ACC Death Benefits NZ
ACC survivor grants, weekly compensation, and childcare payments after accidental death in NZ — rates, eligibility, and how it compares to WINZ.
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All articles about New Zealand Survivor Benefits Navigator.
ACC Survivor Grant Amount 2026: NZ Funeral Grants and Survivor Payments Compared
Current ACC survivor grant amounts for 2026 in NZ, plus Veterans' Affairs survivor grants and funeral grant maximums from all three agencies.
Alternatives to Hiring a Solicitor for Estate Administration in New Zealand
NZ solicitors charge $2,000–$5,000+ for estate administration. Here are four alternatives — and exactly when each one works.
Bank Account Frozen After Death NZ: What Happens and How to Access Funds
NZ bank accounts are frozen on death notification. Here's exactly what you need to unlock them — under and over $40k — plus life insurance claim timelines.
Bank Account Frozen After Death in NZ: Life Insurance Claims and Statutory Declarations
When a bank account freezes after death in NZ, and how to use a statutory declaration to release life insurance and KiwiSaver funds without probate — the $40,000 rule explained.
Best Survivor Benefits Guide for NZ Families Who Can't Afford a Solicitor
Solicitors charge $250–$450/hour. Here's how to claim every ACC, WINZ, and NZ Super entitlement yourself when legal fees aren't an option.
Best Tool for NZ Executors Managing a Small Estate Under $40,000
Since September 2025, NZ estates under $40,000 per institution can skip the High Court. Here's the best tool to navigate the new threshold rules correctly.
Can You Claim Benefits Before Probate in NZ? Bank Accounts and Benefits Explained
In NZ, survivor benefits from ACC and Work and Income don't require probate. Bank account access depends on the $40,000 threshold per institution. Here's how it works.
Denied a Funeral Grant by Work and Income NZ? The Asset Test Explained
Work and Income denies many funeral grant applications due to the Schedule 5 asset test. Here's how to understand what counts as a cash asset — and how to appeal.
Died Without a Will in NZ: What Happens to the Estate
What happens when someone dies without a will in NZ — the intestacy rules under the Administration Act 1969, who inherits, and how to apply for Letters of Administration.
Documents Needed for Survivor Benefits NZ: The Complete Checklist
Exact documents required for NZ survivor benefit applications. Death certificates, IRD numbers, bank statements — what each agency needs and when.
Does an Enduring Power of Attorney Apply After Death in NZ?
An enduring power of attorney and advance directive both cease at death in NZ. What takes over, who has legal authority, and what this means for estate administration.
Executor Duties NZ: What You're Actually Responsible For
Named as executor in a New Zealand will? Here's exactly what you're responsible for, your legal exposure, and when to get help.
Funeral Costs NZ: Grants, ACC Payouts, and What Actually Gets Covered
NZ funeral costs average $10k+. WINZ grant max $2,697. ACC pays up to $7,990 for accidental deaths. Here's what's available and who qualifies.
Guardian Benefits for Children After a Parent Dies in NZ
Caring Families Aotearoa benefits, the Extraordinary Care Fund, and School Start-up payments explained — financial support for caregivers who take in children after a parent's death.
How to Avoid Probate NZ
Practical ways to avoid probate in NZ — statutory declarations, joint tenancy, KiwiSaver beneficiaries, and when you can't avoid it no matter what.
How to Claim ACC and WINZ Benefits After a Death in New Zealand Without a Lawyer
ACC offers $8,566 for accidental deaths with no asset test. WINZ caps funeral grants at $2,697 with strict means testing. Here's how to claim both correctly.
Intestacy Rules NZ
What actually happens when someone dies without a will in NZ — spouse rights, distribution hierarchy, and why you need Letters of Administration.
IRD Estate Tax Return NZ: IR596, IR6, and What You Actually Need to File
NZ estate tax filing explained: how to get an IRD number for the estate, file the final personal return, and handle the IR6 estate return.
KiwiSaver Withdrawal After Death
How to claim a deceased person's KiwiSaver in NZ — when you need probate, when a statutory declaration suffices, and common delays to avoid.
Letters of Administration in NZ: When You Need Them and How to Apply
No will in NZ means no executor — a family member must apply for Letters of Administration. Here's how intestacy rules work and how to get court authority.
Letters of Administration NZ: When There's No Will and What Happens Next
Letters of administration NZ: required when someone dies intestate. Closest relative applies to High Court. $269 fee, same timeline as probate, governed by Administration Act 1969.
LINZ Property Transfer After Death
How to transfer property after death in NZ — transmission by survivorship for joint tenants vs probate-first process for sole owners. LINZ forms and fees.
Māori Land Succession NZ: How Te Ture Whenua Changes Everything
Māori freehold land succession in NZ follows completely different rules under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act. Here's what surviving whānau need to know.
New Zealand Bereavement Payment Checklist: First 30 Days After a Death
The NZ bereavement payment checklist covering agency notifications, funeral grants, and financial steps in the first month after a death.
NZ Super After Death
What happens to NZ Superannuation when a partner dies — the 28-day continuation, rate changes, and how to notify WINZ before overpayments accumulate.
NZ Super Rate Change After a Partner's Death: The Living Alone Rate
When your partner dies, your NZ Super changes to the single Living Alone rate. Here's the exact rate, how to notify Work and Income, and the council rates rebate available.
NZ Survivor Benefits Guide vs Hiring a Family Lawyer: Which Do You Actually Need?
A family lawyer costs $250–$450/hour for survivor benefit claims. Here's when you genuinely need one — and when a structured guide covers everything.
NZ Survivor Benefits Guide vs Public Trust: Which Should You Use After a Death?
The Public Trust charges $307/hour plus setup fees for estate work. Here's when you genuinely need them — and when a structured guide covers everything for a fraction of the cost.
Orphan's Benefit and Unsupported Child Benefit in NZ: A Caregiver's Guide
Grandparents and relatives caring for children after a parent's death can claim up to $336/week per child. Here's how Orphan's Benefit and Unsupported Child Benefit work.
Orphan Benefit NZ
Orphan benefit and unsupported child benefit rates, eligibility, and other support for children after a parent dies in NZ — 2026 rates and how to claim.
Orphan Benefit Rate NZ 2026: Orphan's and Unsupported Child's Benefit Explained
Current 2026 rates for the Orphan's Benefit and Unsupported Child's Benefit in NZ, eligibility rules, and how caregivers apply without triggering Oranga Tamariki involvement.
Probate NZ: The $40,000 Threshold, Fees, and When You Actually Need It
NZ probate explained: $40,000 threshold (raised Sep 2025), $269 filing fee, 15 working days processing, and when you can skip it entirely.
Property Rates After a Death in NZ: What Surviving Spouses Need to Know
How property rates work after a death in New Zealand — council rates obligations, the rates rebate scheme, eligibility thresholds, and how to apply.
Public Trust NZ Fees: What Estate Administration Actually Costs
Public Trust, private solicitor, or DIY? A real breakdown of NZ estate administration costs so you can choose the right option.
Rates Rebate NZ: How Surviving Spouses Reduce Their Property Tax Bill
Surviving spouses on fixed NZ Super incomes can claim up to $830 off their council rates. Here's how the rates rebate works and how to apply.
Rates Rebate NZ: Up to $830 Back on Your Council Bill
NZ rates rebate explained: $830 maximum, $46,400 income threshold for SuperGold cardholders, and how surviving spouses can qualify after a partner's death.
Schedule 5 Social Security Act NZ: How the Cash Asset Test Affects Your Benefits
What Schedule 5 of the Social Security Act means for NZ benefit eligibility after bereavement — cash asset thresholds, what counts, and what's excluded.
Sole Parent Support NZ After Bereavement: How to Apply
If your partner dies and you have dependent children, Sole Parent Support from Work and Income provides ongoing income. Here's how it works and how to claim it.
Sole Parent Support NZ: What Surviving Parents Need to Know
Sole Parent Support NZ is available to surviving parents with dependent children after a partner's death. Income-tested, different from ACC weekly compensation.
Surviving Partner Pension NZ: NZ Super, Veterans' Pension, and What to Transition
How surviving partner pensions work in NZ after a death — NZ Super rate changes, Veterans' Pension survivor options, ACC concurrent payments, and transition timelines.
Survivor Benefit Claim Denied in NZ: Processing Times and Next Steps
What to do when a survivor benefit claim is denied in NZ, how long claims typically take, and the formal review and appeal options available.
Tangi Funding in New Zealand: Financial Support for Whānau
Tangi costs easily exceed $10,000. Here's how whānau can access ACC funeral grants, WINZ assistance, and iwi support to fund a meaningful farewell.
Tax and Benefits Checklist After a Death in New Zealand
The NZ tax and benefits checklist after death: IRD obligations, estate tax returns, benefit cancellations, and KiwiSaver withdrawal steps for executors.
How to Change the House Title After Death in New Zealand (Joint Tenancy)
Step-by-step guide to transferring property title after a spouse dies in NZ — including the LINZ A&I form, transmission by survivorship, and what probate is not needed for.
Veterans Affairs NZ Death Benefits: What Surviving Spouses Are Entitled To
Veterans Affairs NZ death benefits explained — Surviving Spouse Pension, Survivor's Grant amounts, dependent children's pension, and the 6-month claim deadline.
What to Do When Someone Dies in NZ: The Complete Checklist
Step-by-step NZ checklist: register death within 3 days, BDM28 form, $35 death certificate, notify IRD/ACC/WINZ, and use myTrove for simultaneous notification.
Work and Income Funeral Grant: Eligibility, Asset Test, and What to Do If You're Denied
WINZ funeral grant pays max $2,697.43 directly to the funeral home. Strict asset test under $2,351.46 for couples. How to appeal a declined application.