Guides
Plain-English guides to the rules that set your pay, your rent, your bills and your rights at work. Each one has the current figures from the official source, a worked example and the steps to take if something is wrong.
Can't cover rent, power and food each week? Temporary Additional Support tops up your income for up to 13 weeks. Who qualifies and how to apply.
Your BillsSpecial Needs Grant: one-off help with an essential or emergency costA one-off Work and Income payment for dental work, an ambulance bill or other urgent costs you cannot pay. What it covers, the limits and how to apply.
Your RightsHow much paid parental leave can I get in New Zealand?How paid parental leave works in NZ: 26 weeks, the $811.05 weekly maximum, who qualifies, how to apply to IR, partner's leave and keeping your job.
Your BillsFood grant: urgent help to buy food from Work and IncomeNo money for food this week? A Work and Income food grant does not need to be paid back and you do not need a benefit. How much and how to ask.
Your BillsDisability Allowance: help with the ongoing costs of a health conditionOngoing health or disability costs? The Disability Allowance pays up to $82.85 a week, and you do not need a benefit. Who qualifies and how to apply.
Your BillsAdvance Payment of Benefit: getting part of your benefit earlyOn a benefit or NZ Super and hit with an urgent bill? An Advance Payment of Benefit can help, but you pay it back. Limits, costs covered, how to apply.
Your HomeAccommodation Supplement: help with your rent, board or mortgageHelp with rent, board or a mortgage of up to $305 a week, even if you work. The 2026 rates by area, income and asset limits, and how to apply.
Your PayHow does Working for Families work, and how much could I get?Working for Families explained for 2026/27: family tax credit, in-work tax credit ($147 a week), Best Start, income limits, abatement and year-end square-ups.
Your HomeHow much bond can a landlord charge in NZ, and how do you get it back?How rental bonds work in NZ in 2026: the 4 week cap, the new 2 week pet bond, the 23 working day lodging rule, refunds and what to do in a dispute.
Your BillsHow do I switch power companies without getting burned?How to compare and switch power companies in NZ with Billy or Powerswitch, discounts to watch, the 2027 low fixed charge change, and help if you cannot pay.
Your PayHow much of my pay goes to my student loan?NZ student loan repayments for 2026/27: 12% of pay over $24,128 a year ($464 a week). SL tax codes, interest-free rules and going overseas.
Your RightsHow much sick leave do I get in New Zealand?NZ sick leave explained: 10 paid days a year after 6 months, carry-over to 20 days, medical certificate rules, part-time and dependant rules, 2028 changes.
Your RightsWhat am I owed if I am made redundant in New Zealand?Made redundant in NZ? What you are owed, the fair process required, notice periods, a worked final pay example, the 90-day grievance window and WINZ help.
Your PayWhich NZ tax code should I be on?What NZ tax codes M, ME, M SL, SB, S, SH, ST and SA mean, which one to use, what a wrong code costs you, and how to fix it with an IR330. Verified for 2026/27.
Your PayWhat is the minimum wage in New Zealand right now?The NZ minimum wage from 1 April 2026 is $23.95 an hour for adults and $19.16 for starting-out and training workers. Who qualifies, and what if underpaid.
Your PayHow much of my pay goes into KiwiSaver in 2026?KiwiSaver's default rate rose to 3.5% on 1 April 2026 and goes to 4% in 2028. The government adds 25c per $1 up to $260.72, with a $180,000 income cap.
Your HomeWhat do the Healthy Homes standards mean for your rental?The five NZ Healthy Homes standards in plain English: heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and draughts, the 2025 deadline, and what tenants can do.
Your RightsWhat should be in my final pay when I leave a job?What must be in your NZ final pay: unpaid wages, annual holidays, the 8%, public holidays in the leave period, when it is due, allowed deductions, who to call.
Your HomeHow much notice do you need to give (or get) to end a tenancy in NZ?NZ notice periods for ending a tenancy: 21 days for tenants, 42 or 90 days for landlords, fixed-term notice, breaking a lease early and abandonment.
Your RightsCan my new employer really sack me in the first 90 days?How 90-day trial periods work in NZ in 2026: who can use them, what makes a trial valid, notice rules, the rights you keep and what to do if dismissed.
Your PayNZ Tax and KiwiSaver Cheat Sheet for 2026/27Income tax brackets, the ACC earner levy, student loan repayments and KiwiSaver rates for NZ employees in 2026/27, with a $70,000 worked example.
Your HomeRent or buy: 10 years on in New ZealandRent or buy in NZ? See current mortgage rates, deposit rules and a worked 10 year comparison of owner and renter, with every assumption stated.
Your HomeRent increase or notice: earliest date in NZWork out the earliest date a rent increase or tenancy notice can take effect in New Zealand, with the 60, 42, 21 and 90 day rules and a worked example.
Your RightsNZ Public Holidays and School Terms 2026 to 2027Next long weekend is Labour Day, 26 October 2026. See every NZ public holiday for 2027, school term dates and what working a holiday means for your pay.
Your PayHoliday pay in NZ: how it is worked outFour weeks of annual holidays, ordinary weekly pay vs average weekly earnings, the 8% rule and final pay, with a worked example. Rules as at October 2026.
Your VoteNZ Election 2026: how to enrol and voteEnrolment closes midnight 25 October. Advance voting opens 26 October, election day is 7 November. No ID needed. Here is how to check, enrol and vote.
Every guide is written in our own words from the official source, which it links. General information only.