New Zealand’s epic scenery and laid-back vibe attract travelers from all over the world-but managing money in New Zealand is crucial for a stress-free experience. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the official currency, and while cards are widely accepted-even for small purchases-it’s still useful to have some cash on hand, especially in rural areas or local markets. ATMs are easy to find in cities and towns, and money exchange is available at airports, city centers, and through banks. This guide helps you confidently handle currency in New Zealand, avoid unnecessary fees, and understand how Kiwis pay on the go.
How to pay in New Zealand – cash or card?
New Zealand is super card-friendly!
You can use cash for:
- Budget hotels
- Hostels
- Tips and gratuities (not mandatory, but appreciated in some cases)
- Entry fees (smaller museums, rural attractions)
- Local buses (rural routes may require cash or local cards)
- Small purchases
- Local expenses at grocery stores, local shops, farmers markets
- Street food
- Laundry services
- Tailoring services (small operators)
You can use card for:
- 4 and 5 star hotels
- Local tour operators
- Large tour operators
- Shopping at malls
- Shopping at street markets (most accept cards via portable terminals)
- Entry fees to major attractions, museums, parks
- Local buses (in cities like Auckland, Wellington via transit cards)
- App-based taxis (Uber, Ola, Zoomy)
- Local taxis (in cities; cash also accepted)
- Local trains
- Airport transport (SkyBus, airport taxis, city link trains)
- Sit-down restaurants
- Small eateries / restaurants
- Upscale restaurants
- Online bookings for upscale hotels, flights, tours
- Spas
- Vehicle renting
- Mobile SIM and phone top-up
- Nightlife / bars
- Emergency medical clinics / pharmacies
New Zealand is highly card-friendly, with nearly universal EFTPOS and contactless acceptance. Cash is optional in most cases, though handy in rural zones.
What’s the best currency to take to New Zealand?
The local currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and that is the most widely accepted currency. They have notes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. New Zealand mostly uses its local currency for all transactions. US Dollars, Euros, and Pounds are not widely accepted, except at certain major hotels that cater to international tourists.
So, New Zealand Dollar is the best currency to take to New Zealand.
Where to get the local currency in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, you can get the local currency in 3 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Money transfer and local pick-up
Types of cards to swipe in New Zealand
Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.
Types of cards at ATMs in New Zealand
When withdrawing money in New Zealand, majority of the ATMs will accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus and Maestro cards. Some of them also accept Unionpay, Amex, and Diners cards. Cards such as JCB, Discover and Rupay are not usually accepted by many ATMs.
Should I exchange money before travelling to New Zealand?
Bringing a small amount of New Zealand Dollars (NZD) before your trip is a good idea for immediate needs like airport transport or snacks. However, exchange rates outside New Zealand may be less favorable, and some foreign banks may require pre-ordering NZD.
Withdrawing NZD from ATMs upon arrival is convenient, as ATMs are widespread in airports, cities, and towns. They accept most international cards including Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Plus. Be sure to check with your bank about any withdrawal or currency conversion fees.
Currency exchange services are also available at airports, banks, and exchange bureaus in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown. Rates are usually better in city centers than at the airport.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted across New Zealand, even in rural areas, but it’s still smart to carry some cash for occasional cash-only purchases or small vendors. A mix of cards and cash provides the most flexibility.
Where to withdraw money in New Zealand
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in New Zealand are those owned by popular banks such as:
- ANZ,
- Westpac, and
- BNZ.
There are some other banks too with ATMs that happily accept international debit and credit cards.
For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in New Zealand.
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in New Zealand. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including New Zealand.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Where to exchange currency in New Zealand
In New Zealand, you can exchange currency at authorised currency exchanges, banks, airports, and hotels, the most popular being authorised currency exchanges.
New Zealand has a number of currency exchange kiosks and shops, especially in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, and Christchurch.
- Notable currency exchanges are:
Travelex (in airports and city branches)
No1 Currency,
NZ Forex,
Travel Money NZ,
Currency Exchange NZ.
Top locations:
Auckland Airport & Queen Street (CBD),
Wellington CBD,
Christchurch Airport,
Queenstown Mall.
City-based exchanges tend to offer better rates than airport kiosks. Check online for rate comparisons before exchanging.
- Banks Offering Currency Exchange:
ANZ
BNZ (Bank of New Zealand)
ASB Bank
Westpac
Banks may require advance booking for large exchanges and generally charge higher margins.
💡 Tip: While ATMs offer a good rate, using a city-based money changer usually provides better cash exchange value than airports or banks. ATMs accept international cards widely.
Pro-tips:
Stay away from airport exchanges – Poor rates
Avoid the black market – Be wary of being conned.
Include fresh notes – If your notes are damaged or dirty, you can expect to pay more or less.
Is carrying money in New Zealand safe?
Yes. When you’re exploring New Zealand, it’s usually pretty safe to have some cash on you. Here are a few pointers to help you keep your money secure while travelling in New Zealand:
Some safety tips for carrying cash while travelling in New Zealand are:
- Carry only the cash you need.
- Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
- Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
- Do not flash your cash.
- When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
- Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
- Cross-wear your purses if possible.
- Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
- When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
- If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattented while you go to the restroom.
- If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in New Zealand
Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.
Pingback: Anonymous