[Dave1965]

I am planning returning to NZ (I am a NZ citizen) after living in europe for more than 20 years.

I have at the moment no residential address in NZ (although I suppose I could use my parents..) but would like to open a new bank account at Westpac.

A few questions..

Can I contact the Migrant Banking Team at Westpac to get things started up....
Is a NZ Passport sufficient or is other documentation necessary ?
I would for the time being like to do some monthly deposits (preferably online..) until I arrive. I suppose a savings account is enough for the time being as a curent account is not (yet) necessary.

Also I probably have an IRD number (somewhere..) but that was when I was working as a student more than 20 years ago and I have no idea where or what it is. Can I apply for a new one or do I have to somehow recover my old one (and how ?)

Any advice would be appreciated..

Thanks
Dave

[Ana&Steve]

Hello Dave,
I am not sure about Westpac, but I know several NZ banks will open accts from overseas. (we have ASB) We opened ours with photocopies of of passports, no problem. We were unable to open more than a savings acct til we could physically go to an NZ branch; not sure if it will be the same for you, but like you said, a savings acct does the trick for now.
Here is the Inland revenue web address:
www.ird.govt.nz
they should be able to help you recover your IRD #
Congratulations on going home!
Ana

[anna_c]

Recovering your IRD number is not a big deal. As the security questions they ask will likely be out of date I suspect you'll have to show proof of identity.

You don't need it to open a bank account, although if you don't have it on file when interest is paid it will be taxed at the highest rate.

[Dave1965]

Hello Dave,
I am not sure about Westpac, but I know several NZ banks will open accts from overseas. (we have ASB) We opened ours with photocopies of of passports, no problem. We were unable to open more than a savings acct til we could physically go to an NZ branch; not sure if it will be the same for you, but like you said, a savings acct does the trick for now.
Here is the Inland revenue web address:
www.ird.govt.nz
they should be able to help you recover your IRD #
Congratulations on going home!
Ana

Thanks for the reply....according to Westpac I have to be in country within 3 months of applying.

Do have contact details for ASB where you arranged your account ?

The whole idea is that I want to open an account now to generate some sort of credit rating with a bank in NZ. We are looking at arriving in 2008...

Being a NZ citizen doesnt seem to help alot.

[kanatakiwi]

Also I probably have an IRD number (somewhere..) but that was when I was working as a student more than 20 years ago and I have no idea where or what it is. Can I apply for a new one or do I have to somehow recover my old one (and how ?)



Hi Dave
My kiwi husband returned to NZ after 14 years, and they dug up his old IRD number for him. You don't get a new one. If you can remember any details like old address etc they will find it no problem. But even if you just give them your full legal name they will likely "locate" you. You can get this process rolling by communicting with them by email, although it may take a phone call at the end of the process to learn your old number. My OH needed his number while in Canada for something to do with a family trust, and he was able to do most of the communication via email from Canada. IRD was very helpful.

[Dave1965]

just to let you know I recieved a reply from the IRD.

There need the following information

1. Your date of birth
2. Previous New Zealand address
3. Current postal address
4. Your full name (including all Christian names)

..other than that the Inland Revenue does not send taxpayer specific
information via email.
They will be sending my old number through the post.

Quick and friendly service ! :nice1

[Ana&Steve]

Do have contact details for ASB where you arranged your account ?



Here you go:

Zhi Yo Liw
Customer Service Specialist
Migrant Banking
ASB Bank
+64 9 4484340
zhiyou.liw@asb.co.nz

Yo helped me open my acct, but the # will sometimes take you to other Migrant banking specialists. They were all very nice and friendly, even the guy we personally met in April when we actavated our checking acct:)
Good Luck,
Ana

[benandclare]

Here you go:

Zhi Yo Liw
Customer Service Specialist
Migrant Banking
ASB Bank
+64 9 4484340
zhiyou.liw@asb.co.nz

Yo helped me open my acct, but the # will sometimes take you to other Migrant banking specialists. They were all very nice and friendly, even the guy we personally met in April when we actavated our checking acct:)
Good Luck,
Ana

Echo that , we have opened ASB account from UK by e-mail and have found them very friendly and helpful