KiwiTools knowledge hub

Practical New Zealand guides for money and everyday decisions

Understand tax, income, property, mortgages, electricity, transport and everyday costs with clear NZ-focused explanations, worked examples and calculators for testing your own numbers.

14 guides · 7 live tools

Tax and income

Understand PAYE, take-home pay, GST, KiwiSaver and student-loan calculations.

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How PAYE Works in NZ — Income Tax Guide

See what PAYE means on a New Zealand payslip, how income tax and the ACC earners’ levy are withheld, and why the result can change from one payday to the next.

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Salary After Tax in New ZealandTurn a New Zealand gross salary into realistic weekly, fortnightly and monthly take-home pay, with PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver and student-loan deductions kept visible.KiwiSaver Employee ContributionsChoose a KiwiSaver employee contribution rate with a clear view of the 2026 rules, the effect on take-home pay and when the temporary 3% reduction applies.Student Loan Deductions from PayFollow a New Zealand student-loan deduction from tax code to payslip, including main and secondary jobs, bonuses, exemptions and deductions that look too high.New Zealand Income Tax Brackets — 2026 GuideSee New Zealand’s 2026/27 individual income-tax brackets and work through the difference between a marginal rate and the effective rate paid across a full income.Secondary Tax in New Zealand — Tax Codes GuideChoose a New Zealand secondary tax code from total expected PAYE income, understand why a second job can look heavily taxed and know when a tailored code may help.Bonus and Overtime Tax in NZ — PAYE GuideUnderstand why a one-off bonus can have different PAYE withholding from overtime or a regular incentive, and why “bonus tax” is not a separate final tax.Hourly Rate to Annual Salary NZ — Conversion GuideConvert an hourly wage into annual gross income using the hours and paid weeks you will actually receive, including casual, part-time and unpaid-break scenarios.Salary to Hourly Rate NZ — Conversion GuideFind what a New Zealand annual salary is really worth per hour, including the effect of longer weeks, unpaid overtime and total-remuneration packages.Employer KiwiSaver Contributions and ESCTSee how compulsory employer KiwiSaver contributions work in 2026, why ESCT reduces the amount invested and how total remuneration can change the apparent employer match.KiwiSaver Government Contribution — 2026 NZ GuideWork out the KiwiSaver government contribution for the 1 July–30 June year, including the $260.72 maximum, $1,042.86 member target and $180,000 income cap.KiwiSaver Savings SuspensionDecide whether a KiwiSaver savings suspension is worth the short-term cash relief by counting employee, employer and government contributions that may be missed.NZ Student Loan Repayment Threshold — 2026 GuideUse the current New Zealand student-loan threshold by pay period, including uneven earnings, secondary jobs and the situations where an approved special rate can help.GST Inclusive vs Exclusive PricesAdd or remove New Zealand’s 15% GST without the common subtraction error, and know when the calculator cannot decide whether GST applies at all.

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Featured calculatorTake-home pay calculator NZEstimate salary after PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver and student-loan deductions.

GST calculator NZ KiwiSaver calculator NZ Student loan calculator NZ

10 guides · 5 live tools

Property and first-home buying

Plan a deposit, buying costs, KiwiSaver withdrawal, affordability, council rates and rental-property returns.

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First Home Buyer Guide NZ — Step-by-Step Checklist

Follow a practical New Zealand first-home buyer checklist covering deposit planning, finance, property checks, making an offer, settlement and ongoing costs.

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How Much House Deposit Do You Need in NZ?Calculate a New Zealand house deposit at common percentages, understand 20% and low-deposit lending, and separate the bank deposit from the offer deposit.KiwiSaver First-Home WithdrawalUnderstand KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal eligibility in New Zealand, how much may be available, the application process, timing and the $1,000 balance rule.Costs of Buying a House in NZBudget for New Zealand home-buying costs including legal fees, LIM, building inspection, valuation, insurance, settlement adjustments and moving expenses.How Much House Can I Afford in NZ?Estimate an affordable New Zealand house price from your deposit, income, debts, household spending and buffered mortgage repayments without assuming approval.Borrowing Power vs AffordabilityUnderstand the difference between New Zealand mortgage borrowing power and comfortable house affordability, including lender tests, debts and ownership costs.Council Rates in New ZealandUnderstand how New Zealand councils calculate property rates, including valuations, general and targeted rates, instalments, rates invoices and budgeting.Rental Yield NZ — Gross and Net Yield GuideCalculate gross and net rental yield for a New Zealand investment property, include vacancy and operating expenses, and interpret yield without benchmarks.Rental Property Costs NZ — Investor ChecklistBudget New Zealand rental-property costs including rates, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, management, Healthy Homes compliance, finance and tax records.Rent vs Buy in New ZealandCompare renting versus buying a home in New Zealand using deposit opportunity cost, mortgage interest, rates, insurance, maintenance, rent and time horizon.

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Featured calculatorProperty rates calculator NZTurn annual council rates into a regular budget and forecast scenario.

Rental yield calculator NZ Home buying costs calculator NZ First-home buyer calculator NZ

12 guides · 4 live tools

Mortgages and home loans

Compare repayments, extra payments, mortgage terms, refinancing costs, LVR and flexible loan structures.

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How NZ Mortgage Repayments Work

Understand how New Zealand mortgage principal, interest, term and repayment frequency work, why estimates differ from quotes and how to compare scenarios.

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Mortgage LVR & DepositsLearn how New Zealand mortgage loan-to-value ratio relates to your deposit, how to calculate LVR and why lender approval involves more than one percentage.Weekly vs Fortnightly Mortgage Payments NZCompare weekly, fortnightly and monthly mortgage repayments in New Zealand, avoid the half-monthly payment trap and see when frequency may save interest.Extra Mortgage Repayments NZ — Savings GuideSee how regular extra mortgage repayments may reduce interest and loan term in New Zealand, compare $25 to $100 weekly examples and check lender limits.Lump-Sum Mortgage Repayment NZCalculate how a lump-sum mortgage payment may change New Zealand home-loan interest and payoff time, while checking fixed-term limits and cash reserves.Refix vs Refinance a Mortgage NZCompare refixing with your current New Zealand lender against refinancing to another bank, including rates, break fees, legal costs, cashback and structure.Mortgage Cashback Clawback NZUnderstand New Zealand mortgage cashback clawbacks, when a bank may request repayment, how to find the applicable period and how to compare refinancing.Mortgage Break Fees NZLearn when a New Zealand fixed mortgage break fee or early-repayment charge may apply, what affects the lender quote and how to test refinance break-even.Low-Equity Margin NZ — Mortgage LVR GuideUnderstand New Zealand low-equity margins and premiums for mortgages above 80% LVR, what may change the cost and how borrowers can review their equity.Offset vs Revolving Credit Mortgage NZCompare offset and revolving-credit mortgages in New Zealand, including how savings reduce interest, access to money, account structure and discipline risks.Split Mortgage Fixed Terms NZLearn how splitting a New Zealand mortgage across fixed terms, floating, offset or revolving credit affects refix timing, repayments, flexibility and risk.20-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage NZ — ComparisonCompare 20-year and 30-year New Zealand mortgage terms, including required repayments, total interest, flexibility and the effect of making voluntary extras.

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Featured calculatorMortgage repayment calculator NZEstimate weekly, fortnightly, or monthly home-loan repayments.

Mortgage refinance calculator NZ Mortgage LVR calculator NZ Extra mortgage repayment calculator NZ

12 guides · 7 live tools

Electricity and energy

Understand power bills, appliance running costs, heating choices, time-of-use pricing and solar payback.

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NZ Electricity Rates per kWh — Cost Guide

Learn which New Zealand cents-per-kWh electricity rate to use for appliance running-cost estimates and why results will not equal your complete power bill.

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NZ Appliance Energy Rating LabelsLearn how to read an appliance Energy Rating Label in New Zealand and turn annual kWh or per-cycle energy figures into a practical running-cost estimate.Calculate Electricity Cost from WattsConvert appliance watts into kWh and New Zealand electricity cost per hour, day, month and year using your own power rate and realistic operating time.How to Read a New Zealand Power BillUnderstand your New Zealand electricity bill, including kWh usage, meter readings, fixed daily charges, controlled rates, time-of-use prices, GST and credits.Electricity Daily Charge vs kWh Rate NZCompare the fixed daily charge and variable cents-per-kWh rate on a New Zealand power plan, calculate annual fixed cost and assess total bill scenarios.Peak vs Off-Peak Electricity Rates NZUnderstand New Zealand time-of-use electricity plans, peak, shoulder, off-peak and night rates, and calculate whether shifting appliance use may reduce cost.Heat Pump vs Electric Heater Cost NZCompare New Zealand heat-pump and electric-heater running costs, delivered heat, efficiency, room use, winter operating assumptions and ownership costs.Heat Pump Heating vs Cooling Cost NZCompare the electricity cost of using a New Zealand heat pump for winter heating and summer cooling, including efficiency, temperatures, settings and runtime.Compressor vs Desiccant Dehumidifier NZCompare compressor and desiccant dehumidifiers for New Zealand homes, including cold-room performance, wattage, heating effect, water removal and running cost.Heat-Pump vs Condenser Dryer Cost NZCompare heat-pump, condenser and vented clothes-dryer running costs in New Zealand using energy per load, cycle time, purchase price and household use.Solar Self-Consumption vs Export NZUnderstand why using solar electricity at home and exporting it to the New Zealand grid have different values, and calculate the effect on solar payback.Solar Buy-Back Rates and Payback NZLearn how New Zealand solar buy-back or export rates affect annual credits and payback, what to check in a retailer plan and why self-use also matters.

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Featured calculatorHeat pump running cost calculator NZEstimate a heat pump electricity cost using your own rate.

Electricity bill calculator NZ Solar payback calculator NZ Electric heater running cost calculator NZ

8 guides · 4 live tools

Cars, vehicle checks and travel

Compare vehicle reports, complete used-car checks, and understand fuel, EV, RUC and flight costs.

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CarJam NZ Vehicle Check: Free and Paid Reports

Learn what a CarJam NZ vehicle check can show, what is free, what a paid report adds, current report pricing, limitations and checks to make before buying.

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Motochek NZ: Access, Vehicle Queries and FeesUnderstand NZTA Motochek registration, access groups, plate and VIN queries, registered-person restrictions, fees and alternatives for New Zealand buyers.CarJam vs Motochek NZ: Vehicle Check ComparisonCompare CarJam and NZTA Motochek in New Zealand, including access, vehicle data, stolen and finance checks, registered-person details, fees and best use cases.CarJam vs MotorWeb NZ: Vehicle Report ComparisonCompare CarJam and MotorWeb NZ vehicle reports, current published prices, checks, guarantees and limitations before paying for a used-car history report.CarJam Alternative NZ: Compare Vehicle Check OptionsCompare CarJam alternatives in New Zealand, including MotorWeb, NZTA, Police and PPSR checks for rego, stolen status, money owing and used-car history.NZ Number Plate Check: Rego, WOF and Vehicle GuideLearn what an NZ number plate check can reveal about rego, WOF, RUC, stolen status and vehicle identity, plus the checks a plate lookup cannot replace.Used Car Check NZ: Complete Pre-Purchase GuideFollow a complete NZ used-car check covering the seller, plate and VIN, rego, WOF, stolen status, money owing, history, test drive and independent inspection.Skyscanner NZ: Flight Search, Alerts and Cheap FaresLearn how to use Skyscanner NZ for flight searches, flexible dates, Everywhere and price alerts, why fares change, and what to check before booking online.

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Featured calculatorRUC calculator NZEstimate light-vehicle road user charges, licence units and administration fees.

Fuel cost calculator NZ EV vs petrol cost calculator NZ Flight cost comparison calculator NZ

12 guides · 3 live tools

Everyday New Zealand

Compare mobile plans and use practical tools for common New Zealand household and location questions.

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How School Zones Work in NZ: Enrolment Guide

Learn how New Zealand school zones work, check a home address, understand in-zone enrolment, out-of-zone applications, ballots and changing boundaries.

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One NZ Mobile Plans: Prepay and Pay Monthly GuideCompare One NZ mobile plans, Prepay and Pay Monthly prices, endless and unlimited data, Companion plans, add-ons and key checks before switching in NZ.Public Holidays During Annual Leave NZUnderstand when a New Zealand public holiday during annual leave should not use an annual-holiday day, including otherwise-working-day and pay questions.How to Maximise Annual Leave in NZPlan longer New Zealand breaks by combining annual leave with weekends, public holidays, Mondayised dates and your applicable regional anniversary day.Mondayisation of Public Holidays in NZLearn how Mondayisation and Tuesdayisation work for New Zealand public holidays, which dates can transfer and how work patterns affect the observed day.Regional Anniversary Days NZUnderstand New Zealand regional anniversary days, how observed dates are set, which region may apply and how to include the holiday in annual-leave planning.Out-of-Zone School Enrolment NZ — Ballot GuideUnderstand New Zealand out-of-zone school applications, enrolment priorities, advertised places, deadlines and ballot rules without assuming acceptance.Check a School Zone Before Moving in NZLearn how to check New Zealand school enrolment zones before renting or buying, verify an address with the school and avoid relying on proximity or stale maps.28-Day vs Monthly Mobile Plans NZCompare 28-day and calendar-month mobile plans in New Zealand, including 13 annual renewals, yearly price, promotions, included data and renewal timing.Prepay vs Pay Monthly Mobile Plans NZCompare New Zealand Prepay and Pay Monthly mobile plans by annual cost, billing control, data, promotions, companion plans, devices and cancellation terms.Mobile Data Rollover NZ — Carryover GuideUnderstand mobile data rollover or carryover in New Zealand, including eligible renewals, expiry, caps, plan changes and how unused data affects plan value.NZST vs NZDT — New Zealand Daylight SavingUnderstand New Zealand Standard Time and Daylight Time, UTC offsets, clock changes, Chatham Islands differences and safer international time conversion.

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Featured calculatorSchool zone checker NZCheck which mapped school enrolment zones an NZ address appears inside.

Annual leave planner NZ Mobile plan comparison calculator NZ