Before leaving for New Zealand, it is best to understand how the New Zealand dollar (NZD) works: this is an overwhelmingly "card" country, where a little cash still comes in handy for rural areas and long road trips between two isolated stops.
The New Zealand dollar (NZD), the "kiwi" currency
The official currency is the New Zealand dollar, abbreviated NZD and often written NZ$ or simply $ locally. New Zealanders happily nickname it the "kiwi", in reference to the country's emblematic bird. Banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars: they are made of polymer (plastic), water-resistant and hard to tear, which often surprises European travellers used to paper notes.
As for coins, you will find 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 dollars. The small 1, 2 and 5 cent coins no longer exist: when paying in cash, the total is rounded to the nearest amount, usually to the nearest 10 cents. Also good to know: the local VAT, the 15% GST, is already included in the displayed prices. So the price on the tag really is the price you pay, with no nasty surprises at the till.
A country almost without cash: card is king
New Zealand is one of the most cashless societies in the world. The local payment system EFTPOS and contactless are accepted almost everywhere: supermarkets, cafés, petrol stations, museums and even many small shops. Apple Pay and Google Pay work widely in cities such as Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
Two precautions, however. First, check with your bank the foreign exchange and payment fees applied to each transaction: they can quickly add up over a stay of several weeks. Second, some merchants add a small surcharge ("card surcharge") on credit card payments, normally flagged at the till. A travel-friendly debit card often helps to keep these costs down.
How much cash should you plan for?
There's no need to arrive with wads of notes: a modest amount is enough in most cases. Instead, keep some cash for situations that are quite specific to New Zealand:
- The farmers' markets and small stalls, where cards are not always accepted.
- The famous "honesty boxes" along country roads: stalls of fruit, eggs or honey where you drop the money into a box yourself, with no seller.
- The rural and remote areas of the South Island (Fiordland, the Catlins, the West Coast), where ATMs and the mobile network can be lacking between two stops.
- Certain small campsites, trailhead car parks or local shuttles.
For a campervan trip or a road trip, having a small cash float on hand stops you getting stuck far from any bank. You can order your currencies online before departure and collect your New Zealand dollars in store: that's all the more time saved once you're there.
ATMs, tipping and customs rules
Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are plentiful in cities and towns, but become scarcer on long stretches of road. Withdraw enough to tide you over before you head away from urban centres.
Good news for the budget: tipping is not a custom in New Zealand. Waiters are properly paid and no one expects a "tip". You can leave something for exceptional service, but it is never an obligation, unlike in other destinations.
On the customs front, two concrete rules to know. When leaving the European Union, any transport of €10,000 or more in cash (or the equivalent in foreign currency) must be declared to customs. For its part, New Zealand requires you to declare to border services any cash amount equal to or greater than NZD 10,000, both on entry to and exit from the territory. For a classic tourist stay, you will remain well below these thresholds.
Exchanging your euros for NZD before you leave
The NZD is a currency whose rate moves every day: our rates are indicative, variable over-the-counter rates. Preparing your currency exchange before take-off avoids airport bureaux, which are often less favourable, and lets you arrive with peace of mind. At Paris Change, an exchange office approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you benefit from commission-free exchange, more than 53 currencies available and the option to book online for simple in-store pickup. Our single address: 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, a stone's throw from the Saint-Michel metro (line 4) and the RER B and C, open 7 days a week.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really need cash in New Zealand?
A little, but yes: cards cover the vast majority of expenses, including contactless. Nevertheless, keep a few dollars for markets, "honesty boxes" and rural areas poorly served by ATMs.
Is it better to exchange in France or on the spot?
Exchanging a reasonable amount before departure saves you the unattractive rates at airports and lets you arrive relaxed, with enough to get through your first few days. You can then adjust with targeted withdrawals on the spot.
Should you leave a tip?
No, tipping is not expected in New Zealand. It is a completely optional gesture, reserved for exceptional service.
Prepare for your trip with peace of mind: book your New Zealand dollars online and come and collect them at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, open 7 days a week, commission-free. Order your currencies right now.
