History

The New Zealand Superannuation Scheme was introduced by the Kirk-Rowling Government (1972-75) and compelled savings by employees and contributions from employers at 2%, rising to 4%.  

For every dollar that you contributed, the Company you worked for paid $2 into your super account.

The Norman Kirk Superannuation Scheme ran from April 1975 to Feb 1977, being less than 2 years. 

Huge controversy surrounded the scheme, with opponents focusing on the resulting comparatively low income status women and other part time workers would have long-term, compared with full time wage earners. 

The superannuation scheme that was introduced by the Third Labour Government benefited 750,000 workers who previously had no other form of retirement pension.

The Superannuation scheme was repealed by the Robert Muldoon led National Government in 1976 which replaced it early in 1977 with National (now NZ) Superannuation for all New Zealanders, funded on a ‘pay as you go’ basis.  This National Superannuation scheme still exists today, the qualifying retirement age is now age 65.

Contributions to the 1970's Kirk Scheme that have not been repatronised are held in a Government trust and can be reunited on proof of identity.  

The funds have increased in value due to the interest earned over nearly 40 years and was last reported to be $48m owed to 48,500 people in the Sunday Star Times in 2013.  That is an average of $1,000 each to the 48,500 individuals.

Unclaimed Funds NZ are able to assist you in your identification and proof of address and historical employers names when the contributions were made to the compulsory Superannuation savings scheme (pension fund).  We have access to Electoral Roll records from the mid 1970s that have full details of your address and occupation(s).  This resource is useful to piece together the clues that will assist in getting an positive identification match so the funds that are in your family name can be recovered into your bank account.

Unclaimed Funds NZ can also assist in the recovery of funds owing to deceased family members. Repayments can be made to surviving spouses or the children who are executors to the family estate.  Full photo identifcation proof (photocopies accepted) such as drivers licence or passports are useful in proving the claimant's identity.

Unclaimed Funds NZ have no affiliation or association with the NZ Superannuation Scheme or Datacom, we provide a service to individuals to assist them in recovering their monies from the NZ Superannuation Scheme by alerting them to the opportunity to recover those mislaid funds that the NZ Superannuation Scheme still have in their name for over 45 years.

The Consumer has a right under Section 13 of the Fair Trading Act 1986 (The Fair Trading Act) to Cancel the agreement with Unclaimed Funds NZ within 5 days of receiving a copy of the agreement.

 If the consumer cancels the agreement, Unclaimed Funds NZ will:

• Immediately repay all money the consumer has already paid under the agreement
• Arrange to collect (or ask the consumer to return) any goods they have already supplied at their own expense
• If the consumer asks, reinstate the consumer’s property to its previous condition where services have already been supplied and have altered or damaged the consumer’s property.