Your KiwiSaver provider invests your money, but Inland Revenue (IRD) runs the scheme’s administration: it receives contributions through PAYE, passes them to providers, pays the government contribution and keeps the central membership record. This page covers what IRD does, what myIR shows, and how to contact IRD about KiwiSaver.
IRD’s Role in KiwiSaver
IRD acts as the central clearing house for KiwiSaver. The key functions:
| IRD function | What it does |
|---|---|
| Collecting employer and employee contributions | From employers via payroll/PAYE |
| Allocating contributions to providers | IRD passes funds to your provider regularly |
| Assigning members to default providers | If you were automatically enrolled and don’t choose a scheme (IRD uses your employer’s chosen scheme if they have one) |
| Paying the government contribution | Annually, to your provider after the 30 June cutoff |
| Maintaining the central KiwiSaver register | Your membership record, provider, enrolment date |
| Enforcing employer contribution obligations | Chasing non-compliant employers |
| Processing savings suspensions | Approving requests to pause contributions |
How Contributions Flow Through IRD
When your employer deducts KiwiSaver contributions from your pay:
- Contributions go to IRD as part of the PAYE system (not directly to your provider)
- IRD holds and processes the contributions
- IRD forwards contributions to your KiwiSaver provider — typically monthly or more frequently
- Your provider invests the funds into your chosen fund
This means it may take up to a month from the time your employer deducts contributions for them to show in your KiwiSaver account. For a new member the lag is longer: IRD holds your contributions for 2 months (62 days) from the date it’s told you’re a new KiwiSaver member, then passes them to your scheme provider (IRD’s guidance for new employee members).
The Government Contribution: IRD Pays It
IRD pays the government contribution (up to $260.72 a year) to your provider once the provider applies for it after each KiwiSaver year ends on 30 June, based on your own contributions in that year. Who qualifies and how much you get are covered in the KiwiSaver government contribution guide.
Using myIR for KiwiSaver
MyIR (myir.ird.govt.nz) is IRD’s online portal. For KiwiSaver, you can use myIR to:
- Track the contributions paid to IRD (your overall balance is held by your provider)
- See which provider you’re with
- Update your KiwiSaver contact details
- Apply for a savings suspension
- Change your contribution rate
- Track voluntary contributions you pay to IRD (paid through your bank’s ‘Pay tax’ option, not in myIR)
- See when the government contribution arrives in your account
If Your Employer Isn’t Making Contributions
If you believe your employer isn’t making the required 3.5% KiwiSaver contributions (the minimum since 1 April 2026, unless you are on a temporary rate reduction your employer matches), contact IRD:
- Call IRD’s KiwiSaver line for members on 0800 549 472
- Or send a secure message through myIR
- IRD passes on contributions it should have received and seeks to recover the arrears from the employer
This is a relatively common issue: some employers don’t understand the rules, and others are in financial difficulty. IRD has the authority to enforce employers’ KiwiSaver obligations.
Changing Provider — IRD’s Role
When you switch KiwiSaver providers, the process is managed between your old and new providers. IRD updates the central register to reflect your new provider. IRD says a transfer takes about 2 weeks, and your new provider notifies you when it is complete.
IRD and Your PIR
You tell your KiwiSaver provider your prescribed investor rate (PIR), and if the rate isn’t correct you may have further tax to pay at the end of the year (IRD’s end-of-year calculation refunds any remaining credit if you overpaid). How the rate is worked out is in KiwiSaver PIR explained, and how to update your KiwiSaver PIR covers changing it.
Contact IRD About KiwiSaver
IRD’s KiwiSaver phone numbers are for questions about your KiwiSaver information in myIR; calling hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, New Zealand time (IRD: KiwiSaver contact). Questions about your balance, fund or a withdrawal go to your provider; see KiwiSaver complaints for who to contact about what.
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| KiwiSaver line, members | 0800 549 472 |
| KiwiSaver line, employers | 0800 377 772 |
| From overseas | +64 4 832 5228 |
| myIR secure messaging | myir.ird.govt.nz |
| IRD website | ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver |