NZ Super /Veteran’s Pension for Cook Islands residents

To get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension from the Cook Islands you must:

• be resident in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau
• be aged 65 or over
• have been resident and present in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. Five of those years must be since you turned 50. To be a resident you must have made your home in New Zealand, and lived there on a permanent basis.

If you live in New Zealand and intend to move to the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, you can still apply for New Zealand Superannuation/Veteran’s Pension.

Talk to us before you leave New Zealand.

What you may get depends on how long you have lived in New Zealand since the age of 20:

• 20 years or more – the full rate appropriate to you (single or married rate)
• Fewer than 20 years – a rate calculated on the number of years you have lived in New Zealand.
• What you get may be affected if you receive or qualify for a social security benefit, pension or allowance from a country other than New Zealand.

You need to complete and sign an application form that you can get from the:

• New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga (or your outer-island administration office)
• Ministry of Social Development in New Zealand by emailing us at international.services@msd.govt.nz

Take the form and all the documents we need to the New Zealand High Commission or your outer island administration office. The documents we need are on this web page and on the application form.

The date you apply is important

• If you are already 65, to make sure you do not miss out on any payments you should collect a form now.
• If you are approaching 65 years of age, you need to collect a form before your birthday.

After you return your application form and the documents we need:

• your form will be checked to make sure it is complete
• copies of your documents will be made and your documents will be given back to you
• your application will be sent securely to New Zealand to be processed.

We will send you a letter to let you know the outcome of your application.

• What you need to provide depends on your situation
• One of the documents you provide must be at least two years old

Proof of your identity
You need to provide one type of government issued identification that has your full name and your date of birth. For example:

• birth certificate
• passport
• driver licence
• firearms licence
• deed poll

Note: if your name has changed, please provide your marriage certificate, deed poll or other proof of the name change)

Documents supporting your identity
Please provide two more documents that support your identity.

For example:

• marriage certificate
• bank statement
• driver licence
• bill with your name on it.

Proof of your bank account number
You need to provide a bank statement or deposit slip showing the account name, account number and bank logo. If you write any of these details yourself, you need to get the bank to stamp and sign the statement or slip.

If you have a partner who is not receiving New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, you need to provide proof of their identity. What you need to provide is on the application form.