KiwiSaver changes coming April 2026 | What it means for you

KiwiSaver

KiwiSaver changes coming April 2026: What this means for you

4 MIN READ 21/01/2026

From 1 April 2026, some important KiwiSaver changes are coming into effect – impacting contribution rates, employer obligations and flexibility for employees.

To help break it all down, we sat with Kym Maynard, one of Haven’s Standout Advisers for 2025. We asked her some of the most common questions about what’s changing and more importantly – what it could mean for you.

What are the upcoming KiwiSaver changes and what does it mean for us?

From 1 April 2026, the default KiwiSaver contribution rate will be increasing from 3% to 3.5% – and that applies to both employees and employers.

So, if you’re currently contributing 3%, expect that to automatically lift to 3.5%, and your employer will match it!

Is everyone required to move to the new 3.5% rate?

Not necessarily. If that extra half a percent feels like too much right now, you’ll have the option to apply for a temporary rate reduction and stay at 3%. This could be helpful if you’re juggling other financial goals or just feeling the pinch with the current rising costs.

When and how can someone apply for that temporary reduction?

You’ll be able to apply to the IRD from 1 February 2026, before the new rate kicks in. The reduction can last anywhere from 3 months to 12 months, and the good news is you can apply more than once if needed. Your employer can choose to match your temporary rate reduction.

The IRD will have more details available on the process soon – but the key thing is, there’s flexibility if you need it!

There’s a big change for younger workers too – what’s happening there?

Yes – a great step forward! From 1 April 2026, if you’re 16 or 17 and contributing to KiwiSaver from your wages, your employer will be required to contribute as well – assuming eligibility criteria are met. Before now, compulsory employer contributions only kicked in from age 18. This change will help younger members start building their savings earlier!

Government contribution is changing for higher earners – what does that mean if I earn over $180,000?

Yes, this is an important one to be aware of. From July 2025, the maximum annual Government contribution was reduced to $260.72, and eligibility has been tightened. If you earn more than $180,000 a year, you’ll no longer qualify for the Government contribution at all. If you’re under that threshold, you’ll still need to contribute at least $1,042.86 each year to receive the full amount.

While the Government contribution has always been a bonus rather than the main driver of KiwiSaver growth, this change may prompt higher earners to think more carefully about how KiwiSaver fits into their wider investment and retirement strategy.

So, what does this all mean in the big picture?

In short:

Most people will see a small increase in KiwiSaver contributions
There’s flexibility if you need to opt out temporarily
Younger employees will start benefiting from employer contributions earlier than before
Some higher earners may no longer receive the Government contribution, making it even more important to understand how KiwiSaver fits within their broader financial plan

Over time, even small increases in contributions can really boost your retirement savings. So it’s worth thinking about how this fits with your bigger financial goals.

KiwiSaver is evolving – and a small shift now could have a big impact later. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about retirement, now’s a great time to review your contributions and make sure they align with your goals.

If you’re unsure how these changes will affect you, reach out to your Haven adviser. We can walk you through your options and help you decide what’s right for you.

Book a KiwiSaver check in with one of our Haven advisers today!

Email contact.us@haven.co.nz or call us at 0800 700 699

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Terms & Conditions

Eligibility.
The Haven Travel Promotion is only open to legal residents of New Zealand who are eighteen (18) years of age or older. Disqualified Participants’ are: (a) all Haven employees (b) all people under the age of 18 years.
Promotion Period.
The Promotion begins on Monday 1st April 2025 and will continue until further notice. We reserve the right to amend, suspend, or terminate the promotion at any time without prior notice, at our sole discretion.
How To Enter.
Complete a financial review with a Haven adviser for any service during the promotional period and you will receive one entry into the Promotion.
Drawing the Winners
We will be drawing winners every three months via random selection by Haven Financial Advisers. The first draw is on Monday 7th July 2025 and we will be drawing a winner every 3 months from this date. Only the person who originally entered the Promotion can be awarded the prize.The Winner will be determined by Haven Financial Advisers and will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.The Winner will be notified by email, phone (voice or text), mail or in person. Where attempts to contact the Winner fail (e.g. when the Winner cannot be contacted by phone after three attempts or mail sent is returned) Haven Financial Advisers will select another winner. If, after successful notification, the prize is not collected within two months of being announced, it will be regarded as forfeit. (Note: 3 attempts to contact the Winner will include individual calls to any numbers provided at the time of entry.Where the Winner is required to claim the prize in person, they must provide proper identification (e.g. driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate).
The Prizes
The Prize (a travel voucher valued at $5,000 NZD) is not redeemable for cash or transferable. In the event that the Prize specified in the Promotion becomes unavailable for any reason, Haven Financial Advisers may substitute a prize of like or equal value. The Winner takes the Prize entirely at his/her own risk and indemnifies Haven Financial Advisers in respect of any claim for any accident, injury, property damage or loss of life that may occur in connection with the prize. The Winner is responsible for all insurance, tax or other costs that may be associated with the Prize. Where the Prize has associated terms and conditions the Winner accepts the Prize subject to those terms and conditions and restrictions. The Prize must be taken as stated and no compensation will be payable if the Winner is unable to use the Prize as stated. The Promoter (Haven Financial Advisers) will not be liable for any prize(s) that do not reach the winners for reasons beyond the Promoter’s reasonable control. Where a prize is being supplied by a third party, the Promoter accepts no responsibility in connection with the provision of the prize, including without limitation, the failure of the winner to receive ownership of, or use of, the prize or any performance issues associated with the prize.The Promoter will not be liable for failure to provide (or delay in providing) the Prize resulting from any events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of god (natural disasters), acts of war or terrorism, national emergencies, issues of public health and safety, pandemic, mechanical breakdown, industry disputes, riots or failure of communication or power supply or voluntary or involuntary compliance with any regulation, law or order of any government.Prizes may be subject to additional terms and conditions imposed by a third party (for example, vouchers may have additional terms and conditions and/or an expiry date or in the case of travel, additional terms and conditions may be imposed by airlines, service providers and venues).The Promoter will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by entrants or anyone else as a result of, arising out of, or in any way connected with the Promotion or its prizes.
Social Media & Marketing
Where the Promotion is conducted across social media: a. Entrants’ conduct must comply with the rules of that social media platform. b. The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or Snapchat. These social media platforms are in no way responsible for any aspect of the Promotion. By entering this Promotion, entrants agree to the use of their names, photographs and likeness for promotional/advertising purposes, and agree to make themselves reasonably available for this purpose. Any copyright associated with an entry will be owned by the Promoter. The Promoter collects and holds personal information provided by entrants for the purposes of administering this Promotion and for future Promoter promotional purposes. All personal information provided by entrants will be held by the Promoter and will not be provided to third parties unless otherwise specifically set out. Under the Privacy Act 2020, entrants have the right to access and correct their personal information.

Terms & Conditions

Eligibility.
The Haven My Food Bag Promotion is only open to legal residents of New Zealand who are eighteen (18) years of age or older.To be eligible for the prize you must have a delivery address within the My Food Bag delivery area. My Food Bag delivers to most addresses in the postcodes found here.
Disqualified Participants’ are: (a) all Haven Financial Advisers employees (b) all people under the age of 18 years (c) all people without a qualifying delivery address.
Competition Period.
The Competition begins on Monday 3rd July 2023 to Saturday 30th September 2023.
How To Enter.Complete a financial review with any of Haven’s advisers for any service during the entry period and you will receive one entry into the Competition.
Or,
Refer someone else to complete a financial review with any of Haven’s advisers for any service during the entry period and if they complete the review you will receive one entry each into the Competition.
Drawing the Winners
We will select 3 winners. The final winners will be drawn on Monday 2nd October via random selection by Haven Financial Advisers.Only the person who originally entered the Promotion can be awarded the prize.
The Winners will be determined by Haven Financial Advisers and will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Winners will be notified by email, phone (voice or text), mail or in person. Where attempts to contact a Winner fail (e.g. when the Winner cannot be contacted by phone after three attempts or mail sent is returned) Haven Financial Advisers will select another winner. If, after successful notification, the prize is not collected within two months of being announced, it will be regarded as forfeit. (Note: 3 attempts to contact the Winner will include individual calls to any numbers provided at the time of entry.
Where the Winner is required to claim the prize in person, they must provide proper identification (eg driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate).
The Prizes
The Prizes (8 weekly My Choice (4 nights for 4) My Food Bag deliveries) are not redeemable for cash or transferable. In the event that the Prize specified in the Competition becomes unavailable for any reason, Haven Financial Advisers may substitute a prize of like or equal value.In order to claim the prize the winner will need to sign up to the My Food Bag website to manage their deliveries. In order to sign up a credit or debit card will need to be added to the account for any upgrades or additional grocery items beyond the Prize.
The Winner takes the Prize entirely at his/her own risk and indemnifies Haven Financial Advisers in respect of any claim for any accident, injury, property damage or loss of life that may occur in connection with the prize. The Winner is responsible for all insurance, tax or other costs that may be associated with the Prize. Where the Prize has associated terms and conditions the Winner accepts the Prize subject to those terms and conditions and restrictions.
The Prize must be taken as stated and no compensation will be payable if the Winner is unable to use the Prize as stated.
The Promoter (Haven Financial Advisers Limited) will not be liable for any prize(s) that do not reach the winners for reasons beyond the Promoter’s reasonable control. Where a prize is being supplied by a third party, the Promoter accepts no responsibility in connection with the provision of the prize, including without limitation, the failure of the winner to receive ownership of, or use of, the prize or any performance issues associated with the prize.
The Promoter will not be liable for failure to provide (or delay in providing) the Prize resulting from any events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of god (natural disasters), acts of war or terrorism, national emergencies, issues of public health and safety, pandemic, mechanical breakdown, industry disputes, riots or failure of communication or power supply or voluntary or involuntary compliance with any regulation, law or order of any government.
Prizes may be subject to additional terms and conditions imposed by a third party.
The Promoter will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by entrants or anyone else as a result of, arising out of, or in any way connected with the Promotion or its prizes.
Social Media & Marketing
Where the Promotion is conducted across social media: a. Entrants’ conduct must comply with the rules of that social media platform. b. The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat. These social media platforms are in no way responsible for any aspect of the Promotion.By entering this Promotion, entrants agree to the use of their names, photographs and likeness for promotional/advertising purposes, and agree to make themselves reasonably available for this purpose. Any copyright associated with an entry will be owned by the Promoter.
The Promoter collects and holds personal information provided by entrants for the purposes of administering this Promotion and for future Promoter promotional purposes. All personal information provided by entrants will be held by the Promoter and will not be provided to third parties unless otherwise specifically set out. Under the Privacy Act 2020, entrants have the right to access and correct their personal information.

Terms & Conditions

1. Eligibility.

The Haven Travel Promotion is only open to legal residents of New Zealand who are eighteen (18) years of age or older.

Disqualified Participants’ are: (a) all Haven Financial Advisers employees (b) all people under the age of 18 years.

2. Competition Period.

The Competition begins on Monday 13th March 2023 to Wednesday 31st May 2023.

3. How To Enter.

Complete a financial review with any of Haven’s advisers for any service during the entry period and you will receive one entry into the Competition.

4. Drawing the Winner

The final winner will be drawn on Monday 5th June via random selection by Haven Financial Advisers.

Only the person who originally entered the Promotion can be awarded the prize.
The Winner will be determined by Haven Financial Advisers and will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Winner will be notified by email, phone (voice or text), mail or in person. Where attempts to contact the Winner fail (eg when the Winner cannot be contacted by phone after three attempts or mail sent is returned) Haven Financial Advisers will select another winner. If, after successful notification, the prize is not collected within two months of being announced, it will be regarded as forfeit. (Note: 3 attempts to contact the Winner will include individual calls to any numbers provided at the time of entry.
Where the Winner is required to claim the prize in person, they must provide proper identification (eg driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate).

5. The Prize

The Prize (a travel voucher valued at $4,000 NZD) is not redeemable for cash or transferable. In the event that the Prize specified in the Competition becomes unavailable for any reason, Haven Financial Advisers may substitute a prize of like or equal value.
The Winner takes the Prize entirely at his/her own risk and indemnifies Haven Financial Advisers in respect of any claim for any accident, injury, property damage or loss of life that may occur in connection with the prize. The Winner is responsible for all insurance, tax or other costs that may be associated with the Prize. Where the Prize has associated terms and conditions the Winner accepts the Prize subject to those terms and conditions and restrictions.
The Prize must be taken as stated and no compensation will be payable if the Winner is unable to use the Prize as stated.
The Promoter (Haven Financial Advisers Limited) will not be liable for any prize(s) that do not reach the winners for reasons beyond the Promoter’s reasonable control. Where a prize is being supplied by a third party, the Promoter accepts no responsibility in connection with the provision of the prize, including without limitation, the failure of the winner to receive ownership of, or use of, the prize or any performance issues associated with the prize.
The Promoter will not be liable for failure to provide (or delay in providing) the Prize resulting from any events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of god (natural disasters), acts of war or terrorism, national emergencies, issues of public health and safety, pandemic, mechanical breakdown, industry disputes, riots or failure of communication or power supply or voluntary or involuntary compliance with any regulation, law or order of any government.
Prizes may be subject to additional terms and conditions imposed by a third party (for example, vouchers may have additional terms and conditions and/or an expiry date or in the case of travel, additional terms and conditions may be imposed by airlines, service providers and venues).
The Promoter will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by entrants or anyone else as a result of, arising out of, or in any way connected with the Promotion or its prizes.

6. Social Media & Marketing

Where the Promotion is conducted across social media: a. Entrants’ conduct must comply with the rules of that social media platform. b. The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat. These social media platforms are in no way responsible for any aspect of the Promotion.
By entering this Promotion, entrants agree to the use of their names, photographs and likeness for promotional/advertising purposes, and agree to make themselves reasonably available for this purpose. Any copyright associated with an entry will be owned by the Promoter.
The Promoter collects and holds personal information provided by entrants for the purposes of administering this Promotion and for future Promoter promotional purposes. All personal information provided by entrants will be held by the Promoter and will not be provided to third parties unless otherwise specifically set out. Under the Privacy Act 2020, entrants have the right to access and correct their personal information.

KiwiSaver changes coming April 2026: What this means for you

What are the upcoming KiwiSaver changes and what does it mean for us?

Is everyone required to move to the new 3.5% rate?

When and how can someone apply for that temporary reduction?

There’s a big change for younger workers too – what’s happening there?

Government contribution is changing for higher earners – what does that mean if I earn over $180,000?

So, what does this all mean in the big picture?

KiwiSaver is evolving – and a small shift now could have a big impact later. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about retirement, now’s a great time to review your contributions and make sure they align with your goals.

Share this article

Talk to us today

0800 700 699

Related resources

Is your KiwiSaver account still working for you?

How the latest changes impact your KiwiSaver account

Is your KiwiSaver account on track for 2025?

Are you ready to get started?