to strategic investments in emerging technologies and AI, I’ll be staying close to clients to assist and deliver practical solutions to make sure their businesses are operating as effectively as possible.”

Top tip: Take a proactive approach to risk and stay on top of compliance matters.  Employment law changes such as holiday pay and employment contracts are areas where we’ve seen complexity and risk, so staying informed and prepared is essential to protecting your business. 

Gilbert Yoo 
Audit and Assurance Partner, BDO Auckland

With over a decade of audit and assurance experience across Australia and New Zealand, Gilbert is passionate about partnering with his clients to plan and implement practical strategies that drive business growth and efficiency. He has extensive experience in helping SMEs grow with confidence with a particular focus on technology and services sectors. 

“Looking ahead to 2026, the economic mood is one of cautious optimism. On one hand, it’s great to see growing optimism from businesses but on the other hand, there is still a lingering economic uncertainty that businesses need to navigate.

Businesses will need to understand how best they can prepare for and leverage the changing market conditions to their advantage. By taking a future-focused view of their businesses, my role will be helping business leaders translate data into meaningful insights and practical recommendations, so they have the confidence to move forward with their business goals.”

Top tip: If you’re looking to accelerate business growth, collaborating with external advisers to tap into their collective knowledge and expertise early in the process can make a big difference.

Gilbert Yoo BDO Auckland

Gilbert Yoo

Partner – Audit & Assurance
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Matt Brock BDO

Matt Brock

Partner, Business Advisory Services
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Matt Brock
Advisory Partner, BDO Auckland

Matt’s BDO journey started in 2012 when he first joined as an intern. As a trusted partner to a diverse range of clients, Matt specialises in virtual CFO services and his advisory experience spans multiple sectors including the construction, retail, equipment hire, e-commerce, and short-term lending sectors.

SME operating conditions are improving but still fragile going into the new year. Inflation has eased, confidence has rebounded to decade highs, yet demand remains patchy, and cost pressures persist. Unemployment has risen, services activity is still contracting, and we’re seeing uneven business recovery across regions and sectors.

From diversifying revenue streams to investing in new digital tools, I’ll be supporting my clients to address their most pressing business needs with a long-term positioning in mind. It’s worth noting that it’s an election year, so business leaders will also need to think about potential regulatory shifts and how these changes might impact their businesses.”

Top tip: Prioritise cash flow resilience by planning ahead. Review pricing and procurement strategies regularly to protect margins and capitalise on opportunities for growth through new digital tools such as AI. 

Nicole White
Advisory Principal, BDO Taranaki

Nicole is as an Advisory Principal working with commercial businesses across multiple sectors including, manufacturing, retail and professional services. She partners closely with clients to provide practical, forward looking advice and is a trusted sounding board in today’s ever-changing business landscape.

“After a tough economic year for many in 2025, it is encouraging to see some optimism coming through as businesses begin the new year. We know cashflow forecasting and management is still top of mind for business owners and now is a good time to have proactive conversations with your advisers on how to achieve your financial goals in 2026. 

In the current changing economic environment, business owners can stay ahead and build resilience by proactively monitoring financial performance through accurate and timely reports across the business. I’ll be working closely with my clients to ensure they have up-to-date information at their fingertips to quickly respond to opportunities and risks, as well as minimising the chances of any unwanted surprises along the way.”

Top tip: Take time to step back and look at your business holistically. It’s easy to focus in on one area such as your cost strategy, but every part of the business can impact your profit line. From marketing to project pipeline to learning and development, they all play a role in driving performance and business success. 

Vanessa Rowe

Vanessa Rowe

Advisory Partner, National Not-for-Profit Sector Leader
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Vanessa Rowe
Advisory Partner, BDO Wellington

Vanessa brings over 20 years of experience across professional and financial services. Starting as a graduate at BDO Wellington, her career has spanned New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the UK before returning home.  Drawing on her expertise in the not-for-profit sector, she also serves as BDO’s National Not-for-Profit Sector Leader (Advisory).  

“My focus is on helping mid-market and not-for-profit clients with practical solutions, from day-to-day accounting to process improvement, cash flow visibility, and strategic planning. I aim to simplify reporting and leverage systems, formulas, and automation so clients have more time for what matters most. 

Clients are looking for greater efficiency, cost control, and clarity, especially in the not-for-profit sector, where timely financial information is critical. Good data empowers organisations to tell their story to stakeholders with confidence.   

In 2026, I’ll be helping clients streamline processes, reduce repetitive tasks, strengthen financial controls, and plan for different funding scenarios. My priority is easing the pressure by taking on additional tasks so the focus remains on the work that makes a real difference.”

Top tip: Funding certainty is not guaranteed.  Plan ahead with budgets, forecasts and scenario planning to stay agile and maintain robust cashflows and reserves. Address cashflow issues early, they’re much easier to resolve upfront.  When resources are stretched, identify the key outcomes that matter most and consider outsourcing tasks.  This frees up valuable time, allowing your team to focus on what truly matters.

Ethan Hill
Audit and Assurance Partner, BDO Christchurch

Since joining BDO as a graduate, Ethan has become an audit and assurance specialist, assisting a wide range of businesses from private equity-backed to family-owned firms. He has in-depth knowledge and expertise in multiple sectors including agribusiness, construction, manufacturing, wholesale, technology and renewable energy. 

“Economic indicators are starting to go in the right direction, and my clients are actively looking for growth opportunities in the new year. There is still a sense of uncertainty, but in today’s fast-moving and complex world, businesses are feeling that standing still is going backwards.

Clients are looking for opportunities that will help drive their business longevity and my focus will be helping them to review and improve their financial controls and processes, making sure core business fundamentals are strong, so businesses are set up well to make the most of the opportunities presented in 2026.”

Top tip: Embrace the audit process as a chance to uncover new opportunities. Are your existing systems and processes doing what they should be doing? There’s a lot of value that can be added to your business when you have real-time financial information and proactive insights to work with.  

Tim Douglas 
Advisory Partner, BDO Christchurch

Tim has built a career defined by continuous learning and new challenges. He is recognised for his expertise in a diverse range of industries, with a particular focus on building a team of experts in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) reporting. 

“I work closely with businesses that have complex reporting requirements, often collaborating with internal finance teams, CFOs, and multinational organisations, spanning dairy farms, mining, property investment funds, healthcare, technology, tourism, and recreation. 

Looking ahead in 2026, my focus is on delivering high-quality, timely financial reporting and supporting clients through tight deadlines and audit processes, especially as new reporting standards come into effect. I’m honoured to have been made a partner, and I look forward to continuing to see our clients achieve sustainable growth and strategic expansion.”

Top tip: Recognising your achievements, no matter how big or small, is important. Reflection fosters a positive mindset to help drive continued success for you and your team. Take the time to celebrate the wins!

Kristy Nind 
Advisory Partner, BDO Invercargill

Kristy’s career spans accounting, auditing, and finance, joining BDO after gaining experience in agribusiness banking. Kristy brings a wealth of experience to her clients using her skills to support a varied client base. She is passionate about helping clients build resilience and efficiency in a rapidly changing environment.

“Many agribusiness clients will be focused on managing profitability and cash flow in an environment where pressure is easing.   This may include strategic investment decisions and succession planning. In 2026, my focus will be on helping clients manage their cash flow position and ensuring we deliver robust information to aid decision-making. 

Staying adaptable and efficient is key to thriving in the current landscape, and these will be the tools that help our clients navigate change as effectively and smoothly as possible.”

Top tip: Build resilience through diversification and invest in digital tools and technology to stay ahead of change. Surround your business with a strong and effective team to help with making informed decisions for long-term sustainable growth. 

Mike Wyeth BDO

Mike Wyeth

Partner - Deal Advisory
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Mike Wyeth
Deal Advisory Partner, BDO Invercargill

Mike works alongside C-suite executives, business owners, boards, and investors across New Zealand, with a strong focus on Southland. His expertise lies in helping organisations understand and unlock business value, specialising in valuations, transactions, strategic growth decisions including mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, succession planning and exits.

“I am passionate about building financial models that connect strategy to outcomes, giving business leaders the clarity and confidence to make informed, forward-looking decisions. My experience spans corporate finance, venture capital and private equity, supporting businesses through organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and complex shareholder & relationship property matters.  

I am proud that Southland businesses can access top-tier advisory expertise locally, without needing to look to larger centres. Deep on the-ground knowledge and understanding of regional context makes a big difference. In 2026 my focus is on continuing to support local businesses to make clear, informed decisions around growth, using robust financial modelling to test assumptions and manage risk.

Top tip: Be deliberate in your decisions. Clearly understand what drives value in your business and use financial modelling to test your assumptions before committing capital.  This discipline enables ambitious decisions to be made with confidence and maximises outcomes.

Need help?

For more assistance in setting your business up for success,contact your local BDO representative or reach out to one of our new Partners.