You've probably seen it in photos: vibrant, plastic-like bills with a mountaineer on one side and a penguin on the other. Honestly, money from New Zealand—officially the New Zealand Dollar ($NZD$)—is some of the most distinctive currency you’ll ever handle. It’s colorful. It’s waterproof. It’s also surprisingly durable because it’s made of polymer, not paper.
If you’re planning a trip to Aotearoa or just curious why their coins feel so light, there is a lot more to the story than just pretty colors.
✨ Don't miss: Central Theater: Why This Ely NV Movie Theater is the Real Heart of Rural Nevada
People call it the "Kiwi." Not just because of the bird on the one-dollar coin, but because it’s the nickname for the people and the nation itself. Since 1967, New Zealand has used this decimal system, ditching the old British-style pounds, shillings, and pence.
The "Brighter Money" Series
New Zealand’s current banknotes are part of what the Reserve Bank calls the "Series 7" or "Brighter Money" collection. They started rolling these out around 2015. They didn't just change the colors; they packed them with some of the most advanced security tech in the world.
If you hold a $5 or $10 note up to the light, you’ll see a large transparent window. Inside that window, there’s a map of New Zealand and a holographic bird that matches the one on the note. If you tilt it, the bird’s color changes and a bar of light moves across it.
The Faces on the Notes
New Zealand doesn't just stick to monarchs. While Queen Elizabeth II is still on the $20 note (and King Charles III will eventually appear on coins), the other denominations celebrate New Zealanders who actually shaped the world.
- $5 (Orange): Features Sir Edmund Hillary. He was the first person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. The background shows Aoraki (Mt. Cook), New Zealand's highest peak.
- $10 (Blue): This is the Kate Sheppard note. She was the leader of the suffrage movement that made New Zealand the first country to give women the vote in 1893.
- $20 (Green): Features Queen Elizabeth II and the New Zealand Parliament buildings.
- $50 (Purple): Honors Sir Apirana Ngata, a major figure in the Māori Renaissance and the first Māori to graduate from a New Zealand university.
- $100 (Red): Lord Ernest Rutherford. He’s the guy who split the atom.
The birds on the back are just as iconic. You've got the Hoiho (Yellow-eyed penguin) on the five, the Whio (Blue duck) on the ten, and the Mohua (Yellowhead) on the hundred.
Coins and the Swedish Rounding Rule
The coins are where things get a bit weird for travelers. New Zealand has five denominations: 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, and $2.
Wait. Where are the 1c, 2c, and 5c coins?
They're gone.
New Zealand phased out the 1 and 2 cent coins in 1990 and the 5 cent coin in 2006. Because of this, the country uses something called "Swedish Rounding." Basically, if you buy something that costs $4.98, and you're paying cash, the retailer rounds it down to $4.90. If it’s $4.99, it goes up to $5.00.
If you pay with a card, you usually pay the exact cent amount.
The $1 and $2 coins are gold-colored (actually an aluminum-bronze alloy), while the 10c, 20c, and 50c are silver or copper-colored. The $2 coin is notably larger and heavier than the $1, which makes it easy to tell apart in your pocket. The 10c coin features a Māori koruru (carved head), while the 20c shows a carving of Pukaki, a famous Ngāti Whakaue chief.
👉 See also: Weather in Schiller Park Illinois: What Most People Get Wrong
What is Money From New Zealand Worth?
Economically, the NZD is a "commodity currency." This is a fancy way of saying its value is often tied to how much dairy and meat New Zealand is exporting.
As of early 2026, 1 New Zealand Dollar is hovering around 0.57 to 0.58 US Dollars. It fluctuates, of course. If global milk prices go up, the "Kiwi" often gets stronger.
Where Else Can You Use It?
Interestingly, New Zealand’s money isn't just for New Zealand. It is the official currency for several Pacific territories and nations, including:
- The Cook Islands (though they have their own coins, too).
- Niue.
- The Pitcairn Islands.
- Tokelau.
Practical Tips for Handling NZD
Cash is becoming less common in New Zealand. Almost every "dairy" (convenience store) and café accepts EFTPOS (debit) or credit cards. However, if you're heading into the rural "backblocks" or visiting a small weekend market in places like Matakana or Nelson, having a few notes is a smart move.
Don't bother with 1 or 2 cent coins you might have found in an old collection; they aren't legal tender anymore. If you have old paper notes from before 1999, you can't spend them at a store, but the Reserve Bank in Wellington will still honor them at face value if you trade them in.
Next steps for managing your currency:
- Check the current mid-market rate on a site like XE or Wise before you exchange at the airport; New Zealand airport kiosks notoriously offer some of the worst rates in the country.
- Use a travel card (like Revolut or Wise) to avoid the 2-3% foreign transaction fees many big banks charge when you're swiping in Wellington or Auckland.
- Look for the "Westpac" or "ANZ" ATMs if you need cash, as they are ubiquitous and generally more reliable than third-party machines found in bars.