Apply for a bank account

You can apply to open a Westpac New Zealand bank account with us before you arrive.

Apply online for a bank account

Accounts and services

Accounts and services More info on our bank accounts and services
  > International Student Pac online application
  > Online Banking
  > bank accounts
  > savings accounts

Contact us

Contact us Email and NZ 0800 numbers
  > email
  > migrant banking team
  > Westpac branches
  > phone 0800 400 600
(7 days,
7am to 11pm)
  > Mandarin and Cantonese
phone 0800 888 228 (Monday to Friday,
8.30am to 5pm)
  > Korean and Japanese phone 0800 008 282 (Monday to Friday,
8.30am to 5pm)

How do I apply for a bank account?
You can apply for a Westpac bank account in one of the following ways:
1. Fill in a Migrant Banking application form online.
or
2: Download a Migrant Banking application form and post, email or fax it back to us.
Note: You will need to send us your completed application form at least 10 days before you arrive in New Zealand.
> download a personal bank account application form (PDF 45kB)
> download Westpac’s General Terms and Conditions (PDF 187kB)
File won’t open? You’ll need Adobe Reader.
Accessing your new bank account
Once you have arrived in New Zealand, you will
need to get your passport and previous overseas residential address or New Zealand address verified in person by the Westpac migrant banking team  
Note: You will not have full access to your account from overseas. You won’t be able to make any withdrawals until you arrive in New Zealand and your identification verification is complete.
You will then
have full access to your New Zealand bank account  
be able to make withdrawals from your New Zealand bank account  
If your plans to move to New Zealand change
If you are no longer moving to New Zealand, you can request the return of your funds.*
Write a letter to Westpac Migrant Banking
attach a certified** copy of your passport and immigration papers  
Westpac Migrant Banking
PO Box 934
Shortland Street
Auckland
New Zealand 1140
  
*Please note that the return of the funds is at the absolute discretion of Westpac. If your request is accepted, your Westpac account will be closed and funds will be returned by telegraphic transfer to the bank account they were originally received from. A $25 telegraphic transfer charge will be deducted from your account balance. No credit interest will be earned on these funds.

** In general, certification can be obtained from a judge, a commissioner of oaths, or a notary public. If the applicant is from a Commonwealth country (e.g. UK, Australia, Canada etc) certification may also be obtained from a qualified solicitor or justice of the peace of that country. All certifications must record the full name, occupation and address of the person certifying the documents. Westpac's account opening criteria apply to all requests.
You can get a copy of our current disclosure statement for Westpac New Zealand Limited and a copy of the investment statement relating for any securities for which an investment statement is required from any Westpac branch in New Zealand free of charge.
The information on this page is presented subject to our legal page and any other terms and conditions that Westpac may impose from time to time. It is subject to change without notification.
Copyright©2008 Westpac New Zealand Limited