New Zealand dollar is the official currency of New Zealand since 1967. This unit of currency is also used in the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and the Pitcairn Islands.
Origins and history
Prior to the arrival of the New Zealand dollar, the currency of the country was the New Zealand pound, different from sterling pound since 1933.
The change to decimal currency to replace the system of the New Zealand pound had been proposed in New Zealand in the thirties, but it was not until the fifties that the project was launched. In 1957, the Government created a committee to carry out a research on the decimal currency and finally in 1963 the Government decided to divide the currency of New Zealand into tenths.
The decimal currency act was passed in 1964, setting out the transition date for the 10th July 1967. Also, other names for the currency were suggested, such as kiwi or zeal, in order to avoid confusion with dollar, commonly associated to US dollar. In the end, the word dollar was chosen to call the national currency.
On the 10th July 1967 New Zealand dollar was introduced to replace the New Zealand pound, one pound equaling to two dollars. Around 27 million in banknotes were printed and 165 million in coins.
Countries using New Zealand dollar
New Zealand dollar is the official currency of New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and Pitcairn Islands.
Current New Zealand dollar coins and banknotes
Today we have banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 New Zealand dollars.
Regarding coins, we have coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent and 1 and 2 dollars.
Did you know?
- This currency is commonly called kiwi, name given after the national bird, which appears in the 1 dollar coins.
- New Zealand dollar is one of the top ten currencies used in trade worldwide.
- Elizabeth II is the queen of New Zealand.
Online money order: best price guaranteed
Order your currency now and collect it at the branch of your choice.
Your best rate
Why changing currency with us is better than with your bank?
 Global Exchange | Your high-street bank | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variety of currencies | 35. We are specialists | Only major currencies. Travel money is just a secondary business for banks. | ||
| Availability of currencies | Ever ready, immediately, in our branches at the airport. | Banks order currency and have to await delivery. | ||
| Expenses | Only the exchange rate, without any additional charges, and if you order it online you get the best price. | The bank has its own margin and adds a commission. | ||
| Different denominations available | Of course! We care about you and your needs while you travel abroad. | No. Prepare for refusals and complaints in foreign languages when paying with «big» banknotes. | ||
| Delivery options | Collect at the airport/branch of your preference. It is all about comfort! | You must visit your bank at least twice, and wait meanwhile for your money to arrive. | ||
| What do I do with my leftover currency when I come home? | We buy it back from you at the airport, just as when you ordered online. | You must return to your bank. They may buy your currency back at a worse rate and then charge you a commission. | ||
| Anything else? | Yes: our Iberia Plus Customers who reserve online earn Avios for their purchases, as when they buy at the airport. | Avi-what? No sir! This is a bank, not an airline company! |