Residency

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

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

To get Veteran's Pension , 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 where 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 Veteran's Pension, 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 date of birth, as it is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years, see: Residence and presence requirement from 1 July 2024 tables 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 where the client is applying from the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau under Special Portability)

Example

Hyrum was born on 1 October 1973 in New Zealand and when he turned 30, he served in the New Zealand army overseas for 20 years. He retired from active service and returned to 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.

He can use his time served in the New Zealand army overseas as residence and presence in New Zealand for the residency qualification.

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

Jordyn was born on 10 August 1966 in New Zealand and joined the New Zealand Navy at the age of 20. She served overseas from the age of 20 until she medically retired at the age of 30. She moved to American Samoa and lived there for 30 years upon retirement from the Navy.

Jordyn at the age of 60 moved to live in the Cook Islands, and stayed there for 5 years before returning to New Zealand on 1 September 2031. Jordyn 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 4 years residence and presence in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and/or Tokelau from the age of 20.

She can use her time served in the New Zealand Navy overseas as residence and presence in New Zealand for the residency qualification.

The 5 years Jordyn spent in the Cook Islands after the age of 50 can be used towards the additional 4 years residence and presence Jordyn needs to meet the residency requirement.

If a client does not meet the residency qualifications for Veteran's Pension, 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 period of residence requirement for Veteran's Pension.