The currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD). Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards, and many shops in the main centres take Apple Pay. Travellers' cheques are no longer accepted.
Notes, coins and rounding
- Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100
- Coins: 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2 — there are no 1c, 2c or 5c coins
- Cash totals are rounded: most shops round prices ending in 1–4 cents down and 6–9 cents up; prices ending in 5 cents are up to the shop
GST is 15%
Goods and services carry 15% Goods and Services Tax. The Commerce Commission says prices must include GST or be clear that they don't, and that the price on the shelf is reasonably the price you should expect to pay at the checkout. Fine print saying GST is extra is unlikely to be enough.
Visitors cannot claim GST back when they leave. If you want to avoid it on a large purchase, it has to be arranged at the time of sale — see the page on GST refunds.
Card surcharges
Some businesses add a surcharge to card payments. If they do, it must be clearly displayed — on a sign near the terminal, or in the online cart. Businesses are expected to offer at least one payment method without a surcharge; in person that usually means inserting or swiping a debit card instead of tapping.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory in New Zealand, including in restaurants and bars. Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges to the bill. A tip for good service is entirely your choice.
Carrying NZD $10,000 or more
Cash of NZD $10,000 or more (or the foreign equivalent) must be declared to Customs, both when you arrive and when you leave. On departure that means a Border Cash Report — on paper, or online within 72 hours of travel.
Source: Commerce Commission — Pricing
Source: Consumer Protection (MBIE) — Card payment surcharges
Source: New Zealand Customs Service — Leaving New Zealand
Source: Tourism New Zealand — New Zealand currency
Common questions
Do you tip in New Zealand?
It is not expected. Tourism New Zealand says tipping is not obligatory even in restaurants and bars, and bills do not include a service charge.
Are prices shown with tax included?
Usually. Prices must include the 15% GST or clearly say they don't.
How much cash can I bring into New Zealand?
There is no limit, but NZD $10,000 or more (or foreign equivalent) must be declared to Customs on arrival and departure.
More on the NZeTA
GST refund for tourists
New Zealand has no GST refund for visitors. You can only avoid the 15% GST when you buy: duty-free shops, export by the retailer, or airside delivery.
Customs allowances
Goods over NZD $700, more than 50 cigarettes, and cash of NZD $10,000 or more all have to be declared on arrival.
Leaving and returning
A short trip to Australia and back does not give you a fresh three months. What resets, what does not, and why repeated entries attract questions.
Cost
The NZeTA request fee is NZ$17 in the app or NZ$23 online, plus the NZ$100 IVL — about NZ$117–NZ$123 in total.
Phones and SIM cards
To use the local network you need a New Zealand SIM. Coverage is good in towns but patchy in rural areas. 111 is free even without credit.
Power plugs and voltage
New Zealand uses Type I plugs with two angled flat pins and the supply is 230 V, 50 Hz. Check your charger is rated up to 240 V before you plug it in.