The new residence criteria for New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) and Veteran's Pension affect people turning 65 from 1 July 2024.
If you're getting NZ Super or Veteran's Pension before 1 July 2024, these changes won't affect you.
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New residence criteria
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To get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension you must have lived in NZ for a certain amount of time. This is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years.
The number of years you must have lived in NZ since you turned 20 is based on your date of birth. You still need to have lived in NZ for at least 5 years since you turned 50.
These years (including the 5 years from age 50) do not need to be consecutive.
Use the table below to work this out:
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Date of birth
Number of years you must have lived in NZ since you turned 20
On or before 30 June 1959 10 years
1 July 1959 - 30 June 1961 11 years
1 July 1961 - 30 June 1963 12 years
1 July 1963 - 30 June 1965 13 years
1 July 1965 - 30 June 1967 14 years
1 July 1967 - 30 June 1969 15 years
1 July 1969 - 30 June 1971 16 years
1 July 1971 - 30 June 1973 17 years
1 July 1973 - 30 June 1975 18 years
1 July 1975 - 30 June 1977 19 years
On or after 1 July 1977 20 years
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If you haven't lived in NZ the whole time, you may be able to use another country to meet the residency criteria if:
it is a country that has a Social Security Agreement (SSA) with NZ, or
it is a NZ Realm country (the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau).
If you're recognised as a refugee or protected person, the number of years you need is worked out differently.
Other criteria you need to meet
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As well as meeting the residence criteria, you also need to:
be 65 or older
either:
be a New Zealand (NZ) citizen
be a permanent resident, or
hold a residence class visa, and
be ordinarily resident in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau when you apply.
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www.workandincome.govt.nz...
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Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.3% Yes
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32.8% Maybe?
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25.9% No
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
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