7 Top Ways to Get Free Money from the New Zealand Government

Our trusted guide outlines proven ways to get free money, including childcare subsidies, electricity and utility payments, first home deposit assistance, course fees and living costs.

Updated 18 February 2020

Struggling with your finances is stressful, but support is available from the NZ Government. Plenty of programs exist to help low and middle-income families make essential expenses more affordable. New Zealand has long been a welfare state, and despite negative media reports about WINZ, those willing to help themselves can be supported with short-term help. If you’re worried about how you’ll make ends meet this month or in the short term, this guide has you covered.

​This guide covers:

1. Utility Bill Assistance - get up to $200 to help pay essential bills
2. Childcare Subsidies - get up to $261 per child per week to spend on childcare
3. Unclaimed Money - over 15,000 people are owed an average $800, are you one of them?
4. KiwiSaver Annual Government Contribution - get $500+ per year from the government 
5. House Deposit Assistance - receive up to $20,000 to put towards a first-home purchase
6. Fees for higher education - receive up to $12,000 credit for fees to help with higher study
7. Scholarship grants - apply for relevant scholarships if you're studying beyond high school

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Seven options for free money available right now

Utility Bill Assistance

If you are having trouble paying your utility bills (for example, electricity) and are at risk of being cut off, you may be eligible for assistance from Work and Income. Best of all, you don’t have to currently be on any benefits program to qualify. 

Do I qualify?
To be eligible for assistance, you must meet the following conditions:

• Prove that the utility company won’t offer a payment arrangement
• Are over the age of 16
• Are an NZ resident
• Live in NZ year-round
• Have an urgent need
• You’ll also be subject to certain income and asset limitations based on your age and marital status.

What can I get? 
The program provides up to $200 in utility bill assistance for power, gas, or water. It can be used for an outstanding bill or to reconnect services.

How do I apply?
Apply online through myMSD unless you have an urgent need that needs a resolution within 24 hours, then call 0800 559 009 for an immediate appointment.

Childcare Subsidies

Low and middle-income families may qualify for a childhood education subsidy for young children. The program is open to anyone with children under the age of 5 that are attending an early childhood programme for at least 3 hours per week.
 
Do I qualify?
You may qualify if:

• You are the main caregiver of a child and live in New Zealand permanently
• Your child is 5 or under; over 5 but going to a cohort entry school, or under 6 but you have a Child Disability Allowance
• Your child must be enrolled in a kindergarten, preschool, childcare centre, play centre; or approved home care services

 
What can I get? 
The amount you receive depends on your lifestyle.

1. If you don’t work, you may be eligible for up to 9 hours of childcare services per week.
2. If you have a job, are attending school, or studying in a program, you may get up to 50 hours a week in childcare. This includes: 

• Using an approved training course
• Working full-time
• Don’t have a spouse that can watch your child while you work
• Working an hourly job
• Are ill or disabled

The amount you receive is dependent on your family dynamics, including your family size and income as well as how many hours your child will need childcare. The subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider.

To find out how much you qualify, refer to this benefit table published by WINZ.
 
How do I apply?

1. Click "apply" on the WINZ guide.
2. Please note, WINZ suggests applying at least 3 to 4 weeks before you need your subsidy to start.

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Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money isn't technically ‘free money,’ unclaimed money is only yours if you qualify for it. However, thousands of New Zealanders are unaware they have balances owing.

If you have money sitting in an account or with an organisation that has gone unclaimed, the money makes its way to the Crown, most notably the Treasury or the Inland Revenue Department. The most common type of unclaimed funds includes:  

• Trust money
• Maori Trustee funds
• Solicitor Trust Fund accounts
• Bank deposits
• Employee benefits
• Insurance proceeds
• Unclaimed property funds

The IRD provides a service for the true owners of unclaimed money which has been left untouched for six or more years in companies such as financial institutions and insurance companies. Unclaimed money is not income tax refunds or any other unpaid tax refunds.

Our analysis of the data in February 2020 confirmed 17,000+ people were owed money, with the average balance around $860. Download our data here.

How do I apply?

1. The Inland Revenue Department publishes a list of unclaimed funds, which you can access.
2. The list includes the amount of unclaimed funds and the owner. Sort it by surname to see if you're owed money. 
3. If you believe you are entitled to unclaimed money, send your name, address, IRD number and proof of identity (for example a copy of a birth certificate, driver's licence or passport) by email to [email protected]. You can also post the details to Unclaimed Money, Inland Revenue, PO Box 38222, Wellington Mail Centre 5045.

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KiwiSaver Annual Government Contribution

The NZ government will contribute 50 cents for each dollar you contribute to your KiwiSaver fund, up to a maximum of $521.43. To be eligible, you'll need to join KiwiSaver and contribute a minimum amount.

​Do I qualify?

• To receive the maximum you'll need to contribute at least $1,042.86. You can achieve this by contributing around $21 each week.
• To be eligible, you must be 18 years or older and not yet eligible for retirement withdrawals, and be living in New Zealand.
• If you have earned a salary of $34,762 and contributed at least 3% to your KiwiSaver account over the course of the year, then you should receive the maximum annual Government contribution.

What can I get?

• A maximum of $521.43 per year. Over thirty years, this can add up to $20,000+ in free money when taking into account compound interest.

​How do I apply?

1. If you're already a KiwiSaver member, you don't need to do anything.
2. If you're not a KiwiSaver member, read our KiwiSaver guide and sign up to a fund. If you can't decide on what fund is best for you, the government will select a default fund for you.

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House Deposit Assistance

If you’re ready to buy a home but don’t quite have the deposit saved, you may qualify for one or two home deposit payment assistance programs. 

1. KiwiSaver First Home Grant

• If you’ve regularly made contributions to a KiwiSaver plan for at least three years, you may be eligible for a grant (i.e. free money) to put towards your deposit.
• The type of home you buy determines how much you receive. If you buy a new home, you may receive $2,000 for every year you’ve contributed to KiwiSaver.
• If you buy an existing home, you may receive $1,000 for every year you’ve contributed to KiwiSaver.
• In order to qualify, you must be at least 18 years old and contribute at least 3% of your income to your KiwiSaver. In addition, you must make less than $85,000 annually (single) or $130,000 (couple) and have at least 5% of the sales price to put down yourself.  
• Our KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant guide explains the terms and conditions in more detail.

If you have a KiwiSaver balance, you can also apply to withdraw it and put it towards your first-home deposit.

• If you’ve owned your KiwiSaver account for at least 3 years, you may be eligible to withdraw from it.
• While this technically isn’t ‘free money,’ it’s an allowance to give you money for your deposit  without penalty. You must keep at least a $1,000 balance in your KiwiSaver account though.
• Our KiwiSaver First-Home Withdrawal guide explains the terms and conditions in more detail.

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Fees for higher education

If you've not studied at a level beyond high school before, the government offers up to $12,000 in free fees. It's not 'free money' but it's a grant that helps you upskill and improve your earning potential.

​Do I qualify?
You may be eligible for Fees Free if you are:

• A New Zealander or ordinarily resident in New Zealand; and
• A recent secondary school leaver; or
• Not a recent secondary school leaver but have undertaken less than half a year of tertiary study or training.
• The full criteria is outlined here.

What can I get?
You can get one year of tertiary study or two years' training up to the value of $12,000 fees-free:

• The equivalent of one year's full-time study fees-free at an institute of technology, polytechnic, private training establishment, university or wananga.
• Up to 24 months of an apprenticeship or training fees-free with an employer or industry training organisation.

How do I apply?
Check you are eligible using the Free Fees website, and look at our guide to New Zealand's education providers.
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Student Allowance

1. You may also qualify for a student allowance if you study part-time or full-time.
2. Our guide to Student Loans covers everything you need to know about allowances.

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Living expenses for anyone studying

New Zealand universities, private training organisations, public and private organisations and Maori and Pacific trusts offer millions of dollars of scholarships annually. Our Scholarships lists hundreds of options available and the qualification requirements. 

What can I get?
Some scholarships offer $500 one-off grants; others provide over $100,000. Many Maori and Pacific Island scholarships go unclaimed every year.

How do I apply?
​Each scholarship is different, consult our Scholarships guide to see what's relevant for you. Despite it being aimed at Year 13 students, there are numerous options for older students.

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Important - Do Your Research

• Like anything else in life, there are always ‘scammers’ out there looking to take advantage of the vulnerable. New Zealand is no exception, with much cybercrime being conducted overseas with our police powerless to help stop it.
• Don’t accept unsolicited grants or ‘free money’ opportunities that comes your way via email or phone. Do your research; make sure the links you click are truly government-related programs.
• Be aware that the government never randomly sends out emails in the hopes that people will take advantage of the free programs. Instead, you have to seek them out – so if you are sent an email or letter in the mail, be wary of it and find out if it’s truly official. ​

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Related Guides

• Debt Help
• KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant
• KiwiSaver First-Home Withdrawal
• KiwiSaver guide
• Scholarships