Your first work admin in NZ: IRD number, bank account, tax code, KiwiSaver

The boring bit that pays off

Moving countries is the exciting part. The paperwork that follows is not. But a few small jobs in your first couple of weeks make the difference between getting paid properly and getting stung with the wrong tax.

Here is the short list, in roughly the order you will want to tackle it. None of it is hard. It just needs doing before your first payday, not after.

Open a NZ bank account (often step one)

You need a local bank account to get paid, and you usually need one before Inland Revenue will issue your IRD number, so this tends to come first.

Many banks let you start the application from overseas before you fly out, then finish it at a branch once you land with your passport and proof of a NZ address. Fees and features vary between banks, so it is worth a quick compare rather than picking the one nearest the airport.

Get your IRD number

An IRD number is your personal tax ID. Without one, your employer has to deduct tax at the higher no-notification rate, which quietly eats your pay, so sort this early.

You apply through Inland Revenue. As a new arrival you will generally need proof of identity, a NZ address, evidence of your visa or right to work, and usually a working NZ bank account. Processing takes a few working days, so do not leave it until payday. Check exactly what documents you need on IRD.

Choose the right tax code

When you start a job, your employer gives you an IR330 Tax code declaration form. Your tax code tells them how much tax to take out of each pay.

For most people with a single job, the main tax code (commonly 'M') is straightforward. If you have a second job, a student loan or other income, the code changes. Get it wrong and you either overpay all year or cop a bill later. IRD has a tax code finder that walks you through it in a couple of minutes. If your situation changes, just hand your employer a fresh IR330.

KiwiSaver: check if you can even join

KiwiSaver is New Zealand's voluntary, work-based savings scheme, mostly aimed at retirement, with some help toward a first home.

Here is the honest catch for migrants: you generally have to be a NZ citizen or entitled to live here indefinitely to join, so many people on temporary work visas are not eligible yet and will not be auto-enrolled when they start a job. If you are eligible and get auto-enrolled, you can opt out within a set window, or stay in and receive contributions from your pay, your employer and the government. The amounts and rules change over time, so confirm your eligibility and the current rates on IRD before you decide anything.

A quick landing checklist

Run through these in your first week or two and you will be set up properly:

• Bank account started, ideally before you arrive
• IRD number applied for, with your documents ready
• IR330 tax code declaration handed to your employer
• KiwiSaver eligibility checked, and the opt-out window noted if it applies to you
• Right-to-work conditions on your visa confirmed with Immigration New Zealand

Where to get the real details

Rates, rules and forms change, and your circumstances are your own, so lean on the official sources rather than a workmate's half-remembered advice. IRD covers IRD numbers, tax codes and KiwiSaver. Immigration New Zealand covers what your visa actually lets you do. Employment New Zealand covers your pay and rights once you are on the job. All free, all current, and worth a bookmark.