Notify Westpac of a death
The exact phone number, what to say, what they'll ask for, and what Westpac does next.
You can call before you have everything. Westpac's Estates team handles this every day. The date of death and the deceased's name is enough to start.
Who to call
Westpac Estates Team
0800 400 600 — main Westpac NZ line, ask for the Estates team.
Monday–Friday, 8 am–8 pm. Saturday 9 am–5 pm.
You can also visit a Westpac branch with the death certificate, or start the process online at westpac.co.nz/help/bereavement. The phone or branch route is usually faster.
If the deceased had a Westpac KiwiSaver or Westpac Wealth account, the Estates team will refer you to BT Funds Management separately. KiwiSaver claims sit outside the retail bank process.
What to say
"I'm calling to notify you of a death. [Full name] held accounts with Westpac. 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 — Westpac will look them up by name and IRD number. The customer number is on any statement or in the Westpac One app.
What Westpac 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 Westpac 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 Westpac's discretionary threshold. Not needed just to notify.
What Westpac will do next
Once notified, Westpac 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 Westpac One and the mobile app for the deceased's profile.
- Refer KiwiSaver and investments to BT Funds Management's separate bereavement process.
- Send you the Estates pack — documents for releasing funds, closing accounts, and (where needed) probate.
Joint accounts
If you held a Westpac account jointly with the deceased, funds remain accessible to you. You don't need to wait for probate.
Westpac 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 — Westpac will leave it as-is until you ask.
Releasing funds before probate
For sole accounts, Westpac 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–$20,000 — but this is at Westpac'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 (Westpac 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.
Westpac KiwiSaver
Westpac is one of New Zealand's default KiwiSaver providers, so many estates include a Westpac KiwiSaver balance. The scheme is managed by BT Funds Management on Westpac's behalf — handled through a separate bereavement process from the retail bank.
The balance is paid to the estate — not directly to a spouse, partner, or next of kin. The executor or administrator claims it on the estate's behalf, then distributes per the will (or per intestacy rules if there's no will).
What you'll need:
- Death certificate
- Grant of probate (or letters of administration) — usually required above ~$15,000
- Member number, if known
- Estate bank account for the payout
Ask the Westpac Estates team on 0800 400 600 to refer you to BT Funds Management.
How long it takes
- Initial notification: one phone call or branch visit, ~20 minutes. Accounts are flagged immediately.
- Documents posted/emailed: Westpac sends the Estates pack 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 Westpac has all paperwork.
Other banks
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.