Deel unveils AI payroll upgrades, new pay features for NZ staff
Deel has announced the release of a range of AI-powered features across its global payroll and HR platform, aiming to streamline onboarding, payroll, HR information systems, and overall client experience for businesses worldwide, including in New Zealand.
The latest update introduces over 500 platform enhancements, each designed to simplify daily operations for global teams. These updates are part of the company's ongoing effort to build what it calls a more unified platform for global workforce management.
AI integration and platform upgrades
Key features announced include the integration of artificial intelligence throughout the platform, providing support from talent strategy and financial operations to compliance and employee support. With these improvements, Deel stated it can now better anticipate customer needs and reduce the amount of back-and-forth experienced by HR and finance teams.
"Deel is evolving into the infrastructure layer for global workforce operations," said Alex Bouaziz, Co-Founder and CEO of Deel.
"This latest product drop was all about listening to customers and removing friction, whether you're planning a hire in Brazil, running compensation reviews in Berlin, or onboarding a contractor in Nairobi, Deel understands what you need next. We're building the system of record for modern teams."
Payroll and payment flexibility
Among the main additions are new features targeting payroll efficiency and pay flexibility. The 'Anytime Pay' feature now allows eligible employees hired via Deel's Employer of Record (EOR) service to access a portion of their earned wages before the regular payday, with these payments automatically tracked and deducted, and no fees involved. This aims to help employees better manage their finances without affecting overall payroll operations.
Other finance-related updates include the availability of virtual and physical expense cards in over 130 countries, giving employees more controlled and direct access to company funds. Payroll administrators can now adjust pay cycles directly within the platform, and new visual payslips provide clearer breakdowns of each pay run for employees.
AI-driven hiring and workforce planning
The update extends to hiring processes, with a Visa Eligibility Tool leveraging Deel AI to quickly assess work permit pathways in more than 50 countries, potentially reducing legal processing times. Additionally, a new Global Hiring Insights feature helps customers identify suitable hiring locations based on criteria such as compliance complexity, costs, and time zone alignment.
For organisational planning, the platform now supports scenario modelling to facilitate budget-based growth forecasts and hiring strategies, and a Salary Planning feature that allows for compliant, global compensation reviews managed within the system itself.
Support and compliance enhancements
Support services are expanded through an AI-powered Knowledge Hub, delivering immediate, country-specific HR and compliance information, as well as over 200 AI Walkthroughs - step-by-step, in-platform guides for handling complex tasks. A new Support Inbox centralises support ticket management for HR, finance, and employees.
Shannon Karaka, Country Lead for Australia and New Zealand at Deel, commented on the regional context:
"Australian and New Zealand businesses have the global talent pool at their fingertips."
"Gone are the days that local businesses were disadvantaged by the tyranny of distance. The companies that can see the benefits of tapping into international talent pools will reap the benefits – not only in being able to attract a whole new cohort of staff, but by ensuring their workplace is at the cutting edge of innovation and efficiency."
"This is exactly what we mean by 'the future of work' – but the future is available right now," Mr Karaka said.
New Zealand employee attitudes towards payroll
Data from a survey of 750 employees across New Zealand conducted in April 2025 sheds light on local workforce preferences relevant to Deel's latest features. More than half (54%) of respondents receiving fortnightly pay expressed a desire for more frequent payments; this proportion rises to 69% among those paid monthly.
The survey found that more than 80% of respondents used some form of financial support, such as savings, loans, or pay services, between pay periods in the past year. 70% reported having used 'Earned Wage Access' services - which enable early access to earned wages - highlighting potential demand for Deel's new Anytime Pay functionality.
Understanding payslips and pay deductions remains an area for improvement, with 61% of employees seeking more assistance to understand how their pay and deductions are calculated. The need for clarity is most pronounced among 25–35-year-olds, 69% of whom requested more information. While confidence in explaining pay deductions remains high in older demographics, with 98% of those over 66 feeling confident, this figure falls to 71% among those aged 18–24.
Deel currently reports serving over 35,000 businesses worldwide, processing more than USD $11 billion in annual payroll, and recently achieving a USD $1 billion annual revenue run rate.
