Becoming a KiwiSaver scheme provider

Contact us about being a scheme provider

If you're interested in becoming a KiwiSaver scheme provider, email us at questions@ird.govt.nz and we'll send you a scheme provider agreement (SPA). The SPA is an agreement between us and a provider and includes:

• trademark requirements
• technical specifications
• operational support requirements.

After you've read the SPA and spoken to the Financial Markets Authority, and want to proceed with registering as a scheme provider, you'll need to sign a SPA with us. 

We'll then advise the Financial Market Authority that we've signed a SPA with you. They'll continue the next steps in the registration process.   

Your relationship manager

Once we’ve signed a SPA with you, you’ll be assigned a relationship manager.

They’re your main point of contact with us during, and after, your registration.  

Using the KiwiSaver trade marks

We give KiwiSaver trade mark licences to scheme providers who want to use them in New Zealand. The licence is part of the scheme provider agreement (SPA). Once we co-sign your agreement to say you’re registered, you're licensed to use them.

Before your scheme goes live we review and approve the use of the trade marks in your marketing material and website.

Using the KiwiSaver trademark

KiwSaver manager licences from the FMA

When you've a signed scheme provider agreement from us, you must ask the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) for a KiwiSaver manager licence.

You cannot set up a KiwiSaver scheme without one.

Registering with the Companies Office

You must contact the Companies Office and get your KiwiSaver scheme registered with them. You do this once you've:

• an executed SPA with us
• a manager licence from the FMA.

When the Companies Office registers your scheme they’ll issue your KiwiSaver scheme with a registration number.

Scheme go-live 

You can go-live with your scheme when:

• the SPA has been signed by you and us
• your systems testing (if required) is successfully completed
• you've been registered with the FMA and Companies Office
• you've provided us with the necessary details about the scheme for our systems
• your marketing material and website meet the KiwiSaver trade mark requirements
• you've agreed a go-live date with us.