Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Administration in New Zealand: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinating specialist palliative care, home care, and hospice services

   Ask the person's general practitioner (GP) or hospital specialist for a referral to regional specialist palliative care services funded through Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) and local community hospices [1][2].

   • Hospice and community palliative care: Regional hospices represented by Hospice New Zealand provide free specialist palliative nursing, symptom and pain management, equipment loan, inpatient beds, and family/whānau support at home or in a hospice unit [1].
   • Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC): Ask the GP or hospice nurse to refer the person to the local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination agency through Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) to arrange publicly funded personal care at home, domestic support, and Carer Support relief days.
2. 2

   Preparing and sharing a written Advance Care Plan and Advance Directive

   While the person has decision-making capacity, document their values, care goals, and specific medical treatment choices in writing [2].

   • Advance Care Plan (ACP): Use the official templates and guides from New Zealand Advance Care Planning (Tō Tātou Reo) to write down what matters most to the person, their preferred place of care, cultural or spiritual practices, and everyday care preferences [2].
   • Advance Directive under the Code of Rights: Under Right 7(5) of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, a competent person can include a legally recognized Advance Directive inside their Advance Care Plan (or as a standalone signed document) refusing specific future medical treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation or mechanical ventilation, if they later lose capacity [2][3]. Ask the GP to review and upload the completed Advance Care Plan and Advance Directive into the person's shared electronic health record so ambulance and hospital teams can see it immediately [2].
3. 3

   Executing Enduring Powers of Attorney and bank mandates while capacity exists

   Under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988, an Enduring Power of Attorney can only be signed while the donor has mental capacity to understand the nature and effect of the appointment [3].

   • Two types of Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA):
     • EPA for Personal Care and Welfare: Appoints one individual attorney (not joint attorneys) to make decisions about healthcare, medical treatment, and living arrangements; by law, it only takes effect if a medical practitioner certifies (or the Family Court determines) that the donor has lost mental capacity in relation to the matter [3].
     • EPA for Property: Appoints one or more attorneys (or a trustee corporation) to manage bank accounts, bills, and property; the donor can choose whether it takes effect immediately while they still have capacity or only upon loss of capacity [3].
   • Mandatory legal witnessing: In New Zealand, the donor's signature on an Enduring Power of Attorney must be witnessed by an independent lawyer, qualified legal executive, or authorized officer of a trustee corporation, who must certify that they explained the effects and implications of the EPA to the donor [3]. Provide certified copies of the Property EPA to the person's bank early so account access is ready when needed.
4. 4

   Accessing carer financial support, KiwiSaver serious illness withdrawal, and leave

   Both the person with a terminal illness and family carers can apply for financial support:

   • Work and Income carer and health payments: A person providing full-time care at home to someone (other than their spouse or partner) who would otherwise require hospital-level or rest-home care can apply to Work and Income (part of the Ministry of Social Development) for the Supported Living Payment (Carer), alongside supplementary help such as the Disability Allowance [4]. The person diagnosed with a terminal illness (particularly where life expectancy is under two years) may also qualify directly for the Supported Living Payment on health grounds [4].
   • KiwiSaver early withdrawal for serious or terminal illness: Under rules overseen by Inland Revenue and KiwiSaver scheme providers, a member experiencing a serious illness (an injury, illness, or disability that is permanent or likely to result in death) can apply directly to their KiwiSaver provider with medical certification for an early lump-sum withdrawal of their entire KiwiSaver balance [5]. Separately, early withdrawal under significant financial hardship can cover palliative care expenses for a member or dependent [5].
   • Workplace leave: Employees can use statutory sick leave (which covers caring for a dependent family or household member who is sick or injured) and negotiate flexible working arrangements with their employer.
5. 5

   Organizing the will, beneficiary nominations, vital documents, and probate planning

   Reviewing estate and end-of-life records now prevents administrative delays for the executor and whānau later:

   • Will, funeral wishes, and Te Hokinga ā-Wairua: Ensure the person has a valid, witnessed Will naming an executor, and record funeral, burial, cremation, or tangihanga wishes using the government's Te Hokinga ā-Wairua End of Life Service planning portal [6].
   • Vital documents and future notifications: Gather birth, marriage, or civil union certificates, IRD number, KiwiSaver provider details, bank statements, and insurance policies. Note that after a death, the funeral director or family registers the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages, and the executor or family notifies Work and Income (Regarding NZ Superannuation and any means-tested Survivor's Grant or Funeral Grant, or ACC if the death resulted from a covered injury) and Inland Revenue (to finalize tax up to the date of death) [4][5][6].
   • High Court Probate: If the estate holds a single asset (such as a bank account, KiwiSaver balance, or shares) exceeding the statutory small-estate threshold (NZD 15,000, rising to NZD 40,000 under updated administration thresholds) or real property held in the deceased's sole name, the executor will need to apply to the High Court of New Zealand (through the Ministry of Justice) for a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no Will) [7].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Hospice and Palliative Care Services in New Zealand — Hospice New Zealand
2. [2]
   My Advance Care Plan and Advance Directives — New Zealand Advance Care Planning / Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora)
3. [3]
   Make an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) — New Zealand Government (Govt.nz)
4. [4]
   Supported Living Payment for Carers and People with Health Conditions — Work and Income / Ministry of Social Development
5. [5]
   Getting my KiwiSaver funds early: Serious illness and significant financial hardship — Inland Revenue (IRD)
6. [6]
   Te Hokinga ā-Wairua End of Life Service — New Zealand Government
7. [7]
   Apply for probate and estates administration — Ministry of Justice