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An IRD number is your personal tax number in New Zealand. You use it for all your tax matters, and it stays the same for life. You need one if you earn income in New Zealand. Applying is free. If you have just arrived on a visa, you can use the simpler 'new arrival' process and usually get your number within 2 days.

Once you have lived in New Zealand on a residence visa for long enough, you can apply to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) for citizenship. This is called "citizenship by grant". DIA's main requirements are: you have lived in New Zealand as a resident for at least 5 years and meet the minimum days in the country, you are of good character, you can hold a basic conversation in English, and you intend to keep living in New Zealand. The adult application fee is NZ$641, and processing takes 3 to 14 months. After approval, you become a citizen only when you take the oath or affirmation at a citizenship ceremony.

You need a New Zealand bank account to get paid, pay rent and pay for everyday things. Some banks let you open an account before you leave your home country and activate it after you arrive. When you activate it, the bank usually checks your identity. Give your bank your IRD number. If you don't, the bank takes tax from your interest at the highest rate. If you have a problem with your bank, complain to the bank first. If that doesn't fix it, you can go to the free, independent Banking Ombudsman.

RealMe is the New Zealand government's single login and online identity service. It has two parts. A RealMe login is a username and password that you can use for many services, such as myIR and Immigration New Zealand. A RealMe verified identity is a digital identity issued by the government. It lets you prove who you are online, for example to open a bank account online. Many services only need a login. Applying for a verified identity is free, and it lasts 10 years.

Everyone who arrives in New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). This includes New Zealand citizens, residents and babies. The NZTD replaced the old paper Passenger Arrival Card. You must declare all food, plants and seeds, animal products and traditional or herbal medicines. A false declaration can bring an instant fine of at least NZ$400. If you are not sure, declare it.

In New Zealand you must be 18 or older to buy alcohol. When you buy alcohol or go into a bar, you may need to show an approved evidence of age document, such as a passport, a New Zealand driver licence or a Kiwi Access card. There are strict limits on giving alcohol to anyone under 18. Many parks and streets have alcohol bans, and you can be fined for drinking or carrying alcohol there. If you have been drinking, do not drive. These rules come from the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

In New Zealand, food that is unsafe, unsuitable to eat or contaminated is recalled. The list of recalls is on the MPI New Zealand Food Safety website. This guide explains how to check for recalls, how to handle food safely at home, the difference between 'use by' and 'best before', and who to contact about food poisoning, foreign objects in food or poor hygiene.

If you run a food business in New Zealand, you usually need to register under the Food Act 2014. This includes a restaurant, takeaway shop, food stall or selling food you make at home. When you register, you choose a Food Control Plan or a National Programme. After that, your business gets regular checks, called verification. You register with your local council or with MPI, depending on where you operate and which type of plan you need. This page uses information published by Auckland Council as an example.

When you buy goods or services from a business in New Zealand, the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) protects you. If something has a problem, you can ask for a repair, a replacement or a refund. But simply changing your mind is not a legal reason to return something. The Fair Trading Act covers false advertising and misleading prices.

If you have a money dispute of up to NZ$60,000 with a business, a tradesperson, a neighbour or the other driver in a car crash, you can take it to the Disputes Tribunal. It is faster, cheaper and less formal than a court. You cannot have a lawyer represent you at the hearing. Its decisions are legally binding. You can apply online. The application fee depends on how much you claim and starts at NZ$62.

Before you buy a home in New Zealand, check your status. New Zealand citizens, and residents who are 'ordinarily resident', can buy without permission. If you hold a residence class visa but are not yet ordinarily resident, you must first get approval (consent) from Toitū Te Whenua LINZ, and you can buy only one home to live in. People on temporary visas, such as student, work or visitor visas, generally cannot buy. This guide also covers KiwiSaver first-home withdrawals, the bright-line rule when you sell, and LIM reports.

The healthy homes standards are the minimum rules for rental homes in New Zealand. They cover five areas: heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. From 1 July 2025, all private rental homes must meet the standards, unless an exemption applies. The landlord is responsible for this. If your home does not meet the standards, talk to your landlord first. If that does not work, send a notice to remedy. As a last step, apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.

New Zealand has many electricity companies, and you can compare prices and switch at any time. The Electricity Authority runs a free comparison website called Billy. When you choose a new company, it arranges the switch for you, which takes 3–4 days on average. If you cannot pay your power bill, tell your electricity company straight away. A company must follow a set process before it can disconnect you. If you have a dispute with your electricity company, Utilities Disputes can help for free. People who get certain benefits or a pension also get a Winter Energy Payment automatically in winter.

Rates are a yearly charge that property owners pay to their local council. Your rates usually include city or district council rates and regional council rates. Some areas also charge water rates separately. If you rent, you do not pay rates; your landlord pays them. If you own and live in your home and have a low income, you can apply every year for a rates rebate. For 2026/27, the rebate is up to NZ$830. If you cannot afford your rates, you can also ask your council whether you can postpone paying them (postponement).

When you rent a home in New Zealand, your landlord can ask for a bond (a security deposit). The bond can be no more than 4 weeks' rent. Your landlord cannot keep it. They must lodge it with Tenancy Services, a government service. When you move out, your landlord starts the refund online and you confirm it. If you cannot agree on the refund, you can try mediation or apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.

If you rent a home in New Zealand, the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 sets the rules. Your landlord must give you written notice in advance before raising the rent, entering the home or ending the tenancy. Your landlord must also fix things that break. This page explains how often rent can go up and how much notice is needed, how much notice each side must give to end a tenancy, the rules for inspections and entry, and the basic rules on repairs and pets. For bond questions, see our 'Rental bond' guide.

When you buy a used car in New Zealand, the most important question is who you buy from. If you buy from a dealer, you are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) and other laws. If something goes wrong, the dealer must fix, replace or refund. If you cannot agree, you can go to the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal. If you buy from a private seller, you have almost none of these protections. Before you buy, always check for money owing and whether the car is stolen, and have it inspected. After the sale, both the buyer and the seller must tell NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) about the change of ownership as soon as possible. Do this within 7 days if you can.

When you first arrive in New Zealand, you can drive on your overseas licence, but only for a limited time. If you want to keep driving, you need to convert it to a New Zealand licence. Important: from 1 November 2026, new arrivals can drive a car on an overseas licence for 12 months instead of 18 months. Licences from some countries need a theory test and a practical driving test to convert. Check whether your country is one of them.

In New Zealand you drive on the left. The give way rules may be different from the rules in your home country. You can be fined for holding a phone while driving, for not wearing a seatbelt, and if a child is not in a child seat. Speeding, using a phone while driving and drink driving can also give you demerit points as well as a fine. If you get 100 points or more within 2 years, your licence is suspended for 3 months. You usually need to pay a fine (infringement notice) within 28 days, or dispute it in writing before the final due date. From 1 October 2026, two new rules apply: leave at least 1.5 metres when passing, and give way to buses.

Each region in New Zealand runs its own public transport, so each city uses a different transport card. Auckland uses AT HOP. Wellington uses Snapper (Metlink). Christchurch is moving to Motu Move, the new national system. Many other regions use Bee Card. Children, students and Community Services Card holders can get discounts. SuperGold Card holders (65 and over) travel free at off-peak times. For most discounts, you need to load the concession onto a transport card. If you just tap your bank card, you usually pay the adult fare.

To drive on New Zealand roads, your vehicle needs a valid rego and a valid WoF. Rego is the vehicle licence, the label on your windscreen, and you pay to renew it regularly. A WoF (warrant of fitness) is a regular safety check. Diesel, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles also need RUC (road user charges). Important: from 1 November 2026, WoF frequency changes a lot. Many light vehicles aged 4–14 years will need a WoF only every 2 years.

Best Start is part of Working for Families. It gives your family extra money for the first 3 years after your child is born, up to NZ$77 a week. For children born on or after 1 April 2026, the first year also depends on your family income.

FamilyBoost is a childcare payment from Inland Revenue (IRD). It helps families pay for a child at a licensed early childhood education (ECE) service, such as daycare or kindy. If your child is 5 or under and your household income is less than NZ$57,286 a quarter, you can claim back part of your ECE fees each quarter in myIR. You can get up to NZ$1,560 a quarter.

If you have a baby, or start caring for a child under 6, you may get government-funded parental leave payments. This applies if you are the primary carer, you stop work to care for the child, and you worked enough hours in the past year. You apply to Inland Revenue, and payments last for 26 weeks in a row. From 1 July 2026, the maximum is NZ$811.05 a week before tax. Your partner can ask their employer for 1 or 2 weeks of unpaid partner's leave. Your partner can also take over part of your parental leave payments.

When you are pregnant in New Zealand, your first step is to choose a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). This is usually a midwife. Your LMC looks after you during your pregnancy and the birth. They also care for you and your baby until your baby is 6 weeks old. If you are eligible, most maternity care is free. After your baby is born, you also get free Well Child Tamariki Ora health checks.

If you have dependent children, you can apply to Inland Revenue (IRD) for Working for Families payments. There are four main types: family tax credit, in-work tax credit, minimum family tax credit and Best Start. How much you get depends on your family income and how many children you have. You must also meet residence requirements.

At New Zealand primary and secondary schools, domestic students study free at state and state-integrated schools. International students pay fees. New Zealand citizens and residents are domestic students. A Ministry of Education notice also lists some children on temporary visas who are treated as domestic students. The most common case is a child on a student visa with a parent on a work visa.

Early childhood education (ECE) in New Zealand comes in several types, including kindergartens, daycare centres, Playcentre and home-based care. Children aged 3 to 5 can get the government's 20 Hours ECE. This covers up to 20 hours a week, and up to 6 hours a day, with no fees for those hours. To help with costs beyond that, look at the Childcare Subsidy from Work and Income and FamilyBoost from Inland Revenue.

Most children in New Zealand start primary school from their 5th birthday. Children aged 6 to 16 must go to school or be home educated. Many schools have a home zone. If you live in the zone, your child is guaranteed a place. If you live outside it, you can apply, and if there are not enough places the school holds a ballot. Domestic students do not pay fees at state schools, and school donations are voluntary.

If you study at university or another tertiary provider in New Zealand, you can apply through StudyLink for a Student Loan and a Student Allowance. A Student Loan covers course fees and living costs, and you must pay it back. A Student Allowance helps with living costs, and you do not pay it back. Your student loan has no interest while you live in New Zealand. If you are not a New Zealand citizen, you usually need to have lived in New Zealand for 3 years and held a residence class visa for 3 years before you can apply. Fees Free for the final year of study ends on 31 December 2026.

The Holidays Act 2003 sets the minimum leave for employees in New Zealand. After 12 months of continuous work for the same employer, you get at least 4 weeks of paid annual leave. After 6 months, you get 10 days of paid sick leave each year. If a public holiday falls on a day you would normally work, you get the day off with pay. If you work that day, you get at least time and a half, plus an extra day off. A new Employment Leave Act will not take effect until 6 August 2028. Until then, the current rules still apply.

KiwiSaver is New Zealand's voluntary, work-based retirement savings scheme. You save part of your pay before tax, and your employer and the government also add money to your account. You usually cannot take the money out until you are 65. You can take it out earlier in some cases, such as buying your first home. From 1 April 2026, the default contribution rate went up from 3% to 3.5%.

Jobseeker Support is a weekly payment from Work and Income. It helps people who are looking for work, or who cannot work for now because of a health condition. You usually need to be 18 or older and a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder. You must also have lived in New Zealand for at least 2 years in a row since becoming a citizen or getting residence. You can apply online through MyMSD. While you receive the payment, you must meet obligations such as looking for work. You need to reapply every 26 weeks.

If you are an employee aged 16 or over and work in New Zealand, you must get at least the minimum wage for every hour you work. From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is NZ$23.95 an hour (before tax). Every employee must have a written employment agreement. A 90-day trial period is only valid if it is written into the agreement and you signed the agreement before you started work.

The most common ways to run your own business in New Zealand are as a sole trader or through a company. Sole traders do not need to register with a government agency. You just tell Inland Revenue. To start a company, you register online with the Companies Office and pay a fee. You must register for GST once your turnover reaches NZ$60,000. If your end-of-year tax bill from your last return was more than NZ$5,000, you must also pay provisional tax in instalments.

If you get wages, a benefit or a pension in New Zealand, you must tell the payer your tax code on an IR330 form. The payer uses this code to take tax from each payment. If you choose the wrong code, you may have to pay more tax at the end of the year, or you may get a refund. The tax year ends on 31 March. If tax has already been taken from all your income, Inland Revenue (IRD) works out your tax for you and sends you an income tax assessment. If you have income that has not been taxed, you must file an IR3 return yourself.

If you have a problem with your employer, were dismissed unfairly, or are owed wages, talk to your employer first. Then use the free official services: Employment New Zealand's Early Resolution service and free MBIE mediation. To raise a personal grievance, you usually must tell your employer in writing within 90 days. If you cannot agree, you can apply to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) for a decision. You can report problems with minimum wage, holiday pay and similar issues to the Labour Inspectorate. Migrant workers who are being exploited can call 0800 200 088.

In New Zealand, you usually see a family doctor (GP) first when you are unwell. If you are eligible for publicly funded health services, you can enrol with a GP clinic for free. After you enrol, visits cost less, and you get reminders and screening services. Enrol before you get sick.

You can get free help if you feel stressed, anxious or low, or if you are worried about someone else. The main service is 1737. You can call or text 1737 for free, and trained counsellors answer 24 hours a day. Many areas also have free mental health support services that you can contact without a referral. If someone is in danger right now, call 111.

If you are injured in an accident in New Zealand, ACC can help pay for your treatment. Examples are a fall, a sprain, a car crash or an injury at work. If you cannot work, you may also get payments for lost income. ACC is a 'no-fault' scheme. Everyone in New Zealand can apply, including visitors. Usually your doctor makes the claim for you.

Most people in New Zealand pay NZ$5 for each prescription item. Children, older people and some cardholders pay nothing. If you pay for 20 items in a year, you can get a Prescription Subsidy Card. Basic dental care is mostly free for eligible children and teenagers under 18. Adults usually pay for dental care themselves, but people on a low income can apply to Work and Income for help.

NZ Super is a pension the government pays every two weeks to people aged 65 and over. Your income and assets do not matter. To get it, you must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a residence class visa. You must also have lived in New Zealand for a set number of years. The later you were born, the more years you need, up to a maximum of 20 years.

The SuperGold Card is a free card for people aged 65 and over, and it does not expire. In many regions it gives you free public transport at off-peak times. It also gives you discounts at participating businesses. If you get NZ Super, you receive the card automatically once your NZ Super is approved. If you are 65 or over and a New Zealand resident but do not get NZ Super, you can still apply.

In New Zealand, call 111 if someone's life is in danger or a crime is happening now. When the call is answered, say if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance. For police matters that are not urgent, use 105. If you feel unwell and are not sure what to do, call Healthline. If you think someone has been poisoned, call the National Poisons Centre. Call 111 even if your English is not strong. Say the English name of your language to ask for language help.

You must enrol to vote if you are 18 or older, are a New Zealand citizen or a "resident for electoral purposes" (previously called "permanent resident"), and have lived in New Zealand for 1 year in a row at some time in your life. In the 2026 general election, election day is 7 November. Enrolment closes at midnight on 25 October. You cannot enrol at a voting place. Once you are enrolled, you can also vote in local elections.

Not sure who to ask about renting, work, shopping, family or immigration paperwork? Start with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). It is free. If you need legal advice but cannot afford a lawyer, contact a free Community Law Centre. You can also apply to the Ministry of Justice for Legal Aid. Legal Aid is a loan, so you may have to pay it back. When you call a government agency, you can ask for a free interpreter.

New Zealand sits where the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates meet, so there are earthquakes every day. The official advice is to make a household emergency plan and keep enough supplies for at least 3 days. In an earthquake, stay where you are and Drop, Cover and Hold. If you are near the coast and an earthquake is long or strong, do not wait for a warning. Move to high ground or inland straight away (Long or Strong, Get Gone).

Scammers often pretend to be your bank, Inland Revenue (IRD), a government official, or a family member or friend. They may also use fake investments or online relationships to take your money. If you think you have been scammed, stop all contact, do not pay any more money, and contact your bank straight away. Then report the scam to the NCSC. If you lost money, report it to the Police: call 105 or report online.