Frequently Asked Questions about New Zealand Travel

The official currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

The basics:

• Coins: 10, 20 and 50 cent coins, plus $1 and $2 coins
• Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes
• Rounding: 1, 2 and 5 cent coins are no longer used. Cash totals round to the nearest 10 cents.

Important for travellers:

• Use NZD only: Shops and restaurants do not accept foreign currency. Exchange money or use a card.
• No traveller cheques: Traveller cheques are no longer accepted in New Zealand.
• Banks do not exchange cash: Most banks no longer exchange foreign currency at branches. Use exchange kiosks at the airport or in city centres.

Important: Most retail banks in Aotearoa New Zealand no longer exchange foreign currency. Please do not rely on bank branches for this service.

Where you can exchange money:

• ATMs (Recommended): The easiest way to get NZD is to simply withdraw it from an ATM using your international card. This usually offers a better exchange rate than swapping physical notes.
• Bureau de Change Kiosks: You can exchange foreign notes at specialized kiosks (e.g., Travelex or Travel Money NZ) found at international airports and in major city centres.
• Hotels: Some large hotels may exchange small amounts for guests, though the exchange rates are typically poor compared to ATMs.

You only need a small amount of cash for your arrival, such as for a taxi or coffee.

The best strategy:

• Use cards: Contactless payments are standard everywhere. You can pay for almost everything with your phone or card.
• Withdraw on arrival: ATMs in New Zealand usually offer better value than purchasing NZD cash overseas.
• Travel money cards: Apps like Wise or Revolut are reliable for everyday spending and help you avoid high bank fees.

Note on "Swedish Rounding":

• New Zealand does not use 1, 2, or 5 cent coins.
• Cash payments: The total is rounded to the nearest 10 cents (e.g., $1.94 becomes $1.90, while $1.96 becomes $2.00).
• Card payments: These are not rounded. You are charged the exact amount.

Exchange rates change all the time and depend on global market conditions.

How to get the best value:

• Understand the mid-market rate: Search engines and currency sites (XE.com) show the mid-market rate used between banks. Exchange counters rarely offer this exact rate and usually include a margin or fee.
• Avoid airport currency booths: Airport kiosks typically charge higher fees and offer less favourable rates.
• Try digital options: Travel money cards such as Wise or Revolut often provide rates much closer to the mid-market than exchanging physical cash.

Most bank branches in Aotearoa New Zealand are open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Weekends:

Banks are usually closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. A small number of branches inside large shopping centres may open on weekends.

Important for travellers:

• No foreign exchange at banks: Major banks do not exchange foreign currency. Use a currency exchange kiosk at the airport or in the city, or withdraw cash from an ATM.
• 24/7 ATMs: Cash machines are available at most bank branches and shopping centres at all hours.

Yes. ATMs are easy to find in cities and most major towns. They accept many international cards on Visa and Mastercard networks.

Tips for smooth withdrawals:

• Use a 4-digit PIN: New Zealand ATMs generally require a four-digit PIN. Change your PIN before you travel if your card uses a longer code.
• Avoid high fees: Use bank ATMs such as ANZ, BNZ, Westpac, ASB or Kiwibank. Standalone ATMs in dairies, petrol stations or pubs often add their own surcharge.
• Plan ahead in rural areas: ATMs are limited in remote regions. Withdraw enough cash before travelling to places like the West Coast, East Cape or small townships.

For the smoothest trip, we suggest carrying a mix of payment options:

• Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard): Ideal for car rental bonds and hotel security deposits. Many retailers add a small surcharge for credit card payments.
• Travel money cards: Apps such as Wise or Revolut work well for everyday spending and often provide strong exchange rates.
• Physical debit card: Useful for withdrawing cash from ATMs and as a backup if a merchant does not accept mobile wallets.
• Cash: Bring a little NZD on hand for markets, rural shops or small businesses that may not accept cards.

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards in Aotearoa New Zealand. You can use them at hotels, cafes, shops and most tour operators.

Other payment methods:

• American Express and Diners Club: Accepted at major hotel chains, supermarkets and airlines, although smaller stores may not take them. Some places add a small surcharge.
• UnionPay: Available at ATMs and accepted by many retailers in popular visitor areas and duty-free stores. Carry a Visa or Mastercard if you plan to visit smaller towns.
• Alipay and WeChat Pay: Growing in use in major tourism centres. Keep a Visa or Mastercard as a backup outside the main hubs.

Debit cards (or travel money cards) are almost always the better option for withdrawing cash.

Here is why:

• Avoid Cash Advance Fees: If you use a credit card at an ATM, your bank will likely charge a "Cash Advance Fee" and start charging high interest immediately. Avoid this unless it is an emergency.
• Debit & Travel Cards: Using a debit card or a multi-currency card (like Wise) usually incurs lower fees.
• Watch the ATM Fee: Independent ATMs in convenience stores often charge an extra NZ$3 to NZ$5 per transaction. Stick to major bank ATMs (ANZ, BNZ, Westpac, ASB, Kiwibank) where possible to avoid these third-party surcharges.

Aotearoa New Zealand is generally safe, but digital fraud can happen anywhere. Follow these modern safety tips:

• Tap to Pay: Use contactless payments (PayWave, Apple Pay) where possible. This is often safer than inserting your card as it reduces the risk of "skimming" devices copying your card details.
• Know your App: Most banking apps allow you to instantly "Freeze" or "Lock" your card. Familiarize yourself with this feature before you travel so you can act immediately if your card is lost.
• ATM Safety: When using ATMs, always cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Avoid standalone cash machines in poorly lit or isolated areas.
• Public Wi-Fi: Avoid logging into online banking while connected to public Wi-Fi networks in cafes or hotels. Use your mobile data instead.

If your card is declined, stay calm. Try these quick fixes first:

• Select “Credit” on the terminal: This works for most overseas cards. Even debit cards usually need the “Credit” option to connect to international networks. “Cheque” and “Savings” often only work for New Zealand bank cards.
• Check your banking app: Make sure international payments are enabled and your card is not locked. Check settings for “International Transactions” or “Magnetic Stripe” if your card has one.
• Call your bank: If the payment still fails, call the international support number on the back of your card. Banks sometimes block unexpected overseas transactions for safety.

Prevention tip: Before your trip, let your bank know your travel dates and destination to avoid automatic security blocks.

Using a debit card for your rental bond can affect how much spending money you have available during your trip.

The Key Differences:

• Debit cards: Rental companies often deduct or ring-fence the full bond amount from your bank balance. You cannot access this money until it is released after the vehicle is returned. Processing times vary by bank and can take several business days to clear.
• Credit cards: Most rental companies place a temporary hold on your credit limit rather than withdrawing funds. Your cash remains available while you travel.
• Acceptance: Some rental providers in Aotearoa New Zealand do not take debit cards for vehicle bonds or require additional insurance when using one. Always check the payment terms before booking.

Answer: Yes. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is already included in the price you see on menus, shelves and booking sites.

What this means for you:

• Sticker price is final: You are not charged extra sales tax at the checkout. The displayed price is the amount you pay.
• No Tourist Refund Scheme: New Zealand does not offer GST refunds for visitors departing the country.

Answer: Traveller’s cheques are no longer accepted in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Banks, currency exchange counters and retailers do not cash or exchange them, so they are not a valid option for spending money.

What you should bring instead:

• Credit and Debit Cards: Visa and Mastercard work in most places.
• Travel Cards: Multi-currency cards such as Wise or Revolut are popular for low-fee spending.
• ATMs: You can withdraw New Zealand Dollars (NZD) from ATMs using your international bank card.

Answer: Yes. Apple Pay and other mobile wallets like Google Pay are widely accepted at shops, cafes, petrol stations and supermarkets across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Things you should know:

• Surcharges: Some retailers add a small fee for contactless payments when you tap your phone or watch.
• EFTPOS-only places: Some smaller shops may have "EFTPOS only" signs, meaning they do not accept contactless payment. Always carry a physical debit or credit card as a backup.
• Limits: Tap-to-pay transactions may require a PIN once you reach a certain amount. The exact limit depends on your card provider and bank.

You can bring any amount of cash into Aotearoa.

There is no upper limit on New Zealand dollars or foreign currency.

• When you need to declare it: If you are carrying NZD 10,000 or more in physical cash, or the same value in another currency, you must declare it when you arrive.
• How to declare: Complete a Border Cash Report (NZCS 337) at the airport or through the NZ Traveller Declaration.
• What counts as cash: Notes and coins, travellers cheques and similar negotiable items.
• Why this rule exists: Customs monitors large cash movements to protect against money laundering and financial crime. This reporting rule does not stop you from bringing cash into the country and it is not a fee.