Take a typical household. On the asset side they own a home worth $850,000, hold $90,000 in KiwiSaver and other investments, keep $25,000 in cash and savings, and run vehicles and other items worth $30,000. Adding those up gives total assets of $995,000. KiwiSaver counts in full here even though it is locked away until 65, because it is genuinely money you own.
On the liability side they owe $450,000 on the mortgage and a further $35,000 across loans, credit cards, and a student loan, for total liabilities of $485,000. Net worth is simply assets minus liabilities, so $995,000 minus $485,000 leaves $510,000. Their debt is about 49 percent of their assets, meaning they own roughly half of what they control outright. Tracking this figure every few months shows whether you are building wealth as debts fall and assets grow.
How it is calculated
Net worth is one of the simplest figures in personal finance: add everything you own and subtract everything you owe. The calculator sums your four asset inputs, the home and property, KiwiSaver and investments, cash and savings, and vehicles and other items, into total assets. It sums the mortgage and your other debts into total liabilities. Net worth is the difference between the two. The debt-to-asset ratio divides liabilities by assets to show what share of your holdings is still owed to lenders, where a lower percentage means you own more outright. Use realistic current values, for example a recent rating valuation or sale-price estimate for the home and the latest KiwiSaver balance, and exclude items you could not sell. Reviewing the number over time is more useful than any single snapshot.
Frequently asked questions
What counts towards net worth in NZ?
Net worth is everything you own less everything you owe. Include your home, KiwiSaver, savings, shares and managed funds, and vehicles as assets, and your mortgage, car and personal loans, student loan, and credit card balances as liabilities. KiwiSaver is a real asset even though it is locked until 65.
Is KiwiSaver included in net worth?
Yes. KiwiSaver balances count as a full asset in your net worth even though you cannot access the funds until you turn 65 or meet a first-home withdrawal or significant financial hardship test. IRD and the fund provider hold the money on your behalf, but it belongs to you. Use your latest member statement balance, which you can check via your provider or through MyIR on the IRD website.
Should I include my student loan in NZ?
Yes, include your student loan balance as a liability. New Zealand student loans are interest-free while you live in New Zealand, but the outstanding balance is a real debt that reduces your net worth. IRD writes off remaining balances only on death. You can see your current balance in MyIR. Repayments are automatically deducted at 12 cents per dollar earned above the repayment threshold, which sits at $22,828 for the 2025/2026 tax year.
How often should I update my net worth in NZ?
Reviewing net worth every three to six months strikes a good balance between tracking progress and avoiding noise from short-term market swings. Use realistic current values: a recent QV or CoreLogic estimate for property, your latest KiwiSaver statement, actual savings account balances, and outstanding loan balances from your lender. Consistent inputs matter more than precision. Tracking the trend over one to two years tells you far more than any single calculation.