Your New Zealand Money Guide
Free calculators, guides and data built specifically for New Zealanders.
Try: mortgage calculator · KiwiSaver · income tax · savings
MoneyBalance is a free New Zealand personal finance resource built for everyday Kiwis. Every calculator and guide uses NZ-specific rules — IRD tax brackets, ACC earner levies, RBNZ LVR and DTI restrictions, KiwiSaver contribution rates, and real NZD figures — not Australian, British, or American equivalents.
Whether you're calculating what you'll actually take home from a new salary, working out your KiwiSaver first home withdrawal eligibility, comparing mortgage rates at refixing time, or understanding GST obligations as a sole trader, everything on MoneyBalance is built for the New Zealand financial system.
Explore MoneyBalance
Mortgages & Home Loans
Mortgage repayment calculators, affordability guides and NZ home loan rates.
KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver calculators, first home withdrawal guide and fund comparison.
Tax & PAYE
NZ income tax calculator, PAYE, GST and tax bracket guides.
Investing
Compound interest, dividend calculators and NZ investing guides.
Banking
Compare NZ banks, savings accounts and term deposits.
Personal Finance
Budgeting guides, savings tips and financial planning for New Zealanders.
Income & Salary
NZ salary data, take-home pay calculator, income percentile and pay guides.
Insurance
Life, health and income protection insurance guides for New Zealanders.
Popular Guides
NZ Mortgages Complete Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about getting a home loan in New Zealand — rates, deposit requirements and first home buyer tips.
KiwiSaverKiwiSaver Complete Guide NZ (2026)
How KiwiSaver works, contribution rates, employer contributions, tax credits and how to choose the right fund.
BankingBest Savings Accounts NZ 2026
The highest-interest savings accounts in New Zealand right now — compared by rate, access and conditions.
IncomeAverage Salary in New Zealand 2026
NZ median and mean income data by age, region and occupation — see how your pay compares.
BankingBest Term Deposits NZ 2026
Highest term deposit rates from NZ banks compared — find the best rate for your term and amount.
TaxNZ Tax Brackets Explained 2026
New Zealand income tax rates and thresholds — how PAYE works and what each bracket means for your take-home pay.
NZ Personal Finance — Start Here
Mortgages & Home Buying
Buying a home in NZ requires at least a 20% deposit for most buyers — or 5% through the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan. The RBNZ's DTI 6× cap limits borrowing to six times your gross income, and most Kiwi borrowers refix their rate every 6–18 months rather than holding one rate for the full term.
KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver is NZ's workplace retirement savings scheme. Your employer contributes a minimum 3% on top of your own contributions, and the government adds up to $521.43/year if you contribute at least $1,042.86. After three years of membership, most of your balance can be withdrawn towards a first home purchase.
Income Tax & PAYE
Most NZ employees have income tax deducted automatically through PAYE before they receive their pay. Your effective rate depends on your total income and the 2025–26 NZ tax brackets. The ACC earner levy (1.67%) is also deducted at source — often overlooked when estimating take-home pay.
Investing in NZ
NZ investors face rules that apply nowhere else: PIE funds tax returns at your PIR rate (capped at 28%), and the FIF rules kick in when the cost of your overseas shares exceeds $50,000 NZD. Most beginners start with low-cost index funds through Kernel, Simplicity, or InvestNow — after maximising KiwiSaver first.
Budgeting & Saving
New Zealand's high cost of living — driven largely by housing — makes budgeting essential rather than optional. The 50/30/20 rule is a useful starting point but most Kiwis need to adjust for housing costs that exceed 30% of income. A 3–6 month emergency fund should come before investing.
Banking in NZ
NZ's five major banks — ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Kiwibank — offer similar core products but differ on savings rates, fees, and digital banking quality. Four are Australian-owned; Kiwibank is NZ-owned. Choosing the right savings account or term deposit can add hundreds of dollars per year in interest.