Residency

A client's total residence and presence in New Zealand is used to decide whether they qualify for New Zealand Superannuation.

The number of years a client must have lived in New Zealand to qualify for New Zealand Superannuation depends on their date of birth.

To get New Zealand Superannuation, a client who turns 65 before 1 July 2024 must:

• have been resident and present in New Zealand for 10 years from the age of 20

and

• have been resident and present in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, or a combination of these, for 5 years from the age of 50

and

• be a New Zealand citizen or
• have a residence class visa under the Immigration Act 2009 or
• be deemed to hold a residence class visa in New Zealand under the Immigration Act 2009

and

• be ordinarily resident in New Zealand on the date of application (except when the client is applying from the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau under Special Portability)

People who are in New Zealand unlawfully or here on a temporary entry class visa generally do not qualify.

To get New Zealand Superannuation , a client who turns 65 on or after 1 July 2024 must:

• have been resident and present in New Zealand for 10 years from the age of 20

and

• have been resident and present in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, or a combination of these from the age of 20 for an additional period of up to 10 years depending on their birth date, as it is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years. See: New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension table for the total time required.

and

• have been resident and present in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, or a combination of these, for 5 years from the age of 50

and

• be a New Zealand citizen or
• have a residence class visa under the Immigration Act 2009 or
• be deemed to hold a residence class visa in New Zealand under the Immigration Act 2009

and

• be ordinarily resident in New Zealand on the date of application (except when the client is applying from the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau under Special Portability)

Nathan was born on 1 October 1973 in New Zealand and has never left New Zealand.

His date of birth means he needs a total of 10 years residence and presence in New Zealand from the age of 20 and an additional 8 years residence and presence in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and/or Tokelau from the age of 20.

Five of the 18 years residence and presence required must be from the age of 50.

Peti was born on 1 August 1971 in New Zealand and moved to the Cook Islands on 1 September 2001 at the age of 30. At the age of 32, she moved to live in the USA and returned to live in New Zealand at the age of 60. She remained a New Zealand citizen.

Her date of birth means she needs a total of 10 years residence and presence in New Zealand from the age of 20, and an additional 7 years residence and presence in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue and/or Tokelau from the age of 20.

Five of the 17 years residence and presence required must be from the age of 50.

Any time a client is resident and present in New Zealand from the age of 50 may be used towards meeting any of the residence and presence requirements.

Any time spent in the Cook Islands, Niue, or Tokelau from the age of 50, may be used towards meeting the additional years of residence and presence requirement.

Example

Elise was born on 10 August 1966 in New Zealand and moved to Samoa on 10 August 1996 at the age of 30.

When he turned 60, he moved to Tokelau for 5 years before returning to New Zealand on 1 September 2031. He remained a New Zealand citizen.

His date of birth means he needs a total of 10 years residence and presence in New Zealand from the age of 20, and an additional 4 years residence and presence in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and/or Tokelau from the age of 20.

The 5 years Elise spent in Tokelau after the age of 50 can be used towards the additional 4 years residence and presence Elise needs to meet the residency requirements.

If a client does not meet the residency qualifications for New Zealand Superannuation, they may be able to get a main benefit.

If a client is not able to get another main benefit, an Emergency Benefit may be considered on the grounds of hardship for a client who does not meet the residency requirements for New Zealand Superannuation.