Using myTrove to Notify Agencies After a Death in New Zealand

What is myTrove?

myTrove is a New Zealand online service designed to reduce the administrative burden on families and executors following a death. It was developed in partnership with Inland Revenue and other government agencies, and is funded by the organisations you notify — so it costs nothing to the person using it.

Without a service like myTrove, winding up a person's affairs typically involves contacting each organisation separately, providing the same information multiple times, and waiting for each to respond on its own timeline. Research suggests this process takes executors an average of 52 hours — spread over months. myTrove consolidates much of this into a single form.

Who myTrove can notify

myTrove can notify a range of organisations on your behalf, including:

• Inland Revenue (IRD) — to finalise the deceased's tax affairs, write off any student loan, and close their IRD account
• Department of Internal Affairs — to cancel the deceased's passport
• Banks — multiple participating banks to begin the account closure or transfer process
• Insurers — fire, general and life insurers to start a claim with participating providers
• Work and Income — to notify MSD if the deceased was receiving a benefit or pension
• Loyalty programmes — including Fly Buys, Airpoints, and the AA
• NZTA — to cancel the deceased's driver licence
• Computershare — for any shareholdings managed through Computershare

The list of participating organisations grows over time. Check mytrove.co.nz for the most current list before you start.

What you'll need before you start

To use myTrove, you need to be able to demonstrate that you are authorised to act on behalf of the person who has died. Acceptable forms of proof include:

• A will appointing you as executor
• Probate (court confirmation of the will)
• Letters of Administration (if there is no will)
• A solicitor's letter confirming your authority

If none of the above exist and you need to notify IRD about a small refund (under $40,000), you can also use IRD's IR625 Declaration form instead — though this has more limited scope.

You'll also need the basic personal details of the person who died: full name, date of birth, date of death, IRD number if known.

How to use myTrove — step by step

1. 1 Go to mytrove.co.nz and create a free account. You'll use this account to track the status of each notification.
2. 2 Enter details about the person who has died — their full name, date of birth, date of death, and any known account or reference numbers for the organisations you're notifying.
3. 3 Select which organisations to notify — you choose which ones are relevant. If the deceased didn't hold a passport or wasn't insured with a participating insurer, simply leave those out.
4. 4 Upload your authority documents — a scanned copy of the will, probate, letters of administration, or solicitor's letter. PDFs are accepted.
5. 5 Submit the notification — myTrove sends the relevant information to each organisation. Each will then contact you separately to progress their part of the process.

What myTrove doesn't cover

myTrove is a significant time-saver, but it doesn't replace all the notifications you'll need to make. You will still need to contact the following separately:

• Your local council — to remove the deceased from rates notices, the electoral roll, and any council-administered services
• Utilities — electricity, gas, and water providers need to be notified and accounts transferred or closed
• Phone and internet — contact providers directly to cancel or transfer services
• KiwiSaver provider — the deceased's KiwiSaver balance is part of the estate; contact the provider directly, as this falls outside the IRD process handled via myTrove
• NZTA — to transfer or deregister any vehicles in the deceased's name
• Employer — to ensure final pay, superannuation, and any group insurance is processed
• Social media accounts — Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms each have their own memorial or removal processes
• Subscriptions — streaming services, gym memberships, professional associations, magazines, and similar recurring payments

Can a solicitor use myTrove on your behalf?

Yes. If you have engaged a solicitor or lawyer to help administer the estate, they can use myTrove on your behalf. This may be included in the estate administration fee, or charged separately — check with your solicitor.

Using myTrove yourself is straightforward for most people, but if the estate is complex or you would prefer professional help, delegating to a solicitor is a reasonable option.