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.
A will allows you to:
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.
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.
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
Newstalk ZB: “Government pockets nearly $700k from Kiwi who died with no will or traceable family members” (October 2025).
Gallie Miles Lawyers Blog: “$700k goes to NZ Government following the death of a New Zealander with no will or traceable family members” (2025).
Public Trust – Partner Update Email (October 2025): “New Wills Pricing, Resources and Campaign News.”
Administration Act 1969 (NZ legislation reference for bona vacantia estates).