Who to notify

First week — urgent

• Work and Income / MSD — stop benefit or NZ Super payments. 0800 559 009
• Deceased's bank(s) — call or visit with death certificate. They will freeze sole accounts.
• Life insurance provider — start claim with policy number + death certificate.
• ACC (if accident-related death) — 0800 101 996
• Deceased's employer — final pay, group insurance, death benefit.

Weeks 2–4

• IRD — notify of death, arrange final tax return. 0800 227 774 or via myIR.
• KiwiSaver provider — balance paid to the estate.
• Waka Kotahi / NZTA — cancel or transfer driver's licence. Update vehicle registration.
• Health insurance provider — cancel or update policy.
• Home and contents insurance — update or cancel.
• Car insurance — update or cancel.
• Solicitor / accountant — if the deceased had ongoing professional relationships.

Weeks 4–8

• NZ Post — redirect mail.
• Power company — transfer or cancel account.
• Gas provider — transfer or cancel.
• Water / council rates — notify council of change.
• Internet / broadband provider — cancel or transfer.
• Mobile phone provider — cancel. (Keep the number active briefly if people are still calling.)
• Landline provider — cancel or transfer.
• Electoral Commission — BDM usually notifies them, but confirm.
• Dept of Internal Affairs — return or cancel passport.
• Companies Office — if the deceased was a director or shareholder.
• LINZ — for property ownership transfers.
• Kāinga Ora / Housing NZ — if in a state house.
• Landlord — if renting (check tenancy agreement for notice period).

Subscriptions and memberships

• Sky / streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, etc.)
• Gym membership
• Club memberships (RSA, sports clubs, etc.)
• Professional memberships
• Magazine / newspaper subscriptions
• AA membership
• Library card
• Loyalty programmes (Flybuys, Airpoints, etc.)

Digital accounts

NZ has no specific digital legacy legislation. Each platform has its own process: