Before you start

Passport and a valid New Zealand visa
Certified proof of your overseas address
A New Zealand address once you arrive
IRD number, to set your resident withholding tax rate correctly

Step-by-step

1
Apply from overseas before you fly
ASB accepts applications through its app from abroad and can issue an account number within days. ANZ requires arrival within 90 days; Westpac accepts applications up to 180 days ahead.
OnlineWho: You
2
Send certified documents
Certified copies of your passport, your visa and proof of your overseas residential address. Get certification done before you leave — it is harder to arrange mid-move.
OnlineWho: You
3
Transfer your funds in early
The account accepts deposits before you arrive, so your money can be in the country and settled by the time you land.
Mobile appWho: You
4
Verify your identity at a branch on arrival
Until you do this in person, the account is deposit-only. Book it for your first week — this is what unlocks withdrawals and cards.
In personWho: You
5
Give the bank your IRD number
Without it, interest is taxed at the highest default resident withholding tax rate. It takes two minutes in the app once your IRD number arrives, and people routinely forget.
Mobile appWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Passport
New Zealand visa
Certified proof of overseas address
New Zealand address
IRD number

Things most newcomers don’t know

Open the account before you fly — this is the rare case where pre-arrival admin genuinely works.

All three major banks support it, and having settled funds in a New Zealand account on day one materially eases the rental market, where landlords want to see money and a local account. It is the highest-leverage thing you can do from your kitchen table before leaving.

Source: ANZ, ASB and Westpac migrant banking programmes

A pre-arrival account is deposit-only until you show up in person.

You can fund it but not touch it. Arriving expecting to withdraw cash from it on day one is a common and stressful surprise — carry other means of payment until you have done the branch visit.

Source: Migrant banking programme terms

Missing IRD number means your interest is taxed at the top default rate.

Resident withholding tax defaults to the highest rate when the bank has no IRD number on file. It is quietly expensive on any real savings balance and entirely avoidable with a two-minute update.

Source: Inland Revenue — resident withholding tax

EFTPOS is everywhere and cash is nearly gone.

New Zealand adopted card payment early and comprehensively; many small businesses no longer take cash at all. Getting the card active is more urgent here than in most countries, which is another reason to book the branch verification early.

Source: community-reported

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming a pre-arrival account allows withdrawals — it does not until you verify in person.
Not getting documents certified before leaving your home country.
Forgetting to add your IRD number, and paying the top withholding rate on interest.
Arriving with no local account and trying to compete in Auckland's rental market.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.