New Zealand currency: all about the New Zealand dollar

Is New Zealand your next holiday destination? Then you have come to the right place. Learn it all from the New Zealand dollar before traveling the land of the long white cloud. New Zealand will impress you with misty peaks of iconic mountains, indigenous Māori traditions, shimmering lakes, delicious food and more!

Remember that to travel to New Zealand, for whatever reason, you must apply for a New Zealand visa. Some nationalities can apply for an NZeTA, which is a faster-to-get travel authorization. 

What is the New Zealand currency? The New Zealand Dollar

New Zealand currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). The New Zealand Dollar is divided into 100 cents. The coins used in New Zealand are 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, and $2 and you can find $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 banknotes.

The New Zealand dollar, also known as the Kiwi dollar, is one of the strongest-performing currencies in the world and it is also used in some areas of Polynesia, for example Niue, Tokelau and the Pitcairn Islands.

How to exchange currency in New Zealand?

The currency in New Zealand is easily obtained at banks, currency exchange offices, or even at the airport in New Zealand. You can find that banks typically offer competitive rates, especially if you're exchanging larger amounts. Exchange rates in airports or exchange offices can sometimes be less competitive and have higher fees.

There are plenty of ATMs in New Zealand, so you don't need to exchange currency before you travel, but it's best to check with your bank to make sure your card works before you travel. 

Credit and debit cards, as well as mobile payment apps, are also popular and widely accepted. You should make sure what kind of foreign translation fee does your credit card provider apply.

Although paying by card is common, we always recommend carrying some cash for smaller purchases.

Tips in order to exchange currency in New Zealand

In order to get New Zealand currency and get the best deal when exchanging currency in New Zealand, here we give you some tips:

• Compare rates and fees from different banks, exchange offices, etc.
• Be cautious of places that offer unusually high rates or seem too good to be true.
• Since exchange rates can fluctuate, you can consider exchanging a portion of your funds at different times to mitigate potential rate changes.

New Zealand dollar to USD: How much is the New Zealand dollar in USD? 

Although the exchange rate can change, you can expect to find a conversion like this one:

New Zealand dollar to USD=    1 NZD= 0.59 USD

New Zealand dollar to GBP: How much is the New Zealand dollar in GBP?

Although the exchange rate can change, you can expect to find a conversion like this one: 

New Zealand dollar to GBP= 1 NZD= 0.47 GBP (Pound Sterling)

What is the best currency to take to New Zealand?

The best currency to take to New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar. The New Zealand dollar is an official currency and, as such, the country doesn’t accept any other currencies like USD, Euro, etc. 

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. Nevertheless, if you carry more than NZ$10,000 in cash you must complete a Border Cash Report.

Is New Zealand expensive? 

The cost of living in New Zealand is high, so you can expect a more expensive holiday than in other places of the world. You can expect to eat in an inexpensive restaurant for at least $16. 

If you are going camping you can expect to pay $10- $35. If you choose a hostel, you can pay $17- $35 per night, but if you want to stay at a 4 or 5 star hotel you can expect to pay at least 200$ or more per night. 

Roughly, a 7 day trip to New Zealand can cost $1,500 for a solo traveller or $3,500 for couples on average. Flights to New Zealand cost between $1,125 and $2,393 per person for economy flights and $3,533 to $7,514 for first class.