Disclaimer: Affiliate links ahead! Some links earn us a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It’s like shouting us a coffee – and we really appreciate it. Thank you!
Let’s be honest — most of the stuff you read about passive income in NZ sounds like it’s written for retired investors or crypto bros. “Buy 10 rentals.” “Build an online empire.” Cool. For who, though?
Most of us are just trying to keep up with rent, power bills, and maybe sneak in a weekend getaway now and then. But that doesn’t mean passive income’s out of reach. You don’t need a trust fund or 10,000 followers to start earning while you sleep.
What you do need? A few realistic ideas, a bit of setup, and the mindset to build something small that grows quietly in the background.
So if you’ve ever dreamt of waking up to money in your account — without having to hustle 24/7 — here’s how everyday Kiwis are actually doing it.
No hype. No “just start a podcast” advice. Just stuff that works from right here in Aotearoa.
If you’re spending anyway (groceries, petrol, late-night takeout) why not earn a little back each time? Cashback cards and apps are one of the easiest passive income NZ moves you can make.
Here’s how it works: you buy stuff through a cashback site or with a rewards card, and they give you a cut of their commission. It’s not a huge amount — but it adds up. And it’s totally passive once you’ve set it up.
Want the full scoop? Check out our guide on how cashback websites work. But here’s the short version:
Try these to get started:
Some bank cards (like BNZ or AMEX) also give points or cash rewards, but these cashback platforms can stack on top — even better.
Heads up: Don’t get tricked into buying just to “earn”. The key to making this passive income, not passive spending, is using it for stuff you were already going to buy.
Pro tip: Sign up for these cashback platforms, and use them to purchase gift cards at the stores you were planning to buy from anyway. That way you get the cashback rewards without wasting money on unnecessary things.
Blogging isn’t dead. It’s just grown up a bit. If you’ve got a story, a niche interest, or something helpful to share, a blog can become a long-term passive income stream — even while you’re busy doing other things.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a “write three posts and wait for the money” game. But if you’re consistent, smart with your SEO, and offer real value, your blog can bring in traffic for years. And with traffic comes income — through ads, affiliate links, or digital products.
Take Local Markets NZ for example. It highlights Aotearoa’s local makers, creators, and side hustlers. It’s useful, local, and searchable. That kind of content has staying power.
Or Hello Horse — a blog for equine lovers with product reviews and honest takes. If someone Googles “best horse brush NZ” and lands on your post, that’s an opportunity to earn every time they click or buy.
Once you’ve got posts up, you can:
The best bit? Your blog works while you’re asleep. One post you wrote six months ago could be making you money today.
If you’ve been sitting on an idea or a niche you love, now’s the time to get it live. You don’t need a web designer either — visit our easy website template business Litesite.nz and launch something tonight.
Investing might sound like something only finance bros or retirees do, but hear me out. You don’t need thousands to get started, and you don’t need to stare at stock charts either. With platforms like Sharesies or Kernel, everyday Kiwis can buy a slice of a company and earn a cut of the profits.
That cut is called a dividend. Some companies pay them every few months, and if you reinvest those dividends instead of cashing them out, your income keeps growing quietly in the background.
Here’s a quick example. Say you buy $100 worth of shares in a company that pays a 4 percent annual dividend. That’s $4 back each year. It might not sound exciting, but stack that up over time and reinvest it, and you’ve got a tidy little snowball effect.
What to look for:
You can start investing with as little as $5 using Sharesies. The app’s made for beginners and is super user-friendly. I used Sharesies for years and ended up using part of my portfolio to help buy my first home. You can read how that played out in this honest review.
If you’re new to the game, Sorted.org.nz has solid beginner guides with no fluff.
This is one of those passive income NZ moves that builds quietly in the background. It won’t make headlines, but it can change your future if you stick with it.
Got a spare camera, power tool, or even a gazebo gathering dust? Someone out there is willing to pay to borrow it. Renting out your gear is one of the simplest ways to earn passive income in NZ — especially when you list it on the right platforms.
Two good ones to check out are Sharehub and Hire Things. They’re like Trade Me, but for renting instead of selling. You upload your item, set a daily or weekly price, and wait for bookings. It could be camping gear, event kit, instruments, or even a trailer or marquee.
The beauty is that once it’s listed, the income becomes mostly passive. You might need to coordinate pickup and drop-off, but otherwise your stuff earns while you go about your life.
Some examples of what people are renting out:
And don’t forget, income under $60,000 from this sort of thing doesn’t trigger GST. Still, you’ll want to declare it in your tax return and maybe track any expenses (like maintenance or replacement gear) for deductions.
Start by listing just one item you haven’t used in a while. You might be surprised what people will pay for.
If you’ve got a bit of savings sitting around, peer-to-peer lending can be a way to put that money to work. Instead of letting it sit in a savings account earning 1 percent, you lend it to real people or small businesses and earn interest on the repayments.
Platforms like Squirrel and Lending Crowd are made for this. You sign up, deposit funds, choose the risk level you’re comfortable with, and the platform matches your money with someone who needs a loan.
Once the loan’s active, repayments (with interest) start rolling into your account. It’s hands-off from there.
For the right person, it’s a way to grow your money passively while helping other Kiwis access fairer loans than what banks often offer.
You don’t need a finance degree, five grand, or a business coach to start earning passive income in NZ. What you do need is a bit of patience, some setup time, and a mindset that values long-term wins over quick hits.
None of these ideas are overnight money-makers. But they can slowly shift the balance — from living week to week, to having money trickle in while you’re sleeping, hiking, or just living your life.
Start with the easiest one. Maybe it’s signing up for cashback. Maybe it’s finally hitting publish on that blog idea. Maybe it’s investing $20 in your first share.
One small move today can compound into something bigger tomorrow. That’s the whole point.
Tried something like this? Flick me a message — I’m always curious what’s working for people.
And if you’re ready to take the next step, check out our free Google Sites guide and get your first income stream live tonight.
It doesn’t need to be perfect. Just started. You’ll learn as you go.
If our site has helped you even once, here’s your chance to be part of what keeps it going. Shout us a coffee to say thank you! There's no pressure at all, but every little bit helps keep these updates coming.
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.
