Budget Calculator New Zealand
Plan your monthly budget, compare your spending to NZ averages, and project your savings goals. Includes KiwiSaver, rates, WOF, and Sorted.org.nz housing benchmark.
Try a scenario
How to Use This Calculator
Tab "Budget Planner"
Enter your after-tax income and select how often you receive it (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly). Then fill in your expense categories: housing, utilities, transport, food, insurance, debt repayments, KiwiSaver, and other spending. The calculator converts everything to monthly figures and shows your surplus or deficit, plus your 50/30/20 breakdown.
Tab "Benchmarks"
Enter your income and spending to compare your categories against Stats NZ Household Expenditure Survey averages. A green arrow (▼) means you spend less than the NZ average; red (▲) means more. The Sorted.org.nz 30% housing guideline is highlighted if you exceed it. NZ-specific items like rates, WOF, and ACC levy are included.
Tab "Savings Goal"
Enter a savings goal (e.g. first home deposit, emergency fund, holiday), your current savings, and monthly contribution. The calculator shows how many months to reach your goal, the target date, and total compound growth. Check the KiwiSaver option for first home or retirement goals to see relevant notes about the First Home Grant and KiwiSaver withdrawal rules.
The Formulas
Weekly × 52 ÷ 12 = Monthly
Fortnightly × 26 ÷ 12 = Monthly
50/30/20 rule:
Needs % = (Housing + Utilities + Transport + Groceries + Insurance + Debt) ÷ Monthly income × 100
Wants % = (Eating out + Other) ÷ Monthly income × 100
Savings % = KiwiSaver ÷ Monthly income × 100
Housing affordability (Sorted.org.nz guideline):
Housing < 30% of after-tax income = affordable
Housing > 30% = financial stress risk
Surplus / deficit:
Surplus = Monthly income − Total monthly expenses
Savings goal with compound growth:
Balance(n) = Balance(n−1) × (1 + r/12) + Monthly contribution
where r = annual return rate (default 5%)
KiwiSaver government member tax credit:
Up to $521.43/year (requires minimum $1,042.86 employee contribution)
Spending benchmarks from Stats NZ Household Expenditure Survey 2023. Housing guideline from Sorted.org.nz. KiwiSaver rates from Inland Revenue (IRD) — minimum employer rate increases to 3.5% from 1 April 2026.
Example
Couple earning $5,800/month after tax (combined)
A couple in Wellington earns a combined $69,600/year after tax (~$5,800/month). They want to check whether their spending is healthy and how long to save a $30,000 home renovation fund.
Housing at 31% is just above the Sorted.org.nz 30% guideline — a small amber flag. With a $1,336 surplus and $10,000 already saved, they can reach their $30,000 renovation goal in approximately 17 months saving $1,200/month at a 4.5% savings rate.
NZ Average Household Spending
Source: Stats NZ Household Expenditure Survey 2023. Averages across all household types and regions.
| Category | NZ Average (% of income) | NZ-specific items |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent/mortgage/rates) | 27% | Rates (council tax) typically $125–$330/month |
| Utilities (power, water, internet, phone) | 5% | Power averages ~$120–$180/month |
| Transport | 10% | WOF required annually (vehicles >6 years); ACC levy deducted from wages |
| Food & groceries | 15% | Supermarket duopoly (Woolworths/Countdown + Pak'nSave/New World) |
| Insurance | 4% | Health insurance popular — public system free but wait times vary |
| Debt repayments | 5% | Includes student loan (no interest on NZ-based loans), credit cards |
| KiwiSaver / savings | 6% | Minimum 3% employee + 3.5% employer (from Apr 2026) |
| Other (clothing, entertainment, misc) | 10% | Includes subscriptions, clothing, personal care |