Best Productivity Apps for Remote Kiwi Workers
Kia ora, Kiwis!
Remote work has become a way of life for many of us here in Aotearoa, whether we’re working from a sunny backyard, a cosy home office, or even from the bach down the coast. As flexible as remote work can be, it also comes with its own set of challenges. From keeping track of tasks to staying connected with the team, being productive can sometimes feel like a mission! But don’t worry—we’ve got your back. Today, we’re diving into the best productivity apps to keep you on track and help you smash those deadlines, all while embracing the laid-back Kiwi lifestyle.
- Trello – Your Virtual Whiteboard for Organising Tasks
If you're a fan of visual organisation, Trello is like having a digital whiteboard for all your to-do lists, projects, and team collaboration. With easy drag-and-drop functionality, Trello lets you create boards for different projects, add task cards, and track progress in a way that feels natural and simple.
Why Kiwi workers love it: Whether you're juggling multiple clients or just need a way to keep track of your daily tasks, Trello is easy to use and can be shared across teams. Plus, you can sync it across devices, so you can update your to-dos from the couch, café, or even while waiting for your flat white.
- Slack – Keep Communication Breezy
Anyone who’s worked remotely knows the challenge of staying in touch with team members, whether it's across Auckland or across the world. Slack is a messaging app that combines the best parts of email, text messages, and real-time chat. You can organise conversations into channels, create direct messages, and even share files seamlessly.
Why Kiwi workers love it: Slack makes it easy to stay connected without the overwhelm of a cluttered inbox. The fun part? You can add cool emojis, GIFs, and reactions, so it’s easy to keep the vibe light while still getting work done. Plus, it’s a great way to stay in touch with colleagues whether you’re down in Invercargill or working remotely from your campervan.
- Asana – Track Projects with Ease
For those who need a more robust project management tool, Asana is a go-to. It’s perfect for tracking complex projects with multiple tasks, deadlines, and collaborators. You can set goals, assign tasks, and even set up timelines to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Why Kiwi workers love it: Asana helps break down big projects into smaller, bite-sized tasks. If you're working with a team or managing a big project, Asana helps keep everything organised and everyone accountable. It’s like having a personal assistant who never misses a deadline!
- RescueTime – Stay Focused, Not Distracted
Ever get caught in the rabbit hole of social media while you're meant to be working? Yeah, we’ve all been there. RescueTime helps you track how you spend your time on your devices, giving you insights into where you’re being productive and where you might be wasting time. It runs in the background and categorises what you do into work-related or non-work-related activities.
Why Kiwi workers love it: It’s the perfect app for those who need a little extra push to stay focused during the day. And if you’ve ever found yourself checking Facebook when you should be writing an email, RescueTime will give you a gentle nudge (or a big reality check!).
- Google Workspace – All Your Docs in One Place
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is a suite of productivity apps that includes Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Calendar, and more. It’s a must-have for anyone working remotely in New Zealand. With everything synced to the cloud, you’ll never have to worry about losing your work.
Why Kiwi workers love it: The ability to collaborate in real-time on Google Docs is a lifesaver. Need to brainstorm with your team? Jump on a Google Doc and get writing. Plus, Google Meet makes video conferencing a breeze—no need to download another app, just jump right in!
- Notion – The All-in-One Workspace
Notion is an incredibly versatile app that combines note-taking, task management, databases, and project tracking all in one. It’s the ultimate tool for remote workers who need an all-in-one solution to manage their life and work.
Why Kiwi workers love it: Notion gives you the flexibility to organise everything exactly the way you want. Whether it’s a personal to-do list or a full project management board, you can customise Notion to your needs. It’s the digital Swiss army knife of productivity.
- Forest – Focus and Grow Trees (Seriously!)
Okay, this one is a bit quirky but trust us—it works! Forest is a unique productivity app that helps you stay off your phone by growing a virtual tree. The catch? You need to stay focused and not touch your phone for a certain amount of time for your tree to grow. If you give in and use your phone, the tree dies.
Why Kiwi workers love it: The gamified approach makes staying focused fun. Plus, Forest has a real-world impact—you can plant actual trees in the real world as you stay productive. Helping the environment while getting your work done? That’s a win-win in our book.
- Zoom – Because We’re All ‘Zooming’ Now
While this one’s a no-brainer, we couldn’t leave it out. Zoom is still the top choice for video calls, whether you're chatting with a client, holding a team meeting, or even catching up with mates after work.
Why Kiwi workers love it: It’s reliable, easy to use, and practically everyone already has it. Bonus points for Zoom’s ability to let you schedule meetings, share screens, and record conversations. That’s perfect for those who are juggling multiple time zones—like your mates in Wellington catching up with the team in London.
- ClickUp – The Ultimate Task Manager
ClickUp is a powerful project management tool that helps you manage everything from to-do lists to long-term projects. It allows you to assign tasks, set priorities, and track progress in various ways. You can also integrate it with other apps, like Slack, Google Drive, and Zoom.
Why Kiwi workers love it: ClickUp combines flexibility with functionality. Whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a bigger team, it adapts to your workflow. You can even use ClickUp to manage personal goals alongside your work projects—because who says productivity apps can’t help with life goals too?
Wrapping It Up
There you have it, team! These productivity apps are perfect for helping you stay on top of your game while working from home or remotely. The beauty of remote work is the freedom it offers, but we all know that freedom also requires a bit of structure to make it all work smoothly.
With the right tools, you can keep your focus sharp, communication clear, and projects running like clockwork—all while enjoying the incredible lifestyle New Zealand offers. So grab a cuppa, fire up your favourite app, and get ready to tackle your day!
Happy working, Kiwis!
P.S. Got any apps that you swear by to stay productive? Drop us an email —we love hearing your tips!