New Zealand
Currency in New Zealand: what to use and how to exchange
New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$), with coins from 10c to $2 and notes from $5 to $100. Almost everything is paid by card or phone, so bring a Visa or Mastercard and only a small cash float for markets, small towns and tips. Change to cash only if you are heading somewhere card readers are unreliable.
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GuideNew Zealand
Key facts
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$)
- Coins
- 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2
- Notes
- $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
- Cards acceptedcheck
- Visa and Mastercard almost everywhere; Amex less so in small towns
- Cash still useful forcheck
- Weekend markets, small cafés, donation boxes, rural fuel
- Tipping
- Not expected; 10% for very good restaurant service is a bonus
- Best valuecheck
- Withdraw from a bank ATM or pay by card and let your bank convert
Details
New Zealand is close to a cashless country. Supermarkets, fuel stations, cafés, tour operators and even many market stalls take tap-to-pay cards and phones. A Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card covers almost everything; American Express is accepted in cities and by larger operators but is patchier in small towns. If your card is contactless, you can tap for buses and trains in the main cities.
Cash is not useless. Keep roughly NZ$50–100 on you for weekend markets, honesty boxes, small rural cafés, donation boxes at attractions and the occasional place that adds a card surcharge. Coins run 10c to $2 and notes $5 to $100; the old 1c, 2c and 5c coins are gone, so prices round to the nearest 10c in cash.
For getting money, the order that usually costs least is: pay by card and let your own bank do the conversion, then withdraw from a bank ATM, then use a currency exchange counter, then the airport desk. Bank ATMs in towns and cities are plentiful; airport and hotel desks are convenient but rarely the best value. Always choose to be charged in NZD rather than your home currency if a terminal offers the choice, since the conversion at the machine is usually worse.
Tipping is not expected. Restaurant staff are paid a wage, and a 10% tip is a bonus for very good service rather than a norm. Cafés, bars and taxis do not require it. If you do tip, cash is simplest.
Summary table
| Item | Detail | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$) | Symbol NZ$ |
| Coins | 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2 | No 1c, 2c or 5c |
| Notes | $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 | Cash prices round to 10c |
| Cards | Visa and Mastercard widely accepted | Amex patchier outside cities (check) |
| ATMs | Common in towns and cities | Bank ATMs usually better value than airport desks (check) |
| Airport exchange | Convenient, weakest rate | Change only a small amount (check) |
| Tipping | Not expected | 10% for very good service |
| Card surcharges | Some small businesses add a fee | Ask before tapping (check) |
Tips
Tell your bank you are travelling if it still requires it, and check the foreign transaction fee before you go; a no-fee card saves a few percent on every purchase.
Carry two cards from different networks in case one is blocked, and keep them in separate bags.
Withdraw larger amounts less often to cut per-withdrawal fees, but not so much that you are carrying a lot of cash.
Small towns and the West Coast have fewer ATMs, so top up before long drives.
Keep a few coins for parking meters and donation boxes.
- Check your card's foreign transaction fee before you fly.
- Withdraw from a bank ATM, not an airport exchange desk.
- Choose NZD, not your home currency, at the terminal.
- Carry two cards from different networks.
- Keep NZ$50–100 cash for markets and small towns.
Questions people ask
What currency is used in New Zealand?
The New Zealand dollar, written NZD or NZ$. Coins are 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2; notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. The 1c, 2c and 5c coins were withdrawn, so cash prices round to the nearest 10c.
Where is the best place to exchange money in New Zealand?
Usually a bank ATM in a town or city, or simply paying by card and letting your bank convert. Currency exchange counters are next, and airport desks are the most convenient but rarely the best value. Change only a small amount at the airport on arrival.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in New Zealand?
Use a card for almost everything; Visa and Mastercard are accepted nearly everywhere, including many market stalls. Bring or withdraw a small cash float of about NZ$50–100 for markets, small cafés, donation boxes and rural areas where card readers can be unreliable.
Deep dive
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