About Us

Welcome to Calculate.co.nz!

I'm James, the person behind the development of this platform. By day, I work as the Head of Data and Analytics for a large software company, and in my spare time, I focus on web development and project management. My aim is simple: to make essential financial, taxation, and lending information freely accessible to everyone.

Over the years, I've been fortunate to build more than 200 websites across different industries, each created to meet specific needs. Some of my projects include a nursing exam resource, which became widely used globally, propertyprice.co.nz, which gained popularity in 2022, and salary.co.nz, a hit in 2023. I’ve also developed some of New Zealand's most widely used tax calculators. It's rewarding to know these tools continue to help people from all walks of life.

Calculate.co.nz is more than just a website; it's a resource for anyone seeking clear, reliable financial information. My hope is to make it New Zealand’s most comprehensive platform for calculators by the end of 2025, and we're making good progress toward that goal.

In 2023, I also launched realtor.co.nz with my team, a site designed to simplify the property buying and selling process by offering straightforward, step-by-step guides to help people navigate each stage.

Throughout my career, I’ve been honoured to be recognised as one of the top 10 Google Publishers in New Zealand, and it’s been fulfilling to see the work reach millions of users worldwide, providing free, practical tools and resources.

Despite being based in a small village in Canterbury, the vision for Calculate.co.nz is quite large. My goal is to help improve financial literacy, increase transparency, and empower people to make informed decisions—without the usual costs that come with professional advice.

I believe that free access to high-quality information is vital. When people have easy access to reliable information, they can make better decisions, engage in more informed discussions, and ultimately contribute to stronger communities.

The start of the journey towards building Calculate.co.nz began back in 2009 when I participated in the “Be Your Own Boss” course offered by Trade and Enterprise New Zealand. This programme introduced me to the basics of starting and running a business, and it was during this time that my interest in website building really took shape, something I had been dabbling in since the early 2000s.

However, after working with my first client, I quickly realised that client-based web design wasn’t the best fit for me. The constant design revisions and changes didn’t suit my style, but I still enjoyed building websites. I knew I wanted to find a niche that combined my interests in data, analytics, and development.

That’s when I discovered a need for online calculators. I noticed that people were frequently searching for calculation tools online, which sparked the idea to create a range of these tools. I researched ways to monetise the sites through Google Ads and AdSense, which allowed me to keep the tools free for users. Securing strong domain names also helped the sites rank well in search engines.

One of my early successes was the GST calculator, which I launched in 2011. After learning it was one of the most searched calculators in New Zealand, I built a simple website that quickly became the top result on Google.

As the years passed, I decided to bring all my New Zealand calculators together on one platform: Calculate.co.nz. While I still maintain the individual domains, my goal was to create a single, user-friendly hub where people could access all the tools they need in one place. This approach has helped build the site's credibility and made it easier for users to find and return to the tools they need.

I’ve been working on Calculate.co.nz for several years now, and I’m grateful for the positive feedback. The tools are designed with a focus on simplicity and accuracy, ensuring they provide helpful insights for users. Some of the calculators are now considered among the best in New Zealand, and I’m proud of how far the project has come. My goal remains to provide the most comprehensive and reliable calculator resources in New Zealand.

If you would like to connect here is my LinkedIn.