Exit Checklist Important: Avoid Legal & Financial Issues Failure to properly settle the following matters before leaving New Zealand may result in ongoing automatic charges, damage to your credit score, or even affect your eligibility for future visas or re-entry into New Zealand. Departure Checklist Bank Accounts If you don’t plan to keep your NZ account, the best practice is to clear the balance and close it. Most banks charge a $30/year inactive fee if the balance is under $200 with no activity for 12 months; also, ensure you cancel all direct debits (gym, insurance) to avoid overdrafts and credit damage. Car Insurance Contact your insurer the day you sell your car to cancel the policy, which usually takes 3-5 business days to process. If you paid your premium annually, cancelling early typically entitles you to a pro-rata refund of the unused portion. Mobile Plan Pay Monthly contracts often require a 30-day notice period, so contact support at least a month before leaving to avoid ongoing charges. For Prepay users, remember to manually cancel all auto-renewing packs in the provider’s app. Tax Refund (IRD Wash-up) Inform IRD of your permanent departure via myIR Secure Mail to request a tax wash-up. Many Working Holiday makers are eligible for a partial refund if they worked for less than a full tax year.
