Notify Kiwibank of a death
The exact phone number, what to say, what they'll ask for, and what Kiwibank does next.
You can call before you have everything. Kiwibank's bereavement team handles this every day. The date of death and the deceased's name is enough to start.
Who to call
Kiwibank Bereavement Support
0800 113 355 — main Kiwibank NZ line, ask for the bereavement team.
Monday–Friday, 7 am–10 pm. Saturday–Sunday, 8 am–8 pm.
You can also visit a Kiwibank branch or NZ Post outlet with the death certificate. Kiwibank has a wide branch network through NZ Post, which is often the easiest route in regional areas.
If the deceased had a Kiwi Wealth KiwiSaver account (which used to be Kiwibank's referred provider), that scheme was sold to Fisher Funds in 2022. See the KiwiSaver section below.
What to say
"I'm calling to notify you of a death. [Full name] held accounts with Kiwibank. They passed away on [date]. I'm their [relationship — partner / child / executor]. I have a death certificate. What do I need to do next?"
If you don't have all the account numbers, that's fine — Kiwibank will look them up by name and IRD number. The customer number is on any statement or in the Kiwibank app.
What Kiwibank will ask for
- Death certificate — certified copy is usually fine.
- Your photo ID — driver's licence or passport.
- The deceased's customer number or account number — if you have it.
- The deceased's IRD number — helps Kiwibank locate all their accounts under one customer profile.
- A copy of the will — only if you're asking to access funds, not for the initial notification.
- Grant of probate — required for releasing funds above Kiwibank's discretionary threshold. Not needed just to notify.
What Kiwibank will do next
Once notified, Kiwibank will:
- Freeze sole accounts in the deceased's name to prevent fraud. Direct debits and automatic payments stop.
- Cancel credit cards in the deceased's sole name. Outstanding balances become debts of the estate.
- Leave joint accounts open for the surviving holder. They'll update the account name when convenient.
- Disable Internet Banking and the Kiwibank app for the deceased's profile.
- Refer KiwiSaver enquiries to the current provider (Fisher Funds for former Kiwi Wealth members).
- Send you the estate paperwork — documents for releasing funds, closing accounts, and (where needed) probate requirements.
Joint accounts
If you held a Kiwibank account jointly with the deceased, funds remain accessible to you. You don't need to wait for probate.
Kiwibank will update the account into your sole name once you've sent them a death certificate. You can keep the same account number, or close it and move the balance to a new sole account.
If you want to keep the joint account open temporarily to honour automatic payments, say so — Kiwibank will leave it as-is until you ask.
Releasing funds before probate
For sole accounts, Kiwibank will usually release a modest amount before probate to cover funeral costs and immediate estate expenses. The discretionary threshold is typically up to $15,000 — but this is at Kiwibank's discretion and can vary.
To request a pre-probate release, you'll need:
- Death certificate
- The funeral invoice or other estate expense documentation
- A copy of the will, if one exists
- A statutory declaration from the executor (Kiwibank provides the form)
For balances above the threshold, you'll need a grant of probate (where there's a will) or letters of administration (where there isn't). See wills, probate & legal.
KiwiSaver — Kiwi Wealth → Fisher Funds
This one's important and often confusing for families: Kiwi Wealth's KiwiSaver scheme was sold to Fisher Funds in late 2022. Kiwibank customers who joined KiwiSaver via the Kiwi Wealth referral were transferred over. Many of them still think of it as "their Kiwibank KiwiSaver".
To work out the current provider:
- Check the deceased's most recent KiwiSaver annual statement — it'll name the current scheme manager.
- Or check IRD's myIR — KiwiSaver provider is listed there.
- Or ask Kiwibank to confirm what referral exists on the deceased's profile.
Then notify the actual provider directly (most likely Fisher Funds). Kiwibank itself won't handle the KiwiSaver claim — it sits with the scheme manager.
The balance is paid to the estate, not to next of kin directly. You'll typically need a grant of probate for balances above ~$15,000.
How long it takes
- Initial notification: one phone call or branch visit, ~20 minutes. Accounts are flagged immediately.
- Documents posted/emailed: Kiwibank sends the estate paperwork within 2–5 business days.
- Pre-probate release (small amounts): typically 1–2 weeks after they receive your documents.
- Full estate settlement (with probate): usually 4–12 weeks once probate is granted and Kiwibank has all paperwork.
Other banks
Sources
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional.
Dollar figures and entitlements change periodically. We link to authoritative sources where possible. Last reviewed: April 2026.