The $700,000 Lesson: Why Every Kiwi Needs a Will

When a New Zealander passed away recently without a will and with no traceable family their estate, worth nearly $700,000, was transferred to the Government.

It’s a striking reminder of what can happen when we leave things unsaid, or in this case, unwritten. According to Newstalk ZB, this is the largest unclaimed estate (known legally as bona vacantia) the Crown has received in a decade.

And while that number might sound like an outlier, it’s not as rare as you’d think. Roughly half of New Zealand adults don’t have a will, and around one in ten people who pass away leave no will at all.

Why a will matters, for everyone

Having a will isn’t just about where your house, savings or investments go. It’s about making life easier for the people you leave behind and ensuring your wishes are respected.

A will allows you to:

• Name guardians for children or dependents
• Decide who receives your assets (from your KiwiSaver to personal items)
• Make special provisions for pets, charities, or digital assets
• Reduce stress and uncertainty for your loved ones

Even if your estate is modest, a will ensures your affairs are settled quickly and according to your wishes rather than through a lengthy legal process.

A simpler, more affordable way to get it sorted

Our partner Public Trust has just made creating a will easier and more affordable. Their new online wills pricing means you can choose the level of support that suits you:

• $69 – Basic will
• $99 – Standard will
• $159 – Comprehensive will

Better still, all new online wills now include a free annual update, so you can easily keep things current as life changes.

And as a Healthcare Plus member, your exclusive partner discount still applies to the new pricing.

Expect the Expected

Public Trust’s refreshed campaign, “Expect the Expected,” is about taking the fear out of planning ahead. Sorting your will isn’t about preparing for the worst it’s about protecting what matters most and giving yourself peace of mind to get on with living.

If you’ve been putting it off, there’s never been a better time to get started. Learn more and start your will online here.

Source List

1. Newstalk ZB: “Government pockets nearly $700k from Kiwi who died with no will or traceable family members” (October 2025).

2. Gallie Miles Lawyers Blog: “$700k goes to NZ Government following the death of a New Zealander with no will or traceable family members” (2025).

3. Public Trust – Partner Update Email (October 2025): “New Wills Pricing, Resources and Campaign News.”

4. Administration Act 1969 (NZ legislation reference for bona vacantia estates).

Written by: Alan Sharpe

Alan is a key member of the HealthCarePlus leadership team. With over 30 years experience in marketing and customer service roles he is a passionate advocate for the union movement and HealthCarePlus’s mission to create real, lasting value for their members