Do you ever review your bank statement and wonder where your money’s gone? You’re not alone. With “set-and-forget” subscriptions everywhere, it’s all too easy to keep paying for things you no longer use — until your balance starts disappearing.
In New Zealand, subscription models now cover everything from streaming and fitness to Lotto tickets and premium media access. While they offer convenience, these recurring charges can quietly erode your budget.
Here are six subscription types Kiwis often forget, how much they might cost you, and what you can do about it.
1. Streaming Services You Don’t Use
Streaming platforms have proliferated—Prime Video, Netflix, Neon, Apple TV+, Disney+, and more. Even if you signed up for free trials or multiple services, those fees often auto-renew.
Here are some typical NZ rates (2025):
- Netflix:
- Basic NZ$17.99, Standard
- NZ$25.99, Premium
- NZ$ 33.99
- Prime Video :
- NZ$10.99/month
- Neon:
- NZ$16.99/month (for standard plan – discounted)
- Apple TV+:
- NZ$17.99/month
- Disney+:
- NZ$16.99/month
If you subscribe to three or more platforms but only actively use one, you may be paying NZ$30–60+ a month for unused content.
What to do:
List every streaming service you’re paying for. Pause or cancel those not used in the past 30 days. Many let you pick up where you left off later.
2. Fitness Apps & Gym Memberships
Fitness subscriptions and gym contracts often run in the background:
Gym memberships average NZ$20/week, or ~NZ$1,100/year, depending on the gym; some are a lot more and others a bit cheaper. If you’re paying for memberships or apps you don’t regularly use, why not put them on pause. Especially if you know you’re going to be away over summer for extended periods.
What to do:
Check your gym contract’s freeze or cancellation terms. Cancel or pause fitness apps not actively used.
3. Cloud Storage & Backup Services
Cloud storage is ubiquitous—and often duplicated:
- iCloud, Google One, Dropbox, Box: many users maintain multiple overlapping plans
- Prices typically range from NZ$4 to NZ$16/month, depending on storage capacity
Paying across multiple services can easily cost NZ$10–20/month without you realising.
What to do:
Audit file storage, consolidate to one provider, and cancel or downgrade the rest.
4. App-Based Subscriptions (Meditation, Language, Journaling, Tools)
Micro-apps often use low monthly rates to avoid scrutiny:
- Calm / Headspace: NZ$12.99/month
- Duolingo Plus / Babbel / Rosetta Stone: NZ$13/month
- MyFitnessPal: NZ$14.99/month
Even a handful of these subscriptions can easily add up to NZ$40–60/month.
What to do:
Check your device’s subscription settings. Cancel apps not actively used. Re-enable only when needed.
5. Premium Media & Content Subscriptions
Staying informed can cost more than you think:
- NZ Herald Premium
- Stuff +
- The Spinoff Member
- Paid Substack newsletters
These often charge NZ$10–20/month and auto-renew quietly.
What to do:
Search your bank statements or email for “Herald Premium,” “Spinoff,” “Substack,” “Stuff+.” Cancel subscriptions you don’t frequently read.
6. Lotto Subscriptions — A Small Weekly Cost That Adds Up
Many Kiwis subscribe to Lotto for convenience:
- A Triple Dip entry costs approximately NZ$18 per draw
- If subscribed weekly, that’s ~NZ$936/year
For a relatively low cost, that’s nearly as much as a household’s annual water bill.
What to do:
Set strict limits or pause subscriptions between big draws. Treat Lotto like entertainment—not essential spending.
How These Drains Add Up
| Subscription Type | Estimated Monthly Cost (NZ$) | Annual Cost (NZ$) |
|---|---|---|
|
Streaming (3 services) |
$55
|
$660
|
|
Gym / Fitness Apps |
$60
|
$720 |
|
Cloud Storage
|
$15 |
$180 |
|
App-based Tools |
$45 |
$540 |
|
Premium Media
|
$20
|
$240 |
|
Lotto Subscription |
$78
|
$936 |
|
Total Estimated Cost
|
≈ NZ$3,276 / year
|
|
That’s enough money for a holiday, additional loan payments, or a solid boost to savings — all swallowed by unnoticed subscriptions.
Take Back Control: Steps to Stop the Drain
- Conduct a monthly subscription audit.
- Create a single spreadsheet list with service name, cost, and renewal date.
- Use one payment method for all recurring services for easier tracking.
- Turn off auto-renewals where possible.
- Review your list quarterly — cancel or pause what’s no longer useful.
Be Smarter With Money
Loansmart is committed to helping Kiwis make smarter financial decisions. We offer a dedicated resources hub to support better money habits:
Be Better With Money – Tips & Strategies
If your current repayment burden or subscription costs are stacking up, you don’t have to go it alone. Many Loansmart clients have saved thousands by restructuring their loans. Read their stories here: Borrower Success Stories
Reach out for a free, no-obligation loan assessment to see how much you could free up in your monthly budget.
