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New Zealand English (English) $ NZD
Craig is a skilled machinist working in a precision engineering shop in Auckland. He balances a busy work life with family responsibilities and is always looking for ways to manage his taxes, health costs, and retirement savings effectively.
Understanding tax obligations and government credits helps me manage my household budget.
KiwiSaver national · Inland Revenue
Who qualifies NZ citizens or residents aged 18-65.
What you get Employer contributions and annual government member tax credits up to $521.
What it actually costs you 3%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of gross salary; requires choosing a fund provider.
Common gotcha People often forget to check their fund type (growth vs conservative) and lose out on long-term gains.
Working for Families national · Inland Revenue
Who qualifies Families with dependent children under 18.
What you get Tax credits including Family Tax Credit and In-Work Tax Credit.
What it actually costs you Requires annual income estimation; failure to update income leads to debt.
Common gotcha If you don't update your income estimate when your pay changes, you get hit with a massive overpayment bill.
Independent Earner Tax Credit (IETC) national · Inland Revenue
Who qualifies Earners between $24,000 and $48,000 who don't receive WFF.
What you get Up to $10 per week tax reduction.
What it actually costs you Automatic if you meet criteria in your tax code.
Common gotcha Many people on the threshold don't realise they qualify and don't claim it in their tax code.
Student Loan Repayment national · Inland Revenue
Who qualifies Anyone with an outstanding NZ student loan.
What you get Interest-free loans for those living in NZ.
What it actually costs you 12% deduction on income over the repayment threshold.
Common gotcha If you move overseas, the interest-free status is removed.
Personal Tax Summary national · Inland Revenue
Who qualifies All wage and salary earners.
What you get Potential tax refund if you overpaid during the year.
What it actually costs you Free via myIR portal.
Common gotcha Waiting for the auto-calculation instead of checking for deductible expenses.
ACC Earners' Levy national · ACC
Who qualifies All employees.
What you get Comprehensive 24/7 accident cover for injuries.
What it actually costs you 1.60% of your gross earnings deducted from pay.
Common gotcha It only covers accidents, not illnesses. Knowing what is covered by the state versus what I need to pay for out-of-pocket.
Community Services Card national · Ministry of Social Development
Who qualifies Low to middle-income earners based on household size.
What you get Cheaper doctor visits and prescription fees.
What it actually costs you Application form, proof of income.
Common gotcha The income thresholds change annually; check every year.
Prescription Subsidy Scheme national · Ministry of Health
Who qualifies Anyone who pays for 20+ prescriptions in a year.
What you get Free prescriptions for the remainder of the year after 20 items.
What it actually costs you Keep track of your receipts.
Common gotcha You must ask your pharmacy to track your count.
ACC Injury Cover national · ACC
Who qualifies Everyone in NZ, including visitors.
What you get Coverage for medical treatment and rehabilitation for accidents.
What it actually costs you Usually a co-payment for the GP visit.
Common gotcha Does not cover 'wear and tear' or chronic conditions.
National Immunisation Schedule national · Te Whatu Ora
Who qualifies All residents.
What you get Free vaccines for children and adults.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Many adults forget to get their tetanus boosters.
Access and Choice national · Te Whatu Ora
Who qualifies Anyone needing mild to moderate mental health support.
What you get Free, quick access to health coaches or counsellors.
What it actually costs you Referral from GP.
Common gotcha Wait times vary significantly by region.
School Dental Service national · Te Whatu Ora
Who qualifies Children up to year 8.
What you get Free dental care.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Once they hit high school, it's a different system. Knowing my legal protections as an employee in the engineering sector.
Minimum Wage Protection national · Employment New Zealand
Who qualifies All adult employees.
What you get Legal minimum hourly rate.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Training wages are lower; ensure your contract is correct.
Employer KiwiSaver Contribution national · Inland Revenue
Who qualifies Employees contributing to KiwiSaver.
What you get Mandatory 3% employer contribution on top of salary.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Some employers include this in 'total remuneration' packages.
Public Holiday Entitlements national · Employment New Zealand
Who qualifies All employees.
What you get Time and a half plus a day in lieu if working a public holiday.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Confusion over 'Mondayisation' of holidays.
Minimum Annual Leave national · Employment New Zealand
Who qualifies All employees after 12 months.
What you get 4 weeks paid leave.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Leave must be taken at a mutually agreed time.
Statutory Sick Leave national · Employment New Zealand
Who qualifies All employees after 6 months.
What you get 10 days paid sick leave per year.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Can be used for family illness, not just your own.
Bereavement Leave national · Employment New Zealand
Who qualifies All employees.
What you get 3 days paid leave for immediate family, 1 day for others.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Employer can request proof of death. Managing vehicle costs and transport options.
Vehicle Registration (Rego) national · Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Who qualifies All vehicle owners.
What you get Legal right to drive on public roads.
What it actually costs you Annual fee based on vehicle type.
Common gotcha Driving with an expired rego leads to an instant fine.
Warrant of Fitness (WoF) national · Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Who qualifies All light vehicle owners.
What you get Safety certification for the vehicle.
What it actually costs you Inspection fee ($50-$80).
Common gotcha Failing a WoF means you cannot legally drive the car until fixed.
Road User Charges (RUC) national · Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Who qualifies Diesel vehicle owners.
What you get Contribution to road maintenance.
What it actually costs you Per-kilometre fee.
Common gotcha Forgetting to update your RUC distance leads to heavy fines.
SuperGold Card Transport Concessions national · Ministry of Social Development
Who qualifies People aged 65+.
What you get Off-peak free public transport.
What it actually costs you None.
Common gotcha Only applies to off-peak hours.
Driver Licence Renewal national · Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Who qualifies All drivers.
What you get Legal authority to drive.
What it actually costs you Renewal fee every 10 years.
Common gotcha Losing your licence requires a trip to the AA or VTNZ.
Clean Car Discount (Legacy/Transition) national · Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Who qualifies Buyers of low-emission vehicles.
What you get Rebate on purchase price (check current status).
What it actually costs you Application process.
Common gotcha The scheme changes frequently; verify eligibility at time of purchase.
One honest app. Real lives, real businesses. Free for what people need, paid only for what runs a business — on our own model, our own metal.
Where we run
Bangalore + Czechia
Our own metal · GDPR · DPDPA
