As a Road Ninja driver, you operate as an independent contractor. This gives you the freedom to set your own rates and choose how you work. This guide explains how to set your rate effectively, how payment schedules work, and how invoicing in handled.
Setting your hourly rate
Because you are a contractor, not an employee, consider that your hourly rate needs to be higher than a standard wage to cover your business costs. You are responsible for your own:
Taxes and ACC levies: You must set aside a portion of your income to pay these to the IRD.
Time off: You do not receive paid annual leave or sick leave. Your rate should include a buffer to cover days you are not working.
KiwiSaver: Any contributions to your retirement fund must come from your earnings.
Equipment: You are responsible for providing your own PPE and safety gear.
Employee vs. Contractor rates
To help you set a competitive yet sustainable rate, we recommend adding 25–30% on top of a standard employee rate.
Employee hourly rate | Contractor hourly rate |
$28.00 | $35.00 - $36.00 |
$30.00 | $38.00 - $39.00 |
$35.00 | $44.00 - $46.00 |
Note: This table is a general guide only. You should review your rate regularly to ensure it reflects your experience and market conditions.
Public holiday rates
Unless you have a specific agreement with the hiring company, work completed on public holidays (e.g., Christmas Day) is paid at your normal hourly rate. Contractors are not automatically entitled to "time and a half" under New Zealand employment law.
Fixed price offers (day rates)
Some companies may offer a Fixed Price Offer (FPO) instead of an hourly rate.
What is it? A flat fee for the day's work, regardless of how many hours it takes.
This covers any work conducted within a 14-hour window in a 24-hour period, provided it complies with work-time logbook rules.
You have the flexibility to accept or decline these offers based on whether the flat rate works for you.
Invoicing and payment schedules
At the end of each job, once you submit your billable hours and logbook evidence, Road Ninja automatically generates and submits an invoice to the hiring company on your behalf. You do not need to create or send invoices manually.
The system applies GST based on your registration status in your profile:
GST Registered: A 15% GST component is automatically added to your rate.
Not GST Registered: No GST component is applied.
Payments typically arrive in your bank account 4–6 business days after the hiring company initiates the payment. Most companies pay weekly, though some may pay monthly. You can check the specific payment cycle with the hiring company directly.
Need a Copy? If you require copies of past invoices for your tax records, please contact our customer support team.