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Ever had one of those weeks where the bills hit, the fridge’s empty, and you’re frantically Googling how to get money now in NZ without doing something dodgy?
You’re not lazy. You’re not bad with money. Sometimes life just steamrolls you – a surprise dental bill, flatmate bails on rent, or you’ve been stuck waiting for a payout that’s taking way too long.
This list isn’t about building a business or selling stuff on Trade Me. It’s for emergency-only situations — when you’re properly broke and need something to get you through the next few days without going into full panic mode.
These are 11 legal ways to get money now in NZ. No scams, no payday loan sharks, no guilt trips. Just practical options that might help you breathe a little easier today.
If your cupboards are bare and you’re not sure how you’re going to eat this week, a food grant from Work and Income can help. You don’t need to be on a benefit to apply — anyone struggling to cover basics can ask for one-off help.
It’s called a “Special Needs Grant for Food” and it’s exactly what it sounds like. You apply online or call them, explain the situation, and they can load supermarket credit onto your card (or give you a payment card). It’s fast and confidential.
The best part? It doesn’t affect your main benefit (if you’re getting one), and you don’t have to pay it back.
You can check if you’re eligible and apply directly at Work and Income – food help.
If you’ve got a job but payday’s still a week away, it’s worth asking your employer if they can front you part of your next pay early. It’s called a payroll advance — and while not every workplace does it, you’d be surprised how often they’ll say yes, especially if you’re normally reliable.
This isn’t a loan with interest or credit checks. It’s just getting paid a bit earlier than usual to cover urgent costs like food, power, or fuel.
The trick is to be honest and direct. Something like, “Hey, I’m in a tight spot this week — would it be possible to get an advance on next week’s pay?” shows you’re not asking for a favour, just shifting the timeline a little.
Got a Farmers, Mitre 10 or Noel Leeming gift card collecting dust? If you’re not going to use it, that’s instant cash waiting to happen.
The fastest way to sell it? Post it on Facebook Marketplace, local buy/sell groups, or even message mates. Just be clear about the value, and offer it at a slight discount — say $45 for a $50 card — so someone bites quickly.
There’s no big NZ-based gift card swapping site (most of the global ones won’t work here), so a local sale is your best shot if you need money this week.
No, it won’t pay off your car, but it could top up your groceries or petrol which, let’s be honest, counts for a lot right now.
If you’ve got a phone or laptop and a bit of spare time, online surveys and market research can get you quick cash — sometimes same-day or within 48 hours.
NZ companies like Opinions NZ, Perceptive, and ConsumerLink (Colmar Brunton) regularly run paid surveys and focus groups. We’re talking $10–$100 depending on the length and type — usually paid via Prezzy card, bank transfer, or voucher.
Focus groups (often on Zoom) pay more than basic surveys and can be a solid earner if one pops up while you’re looking.
It won’t replace a paycheck, but if you’re scrambling for petrol or phone credit, this is one of the few legal ways to earn something almost immediately — without leaving home.
Yeah, this one can feel rough. Asking for help isn’t easy, especially with money. But if it’s between eating tonight or not, this might be the safest and fastest option.
Be up front. Tell them it’s a short-term thing and offer a simple plan for paying them back, even if it’s $10 a week once you’re back on your feet. That shows respect and makes it easier for them to say yes.
It’s way better than diving into payday loans or buy-now-pay-later traps that can spiral fast.
And look, if someone says no, don’t take it personally. But if someone says yes, that kind of support can mean everything in a crisis.
Before you borrow a cent, it’s worth checking if the government owes you something.
Log into your myIR account and look for any unclaimed tax refunds, Working for Families top-ups, or overpaid student loan payments. People are often surprised by what’s sitting there — sometimes hundreds of dollars.
You can also search IRD’s Unclaimed Money database. If you’re lucky, there might be money from an old job, closed bank account, or forgotten fund with your name on it.
If you don’t have a login yet, it’s free and easy to set up. You’ll need your IRD number and some basic info.
It’s not instant cash, but if you strike gold, it could land in your account within a day or two.
This is the last line of defence — but it exists for a reason. If you’re genuinely struggling to pay for things like rent, power, food or medical costs, you might qualify for a significant financial hardship withdrawal from your KiwiSaver.
It’s not something to take lightly. You’ll need to apply through your KiwiSaver provider and show proof of hardship. But if you’re truly stuck, and have no other options, it could be a lifeline.
Just know it’s only approved for genuine, immediate needs — not credit card debt or general expenses.
More info and the process are explained clearly on the IRD KiwiSaver hardship page.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Afterpay, Laybuy, or Zip aren’t ideal in a financial crisis — but in some cases, they might help you cover essentials like groceries, nappies or school supplies when your wallet’s dry.
If you already have one of these accounts set up, and you’re confident you can make the repayments, it might buy you a bit of breathing room. Just make sure it’s for needs, not nice-to-haves.
Missing payments can stack up fast with fees and damage your credit. So treat BNPL like a short-term float — not a long-term solution.
It’s not free money. But used wisely, it might help you through a tight patch without taking on dodgy debt.
If you’re already getting a benefit from WINZ, you might be able to get part of your future payments paid out early as an advance. This can help cover urgent costs like rent, power, medical bills or school uniforms.
The good news? It’s interest-free, and doesn’t affect your regular benefit amount long term — you just pay it back slowly through future deductions.
You can apply online through MyMSD or call them. Be clear about what the money is for and why it’s urgent.
It’s not a handout, but it is help when you need it most — and way safer than getting into high-interest debt.
Sometimes the quickest help isn’t financial — it’s practical support from people who genuinely care. Local churches, foodbanks, and community centres often provide emergency food parcels, clothing, or small hardship grants, no questions asked.
Groups like the Salvation Army, City Missions, Citizens Advice Bureau, and St Vincent de Paul can connect you to help fast. Even your local Facebook community group might have someone offering a spare meal or voucher.
You don’t have to be religious, and you don’t have to explain your whole life story. These places are here for moments just like this.
Use Neighbourly or CAB.org.nz to see what’s near you.
If you’ve tried everything else and still need help, consider borrowing through a regulated peer-to-peer (P2P) platform like Harmoney or Squirrel. These are legal, licensed services that connect borrowers with real people — not big banks or shady lenders.
Unlike payday loans, P2P loans usually have lower interest rates and clearer terms. But it’s still a loan, so only go this route if you’re confident you can make the repayments.
Check the details carefully, and don’t rush the process just because you’re stressed. A short-term fix shouldn’t become a long-term mess.
You can read more or apply directly through Harmoney or Squirrel.
If you’re in crisis mode, just know this — needing help doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human. And if you’ve made it this far down the page, you’re already doing something strong: looking for real answers.
Try one or two of these options today. Don’t wait for it to get worse. Even a small win — like a food grant or a quick survey payout — can give you the breathing room to think straight again.
Once you’re out of the worst of it, check out these guides to get some extra money flowing:
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just get started. You’ll learn as you go.
We hope these ideas help you get money now in NZ and get through the crunch.
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Hey, I’m Rachel! I started Side Hustles NZ in 2021 with the goal of helping Kiwi’s start and grow small businesses in New Zealand. During the week you’ll find me discussing side hustle ideas in our Facebook group, working in my website design business, or riding my horses.
