Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Bonus Bonds. If you have a question that's not answered here, please email us. Or if you have a question about MyBonusBonds please see the FAQs in the MyBonusBonds section.

1. What is the Bonus Bonds Trust and how long have Bonus Bonds been around?
2. How are the Bonus Bonds Trust funds invested?
3. How confident can I be in Bonus Bonds and what does a AAAf fund credit rating mean?
4. How do I purchase Bonus Bonds?
5. What is a bondholding?
6. How do I find out if I have any Bonus Bonds or my balance?
7. Do I require identification to purchase Bonus Bonds?
8. Is there a minimum or maximum purchase?
9. What can I win?
10. What are the chances of winning?
11. How are the winning numbers selected?
12. When do my new Bonus Bonds become eligible to participate in the monthly prize draws?
13. How will I know if I have won a prize?
14. Are Bonus Bonds prizes taxable?
15. What happens to unclaimed prizes?
16. Can I stop Bonus Bonds paper certificates?
17. How do I cash in (redeem) my Bonus Bonds?
18. How long does it take to have my Bonus Bonds repaid?
19. Can I cash in (redeem) my Bonus Bonds quickly in an emergency?
20. What if I can't find my certificates? Can I still redeem my Bonus Bonds?
21. If I redeem my Bonus Bonds, which is the last prize draw I am eligible to participate in?
22. Are my old Bonus Bonds still valid?
23. How can I change my address?
24. How do I request a Bondholder Card?
25. Is Bonus Bonds covered by the Government deposit guarantee scheme?

1.What is the Bonus Bonds Trust and how long have Bonus Bonds been around?

Bonus Bonds commenced in 1970 and has operated in the form of a unit trust since 1990.

When people purchase Bonus Bonds, their money is collected together with the money from all other bondholders and held in Trust, independent of any other schemes or deposits. Called the Bonus Bonds Trust, the Trust is supervised by Trustee Executors Limited, an independent corporate trustee.

On behalf of all bondholders, Trustee Executors takes care that the Bonus Bonds Trust is managed in accordance with the Bonus Bonds Trust Deed.

The income earned from investing all bondholders' funds, less expenses and taxes, is placed in a prize pool and paid out as tax-paid cash prizes in each monthly prize draw. Prizes are allocated amongst bondholders by random prize draw.

The Manager of the Bonus Bonds Trust is ANZ Investment Services (New Zealand) Limited. ANZ Investment Services is responsible for provision of investment management and bondholder administration services.

2.How are the Bonus Bonds Trust funds invested?

To generate the money for the monthly prize draws, Bonus Bonds Trust funds are primarily invested in low-risk debt securities issued by the Government, selected local authorities and New Zealand registered banks and selected corporates. This focus on low-risk investments was recognised when Standard and Poor's, a leading worldwide provider of independent credit ratings, assigned Bonus Bonds the first AAAf fund credit rating in New Zealand - the top rating available. Find out more about how Bonus Bonds funds are invested and the AAAf rating by visiting the 'Be confident in Bonus Bonds' page.

3.How confident can I be in Bonus Bonds and what does a AAAf fund credit rating mean?

When you're a Bonus Bond holder, you're really on to a good thing. Bonus Bonds are assigned New Zealand's first ever 'AAAf' fund credit rating from Standard & Poor's, a leading worldwide provider of independent credit ratings. Fund credit quality ratings range from 'AAAf' (highest level of protection) to 'CCCf' (lowest level of protection), are identified by the subscript 'f' for fund, and represent Standard & Poor's assessment of the overall credit quality of a fund's portfolio holdings. A AAAf fund credit rating issued by Standard & Poor's indicates that "The Trust Fund's portfolio holdings provide extremely strong protection against losses from credit defaults".

A fund credit rating issued by Standard & Poor's Rating Services is and must be construed solely as a statement of opinion and not a statement of fact or recommendation to purchase, hold or sell Bonus Bonds. Credit ratings may be changed, withdrawn or suspended at any time.

For a complete listing of Standard & Poor's credit rating definitions, go to the Standard & Poor's website www.standardandpoors.com.

For more information on Bonus Bonds' investment policy, see 'Be confident in Bonus Bonds'.

4.How do I purchase Bonus Bonds?

Buying Bonus Bonds for the first time

When you buy Bonus Bonds for the first time you'll need to become a bondholder and buy a minimum of $20 worth of Bonus Bonds.

Here's how you can become a bondholder. Either:

1. Register online for MyBonusBonds and bring your Access Number, a completed Activation and Direct Debit Form as well as your personal ID and proof of your bank account details such as an encoded deposit slip or your bank statement dated within the last three months with you to an ANZ branch (New Zealand) or your local PostShop. You'll receive an email once your MyBonusBonds registration has been activated. Then you'll be able to buy Bonus Bonds from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
   
   or
   
2. Fill in an application form and bring it in to an ANZ branch (New Zealand) or your local PostShop along with some personal ID.

See what kind of identification you need to become a bondholder.

When you're a bondholder...

Once you're a bondholder you can buy Bonus Bonds for yourself or someone else in a number of ways.

5.What is a bondholding?

A bondholding is simply a Bonus Bonds 'number' that records Bonus Bonds under a certain name. For instance, you could have a bondholding under your name, a joint bondholding with someone else, or a bondholding in the name of a trust or company each with their own Bonus Bond number.

You'll get a unique bondholder number for each of your bondholdings that is used to verify your ownership of that bondholding. Please have this number handy whenever you contact us.

6.How do I find out if I have any Bonus Bonds or my balance?

The quickest and easiest way is online through MyBonusBonds. With MyBonusBonds you can check your balance, buy and cash in your Bonus Bonds, view your prize winnings and much more from the privacy and comfort of your home. Find out more.

• If you're not signed up for MyBonusBonds, you can find out your balance by visiting an ANZ branch in New Zealand with your personal ID - see below for ID requirements:

7.Do I require identification to purchase Bonus Bonds?

Identification required to buy Bonus Bonds

If you are purchasing Bonus Bonds for the first time for yourself or for someone else who is not a bondholder, you need to bring the following identification to any ANZ branch or your local PostShop along with your completed Bonus Bonds application form.

If you are...	then you need to provide...
A new or existing bondholder (not previously identified)	One form of original current photo identification, i.e. passport, New Zealand issued photo credit card or driver's licence, or Two forms of original current identification bearing your full name, signature and an identifier such as a reference account number, e.g. EFTPOS card or New Zealand issued non photo credit card.
Buying for a minor (under the age of 15)	The parent/guardian will need to bring: One form of original current photo identification, i.e. passport, New Zealand issued photo credit card or driver's licence or Two forms of original current identification bearing your full name, signature and an identifier such as a reference account number, e.g. EFTPOS card or New Zealand issued non photo credit card. PLUS proof of relationship to the minor: original full birth certificate, or testamentary guardianship order, or guardianship order.
A company, trust or incorporated club or society purchasing under a Power of Attorney Please note: MyBonusBonds is not available to companies, trusts or incorporated clubs or societies purchasing under a Power of Attorney.	One form of original current photo identification for yourself, i.e. passport, New Zealand issued photo credit card or driver's licence, or Two forms of original current identification bearing your full name, signature and an identifier such as a reference account number, e.g. EFTPOS card or New Zealand issued non photo credit card AND COMPANY: provide the certificate of incorporation and the constitution, resolutions or written authorisation from the directors confirming you are an authorised signatory. INCORPORATED CLUB & SOCIETY: provide the society's certificate of incorporation and its rules or minutes confirming you are an authorised signatory. TRUST: provide the formal trust document or other written authorisation confirming you are a trustee or an authorised signatory. POWER OF ATTORNEY: provide the 'Power of Attorney'. The copy must be certified as a true and correct copy of the original and signed in full by a Bank Officer. If a Power of Attorney document relating to property is over 12 months old, a certificate of Non-Revocation (completed by the attorney) must be supplied (once every 12 months).

8.Is there a minimum or maximum purchase?

Each purchase must be a minimum of $20.00 i.e. 20 units and in whole numbers thereafter. There is no maximum limit. Units have historically been issued at NZ$1.00 each. We anticipate that this will remain the case. Factors that may cause the unit price to deviate from NZ$1.00 are detailed in the registered prospectus.

9.What can I win?

Each and every month Bonus Bonds pays out major prizes of:

1 prize of $1 MILLION
5 prizes of $100,000
5 prizes of $50,000

AND MULTIPLE PRIZES OF $20, $50, $100, $500 AND $5,000.
The mix of prizes in a month may vary. The mix of major prizes will include no less than one $1 MILLION prize, one $100,000 prize and one $50,000 prize.

10.What are the chances of winning?

Each eligible Bonus Bond you hold gives you one chance to win in every monthly draw so the more Bonus Bonds you have, the more chances you have to win. For instance, $50 in Bonus Bonds gives you 50 chances and $5,000 in Bonus Bonds gives you 5,000 chances every month. Currently the chance of each unit winning a prize may range from between 1 in 9,600 and 1 in 14,000.

11.How are the winning numbers selected?

Every month prize-winning serial numbers are selected at random by ELSIE (Electronic Selection Indicator Equipment ), the Bonus Bonds random number selector. This method gives each serial number an equal chance of winning. The first eligible number to be drawn wins first prize, and so on down to the smallest prize. The Bonus Bonds Trust Auditor supervises each prize draw.

12.When do my new Bonus Bonds become eligible to participate in the monthly prize draws?

New Bonus Bonds are eligible to win prizes after they've been held for one complete calendar month following the date of purchase. For example, Bonus Bonds purchased anytime during March will be included in draws from the beginning of May. Bonus Bonds will then be eligible for every monthly prize draw up to, and including the month in which the units are redeemed.

See the table below for reference:

Purchase date anytime in:	And they're first eligible to win in the draw in:
January	March
February	April
March	May
April	June
May	July
June	August
July	September
August	October
September	November
October	December
November	January
December	February

13.How will I know if I have won a prize?

Results are announced on the second Tuesday of every month. Major prize-winning numbers are posted on this website the following day.

If you've signed up for MyBonusBonds you'll get an email to let you know you've won a prize. Otherwise a letter will be sent to your mailing address.

14.Are Bonus Bonds prizes taxable?

Under current New Zealand taxation law and practice, you do not have to pay income tax on prizes received in respect of your Bonus Bonds where these prizes are paid out of the assets of the Bonus Bonds Trust and you do not need to declare such prize winnings in your tax returns.

15.What happens to unclaimed prizes?

If you opted to have your prize winnings reinvested in Bonus Bonds, they will always be reinvested in your name, even if you've moved and Bonus Bonds doesn't have your new address. If you chose to receive your prizes by cheque (note that this option is no longer available) and the cheque is not deposited into your account within six months of its issue date, the prize money will automatically be used to purchase more Bonus Bonds in your name.

16.Can I stop my Bonus Bonds paper certificates?

Yes. If you've got an automatic payment set up for regular Bonus Bonds purchases you can choose to receive a letter confirming your balance every six months (April and October) instead of a paper certificate for every purchase. Just call us on 0800 BONDS 4 U (0800 266 374) or ask at an ANZ branch (New Zealand).

If you use MyBonusBonds you'll automatically receive eCertificates through MyBonusBonds instead of paper certificates. But if you'd rather receive paper certificates, for instance to give to friends or family, you can choose this option at the time of making your purchase online, by selecting the 'Bondholding details' screen.

17.How do I cash in (redeem) my Bonus Bonds?

If you've signed up for MyBonusBonds you can cash in your Bonus Bonds online. Otherwise simply complete a Bonus Bonds Redemption Request Form at an ANZ branch (New Zealand only) or your local PostShop. You'll need to bring your personal ID with you so we can verify your identity and signature.

Note that Bonus Bonds that have been purchased through any channel in the last 10 business days are not available to be cashed in through MyBonusBonds until 10 business days have elapsed. However a redemption request for these Bonus Bonds may be submitted through an ANZ branch or your local PostShop at any time.

18.How long does it take to have my Bonus Bonds repaid?

Standard cash in requests through MyBonusBonds made before 7pm (NZT) on a Business Day (e.g. Mon 6pm NZT), will be processed the next Business Day (Tues), and you will receive payment the following Business Day (Wed morning).

A standard cash in request through MyBonusBonds submitted after 7pm (NZT) on a Business Day (e.g. Mon 8pm NZT) or on a public holiday or weekend, will be processed on the second Business Day following the day of request (Wed), and you will receive payment on the following Business Day (Thurs morning).

If you cash them in through an ANZ branch or your local PostShop, repayment will generally be made within five business days from when we receive your Redemption Request Form.

Please note that delays may be experienced if the request has not been properly completed or identification requirements haven't been met. Also note that Bonus Bonds that have been purchased through any channel in the last 10 business days are not available to be cashed in through MyBonusBonds until 10 business days have elapsed. However a redemption request for these Bonus Bonds may be submitted through an ANZ branch or your local PostShop at any time.

It is intended but not guaranteed that NZ$1.00 be paid for each Bonus Bond redeemed. The value of units is subject to change in the value of underlying investments, however Bonus Bonds anticipates that units will remain at NZ $1.00 through varying market circumstances due to the conservative mix of investments held by The Bonus Bonds Trust. Factors that may cause the unit price to deviate from NZ$1.00 are detailed in the registered prospectus.

Refer to the current registered prospectus for The Bonus Bonds Trust for more information on the rights of joint Bonus Bond holders. The prospectus is available at any ANZ branch (New Zealand only) or your local PostShop. In addition, you can obtain a copy here: Bonus Bonds Prospectus (PDF 2mb).

19.Can I cash in my Bonus Bonds quickly in an emergency?

Yes. If you request an emergency cash in through MyBonusBonds before 7pm (NZT) on a Business Day, the request is processed overnight and you will receive payment in the morning on the following Business Day.

Emergency cash in requests through MyBonusBonds submitted after 7pm (NZT) on a Business Day or on weekends and public holidays are processed on the next Business Day and you will then receive payment on the following Business Day. Emergency cash ins incur a $15 fee, which will be deducted from the Bonus Bonds cashed in and the remainder deposited into your bank account.

If you need the money on the same day, you could make an emergency redemption at an ANZ branch (New Zealand) up to 3:30pm on a Business Day and receive your money on the same day (a fee of $60 applies).

Please note that delays may be experienced if the request has not been properly completed or identification requirements haven't been met. Also note that Bonus Bonds that have been purchased through any channel in the last 10 business days are not available to be cashed in through MyBonusBonds until 10 business days have elapsed. However a redemption request for these Bonus Bonds may be submitted through an ANZ branch or your local PostShop at any time.

20.What if I can't find my certificates? Can I still redeem my Bonus Bonds?

Yes. You can redeem your Bonus Bonds through MyBonusBonds without your certificates. Or if you're redeeming in person we'll need to see your personal ID and ask you to sign stating that the certificates have been lost. We'll then update our records so that if the certificates are found at a later date they cannot be redeemed again.

21.If I redeem my Bonus Bonds, which is the last prize draw I am eligible to participate in?

Eligible Bonus Bonds are in every monthly prize draw up to and including the draw announced in the month you apply to redeem them. For example, if you redeem your Bonus Bonds on the first of the month you are still eligible for the draw that takes place that month. Results are announced on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

See the table below for reference.

Redeem in the month of:	And the last draw your Bonus Bonds are eligible for is in:
January	January
February	February
March	March
April	April
May	May
June	June
July	July
August	August
September	September
October	October
November	November
December	December

22.Are my old Bonus Bonds still valid?

So long as your eligible Bonus Bonds have not been cashed in (redeemed) or transferred, they are still in the monthly prize draw.

And remember - Bonus Bonds bought years ago have exactly the same chance of winning as Bonus Bonds bought this year. So don't cash in your old Bonus Bonds - they're as good as new!

23.How can I change my address?

Choose the option that suits you:

• If you're registered for MyBonusBonds you can email us with your change of address using the Bondmail secure email system.
• Download and complete a Bondholder Information Update Form (PDF 42kb) and take it into an ANZ branch (New Zealand) or your local PostShop.
• Download and complete a Bondholder Information Update Form (PDF 42kb) and post it to:

Bonus Bonds Centre
PO Box 898
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand

Please remember to include your bondholding number and previous address, and sign the form.

24.How do I request a Bondholder Card?

To request a Bondholder Card complete this Bondholder Card Request Form.

25.Is Bonus Bonds covered by the Government deposit guarantee scheme?

Bonus Bonds is not currently covered by the Government scheme. However, Bonus Bonds continues to hold the highest possible fund credit rating of AAAf from independent credit rating agency Standard & Poor's. The rating indicates that "The Trust Fund's portfolio holdings provide extremely strong protection against losses from credit defaults."

To be eligible for coverage under the current Government Guarantee scheme, collective investment schemes such as Bonus Bonds are required to invest their funds "exclusively in New Zealand government securities or debt securities issued by institutions covered by the Crown guarantee". Over 70% of Bonus Bonds investment holdings are in New Zealand government securities and debt securities issued by institutions covered by the Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme or Wholesale Funding Guarantee Facility.

Bonus Bonds investments with institutions not covered by the Crown guarantee are advantageous to Bondholders in two ways: by providing good returns and by having strong credit ratings that justify the AAAf* credit rating assigned to Bonus Bonds, the highest possible fund credit rating.

As the opportunity arises to increase the level of Bonus Bonds investments with institutions covered by the Crown guarantee, we will consider doing so provided any new investments are also advantageous to Bondholders, generating good returns and allowing Bonus Bonds to retain its AAAf credit rating.

For more detail about the Crown guarantee, visit www.treasury.govt.nz/economy/guarantee/retail/qanda.