It floated on March 4, 1985, at an initial exchange rate of 44 cents against the U.S. dollar. The financial markets have since determined the currency’s value with the unit typically ranging between 39 and 88 cents against the greenback. Using a travel money card to spend and make cash withdrawals in New Zealand can be convenient and safe. You won’t need to carry around all your holiday money in cash, and the fact your travel money card isn’t linked to your normal AUD everyday account can also add an extra layer of security.
Currency in New Zealand – A Full Guide 2025
- Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient.
- In 1934, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand was established, becoming the only supplier of banknotes.
- This payment method may be relevant to you if you’re planning to stay in New Zealand for a longer time, for work or study for example.
- We only display reputable companies which we have researched and approved.
Generally, using local ATMs can offer a good exchange rate, and is convenient and secure. You won’t need to carry lots of cash at any one time, making this a safe option – just make sure you top up on cash before you head off to any rural or out of the way areas where ATM access may be more limited. Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in New Zealand .
These specialized businesses, also known as foreign exchange bureaus or bureaux de change, offer competitive currency exchange services and can be found in major cities, tourist areas, and airports. They provide a hassle-free way to exchange your currency, making it easy for travellers and anyone who needs to convert their currency. When planning a trip abroad, it is crucial to consider currency exchange. You must pay for your everyday expenses in the local currency, including food, transportation, accommodation, and activities. It is often beneficial to exchange your currency before your trip as you may get a better exchange rate.
New Zealand currency has value in several other countries.
Since 2006, there have been no coins under the value of five cents and the value of cash transactions are rounded. Order a travel card online or in a store, depending on the provider you pick, and top up in either AUD or NZD before you travel. A travel card can be convenient and secure, although some fees may apply when you transact. Just tap to pay in stores, and take out cash as and when you need it, rather than carrying all your travel money with you on departure.
Current circulating banknotes
- Beware of bad exchange rates.Banks and traditional providers often have extra costs, which they pass to you by marking up the exchange rate.
- New Zealand maintains strong trade relationships with key partners across the globe, including China, Australia, Japan, and the United States.
- However, nothing was made official until 1933, when New Zealand issued their first official coins, based on the British pound, shilling, and pence.
- New Zealand Dollars is shortened to the code NZD online and in currency exchange offices, and you’ll often also see it written as NZ$ on menus and in stores.
- The New Zealand Dollar is also closely linked to the AUD, often moving in tandem with its Aussie neighbour.
The most common is the Kiwi dollar, which refers to the national bird of New Zealand. Another less common nickname is the NZ buck, based on the NZD being a solid currency. The kiwi is an informal nickname some New Zealanders use, similar to the Canadian dollar’s nickname, the loonie. Although the greenback is sometimes used for the NZD, it is more commonly used for the US dollar.
It’s the rate that banks and currency exchange services get when they buy and sell currencies on global exchanges, so a good benchmark. Some banks offer currency exchange, but it’s not as common as you might think, as so many people have moved over to card usage overseas. Major banks like ANZ and Westpac, for example, no longer sell best sober podcasts or buy foreign cash. Instead, they refer customers to their prepaid travel card services, or suggest you use your credit or debit card to pay when abroad.
The NZD is affectionately referred to as the ‘Kiwi,’ in honor of a flightless bird called a kiwi, which is pictured on one side of the country’s $1 coin. The New Zealand dollar contributes greatly to the total global exchange market—far in excess of New Zealand’s relative share of population or global GDP. In 1986, New Zealand adopted Raphael Maklouf’s new portrait of the Queen. The 1c and 2c coins were last minted for circulation in 1987, with collector coins being made for 1988.
Send money
However, the chances are that where this is offered, you won’t get a good exchange rate for your AUD. Planning smart and convenient ways to spend in NZD when you’re away is likely to mean you save on costs in the end. Most travellers choose to have more than one payment method available for spending in NZD on a visit to New Zealand .
There’s a good network of ATMs across New Zealand , and card payments are also widely accepted. Always pay in AUD to avoid sneaky extra dynamic currency conversion costs and to make sure your money goes further. Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in New Zealand . Using a wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay is super convenient and allows you to tap and pay in stores and anywhere contactless payments are accepted. You won’t even need to have your physical card with you – although it’s a good plan to have your card just in case you ever need to make a Chip and PIN transaction when you travel.
What Is a Good Pound to Euro Exchange Rate?
New Zealand is a super popular tourist destination from Australia, with a great range of activities and options no matter what you’re planning on doing. Gross domestic product is a measurement of the value derived from a country’s production of goods and services over a specific period. Polymer bills can go through a washing machine without suffering any material damage. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) updated the currency in 2015 with even more bright colors and improved security features. So as the number of visitors to New Zealand rises, the economy does well and the currency appreciates.
The Cook Islands and Pitcairn Islands have issued dollars of their own, but these are less common than NZD and mostly serve as collectors’ items. A few exceptions to GST are bank services, rent, wages (although that gets another form of tax) and duty-free goods. When withdrawing money from a New Zealand bank from your Visa or MasterCard, the money will be withdrawn in New Zealand Dollars. So, embrace the spirit of exploration and delve into the world of the New Zealand dollar. Let it guide you towards an unforgettable experience in the land of the Kiwis.
Let’s take a look at the history of New Zealand currency and how to navigate the NZD exchange rate if you’ll be living in New Zealand or visiting there. Unimoni is a top choice for exchanging Indian rupees for New Zealand dollars (NZD) and vice versa. With competitive exchange rates, convenient options, a seamless online platform, an extensive branch plus500 forex review network, transparent pricing, and reliable and secure services, Unimoni stands out among its competitors. Get familiar with the exchange rates offered locally to you, and online, so you can decide whether it’s worth switching some funds in advance of travel, using a card to pay while you’re away, or converting cash on arrival. Both in Australia and in New Zealand , steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport.
To get the best deal when spending on card or withdrawing money in New Zealand, don’t forget to use the Wise travel money card to avoid sneaky exchange rate markups and excessive fees. It took another 30 years before the Reserve Bank replaced the currency of pounds, shillings, and pence with actual dollars and cents. In the year 1967 alone, the Bank printed 27 million new banknotes and 165 million new coins. Altogether it has five coins and five banknotes with the smallest being the 10-cent coin; smaller denominations have been discontinued due to inflation and production costs. The currency is subdivided into cents, with coins and banknotes issued in various denominations.
The obverse side of each coin is imprinted with an image of Queen Elizabeth II. New Zealand was first a colony and then a Dominion within the British Empire before obtaining all but full independence in 1947. Although New Zealand’s been effectively self-governing since the early 1900s, it is still, as recognized in the country’s Constitution, “Her Majesty’s Government,” download local candle as a member of the British Commonwealth. Wise is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011, Firm Reference , for the issuing of electronic money.
If you want to exchange NZD in Australia you’ll need to shop around, looking at the currency exchange options available to you online and in your local area. Bear in mind that as well as any quoted exchange cost, you may also find fees are added to the exchange rate offered. You’ll need to review the overall costs looking at both fees and rates before you choose the right place to exchange NZD in Australia, so you know you’re getting the best available deal. You’ll be able to use a travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make convenient payments and cash withdrawals and to convert funds online. The New Zealand dollar is colloquially referred to as the “kiwi,” a flightless bird native to New Zealand that appears on the country’s $1 coin.