new Zealand travel guide

Currency, Cash and Cards

The New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) is the official currency of the country, informally known as the Kiwi dollar in a nod to the association with the indigenous bird. Not just the name, the currency features kiwis too – the one dollar coin famously has a kiwi engraved on it!

While it’s always a good idea to carry some loose change, if you run out of cash there’s no need to worry – ATM machines are available everywhere. Major credit cards such as VISA and Mastercard are readily accepted as long as you have your PIN. Banking hours are between 0930 to 0430 hrs from Monday to Friday and some banks are open on Saturdays as well.

While there is no limit on how much currency you can bring into New Zealand, carrying more than NZ$ 10,000 will require you to complete a Border Cash Report.

Please note that a 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is included in the displayed price for all goods and services, which cannot be claimed back.

Language and Communication

The country has a total of three official languages: English, Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.

The country has a long history of oral traditions, with most of the indigenous Maori language being passed down through stories and symbols. It was only in the 1820s that this language began to be documented by European missionaries.

English is the most commonly spoken language in New Zealand with pronunciations similar to that in Australia. It was during the 19th century that the English language came to be widely spoken in the country, thanks to colonists.