Accounts for kids & teens

Get your tamariki off to a good financial start with their own account. We have accounts for kids and teens to help them lay the groundwork while they're young. This is where it starts.
Family on beach

Features & benefits

  • No minimum balance required.

  • No transaction fees if your child is under 19 years of age.

  • Help teach your child about money and saving.

  • Open multiple accounts with custom nicknames and images to help your child keep on top of their money.

  • Encourage your child to set savings goals and track their progress through Goal Tracker.

What children can do at what age

Under 7 year olds

A parent or guardian will need to open and operate the account/s on the child's behalf, as well as make any cash withdrawals.

7+ year olds

If your child has a Free Up account, they can withdraw money over the counter – a parent or guardian will need to co–sign the withdrawal. They'll be able to access read-only internet banking and the mobile app so they can see their balance.

10+ year olds

If your child has a Free Up account, they can get an ATM/EFTPOS card with their parents' or guardians' permission.

13+ year olds

Can do the following without parental or guardian permission:

Opening a kids account

If you’re keen to open an account with Kiwibank for your child, let’s get started.

Child under 13

Opening an account if your child is under 13

  1. 1
    Tahi

    Visit your nearest Kiwibank or Local for Kiwibank to open an account. Since your child's account will be linked to yours, we'll need to set up a profile for you as well (unless you already have one).

  2. 2
    Rua

    During your visit, we'll need to verify you and your child's identity and address and that you're the child's parent or legal guardian.

    Please bring your ID and proof of address as well as proof of relationship, such as an original birth certificate, passport with the same surname, court order or letter from Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children to your appointment.

  3. 3
    Toru

    Once we've set up your child's account, you’ll be able to see their account in internet banking or the mobile app. The types of things they can access will depend on how old they are.

Child over 13

Opening an account if you're 13 - 17 years old

  1. 1
    Tahi

    You can start to open an account by joining online.

  2. 2
    Rua

    Before you're able to use your new account, we'll need to verify your identity and address. To do this, visit your nearest Kiwibank or Local for Kiwibank to use one of our iPads, you'll need to bring your ID and proof of address.

  3. 3
    Toru

    If you only have a New Zealand birth certificate, we can accept that as your ID. If you don’t have proof of address, we can also accept your parent or guardian’s.

If you're aged between 16 and 17 years old and you don’t have a proof of address, we can also accept your parent or guardian’s as long as your last names are the same. If your last names are different, you'll need to bring documentation to your nearest Kiwibank or Local for Kiwibank that confirms your relationship such as:

  • Your original birth certificate.
  • A court order.
  • A letter from Oranga Tamariki.

Building financial literacy with Banqer

Partnerships Banqer

We're passionate about growing the financial literacy of the next generation. That's why we partner with Banqer to enable primary and secondary school classrooms throughout the country to prepare for the financial world ahead.