Increased support options, if you’ve been impacted by the extreme weather events.
Our thoughts are with all of our customers and whānau who have been affected by the extreme weather events, the most recent being Cyclone Gabrielle. We hope you and your loved ones are safe.
If you've been impacted and need some financial support, we're here to help with a range of options that will be tailored to suit your needs. The exact support we can offer you will depend on your personal circumstances which we can discuss with you.
KIWIBANK
Financial support
We know how important it will be to have immediate access to funds for essentials, so we have a range of options we may be able to offer.
For personal customers support options include:
- Home loan repayment assistance which includes reducing your home loan repayments, changing to interest-only repayments, or requesting a repayment deferral
- Reducing your credit card repayments or changing your card type
- Early access to funds in Term Deposits or Notice Saver accounts
- Applying for a KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal
- 0% p.a. emergency top-up on your home loan up to $10,000, for up to 12 months
- Access to extra funds for essential needs with an Emergency Relief Loan of up to $5,000 for up to six months at 0% p.a. interest.
Apply for personal support here
For business customers support options include:
- Early access to funds in Term Deposits or Notice Saver accounts
- Business lending repayment assistance which includes repayment deferrals or changing to interest-only repayments for up to six months
- Access to a Temporary Business Overdraft* to help with essential needs at 0% p.a. for up to six months with no application or facility fee.
Apply for business support here
We’ll work through these options with you to determine which financial support option(s) best suit your needs. To find out more or apply for support please click on one of the links above to visit our website, where you can complete a simple form to get started. If this isn’t possible, you can also give us a call on one of the numbers listed below.
Insurance claims
If you have an insurance policy with Kiwibank and need to make a claim, please give our specialist teams a call:
- For house, contents, or car insurance - phone 0800 222 491, select option 1, then option 6. We're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- For Kiwi Insurance life, trauma, income protection or redundancy - phone 0800 222 491, choose option 2 then option 3. The team are available Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5pm.
Latest branch and ATM information
All our branches and Local for Kiwibank outlets across the country are now operating. Free WiFi is available for customers in Kiwibank branches. The majority of our ATMs are now operational and we’re working closely with our partners to maintain service. We’ll provide updates through our social media channels along with our branch, business hub and ATM locator tool on our website.
Government support available
The Ministry of Social Development may also be able to help, even if you’re not on a benefit. You may be eligible for a Civil Defence payment or other forms of support. Please visit the Cyclone Gabrielle page on their website for more information.
We’re here to help
If you have any questions or would like to talk to one of our team, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can either send us a secure message through our mobile app / Internet banking or if the matter is urgent, please give us a call.
Personal customers can phone 0800 11 33 55. Our lines are open Monday – Thursday 7am – 9pm, Friday 7am – 8pm and on weekends 8am – 4:30pm. If you’re a business customer, phone 0800 601 601 or reach out to your business manager, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Keep safe and look after yourself.
GOVERNMENT GRANTS FOR RECOVERY SUPPORT
The Government is providing $25 million in recovery support to businesses in seven regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods in the North Island.
Farmers and growers can apply for separate support from the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Support for farmers and growers
What the grants are for
You can apply for a grant of up to $40,000.
The grants are to help you:
- keep operating and position you for a successful recovery
- maintain cashflow.
Who can apply
You must meet some criteria, including being in one of the seven regions, and how you have been affected.
You can apply if you are self-employed, a sole trader, or an employer - no matter how many people you employ.
Location criteria
You can apply if your business is primarily in one of the areas where there was a local State of Emergency declared and you were affected by Cyclone Gabrielle or January flooding.
The regions are:
- Northland
- Auckland
- Bay of Plenty
- Coromandel
- Tairāwhiti
- Hawke’s Bay
- Tararua
You must also meet all these criteria
- You’re facing significant cashflow issues due to continued challenges with customer access, ability to source stock, supply chain issues, inability to operate as usual due to the physical damage to equipment or premises, or delays in insurance assessment and repairs.
- Your business is otherwise viable both before and after the flooding.
- You are not receiving any funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries recovery fund.
- You commit to acting in line with employment law and with due regard to your employees.
Regional criteria
Local partners who will allocate the grants may set further criteria. Check before you apply.
Where to apply
Grants will be delivered locally by people on the ground in the seven regions. They are best placed to do this.
More here.
SUPPORT FOR FARMERS AND GROWERS
Farmers, growers and whenua Māori owners can apply for support from the Ministry for Primary Industries to get back on their feet. You cannot also apply for a grant from the cyclone and flooding recovery fund.
Cyclone Gabrielle recovery(external link) — Ministry for Primary Industries
BUSINESS HELPLINE
Advice and guidance on support for affected businesses is provided by the Business Helpline, delivered by Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).
Call 0800 500 362 or email info@businesshelpline.co.nz.
Small business owners in Auckland who are facing challenges, especially relating to recent weather events, can find support through the online business platform Activate Community.
Join Activate Community(external link)
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
If you or your employees are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, help is available from First Steps.