SuperGold Card for people aged 65 and over

Ministry of Social Development / Work and IncomeVerified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

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.

Key facts

Who can get it: People aged 65 and over. The card does not expire.¹
Cost: Free¹
If you get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension: Work and Income posts the card to you automatically after approval. This usually takes a few weeks. If you applied before your 65th birthday, it may take one to two months.²
If you do not get NZ Super: You can apply with a form if you are 65 or over and a New Zealand resident.²
Replacing a lost or damaged card: Free. It arrives within 3 weeks.²
Free public transport times (most regions): Weekdays 9am–3pm, and from 6:30pm until the last service. All day on weekends and public holidays.³
Auckland: You need an AT HOP Gold card. It costs NZ$5 (non-refundable), and you must top up at least NZ$1. Most buses, trains and ferries are free after 9am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays.⁴
Canterbury: Show your SuperGold Card when you board. Travel is free after 9am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays.³
Wellington (Metlink): Show your SuperGold Card. Travel is free on weekdays 9am–3pm and after 6:30pm, and all day on weekends and public holidays.³
Bee Card regions: Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Manawatū-Whanganui, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Otago and Invercargill. Order a Bee Card online or in person for NZ$5. You must load your SuperGold concession onto the card.³
SuperGold phone number: 0800 25 45 65 (Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm)¹
Number of cardholders: More than 941,000⁵
Businesses joining the scheme: Free⁵

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

You are 65 or over.
If you get NZ Super, you receive a SuperGold Card automatically once your NZ Super is approved. If you get Veteran's Pension, you receive a Veteran SuperGold Card.
If you do not get NZ Super, you can still apply if you are 65 or over and a New Zealand resident.
If you get a main benefit from Work and Income (for example, Jobseeker Support), you can phone or email SuperGold to ask for a card.

How do I do it? Steps and process

If you get NZ Super: wait for your card
You do not need to apply separately for the SuperGold Card. Once your NZ Super is approved, Work and Income posts the card to you.
If you do not get NZ Super: fill in the application form
Download the SuperGold Card application form (PDF) from supergold.govt.nz, then fill it in and send it back. If you want a paper form, phone 0800 25 45 65 or email them, and they will post one to you.
Set up your local transport card
In Auckland, get an AT HOP Gold card. You can apply online, at a customer service centre or by post, but not at retail outlets. In Bee Card regions, load your SuperGold concession onto your Bee Card. In Canterbury, Wellington and other regions, just show your SuperGold Card when you board.
Use your card for discounts
Download the SuperGold app, or use "Explore Offers" on the website, to find offers near you. Show your card in store. Businesses provide the offers themselves. They cover everyday costs such as power, insurance, food and health, as well as entertainment, travel and shopping.
Replace your card if you lose it
If your card is lost, damaged or stolen, or you change your name, phone 0800 25 45 65 for a replacement. Have your full name, date of birth, current address and postal address ready. Give your client number too, if you have one.

What documents do I need?

SuperGold Card application form (only if you do not get NZ Super)
For an AT HOP Gold card in Auckland: to apply online, you need your SuperGold Card, a registered AT HOP Gold card and an email address. At a customer service centre, you need your SuperGold Card and photo ID (such as a driver licence or passport).
For a replacement card: your full name, date of birth, residential and postal address, and client number (if you have one)

What should I watch out for?

Free travel is only at off-peak times. You must pay at peak times. In Auckland, you need credit on your AT HOP card to travel at peak times.
Off-peak times can differ between regions. Check with your local public transport provider before you travel.
In Auckland, free SuperGold travel does not include ferries to Rakino Island and Tiritiri Matangi Island. It also does not include buses and trains to other regions.
With a Bee Card, always tag on and off, at any time of day. If you don't, you may be charged a default fare. Always carry your SuperGold Card too, because you may be asked to show it.
In Canterbury, if you travel before 9am on a weekday, a Metrocard is cheaper.
If you have a Community Services Card, it stops working once your NZ Super is approved. You need to apply again. You will then get a single "combo card" with "CSC" printed on the back.
You can add a photo to your SuperGold Card at an AA Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agent. Bring 3 original identity documents. Even with a photo, the card cannot be used as ID.
New Zealand businesses can join SuperGold for free. They can sign up under "Info for businesses" on the website.

Common questions

My parents are over 65 and live in New Zealand. How do they get a SuperGold Card, and does it cost anything?

The SuperGold Card is free. If your parents get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, Work and Income posts the card to them automatically after approval. This usually takes a few weeks, or one to two months if they applied before their 65th birthday. If they do not get NZ Super, they can apply with the SuperGold Card application form if they are New Zealand residents.

Can I get a SuperGold Card if I don't receive NZ Super?

Yes, if you are 65 or over and a New Zealand resident. Download the SuperGold Card application form (PDF) from supergold.govt.nz, fill it in and send it back. For a paper form, phone 0800 25 45 65 and they will post one to you. If you get a main benefit from Work and Income, you can phone or email SuperGold to ask for a card.

Is public transport free with the SuperGold Card, and at what times?

Yes, in many regions it is free at off-peak times. In most regions this means weekdays 9am–3pm and from 6:30pm until the last service, plus all day on weekends and public holidays. You must pay at peak times. Off-peak times can differ between regions, so check with your local public transport provider before you travel.

What card do seniors need for free buses and trains in Auckland?

In Auckland, you need an AT HOP Gold card. It costs NZ$5 (non-refundable), and you must top up at least NZ$1. You can apply online, at a customer service centre or by post, but not at retail outlets. Most buses, trains and ferries are then free after 9am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays.

How do I replace a lost SuperGold Card?

Phone 0800 25 45 65 (Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm). A replacement is free and arrives within 3 weeks. Have your full name, date of birth, current address and postal address ready. Give your client number too, if you have one.

Which shops give SuperGold Card discounts?

Discounts come from participating businesses. To find offers near you, download the SuperGold app or use "Explore Offers" on the website. Offers cover power, insurance, food and health, as well as entertainment, travel and shopping. Show your card in store to get the discount.

Can I keep using my Community Services Card after my NZ Super is approved?

No. Your Community Services Card stops working once your NZ Super is approved. You need to apply again. You will then get a single "combo card" with "CSC" printed on the back.

Can I use the SuperGold Card as photo ID?

No. The SuperGold Card cannot be used as ID, even with a photo on it. You can still add a photo to your card at an AA Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agent. Bring 3 original identity documents.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

About SuperGold CardSuperGold (Ministry of Social Development) · supergold.govt.nz
How to get a SuperGold CardSuperGold (Ministry of Social Development) · supergold.govt.nz
SuperGold Transport ConcessionsSuperGold (Ministry of Social Development) · supergold.govt.nz
SuperGold concession for seniorsAuckland Transport · at.govt.nz
Partner informationSuperGold (Ministry of Social Development) · supergold.govt.nz

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The AI answers using this guide and official New Zealand government websites.

NZ Super (New Zealand Superannuation)

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.