Unclaimed Money in New Zealand
New Zealand has one of the simplest unclaimed money systems in the world. Under the Unclaimed Money Act 1971 (as amended in 2021), any financial institution — banks, insurance companies, investment firms, solicitors — must transfer unclaimed money to Inland Revenue (Te Tari Taake) after 5 years of no owner contact. Inland Revenue then holds it indefinitely and makes it searchable online for free.
Over NZ$615 million is currently held by IRD on behalf of New Zealanders and former residents. Unlike Germany or Spain, there is no need to contact individual banks — a single search on ird.govt.nz covers every holder that has ever reported unclaimed money under the Act.
What You Can Search For
Dormant Bank Accounts
Savings accounts, term deposits, and current accounts that have had no owner-initiated transactions for 5 or more years. Banks must first attempt to contact you before transferring to IRD.
Life Insurance Proceeds
Matured or lapsed life insurance policies, endowment payouts, and death benefit proceeds that were never collected by the policyholder or beneficiary.
Share Dividends & Distributions
Uncashed dividend cheques, share proceeds from company buy-backs, and distributions from unit trusts or managed funds. Registrars report these to IRD after 5 years.
Solicitors' Trust Accounts
Settlement proceeds, estate distributions, and property sale funds held in solicitors' trust accounts that were never collected by the intended recipient.
How to Search and Claim
The process is straightforward and entirely free. IRD does not charge any fees at any stage.
- Search online: Go to ird.govt.nz/unclaimed-money and enter your name (or a deceased relative's name, or a company name). You can also search by holder — enter the name of a bank or insurer to see all unclaimed money they have reported. Searches are instant.
- Identify your entry: If a match appears, note the reference number, the holder (who reported it), the amount (shown as a range, not exact), and the year it was transferred to IRD.
- Submit a claim: Log in to myIR (IRD's online portal) and select "Claim unclaimed money", or download and post the paper claim form. For online claims, you will need a myIR account — free to set up at ird.govt.nz.
- Provide proof of identity: Attach a copy of your NZ passport or NZ driver licence. For deceased estates, include the death certificate, copy of the will, and proof of probate or administration. For company claims, provide certificate of incorporation and authority from the director.
- Wait for processing: IRD typically responds within 10–12 weeks. If approved, the amount is paid directly to your nominated bank account.
💡 Tip: Search under every name you have used — maiden name, previous married names, former trading names, and abbreviated names. Entries are recorded as reported by the original holder, so the spelling may differ from your current legal name.
KiwiSaver — Separate Process
KiwiSaver accounts are not covered by the Unclaimed Money Act and do not appear in the IRD unclaimed money register. Your KiwiSaver balance stays with your provider indefinitely. If you have lost track of a KiwiSaver account — for example, an employer enrolled you without your knowledge — you can find it by logging in to myIR and viewing the "KiwiSaver" tab, which shows all funds associated with your IRD number.
If your KiwiSaver provider has been wound up or consolidated, IRD holds the orphaned funds and you can claim through myIR directly.
Claiming for a Deceased Estate
Executors and administrators of estates can claim unclaimed money on behalf of a deceased person. You will need to provide the deceased's full legal name, date of birth, and last known address, together with the death certificate and evidence of your authority — either a grant of probate (if there is a will) or letters of administration (if there is no will).
For smaller estates where no grant has been obtained, IRD may accept a statutory declaration, but this is assessed case by case. If you are unsure, contact IRD on 0800 775 247 (within New Zealand) or +64 4 978 0779 (from overseas).
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