Your net worth is the most honest single number in personal finance: total assets minus total liabilities. Use the calculator below to work yours out — then track it every 6–12 months to measure financial progress.
Net worth = assets minus liabilities. The average New Zealand household net worth is approximately $400,000–$500,000 (heavily influenced by home ownership). Median net worth (excluding the very wealthy) is closer to $200,000–$280,000. Most of this is home equity. For under-35s without property, $50,000–$150,000 is typical. Your number matters less than the direction — is it growing?
Net Worth Calculator
Assets
Liabilities
Average NZ Net Worth by Age — 2026
Based on Stats NZ Household Economic Survey data:
| Age group | Median net worth | Mean net worth |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | $8,000 | $18,000 |
| 25–34 | $52,000 | $105,000 |
| 35–44 | $185,000 | $320,000 |
| 45–54 | $340,000 | $520,000 |
| 55–64 | $460,000 | $680,000 |
| 65+ | $490,000 | $750,000 |
Why mean is much higher than median: A small number of very wealthy households (multi-million net worth) dramatically pull up the mean. Median is the more representative figure.
The property driver: Most of the increase in net worth between 35–55 is home equity. Home owners have median net worth around 5–8× that of renters in the same age group.
What to Include (and Exclude) in Net Worth
Include as assets
- Market value of property (use current estimated value, not purchase price)
- KiwiSaver balance
- Cash savings and term deposits
- Share, ETF, and managed fund balances at current market value
- Vehicle resale value (realistic market value, not what you paid)
- Business interests (if you own a business, use a conservative valuation)
Include as liabilities
- All outstanding loan balances (mortgage, car, personal loans)
- Credit card balances outstanding
- BNPL (Afterpay, Laybuy) balances
- IRD arrears or student loan balance
Don’t include
- Future income (not an asset you own now)
- Future KiwiSaver contributions
- Pension entitlements (unless you can value them)
- Personal effects (jewellery, electronics — hard to value, rarely sold)
Tracking Net Worth Over Time
Calculate your net worth every 6–12 months. The number itself matters less than the trend:
- Growing net worth: You’re building wealth — keep going
- Static net worth: Income equals expenditure — find ways to save more or earn more
- Declining net worth: Liabilities growing faster than assets — urgent action needed
A simple spreadsheet works perfectly. Record date, total assets, total liabilities, net worth. Watch the trend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average net worth of a New Zealander?
Mean household net worth in NZ is approximately $400,000–$500,000 (Stats NZ). However, median net worth is closer to $200,000–$280,000. The gap is caused by a small number of very high net worth households skewing the mean upward.
Should I include KiwiSaver in my net worth?
Yes — KiwiSaver is your money. It’s locked until 65 (or first home withdrawal), but it’s a real asset. Include it in your net worth calculation. It’s often the largest financial asset for New Zealanders under 40.
Is home equity part of net worth?
Yes. Net worth = assets minus liabilities. If your home is worth $800,000 and your mortgage balance is $500,000, your home equity of $300,000 is included in your net worth.
What is a good net worth at 40 in NZ?
There’s no universal benchmark, but a common goal is 3–5× your annual income in net worth by 40. On a $80,000 salary, that’s $240,000–$400,000. Home equity is often the biggest driver — many 40-year-old homeowners with a decade of mortgage repayment have $200,000–$400,000 in equity.
My net worth is negative — is that okay?
Yes, especially early in life or early in a mortgage. A new homeowner may have $100,000 equity and $600,000 mortgage — net worth of -$500,000 on the property alone before adding other assets. Focus on the trend: is it improving? Are you reducing debt and building savings?