A few changes are looming tomorrow that may affect some New Zealanders’ household finances.

While April 1 brought in changes including adjustments to KiwiSaver contribution rates, benefit rates and the minimum wage, changes taking effect from July 1 are more limited.

NZ Post changes

From tomorrow, the price of all domestic courier and express products and services will increase.

As well, the price of a letter will increase by 70c, so a medium-sized letter will cost $3.60 to post and a large letter $4.90.

In 2004, the price of a standard letter was 45c.

If that had increased only with the general rate of inflation over that time, it would be 79c now.

In 2023, 7.6% of households reported spending money on postage, down from 19.3% in 2007.

ACC

People who have been receiving weekly ACC compensation for more than 26 weeks will have their payments increased by 1.97% from July 1. The maximum rate of weekly compensation payable, before tax, is $2466.20

Paid parental leave

From July 1, people who are eligible for paid parental leave will get a bit more each week.

The maximum rate will increase from $788.66 to $811.05 a week before tax. The minimum rate for self-employed people lifts from $235 to $239.50.

Paid parental leave rates will increase, with the maximum rising to $811.05 a week before tax. Photo / 123RF

People are paid the same amount they would normally earn in an average week, before tax, capped at $811.05.

To qualify, you need to be the child’s primary carer and to have worked an average of at least 10 hours a week for any of the 26 weeks in the 52 before the baby is due or the child comes into your care.

Fire and Emergency changes

Changes take effect for the Fire and Emergency New Zealand levy, on insurance policies taken out or renewed from July 1.

The Department of Internal Affairs said vehicle owners would pay an annual levy of $25, up from $9.53 currently and up from $0 for people who only have third-party insurance. This levy is per vehicle and includes motorbikes.

Homeowners will pay a maximum $107.40 on house insurance, down from $119.50 previously. The maximum amount charged on contents policies will be $21.48, down from $23.90.

Non-residential property will have a rate of 7.76c per $100 of sum insured, without a cap.

Sole parents looking for work

From July, until June 2028, the Government is setting aside $93 million to help sole parents find jobs. That includes more case management, increased flexi-wage funding, improved work placement programmes and a fund to support sole parents looking for work.

RNZ