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Money & duty free for New Zealand

Currency information: 

New Zealand Dollar (NZD; symbol: NZ$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of NZ$2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 cents.

Note: In November 2006, the New Zealand Reserve Bank introduced new, smaller 50, 20 and 10 cent coins. The 5 cent coin has been phased out. Old coins can only be exchanged at the Reserve Bank.

Credit cards: 

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are common.

ATM: 

ATMs are common and are available in all major towns and cities.

Travellers cheques: 

Can be exchanged at official rates at trading banks, large hotels and some shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Australian Dollars.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0930-1630, except public holidays.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import and export of either local or foreign currency, subject to declarations for cash amounts of NZ$10,000 upon departure or arrival.

Currency exchange: 

Exchange facilities are widely available throughout New Zealand.

New Zealand duty free

The following items may be imported into New Zealand by persons of 18 years of age and over without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a mixture of all three weighing no more than 250g.
• 4.5L of wine or beer.
• 3 bottles of 1.125L or 40oz of spirits or liqueurs.
• Goods to a total value of NZ$700.

Banned imports: 

Because of the importance of agriculture and horticulture to the New Zealand economy, it is illegal to import most foodstuffs (meat, meat products, honey, fruit and dairy). Take care when importing wood products, such as golf clubs, shoes and items made from animal skin. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The import of the following items is also prohibited: firearms and weapons (unless a special permit is obtained from the New Zealand police); ivory in any form; tortoise or turtle shell jewellery and ornaments; medicines using musk, rhinoceros or tiger derivatives; carvings or anything made from whalebone or bone from any other marine animals; cat skins or coats and certain drugs (eg diuretics, depressants, stimulants, heart drugs, tranquillisers, sleeping pills) unless covered by a doctor's prescription.

Banned exports: 

There are export restrictions on wildlife, plantlife, antiquities and works of art.

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