Motor vehicles
Equipment
Furniture and fittings
Leasehold improvements
Library books
5 years
3–10 years
5–10 years
5–9 years
5 years
20%
10–33%
10–20%
11–20%
20%
Leasehold improvements are depreciated over
the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated
remaining useful lives of the improvement, whichever
is the shorter.
The residual value and useful life of an asset is
reviewed, and adjusted if applicable, at each financial
year-end.
Intangible assets
Software acquisition
Acquired computer software licenses are capitalised
on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring
to use the specific software.
Costs associated with maintaining computer
software, the development and maintenance of the
Commission’s website, and staff training costs are
recognised as an expense when incurred.
Trademarks
Trademarks are capitalised on the basis of the
costs incurred to register the trademark with the
Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand.
Amortisation
The carrying value of an intangible asset with a
finite life is amortised on a straight-line basis over
its useful life. Amortisation begins when the asset is
available for use and ceases at the date that the asset
is derecognised. The amortisation charge for each
financial year is recognised in the surplus or deficit in
the statement of comprehensive income.
The useful lives and associated amortisation rates
of major classes of intangible assets have been
estimated as follows:
Computer software
Trademarks
2–5 years
10 years
20–50%
10%
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
and intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment and intangible
assets that have a finite useful life are reviewed
for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may
not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised
for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount
exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable
amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs
to sell and value in use.
Value in use is depreciated replacement cost for an
asset where the future economic benefits or service
potential of the asset are not primarily dependent
on the asset's ability to generate net cash inflows
and where the entity would, if deprived of the asset,
replace its remaining future economic benefits or
service potential.
If an asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable
amount, the asset is impaired and the carrying
amount is written down to the recoverable amount.
The total impairment loss is recognised in the surplus
or deficit in the statement of comprehensive income.
A reversal of the impairment loss is also recognised in
the surplus or deficit.
Intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are
not subject to amortisation and are tested annually
for impairment. An intangible asset that is not yet
available for use at the balance sheet date is tested
for impairment annually.
Creditors and other payables
Creditors and other payables are initially measured at
fair value and subsequently measured at amortised
cost using the effective interest method.
Borrowings
Borrowings are initially recognised at their fair value
plus transaction costs. After initial recognition, all
borrowings are measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest method.
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities if the
borrowings are expected to be settled within 12
months of balance date. All other borrowings are
classified as a non-current liability.
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