NZ Government Benefits and Thresholds 2026

Reference rates for the main NZ government benefits and entitlements. Rates are set by the government and typically adjusted on 1 April each year. All amounts shown are after-tax (net) unless stated otherwise. Administered by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Inland Revenue (IRD).

Working for Families Calculator PAYE Calculator Budget Calculator

NZ Superannuation (from 1 April 2026)

Living Situation	Gross (before tax)	Net (after tax, M code)
Single, living alone	$647.37/week	$555.15/week
Single, sharing	$595.57/week	$512.45/week
Couple (each)	$492.14/week	$427.04/week
Couple (combined)	$984.28/week	$854.08/week

NZ Super is paid fortnightly. Fortnightly rates (net, M code): single living alone $1,110.30; single sharing $1,024.90; couple each $854.08; couple combined $1,708.16.

Eligibility: age 65, NZ citizen/permanent resident, 10 years' residency (5 after age 50). No income or asset test. Apply through MSD 12 weeks before turning 65.

Jobseeker Support (from 1 April 2026)

Situation	Net Weekly Rate (M code)
Single, 18 to 19 (at home)	$276.46
Single, 18 to 19 (away from home)	$324.50
Single, 20 to 24	$324.50
Single, 25 or over	$372.55
Couple, no children (total)	$633.94
Couple, with children (total)	$669.40
Sole parent with children	$521.52

Sole Parent Support

Situation	Net Weekly Rate (M code)
Sole parent (youngest child under 14)	$521.52

Supported Living Payment

Situation	Net Weekly Rate (M code)
Single, 16 to 17	$355.87
Single, 18+	$424.60
Couple, no children (total)	$721.44
Sole parent with children	$581.96
Couple, with children (total)	$756.94

Working for Families Tax Credits (2026/27)

Credit	Amount	Eligibility
Family Tax Credit (FTC) - eldest child	$151.91/week ($7,921/year)	Families with dependent children, income-tested
Family Tax Credit (FTC) - subsequent	$123.78/week ($6,454/year)	Families with dependent children, income-tested
In-Work Tax Credit (IWTC)	$147/week ($7,670/year) - temporary; $97/week ($5,070/year) baseline	Working families (not on a main benefit). Temporary $50/week increase from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2027 or until petrol drops below $3/L for 4 consecutive weeks
Best Start Tax Credit	$77/week ($4,004/year)	Children under 3. Income-tested from year 1 for babies born on or after 1 April 2026 (abates above $79,000 family income, cuts out around $97,000)
Minimum Family Tax Credit	Top-up to minimum weekly income	Working families below minimum threshold
Abatement rate	27.5 cents per $1 over $44,900	Total WFF reduces as family income rises (threshold raised from $42,700 and rate from 27% effective 1 April 2026)

Accommodation Supplement (Maximum Weekly Rates)

Category	Area 1	Area 2	Area 3	Area 4
Single, no children	$165	$105	$80	$70
Sole parent, 1 child	$235	$155	$105	$80
Sole parent, 2+ children	$305	$220	$160	$120
Couple, no children	$235	$155	$105	$80
Couple, with children	$305	$220	$160	$120

Area definitions: Area 1 covers Auckland central and metropolitan areas. Area 2 covers outer Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown Lakes, and other higher-cost centres. Area 3 covers Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch, Nelson, and similar. Area 4 covers the rest of New Zealand.

The Accommodation Supplement is income- and cash-asset-tested. It helps with rent, board, or mortgage costs. Apply through Work and Income.

Other Key Entitlements

Entitlement	Amount / Detail
Winter Energy Payment	$20.46/week (single, no dependents) or $31.82/week (couple/dependents). 1 May to 1 October each year, paid automatically with main benefit or NZ Super.
Disability Allowance	Up to $82.85/week (non-taxable) for ongoing disability-related costs
Child Disability Allowance	$62.43/week (non-taxable)
Childcare Subsidy	$6.72/hour maximum (income-tested, up to 50 hours/week, via MSD)
Funeral Grant	Up to $2,697.43 (income- and asset-tested)
Rates Rebate	Up to $805/year for the 2025/26 rating year (income-tested; SuperGold cardholders can earn up to $45,000 and receive the maximum). Administered by councils.
Community Services Card	Access to subsidised health services (income-tested)