You can start a New Zealand bank account from overseas before you fly, then finish it with an ID check once you land. Below is which of the big five let you set up early, exactly what that takes in documents, how the verification step works, and how to receive pay before the account is fully live.
ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank all let working holidaymakers open an account. ASB and BNZ are the easiest to set up entirely from overseas; ANZ, Westpac and Kiwibank let you start online but verify your identity once you arrive. Whichever you pick, you'll confirm your ID with your passport before the account is fully usable. A multi-currency account such as Wise can receive your pay in the meantime.
Open an account, get paid and dodge foreign-transaction fees in your first weeks in New Zealand.
New Zealand's banks are used to migrants and working holidaymakers, so all five run a "moving to New Zealand" process. The practical split:
| Bank | Start from overseas? | ID verification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASB | Yes, fully online | Can verify offshore | Internet banking can be set up before arrival |
| BNZ | Yes, fully online | Offshore identity checks | Dedicated open-from-overseas route |
| ANZ | Yes, start online | Activate on arrival | New Zealand's largest bank, wide branch and ATM network |
| Westpac | Yes, start online | Activate via app/branch after arrival | Can open ahead of migrating |
| Kiwibank | Limited | In person after arrival | NZ-owned; most arrival-focused |
There's no single best choice. If having a live account before you land matters most, start with ASB or BNZ. All five are full-service banks with strong mobile apps, large ATM networks, and contactless payment everywhere.
All five offer a standard everyday transaction account with a debit card (usually an Eftpos or Visa/Mastercard debit). Day-to-day banking in New Zealand is overwhelmingly contactless and app-based, so you'll rarely handle cash. Account-keeping fees on everyday accounts are typically low or nil, but they vary by account type and change, so check the current fee on the bank's own page rather than assuming. The differences between the big banks for a working holidaymaker are small; the meaningful decision is how early you want the account live, which is the overseas-versus-arrival split above.
To apply from overseas, expect to provide:
To complete identity verification, you'll either upload documents and complete an online check (ASB, BNZ) or show your original passport in a branch after arrival (ANZ, Westpac, Kiwibank).
Once verified you'll get full app access and your debit card. Note your account number; it's the 15- or 16-digit number every New Zealand employer asks for to pay you. You'll usually also have the account ready before you apply for an IRD number, which the IRD can pay refunds into (see our tax guide).
There's often a short gap between landing, finding work, and your account being fully live. Two ways to bridge it.
Wise gives you New Zealand account details that can receive a salary like any local account, and you can set it up from home before you fly. It converts at the mid-market rate with a transparent fee, so it also handles bringing your savings over and sending money home later. Revolut offers a similar app-based multi-currency account. Most travellers still open a local bank account too, since some employers and landlords prefer a traditional New Zealand bank.
Apply with ASB or BNZ from overseas and complete verification before you land, and your account can be ready for your first payslip.
When you leave, or whenever you want to shift savings back to your home currency, the same maths applies: a bank's exchange-rate margin usually costs more than a specialist's fee. Wise and OFX are established options for NZD transfers. Compare the destination amount on the day.
Yes. ASB and BNZ let you apply and verify entirely online from overseas. ANZ and Westpac let you start online and finish verification on arrival. Kiwibank is mostly done in person once you're in the country.
Your passport, your working holiday visa details, and proof of your overseas address. Banks that verify offshore will run an online identity check; others confirm your passport in a branch after you land.
No, you can open the account first. You will want the account ready when you apply for your IRD number and start work.
There's no single best. The big five are similar for everyday use; pick on whether you want the account live before arrival (ASB or BNZ) or are happy to finish setup after landing.
A multi-currency account like Wise or Revolut gives you New Zealand account details to receive pay immediately, then you move to a local bank once it's verified.
Verified on 11 June 2026 by the WHE research team. Sources: asb.co.nz · bnz.co.nz · anz.co.nz · westpac.co.nz · kiwibank.co.nz. How we verify →