Bonus Bonds FAQs
About Bonus Bonds and the Bonus Bonds Trust
QHow long have Bonus Bonds been around?
ABonus Bonds have been around since 1970.
QWhat is the Bonus Bonds Trust?
QHow are the Bonus Bonds Trust funds invested?
QHow confident can I be in Bonus Bonds?
Prizes and Prize Draws
QWhat can I win?
AEvery month, Bonus Bonds pays out prizes of:
- 1 prize of $1 MILLION
- 1 prize of $100,000
- 1 prize of $50,000
- Multiple prizes of $5,000, $500, $100, $50 and $20.
The mix of prizes in a month may vary; however the mix of major prizes will include no less than one $1 MILLION prize, one $100,000 prize and one $50,000 prize.
QWhat are the chances of winning?
Currently, the chance of each unit winning a prize may range from between 1 in 20,000 and 1 in 30,000.
QHow are the winning numbers selected?
Prize-winning serial numbers are selected at random by the Bonus Bonds random number selector (called ELSIE, for Electronic Selection Indicator Equipment). Each serial number has 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.
QWhen are my Bonus Bonds eligible to win prizes?
QHow will I know if I have won a prize?
QAre Bonus Bonds prizes taxable?
No, they're not. Under current New Zealand taxation law and practice, you don't have to pay income tax on your Bonus Bonds prize winnings and where these prizes are paid out of the assets of the Bonus Bonds Trust you don't have to declare them in your tax returns. Whatever you win is all yours.
QWhat happens to unclaimed prizes?
QAre my old Bonus Bonds still valid?
Yes. As long as your Bonus Bonds have not been cashed in or transferred, they will continue to be entered in the prize draw every month. Bonus Bonds bought years ago have exactly the same chance of winning as Bonus Bonds bought this year - so your old Bonus Bonds are as good as new!
Buying Bonus Bonds
QHow do I purchase Bonus Bonds?
QDo I need identification to purchase Bonus Bonds?
QIs there a minimum purchase?
There's a minimum purchase of $20 (20 Bonus Bonds) each time you buy Bonus Bonds, but there's no maximum purchase - you can buy as many as you like.
QIs there a daily limit to how much I can purchase?
There is no maximum purchase amount when you are buying Bonus Bonds in your name (including when you intend to transfer bonds to another party at a later date) except when you are buying for a joint bondholding where one or more of the parties have not been identified.
QHow do I set up an Automatic Payment by internet banking?
When you set up an Automatic Payment (AP) to buy Bonus Bonds using internet banking, Bonus Bonds will automatically be purchased at regular time intervals from your preferred bank account. You decide how often and how much.
In all instances, you'll need the bondholder name and number (referred to as 'customer number' in some internet banking systems) handy, as you must include the bondholder number in the 'Reference' field in the 'Payee details' section in the required format.
The bondholder number must always be in the following format: 841x (space) xxxxxxx. If the bondholder number starts with a '0' (after 841x), then you must enter the '0', e.g. 8410 0123456.
You'll also be asked for a payee name and account number. To set up Automatic Payments for Bonus Bonds, you should use the following payee information:
Bonus Bonds account information
Name: Bonus Bonds Sales
Account Number: 11 8431 0998747 000
Remember, the minimum purchase amount for Bonus Bonds is $20, and whole dollars thereafter. Your Bonus Bonds are first eligible for the monthly prize draws when you have held them for one complete calendar month following their purchase date. A Bonus Bonds certificate will be automatically mailed to you every time an AP is made to purchase Bonus Bonds (unless you have activated for MyBonusBonds, in which case you will recieve electronic Bonus Bonds certificates (eCertificates) that you can download, save and print from MyBonusBonds).
Please note that your current personal details, prize payment preferences and signing instructions will apply to future purchases of Bonus Bonds. Should you wish to change any of these details, you can download and complete a Bondholder Information Update Form(PDF).
QHow do I use Bill Payment by internet or phone banking?
Bill Payments are useful for one-off purchases. They're also a handy way of purchasing Bonus Bonds as gifts for family and friends. Simply enter their personal details and bondholder number and give your loved ones chances to win $1 MILLION in the Bonus Bonds monthly prize draws, month after month after month.
To set up a Bill Payment through phone banking, please phone your bank and they will set it up for you. However, do ensure you have the bondholder name and number handy.
When setting up a Bill Payment through internet banking, you can simply enter 'Bonus Bonds' into a search field to bring up account details. However, do ensure you enter the bondholder name and number in the required format.
The bondholder number must always be in the following format: 841x (space) xxxxxxx. If the bondholder number starts with a '0' (after 841x), then you must enter the '0', e.g. 8410 0123456.
Remember, the minimum purchase amount for Bonus Bonds is $20, and whole dollars thereafter. Your Bonus Bonds are first eligible for the monthly prize draws when you have held them for one complete calendar month following their purchase date. A Bonus Bonds certificate will be automatically mailed to you every time a Bill Payment is made to purchase Bonus Bonds. Once Bonus Bonds is set up as a bill payee, you can quickly and easily make more purchases of Bonus Bonds whenever you wish.
Please note that your current personal details, prize payment preferences and signing instructions will apply to future purchases of Bonus Bonds. Should you wish to change any of these details, you can download and complete a Bondholder Information Update Form(PDF).
Managing your Bonus Bonds
QHow do I find out my balance, or if I have any existing Bonus Bonds?
With MyBonusBonds you can check your balance, buy and cash in your Bonus Bonds, view your prize winnings and much more. You can also do this by visiting an ANZ branch with appropriate identification.
QHow can I change my address?
ATo change your address:
- Log on to MyBonusBonds and go to the 'My Details' screen.
- Download a Bondholder Information Update Form (PDF 42kb) and take it to any ANZ branch or PostShop, or 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).
QWhat is a bondholding?
A bondholding is 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. Each bondholding has a unique Bondholder number - please have this handy whenever you contact us as this is needed to verify your ownership.
Managing your Bonus Bonds online
QWhat types of bondholdings allow me to use MyBonusBonds?
AMyBonusBonds bondholdings are as follows:
- Individual bondholdings you own
- Joint bondholdings you share with someone else
- Your children's bondholdings (if they are under 15 years of age and you are recorded as the parent or guardian of the child).
For bondholdings that require two or more signatures, including a bondholding for a child under 15 years of age where two parents are required to sign, you may access information such as balance and prizes won and purchase more Bonus Bonds using MyBonusBonds. However you will not be able to cash in any of these Bonus Bonds or change bondholding details like the prize payment method with MyBonusBonds.
If you have more than one bondholding, please advise us on the MyBonusBonds registration form. If you already use MyBonusBonds and wish to add another bondholding that you own or have operating authority on, you can visit an ANZ branch to link additional bondholdings or send us a Bondmail including the applicable bondholding number to request this.
QCan I open a new joint bondholding using MyBonusBonds?
No. This is because all parties to a joint bondholding need to agree to the operating authority arrangements (i.e. one or all to sign) at the time the bondholding is established, and to do so all parties need to visit an ANZ branch or PostShop with appropriate identification. To save time, you might like to register your new joint bondholding at the same time as activating your MyBonusBonds.
QCan I access joint bondholding information through MyBonusBonds?
For bondholdings that require two or more signatures, including a bondholding for a child under 15 years of age where two parents are required to sign, you may access information such as the balance and prizes won, and purchase more Bonus Bonds. However you will not be able to cash in or change bondholding details like the prize payment method.
If you want to change prize payment details, cash in or change personal details through MyBonusBonds, then each bondholder must have single signing authority and be able to make these decisions alone without the consent of the other bondholders. To organise single signing authority, every bondholder will need to go into an ANZ branch.
If your child's bondholding requires two signatures, both signatories will need to give permission (with both signatories signing) before changing prize payment details, personal details, or cashing. Both parents will need to go into a branch to have this set up. Alternatively you can arrange for single signing authority so that you can make these changes using MyBonusBonds.
QCan a trust, business, or incorporated club and society use MyBonusBonds?
ANo, not currently.
QHow do I register my children's bondholding?
Provided you are recorded as their parent or guardian on their bondholding and have operating authority over their Bonus Bonds, just provide their bondholding numbers when you sign up for MyBonusBonds. If you've already registered, send us a Bondmail requesting us to link your children's bondholdings that you have operating authority over. Please provide their bondholding numbers.
QAre there any costs for accessing MyBonusBonds?
No, MyBonusBonds is totally free to access. Your bank may charge a fee for direct debiting funds from your bank account to buy Bonus Bonds. If you are making an emergency cash in, then a fee of $15 applies. This fee will be debited from the Bonus Bonds cashed in and the remainder deposited into your bank account.
QWhat if I forget my username or password?
Call 0800 BONDS 4 U (0800 266 374) and correctly answer some questions specific to your bondholdings. These may include questions you provided answers for when you first signed up for MyBonusBonds.
QWhat if my computer crashes while I'm purchasing or cashing in Bonus Bonds?
All your transactions made before the crash should have gone through, but if you want to make sure, restart your computer, log on to MyBonusBonds and click on 'My current transactions'. The status of any transaction you made through MyBonusBonds will show up, for example 'pending', 'in progress' or 'completed'.
QWhat are electronic certificates or eCertificates?
eCertificates are electronic Bonus Bonds certificates that you can download, save and print from MyBonusBonds after you've bought Bonus Bonds through MyBonusBonds. With MyBonusBonds, you'll automatically receive eCertificates instead of paper certificates whenever you buy Bonus Bonds online.
QWhat if I'd still like to receive paper certificates?
You can do this in MyBonusBonds by selecting the 'Bondholding details' screen. Paper certificates will continue to be issued for Bonus Bonds not purchased through MyBonusBonds.
QHow do I stop my paper certificates?
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. To arrange, just call 0800 BONDS 4 U (0800 266 374) or ask at an ANZ branch.
QCan I have my eCertificates emailed to me?
No, but we'll email you to let you know when an eCertificate is available for you to download through MyBonusBonds.
QHow do I change my bank account details in MyBonusBonds?
Download and complete a direct debit form and either:
- Mail it to us including proof of your bank account (an encoded deposit slip or bank statement dated within the last three months), or
- Take it to an ANZ branch or PostShop - you will also need to bring your MyBonusBonds Access Number, appropriate identification proof of your bank account name and number (an encoded deposit slip or bank statement dated within the last three months).
Please send us a Bondmail if you wish to remove a bank account from MyBonusBonds.
QCan I link more than one bank account to MyBonusBonds?
Yes, you can have multiple bank accounts to buy and cash in your Bonus Bonds. You will need to complete a direct debit form for each account and provide proof of the bank account details (an encoded deposit slip or bank statement dated within the last three months).
If you are buying Bonds for your children, friends and family or for a joint bondholding where one or more parties have not been identified, then your total purchases for all these types may not exceed $1,000 per day.
QHow long does it take to complete an online transaction through MyBonusBonds?
Transaction processes are as follows:
- Purchases made before 7pm (NZT) on a business day will be processed and appear in your 'My current transactions' the following business day.
- Purchases made after 7pm (NZT) on a business day or on weekends or public holidays will be processed on the next business day and will appear in your 'My current transactions' the following business day.
- Purchases made before 7pm (NZT) will have an issue date of that day, and those units will be first eligible for the monthly prize draws once they have been held for one complete calendar month. For example, Bonus Bonds purchased before 7pm (NZT) on 31 October will be eligible for the December prize draw.
QHow will I know if my purchase or cash in has been processed?
When you next log on to MyBonusBonds, you'll receive a message to say that your request has been processed. You can also see the status of your transactions by clicking on 'My current transactions'.
QWhy are certain Bonus Bonds not displayed for cashing in?
This is for the following reasons:
- If the Bonus Bonds have been purchased through any channel in the last 10 business days, these are not able to be cashed in through MyBonusBonds until 10 business days have elapsed. However a cash in request for these Bonus Bonds may be made at an ANZ branch or PostShop at any time.
- If the funds used to purchase the Bonus Bonds have not been cleared.
- If they are part of a bondholding that requires more than one person to approve a cash in.
- If the Bonus Bonds have been recorded as stolen or have lending secured against them.
QHow do I buy Bonus Bonds for my children, or friends and family, using MyBonusBonds?
Go to 'My bondholdings' and click on 'Add bondholding'. Click on either: 'Bondholding for your child - up to the age of 15 (My Kids' Bonds)'; or 'Bondholding for another person where they own the Bonds (My Friends & Family)'.
- If the person you're buying for is an existing bondholder, enter their bondholder number. If they aren't, you can still buy them Bonus Bonds and they'll be issued a new bondholder number. You can then choose whether you'd like to print the Bonus Bonds certificate or have it mailed to them directly.
- If the recipient is new to Bonus Bonds, the prize payment method will be set to reinvest. If the new bondholder or parent/guardian wishes to change the prize payment method, cash in or change the personal details, they will need to visit an ANZ branch or PostShop with appropriate identification
QHow do I buy Bonus Bonds as a gift?
Go to 'My bondholdings' and click on 'Add bondholding', then choose the option 'Bondholding where you own the Bonds but you intend to transfer them to another person sometime in the future'. The prize payment method can either be set to reinvest or 'direct credit' to the bank account of the purchaser (not the intended bondholder).
To have the Bonus Bonds transferred into their name, for security reasons, the intended bondholder will need to visit an ANZ branch with appropriate identification as well as the Bonus Bonds Transfer Certificate/s with the purchaser's signature.
Cashing in (redeeming) your Bonus Bonds
QHow do I cash in my Bonus Bonds?
QHow long does it take to receive payment?
QCan I cash in my Bonus Bonds quickly in an emergency?
QWhat if I can't find my certificates - can I still cash in my Bonus Bonds?
Yes. You can cash in your Bonus Bonds if you don't have your certificates, either through MyBonusBonds or in person at an ANZ branch or PostShop. If you're cashing in in person you'll need to bring appropriate identification and we'll ask you to sign a form 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.
QIf I cash in my Bonus Bonds, what is the last prize draw I am eligible to participate in?
You are still eligible for the prize draw for the month in which you cash in your Bonus Bonds. For example, if you cash in your Bonus Bonds on the fifth of February, your Bonus Bonds are still eligible for the February prize draw.
Common questions
- QHow long have Bonus Bonds been around?
- A Show me the answer
- QWhat can I win?
- A Show me the answer