New Zealand hubs

Anna

Project Manager

New ZealandEnglish (English)$ NZD

Anna is a busy project manager living in New Zealand, balancing a high-pressure career with personal financial planning and family life. This hub covers the essential national schemes, tax obligations, and public services she interacts with to keep her life running smoothly.

Keeping my finances on track

Managing tax obligations and retirement savings is critical for long-term career stability.

myIR Secure Online Services

national · Inland Revenue Department

Who qualifies
All tax-paying residents
What you get
Access to tax returns, student loan balances, and Working for Families credits
What it actually costs you
Requires RealMe login; free to use
Common gotcha
Forgetting to update your income estimate can lead to a surprise tax bill at year-end

KiwiSaver

national · Inland Revenue / Private Providers

Who qualifies
Employees aged 18-65
What you get
Employer matching contributions and annual government contribution of up to $521
What it actually costs you
3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% of gross salary
Common gotcha
Not selecting a growth fund early in your career can significantly impact long-term compounding

Student Loan Scheme

national · Inland Revenue

Who qualifies
Borrowers with outstanding tertiary education debt
What you get
Interest-free loans for NZ-based borrowers
What it actually costs you
Mandatory repayment threshold of 12% of income over the threshold
Common gotcha
Moving overseas triggers interest charges immediately

Working for Families Tax Credits

national · Inland Revenue

Who qualifies
Families with dependent children under 18
What you get
Weekly or lump-sum payments based on household income
What it actually costs you
Annual application via myIR
Common gotcha
Overestimating income can result in having to pay back credits at the end of the tax year

PAYE (Pay As You Earn)

national · Inland Revenue

Who qualifies
All salary and wage earners
What you get
Automated tax deduction from your paycheck
What it actually costs you
Automatic deduction by employer
Common gotcha
Changing jobs mid-year can sometimes lead to incorrect tax codes

ACC Earners' Levy

national · Accident Compensation Corporation

Who qualifies
All earners
What you get
No-fault personal injury cover
What it actually costs you
Automatic deduction from salary
Common gotcha
ACC does not cover illness, only accidental injury

When I need medical care

Navigating the public health system ensures I get care without breaking the bank.

Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) Services

national · Te Whatu Ora

Who qualifies
NZ citizens and residents
What you get
Free or heavily subsidized hospital care and emergency services
What it actually costs you
Free at point of use for emergencies
Common gotcha
Specialist appointments often have long waiting lists

General Practice Subsidies

national · Te Whatu Ora

Who qualifies
Enrolled patients at local clinics
What you get
Lower consultation fees compared to non-enrolled patients
What it actually costs you
Annual enrollment form
Common gotcha
You can only be enrolled at one GP clinic at a time

Pharmac Subsidized Medicines

national · Pharmac

Who qualifies
Patients with a valid prescription
What you get
Access to medications at a fixed $5 co-payment
What it actually costs you
$5 per item
Common gotcha
Not all medicines are subsidized; some require full private payment

National Screening Programmes

national · National Screening Unit

Who qualifies
Age and gender-specific cohorts
What you get
Free breast, cervical, and bowel screening
What it actually costs you
Free
Common gotcha
You must ensure your contact details are current to receive invites

Access and Choice Mental Health Services

national · Te Whatu Ora

Who qualifies
Anyone needing mild-to-moderate mental health support
What you get
Free brief interventions and counseling
What it actually costs you
Referral from GP
Common gotcha
High demand means there can be a wait for initial assessment

National Immunisation Schedule

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
All residents based on age
What you get
Free vaccines for preventable diseases
What it actually costs you
Free
Common gotcha
Records are managed via the National Immunisation Register

Proving who I am and getting around

Keeping my identification and travel documents current is essential for work and life.

RealMe

national · Department of Internal Affairs

Who qualifies
All residents
What you get
Single sign-on for government services
What it actually costs you
Free; requires identity verification
Common gotcha
Verifying your identity can take several days if done via post

New Zealand Passport

national · Department of Internal Affairs

Who qualifies
NZ citizens
What you get
International travel document
What it actually costs you
$206 for standard adult passport
Common gotcha
Photos must meet strict digital criteria to be accepted online

NZ Driver Licence

national · Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency)

Who qualifies
Residents aged 16+
What you get
Legal right to drive
What it actually costs you
Varies by test type; renewal is $43.90
Common gotcha
Failing to renew on time requires re-sitting the theory test

SuperGold Card

national · Ministry of Social Development

Who qualifies
People aged 65+
What you get
Discounts on transport and retail
What it actually costs you
Automatic issue upon reaching age
Common gotcha
Many people forget to use it for off-peak public transport

Kiwi Access Card

national · Hospitality NZ

Who qualifies
Anyone needing a photo ID
What you get
Recognized proof of age and identity
What it actually costs you
$60
Common gotcha
Not a travel document; cannot be used for international flights

SmartGate

national · NZ Customs Service

Who qualifies
Holders of e-passports
What you get
Automated border processing
What it actually costs you
Free
Common gotcha
Doesn't work if your passport chip is damaged

My rights as a consumer and tenant

Understanding my rights helps me navigate rental agreements and consumer disputes.

Tenancy Services

national · Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

Who qualifies
All tenants and landlords
What you get
Legal guidance and bond management
What it actually costs you
Free
Common gotcha
Bond must be lodged with the government, not kept by the landlord

Consumer Protection

national · Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Who qualifies
All consumers
What you get
Information on rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act
What it actually costs you
Free
Common gotcha
The CGA applies to goods even if the store's warranty has expired

Disputes Tribunal

national · Ministry of Justice

Who qualifies
Parties in civil disputes under $30,000
What you get
Low-cost legal resolution
What it actually costs you
Filing fee from $45
Common gotcha
You cannot have a lawyer represent you in the hearing

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

national · CAB NZ

Who qualifies
Anyone needing free advice
What you get
Information on rights and government services
What it actually costs you
Free
Common gotcha
They provide information, not legal representation

Energywise

national · EECA

Who qualifies
Homeowners
What you get
Advice on heating and energy efficiency
What it actually costs you
Free
Common gotcha
Grants are often limited to specific insulation or heat pump upgrades

Office of the Privacy Commissioner

national · Privacy Commissioner

Who qualifies
Anyone concerned about data misuse
What you get
Investigation of privacy breaches
What it actually costs you
Free
Common gotcha
You must complain to the organization first before the Commissioner will intervene