New Zealand Currency

The currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar - NZD or NZ$.

New Zealand 2 Dollar Coin

New Zealand adopted decimal currency in 1967, with 100 cents equal to one New Zealand dollar.

One, two and five cent pieces have been phased out, and new 10, 20 and 50 cent silver coins where introduced in 2006. In addition, there are one and two dollar gold coins.

Depicted on coins of New Zealand currency are the Tuatara (5 cents coin), koruru or Maori mask (10 cents coin) and HMS Endeavour (50 cents coin).

The New Zealand 20 cents coin is minted in two designs - one features a well-known Maori carving (Pukaki) and the other features New Zealand's iconic flightless bird, the kiwi.

New Zealand introduced polymer bank notes in 1999, with $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations.

The New Zealand $5 bank note is orange and features the late Sir Edmund Hillary (famous for conquering the summit of Mt Everest). The $10 note is blue and depicts Kate Sheppard, a campaigner for New Zealand women to have the right to vote.

New Zealand's green $20 note features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The $50 note is purple and portrays Sir Apirana Ngata, the first Maori to graduate from a New Zealand university.

I haven't personally seen the New Zealand $100 bill ;), but rumour has it that it is red and pictures Ernest, Lord Rutherford Nelson of New Zealand. Rutherford is recognised as 'the father of the atom' - funny, being that New Zealand declared itself Nuclear-Free in 1984!

EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) is an increasingly common way to pay for goods and services in New Zealand. Instead of using cash, you can simply swipe your bank debit card (if it has the CIRRUS or Maestro logo) or a credit card.

New Zealand Currency Converter


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