Kiwibank Reviews 326

I am sick of the over the top security. Telling me that normal bank transactions could be a scam and then wanting to send me a text! I have NO CELL PHONE connection. So will be transferring most of my funds to a more user friendly bank.

Ive been a customer with kiwibank for about 20yrs. They weren't great at the start but I came to like them over the years. Its now when I have a mortgage they do not want to offer me a better rate even when other banks had a better rate advertised. They are now making stupid excuses to make customers move their $$ currently in any savings account/s, that is linked to an off set home loan, to non interest earning daily accounts. Its enough. Might move home loan to another bank.

Bank of Toy Town would be a more accurate name. Have endured them for far too many years and now have decided they will never improve and time to move on with my personal and business accounts. Found on-line payments to be a real headache and their ridiculously over-the-top security requirements to be just wasting my time, for their protection. Contacting the customer helpline is such a chore. Have an ANZ account, and a mortgage through them, which has been operating really well for 5 years, so will transfer there.

Signed up online, they opened an account for me. I completed online verification of my identity, submitted all required: Drivers license, real time image and still they asked me to come into a branch. I work, I signed up online for convenience and its been anything but. Dont recommend.

I have banked with Kiwibank since 2017. I recently ordered a Visa Debit card and was told it would take 7 to 10 business days. After a month I went into the Customs Street, Auckland branch who told me that it would take 7 to 10 business days. I reminded them it's been about a month which is 20 business days. I then told them I'd like to close my accounts. After a few minutes of the teller closing the account he then asked me the reason for why I was closing, which I then had to repeat. I also mentioned the bank was also extremely slow in processing payments, especially my auto payment for rent. This government owned bank hasn't changed much since other government owned banks. I can see why Dr Michael Cullen was reluctant to setup Kiwibank when Jim Anderton pushed for it in 2002. The Australian owned banks are alot more efficient and would recommend them over Kiwibank.

Christchurch Riccarton branch are the best customer service. Multi cultural and non discriminative. Always friendly and helpful.

Worst bank EVER. We have an investment here. I came in to make a transfer. They have a photo of me on file. I have my kiwibank debit card with me. I can show my accounts on the banking app.I can verify various account details. I can verify balances. I can verify KB services. Nope - NOT ENOUGH. Photo ID required.

As a matter of interest, the KB staff can't verify that account details match - that is also RIDICULOUS.

This is an example of why we moved some of our banking to ANOTHER BANK recently. The rest will follow after today!

Kiwibank - the bank for kiwis. APPARENTLY NOT!!!

Not very helpful on the phone. Say its 7 to 10 day for a card delivery. It been 15 day but give it a few more days? Then what ring back to the same stupid not customer service rep?
Not a good bank to deal with

Can't get to the branch as I can't leave the office. Called and ready to answer ANY security question for spending etc. Still told to go into the branch. Not convenient.

Won't dispute any transactions that's suspicious. Can't do anything for you pretty much accept take your fee money to use them. That's all.

Terrible merciless bank.
You'll be okay if nothing goes wrong in your life or you don't want to do anything complicated.
But they will destroy you if you put a foot out of line financially speaking.

This is the WORST bank to deal with EVER. In EVERY way. Extremely unhelpful, mixed messages, slack at keeping record of case numbers etc, not following through. THE WORST. 0 stars.

Kiwibank Christchurch Riccarton Branch Absolute Best!
So impressed by their friendly, patience and kind customer service. And I mean the whole team. We turned up yesterday the 8th Jan 2026 and they were quiet. Then suddenly they were super busy and worked as a team to get thru customers quickly. We were supposed to have made a booking to start a new account for my son, but they were happy to accept the documents and get him started once we had filled in the online forms. We live a lobg way from town so were grateful not to have to make another special trip. and we had lots of questions and they were cool about answering them all and making it easy! Thank you! you guys rock!

Riccarton branch, wouldn't recommend it for old people who deal in cash. What sort of bank is this - no cash facilities other than depositing through the machine. People like me don't understand how to do that. Tried to send me to Tower Junction - OK for those who drive, I don't - health reasons. Never, ever using this branch ever again

DO NOT USE THIS BANK.

I've been with kiwibank since 14 Im 32. Not once have they helped nor offered to help me financially.... I've been full time employment since 14 so I've always had income and now they won't even let me consolidate two loans together to get me some financial relief.... Yeah so 18 years full time employment, so bills always paid.... It literally seems like they want me to struggle. I've tried to separate times to get loan, one time we almost lost my father's home due to his health, acc denying him any claim and they have NOT had any interaction in regards to finances, unless it was to put extra stress on their client.

DO NOT USE FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR CHILDREN

New credit card is the worst. Fees on everything! Definitely changing banks.

Dreadful experience, after 20 years banking with Kiwibank, I'm switching banks. They changed my credit card, didn't give me the card I applied for, instead gave me a card I didn't apply for, sent me non-sensical responses to my emails about it, didn't phone me when they said they would, kept me waiting almost an hour on the phone when I phoned them. Have been trying to sort this out for 3 months, now giving up, waste of time, will switch banks. Really disappointing, I wanted to support a kiwi owned bank but there are better options.

Extremely old processes and service. They make it impossible to access Internet banking from overseas, constantly having to jump through hoops. Customer service and response time is poor. You are better off at literally any other bank!

Kiwibank has deactivated debit card control on there www portal as i was told its not secure to do that through there online portal, Kiwibank has closed the Ponsonby Branch, Kiwibank says they have a branch at Pt Chevalier when they do not. Kiwibank does not have Managers at there branches on weekends. Maybe a rename to JokeBank would be appropriate.

I’m banking with Kiwibank for over 10 years but the recent experience when trying to open a business account has been absolutely horrendous. The staff shouted at me, demanded “to write a handwritten letter in front of her” then shouted at me not to touch the pen then came back and threw the letter on the desk back to me screaming that “this is not valid!” She suspected I am on a “working visa” and kept asking for it even if I explained I’m a NZ citizen. She claimed that she did not want to see my NZ passport, driving licence will suffice, then called me back to the bank in another town to see the passport - and on top of it demanded that I personally pay the utilities for the business (power) even if the premises come with utilities. The owner of the premises was in the bank with me, while she claimed she “did not believe” he is the owner of premises. To make the matters worse, she flagged to the business banking that the activity object (rescuing pound dogs FROM LOCAL COUNCILS and GOVT POUNDS) is “high risk banking activity” even if the expected banking volume is very low and non profit. At this point I’m past the stage where I care about this, I’ll be happy to work with ANY other bank than one whose customer I am for 10 years or just not open any account and not care about it. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

If i could give no stars i would.
Spoke to Camal to do first home loan application. All nicey nice (one income) until i said yes to having 1 dependant. Literally hung up on me. Judgemental piece of S#$%.
Went with a broker instead. Leaving out broker name to show this is genuine experience not a spruik. If Kiwibank read this, you know who this is because i made a formal complaint.