New Zealand Money & Currency
Reserve Bank notes and coins are defined in the Reserve Bank Act as "legal tender". The Reserve Bank is the only organisation in New Zealand that can issue bank notes and coins and determine the denominations and design of the nation's currency.Bank Notes | Exchange Rates | Security Features | Further Information
New Zealand Bank Notes
Bank notes are printed in a range of sizes to enable partially sighted and blind people to distinguish between notes. The largest in the series is the $100 note and the smallest is the $5.New Zealand $100 note
Exchange Rates
Use the xe.com Currency Exchange Tool to get an indication of the exchange between NZ dollars and your own native currency.(NOTE: Hires must be paid in NZ currency)
Security features
- Each polymer note has two transparent windows. One of the transparent windows is oval-shaped and sloping and has the denomination numerals embossed in it. The other clear window is in the shape of a curved fern leaf.
- There is a fern immediately above the clear fern-shaped window. When you hold the note to the light, the fern should match perfectly with another fern on the other side.
- You should easily be able to see a shadow image of the Queen when you hold the note to the light.
- Each note has an individual serial number printed horizontally and vertically.
- Polymer notes have raised printing, which stands up on the surface and can be felt when you run your fingers over it.
- Tiny micro-printed letters "RBNZ" should be visible with a magnifying glass.
- Under an ultraviolet light, the polymer note appears dull. Most commercial papers used in forgeries will glow under an ultraviolet light. However, polymer notes contain special inks, which make particular features glow under an ultraviolet light. For example, the front of each genuine note has a fluorescent patch showing the denomination numerals, which can only be seen under an ultraviolet light.
Further information
For more information on NZ currency, visit the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
If you have any questions, please use our Contact Us page.