Getting New Zealand Dollars for Your Trip

New Zealand (Aotearoa) is a dream destination with stunning landscapes from Fiordland to the Bay of Islands, vibrant cities like Auckland and Wellington, and adventure activities around every corner. The good news for travellers is that New Zealand is one of the most card-friendly countries in the world.

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD, often written as NZ$ or just $) uses colourful polymer notes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins come in 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, and $2. New Zealand phased out 1c and 5c coins years ago, so cash prices are rounded to the nearest 10 cents.

Key insight for 2026: New Zealand has embraced cashless payments more than almost any other country. EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) is everywhere — even remote campgrounds, farmers' markets, and food trucks typically accept cards. A travel card with good exchange rates is your best friend here.

Best Ways to Get NZD Before You Travel

Here are your options ranked from best to worst rates:

1. Multi-currency travel card (Wise, Revolut) — The best option for New Zealand. Load your card with NZD at the real exchange rate and use it everywhere. Contactless works on all EFTPOS terminals.
2. Order NZD online before you go — If you prefer having cash on arrival, order from an online currency provider for better rates than airport bureaux.
3. Specialist currency bureaux — Companies like TravelFX or Moneycorp offer competitive rates for cash collection.
4. High street bureaux — Post Office or Travelex are convenient but charge higher margins.
5. Bank currency exchange — UK banks typically offer poor exchange rates and may charge fees.
6. Airport exchange — Always the worst rates. Avoid if possible.

Using Cards in New Zealand

New Zealand's EFTPOS system is incredibly widespread. Cards are accepted at virtually every business including restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, petrol stations, tourist attractions, markets, food trucks, and even small rural businesses.

Where Cards Work Perfectly

All cities and towns, tourist attractions, national park facilities and cafes, restaurants and bars everywhere, public transport (buses, ferries, trains), supermarkets (Countdown, New World, Pak'nSave), accommodation of all types, rental car companies, and most tour operators.

Where You Might Need Cash

Very remote DOC (Department of Conservation) campsites, some small-town farmers' markets, occasional rural roadside stalls, and as emergency backup for outdoor adventures in remote areas.

Payment Tips

Contactless payments (tap and go) are standard throughout New Zealand. Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. American Express is less widely accepted outside major tourist areas. Some businesses have minimum card spend amounts (usually $10 or so), but this is becoming rare.

Withdrawing Cash from ATMs in New Zealand

While you won't need much cash, here's what to know about NZ ATMs:

Best ATMs to Use

Major bank ATMs from ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac typically don't charge international card fees. You'll find these in all towns and cities.

ATMs to Avoid

Independent ATMs in convenience stores or tourist areas may charge fees of NZ$3-5 per withdrawal. Always check for fee warnings before completing your transaction.

Withdrawal Tips

When the ATM asks if you want to be charged in your home currency or NZD, always choose NZD. The home currency option uses Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) which typically adds 3-5% to the cost. Use a travel card like Wise or Revolut to avoid your UK bank's foreign transaction fees (typically 2.75-3%).

Exchanging Money When You Arrive

If you need cash on arrival, here are your options:

Auckland Airport

Multiple exchange bureaux operate in the arrivals hall, but rates are typically 5-8% worse than online providers. ATMs are available immediately after customs. For the best rates, just use your travel card or withdraw from an ATM.

Other Airports

Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown airports all have ATMs and at least one exchange bureau. Smaller regional airports may only have ATMs.

In Cities

Currency exchange offices exist in Auckland (especially Queen Street), Wellington, and Christchurch CBD areas. Travel Money NZ and Travelex have multiple locations. Rates are better than airports but still not as good as using a travel card.

Money Safety Tips for New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world, but sensible precautions still apply:

• Cards are safer than cash — In NZ's cashless environment, there's little reason to carry large amounts of cash. If your card is lost or stolen, you can freeze it instantly via app.
• Watch out for tourist-targeted theft — Car break-ins at popular hiking trailheads are unfortunately common. Never leave valuables visible in your car, especially at remote parking areas.
• Use hotel safes — Store passport and backup cards in accommodation safes when out exploring.
• Have backup payment options — Bring at least two cards from different providers in case one has issues.
• Remote area planning — If heading into very remote areas, carry enough cash for emergencies and ensure you have coverage for any activities.