COVID-19 Resources

Updated 21 May 2020

To help renters, employees, business owners and everyone else know where they are, we have briefly detailed the need-to-knows on this page. Each section links out to a specific government website or provider to help you further. 

Essential reading:

1. Know your rights as an employee - Community Law has published this excellent flowchart that explains the 80% wage subsidy.
2. Tax help - the IRD is being incredibly helpful with ALL MATTERS relating to tax, including student loan repayments, GST payments, company tax and more. For the latest guides, visit the IRD Twitter feed for all the details and how they will help.
3. Save on household bills - our popular guide has you covered.

Rent Increases and Evictions Prohibited

​Rent Increases: there is a freeze on rent increases. Regardless of when notice of a rent increase was provided, no increase is permitted if the effective date is after Monday 23 March. 

End-of-Tenancy/Evictions: Moving house is unlikely to be considered 'essential' during the lock-down. Fixed-term and periodic tenancies will not end unless specific grounds apply (e.g. the tenant wants the tenancy to end). Tenants cannot be evicted during the lock-down, except in very limited circumstances.

More details: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/covid-19-rent-increase-freeze-and-more-protection-tenants and https://www.interest.co.nz

If you have lost your job, gone down to reduced hours or have a reduced income, Work and Income is available to help

Many New Zealanders lost their jobs this week. If you’ve lost your job, can’t work at the moment or your income has been reduced, you may be able to get a benefit or some other financial help from Work and Income.

Good news - the Government has decided to remove the usual stand-down period (waiting time to get money) as part of its response to COVID-19. If you’re eligible for a benefit between 23 March 2020 and 23 November 2020, you won’t have a stand-down.
 
You’ll start getting your payments the week after your application is approved. This is because Work and Income will pay you for the week that’s just been. 
 
Note – all Work and Income Centres are closed, so you will need to call the freephone number. Be aware that it is being overwhelmed with calls, so you’ll need to wait to be connected. 

More details: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/emergencies/2020/coronavirus.html#null

Mortgage repayment holidays are coming

Retail banks have agreed to a mortgage holiday repayment scheme for those affected by Covid-19, Minister of Finance Grant Robertson has announced.

What can I get? There is a six-month principal and interest payment holiday for mortgage holders and small business customers whose incomes have been affected by the economic disruption from Covid-19.

What does this mean by way of costs? A six-month repayment holiday would add around $10,000 to $15,000 to a $500,000 borrower paying an interest rate of 4% p.a. Using our mortgage calculator, this means an extra $72 or so a month on a repayment later on.

We see it exactly like taking an equity loan of $15,000, spending it on a car, and repaying it over the next years.

More details: Right now, banks are having to get the systems set up; detailed arrangements for each individual bank will be out within days. We will update this guide accordingly. 

COVID-19 employer support

The Government has put together a COVID-19 Wage Subsidy for employers in all regions. It’s to support your business if you're impacted by COVID and face laying off staff or reducing their hours because of COVID-19. To be eligible, you must make best efforts to retain employees and pay them a minimum of 80% of their normal income for the subsidised period.

How much you can get
The COVID-19 Wage Subsidy will be paid at a flat rate of:

1. $585.80 for people working 20 hours or more per week
2. $350.00 for people working less than 20 hours per week.

The subsidy is paid as a lump sum and covers 12 weeks per employee.

More details: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/covid-19-support.html

KiwiSaver hardship applications are an option (we have the application templates)

Our guide has more details. Be warned, it may take some time to get your application assessed given the shutdown, but it’s better to get in the queue as fast as possible.

Know this: While the Australian Government has allowed people to withdraw up to $20,000 from their superannuation funds, NZ has not announced such a policy. If it does, we will update this page.

More details: KiwiSaver Hardship

Energy bill help

​Right now, the Government hasn’t announced that disconnections will be suspended, but energy companies are offering payment flexibility – this useful Stuff article has more details. 

Credit card help

Credit card bills for March will be due by mid-April. Our balance transfer credit card guide is always popular, but new applications may not be processed or approved as we enter this unprecedented period. We await an announcement on credit card repayment extensions and will update this guide if and when it happens.

​More details: Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Afterpay or Laybuy customer?
If you’ve got payment due, get in touch with your provider(s) and tell them you want to delay or repay on different terms. The quicker you act, the more time you have to manage.

Life insurance & income protection should still cover coronavirus

​Yes, not a great thing to talk about, but if, despite the Government’s best efforts, you are diagnosed, life insurance policies will cover coronavirus, as will income protection policies. 

​More details: Life Insurance and Income Protection Insurance

The NZ OCR has been cut to 0.25% - the lowest ever. Check your mortgage rate and sort your savings

​Those on floating, interest-only and variable rates should see their mortgage payment reduced. For those able to re-mortgage, it is also worth checking if you can cut your mortgage costs. 

More details: Home Loans 

Air New Zealand flight cancelled or coming up soon?

If you have a domestic or international flight departing between now and 31 May and you no longer wish to travel, you can opt-in here to cancel your flight and hold it in credit.

Reducing Household Costs and Expenses After COVID-19

Many New Zealanders are worried about the future, especially as it is likely to take some time to reboot the economy. With this in mind, we have published our top tips for reducing your household expenses and making your money work as hard as possible.

As the situation is changing day by day, we continue to update this information regularly.

Borrow responsibly
If you’re planning to borrow, please be careful and make sure you get the best deal. Taking on debt without careful thought is dangerous if you cannot afford to service or repay. Consider a 0% balance transfer credit card, a current account with a low interest overdraft, or a personal loan.

Speak to your bank or lender if you’re struggling
If you’re struggling to make repayments, be it credit card, personal loan, car finance or mortgage, speak to your lender. Providers must consider your situation - you can make a hardship application to prevent you from defaulting on your repayments.

Change your bank account
If you haven’t changed current accounts in a while, there are many excellent offers available right now that eliminate fees and hassle.  We review all current accounts in detail.

Think about savings
If you can afford to, start putting money into savings. The economic situation is changing daily, and it makes sense to put money away to cover unexpected eventualities if you can.

Shop around for car and home insurance – it’s likely you’re paying too much right now
If your car insurance is up for renewal, now’s the time to look around for a better deal. For just ten minutes of work, you could save approximately $50 per month. Comparing house insurance is also worth considering.

New Zealand needs help. Individuals are struggling right now, with substantial income reductions happening overnight. If you run a business or are a landlord, please be kind and try to work through something that causes the least-worst outcome for both. We need to be a stronger, better New Zealand at the other end of this. 

That's it. Please stay safe, stay healthy, stay at home if you can, take care of each other. 

Kind Regards, 
Christopher Walsh and the MoneyHub Team