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Accommodation Supplement Calculator

Estimate your Accommodation Supplement from MSD/WINZ based on rent, region, and household income. Region-based caps apply across NZ.

Updated 2026-27 FYData stays on your deviceIRD sourced data

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available IRD data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can get the Accommodation Supplement?
You may qualify for the Accommodation Supplement if you have high housing costs (rent, board, or mortgage), low income, and limited assets. You do not need to be on a benefit — working people on lower incomes can qualify too. Asset limits apply: $8,100 single / $16,200 couple (2026). The supplement is administered by MSD/Work and Income. Source: Work and Income (workandincome.govt.nz).
How much Accommodation Supplement can I get?
The amount depends on your weekly housing costs, family size, income, and the Accommodation Supplement Area you live in. Areas are tiered 1–4, with Area 1 (Auckland CBD, North Shore, etc.) having the highest maximums and Area 4 (rural NZ) the lowest. For 2026, single-person caps range from about $120/week (Area 4) to $305/week (Area 1). Family maximums are higher. The supplement covers 70% of housing costs above an entry threshold (about 25% of the base benefit). Source: MSD — Accommodation Supplement.
How is the Accommodation Supplement Area decided?
MSD divides New Zealand into four Accommodation Supplement Areas based on average rent and housing cost data. Area 1 covers the highest-cost regions like central Auckland and Wellington. Area 2 covers main centres like Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch. Area 3 covers smaller cities and provincial towns. Area 4 covers rural New Zealand. The area is determined by your physical address — you can check your area using the MSD area lookup. Source: MSD area maps.

The Accommodation Supplement is a weekly payment from MSD/Work and Income to help with rent, board, or mortgage costs. The amount depends on your income, assets, family size, and which Accommodation Supplement Area (1–4) you live in. Areas with higher housing costs (e.g. Auckland, Wellington) get higher maximums.

How this calculator works

Enter your weekly rent, family size, region, and income. The calculator works out your "entry threshold" (25% of base benefit) and pays 70% of housing costs above that, up to the area-based cap.

Accommodation Supplement Area Maximums (2026-27)

Area 1 (Auckland CBD, etc.)$305/wk single, $480/wk family 4+
Area 2 (most cities)$220/wk single, $360/wk family 4+
Area 3 (smaller towns)$160/wk single, $260/wk family 4+
Area 4 (rural)$120/wk single, $200/wk family 4+

Indicative figures. Check the current MSD area maps for your address.

Worked Examples

Single person, Area 1 (Auckland), $500/week rent, $700/week net income

Approx Accommodation Supplement: $215/week

  1. Entry threshold: ~$92/week (25% of base benefit)
  2. Housing cost above threshold: $500 - $92 = $408
  3. Eligible amount: $408 × 70% = $286
  4. Capped at Area 1 single max: $305 (no cap reduction)
  5. Income abatement may reduce this if income exceeds the cut-off

Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the IRD and official New Zealand government sources.

Last updated:

Official Sources

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