[suzer]

anyone from the states perchance? or, if on another type of work holiday visa, did you have trouble opening a bank acct. i'm assuming the only way to have pay deposited from a job in NZ is direct deposit into a NZ bank account?

[anna_c]

I''m not from the US, but I had no probs opening an account on a WHV. All I needed was passport, proof of address and an initial deposit (varies but in the $50 region).

[suzer]

does anyone know of banks which allow you to open an account ahead of arrival?

[Pimmar]

I opened a bank account from Holland with ASB bank;
has at that time no visa only faxed some papers and made
my bankaccount active when i arrived in NZ for a holiday.

> http://www.asbbank.co.nz/section895.asp?

Pim

[tick tock]

Had a bank acoount with the bnk of NZ for 4 years now...and we had only been coming down on holiday....credit cards are a different matter


They where very helpful ay BNZ

[suzer]

just an fyi for folks that if you open an account ahead of time, you will be charged a monthly fee until you arrive and can deposit funds:/

[Leigh46911]

I presume you can open a bank ac from uk and dont have to be a resident to keep it open? Do you have to go into a branch in person? Do you need a visa on your passport to open one?
What happens if you want to pay a mortgage there?

[zardell]

We opened our ASB account whilst still in the UK and transferred some funds into it in readiness of our arrival in NZ.

Upon arrival, we went into our local ASB branch (any branch will do - it's not like the UK) and activated it.

Within 24 hours hours we were issued with our eftpos cards (similar to switch cards) for use at the atm/store payments and cheque books.

If your'e in the UK and want more information, ring Kate Lancaster at the London branch on 020 7710 3592

Hope this helps,

Julie

xx

[b&k]

We opened an account with Westpac on the spot while in NZ on a working holiday visa. They set up the account, gave us bank cards, set our PIN numbers, arranged online banking all in about 30 minutes.

You will need a passport AND proof of address - they will send statements to your international address unless you have a permanent NZ address.

[suzer]

does anyone know of banks which allow you to open an account ahead of arrival?

fyi if you want to do it ahead of time, ANZ is a good way to go too.

[Ana&Steve]

just an fyi for folks that if you open an account ahead of time, you will be charged a monthly fee until you arrive and can deposit funds:/

I had read that before on the forum, so when I talked with the girl at ASB, I asked her to highlight in the papers that I wouldn't be charged. I had no problems with it. Forewarned is forearmed!
Ana

[suzer]

they will usually take the charges off if you ask nicely...for the months when the acct was open but you were not present in the country using it.