Unclaimed Money NZ List: How to Search and Claim Your Funds

You might be sitting on money you didn’t know existed. In New Zealand, over $200 million in forgotten funds sits with Inland Revenue, waiting for the right owner to come forward.

Unclaimed money held by IRD: over $200 million ·
Number of unclaimed accounts: over 1 million ·
Sources: banks, insurance, dividends, superannuation ·
Update frequency: monthly

Five key facts summarise what every New Zealander should know about unclaimed money held by the government.

The pattern: the IRD database handles the bulk of New Zealand’s dormant financial assets, and searching costs nothing.

How to search for unclaimed money in NZ?

Using the IRD unclaimed money database

• The IRD website provides a free search tool (Inland Revenue — Search database)
• You can search by individual or organisation name (Inland Revenue — Search database)
• The list shows name, amount, and type of money

The search workflow on IRD’s site lets users choose the person or organisation to search for, then select an item from a provided list (Inland Revenue – Search database).

Searching by name or organisation

• Enter your name (or the name you used when the money was left)
• Try variations like maiden names or middle initials
• Also search for organisations you’ve dealt with

According to Westpac REDnews (financial literacy blog), claims may be made through the IRD website or in myIR under the claimant’s name.

Accessing the monthly list of unclaimed money

• The list is updated monthly (Inland Revenue — Claiming unclaimed money)
• Available as a downloadable PDF
• The online search tool returns matches instantly

What is the most common unclaimed money?

Bank accounts

• Bank accounts are the most common type (RNZ — Surge in unclaimed money)
• Old savings accounts, chequing accounts, and term deposits

The IRD database includes money from holders such as banks, finance companies, insurers, solicitors, and accountants (RNZ — Surge in unclaimed money).

Dividends and interest

• Unclaimed dividends from companies
• Interest payments from bonds and debentures

Insurance payouts

• Insurance policy proceeds that never reached the beneficiary
• Life insurance payouts are a common category

Superannuation and pension funds

• Lost superannuation from KiwiSaver and other schemes
• IRD holds unclaimed superannuation contributions

The implication: if you’ve ever changed jobs or moved house, your KiwiSaver or workplace pension may be sitting unclaimed.

How do I find my lost superannuation in New Zealand?

Searching the IRD unclaimed money list

• Use the same free IRD search (Inland Revenue — Search database)
• Look under “superannuation” in the type column

Contacting your old KiwiSaver provider

• KiwiSaver providers maintain records of lost members
• They can help reconnect you with your savings

Using the Unclaimed Money Search tool on Treasury website

• Treasury provides a list of unclaimed money from various government sources
• National Provident Fund also holds unclaimed monies for its members

What is the best free website to find unclaimed money?

IRD Unclaimed Money page

• Primary source for most types of unclaimed money (Inland Revenue — Unclaimed money)
• Search by name or organisation

Treasury Unclaimed Money page

• Covers unclaimed money from government agencies
• Complementary to IRD’s list

National Provident Fund unclaimed monies

• NPF holds unclaimed money for its members
• Check if you have a claim with this public sector super fund

The pattern: three official websites — IRD, Treasury, NPF — cover the vast majority of government-held unclaimed money. Use all three for a thorough sweep.

How to check the unclaimed money list published by IRD?

Accessing the monthly PDF list

• The full list is updated monthly (Inland Revenue — Claiming unclaimed money)
• Download the PDF and search using Ctrl+F
• Entries are organised by surname and organisation name

Searching by name online

• Enter a name in the IRD online tool (Inland Revenue — Search database)
• Results appear immediately

Interpreting the results

• Each entry shows the amount, type, and holder organisation
• Unclaimed money is not income tax refunds or any other unpaid tax refunds (Inland Revenue — Claiming unclaimed money)

How to claim unclaimed money from IRD: step-by-step

1. Search the IRD database using your name (Inland Revenue — Search database)
2. If a match appears, log into myIR or create an account
3. Go to ‘I want to…’, then ‘Registration, application and enrolment’, then ‘Apply for unclaimed money’ (Inland Revenue — Search database)
4. Provide proof of identity and any documents linking you to the account
5. Submit the claim and wait for processing (typically 4-6 weeks)

The catch: while IRD reports $200 million, the true total across all holders (including banks and private institutions not yet transferred) remains unknown.

Quotes from official sources

“Unclaimed money is money left untouched by its owner in organisations like banks, or with a person such as a solicitor.”

Inland Revenue (New Zealand’s tax authority)

“This is an information page for members of the public interested in sources of unclaimed money in New Zealand.”

Treasury (New Zealand government’s financial advisor)

“RNZ reported that Inland Revenue administers an unclaimed money list with amounts of at least $100.”

RNZ (public broadcaster)

“Westpac NZ said the IRD unclaimed money search can be used for forgotten money from insurers, utility companies, estates, and finance companies.”

Westpac REDnews (financial literacy blog)

For the average New Zealander who has changed jobs or moved home, the chance that forgotten money is sitting in the IRD list is real. The choice is clear: spend ten minutes searching now, or risk having that money transferred to the Crown after 25 years.

Frequently asked questions