loncall

My 3 week trip to NZ is now less than a month away. I have found so much planning info on previous posts and trip reports so thanks you to everyone who has contirbuted, especially Diamantina who has offered such a vast amount of knowledge tips and restaurant suggestions etc.

One practical issue remains is whether or not in NZ it is common to pay for smallish items such as a quick lunch or coffee and cake etc using bankcards (we have ones of the kind that do not incurr exchange costs with our bank for travel), If it is (like in UK) then I will only take a relatively small amount of currency but I know habits differ from country to country in this respect. Can anyone clarify currrent postion for me ?

crellston

I am UK based and have taken three long trips to New Zealand. IME the situation in NZ is pretty much the same as the UK - everywhere accepts cards, even for small items. It is years since I have had any cash in my wallet ( apart form a £1 coin for supermarket trolley locks!). These days I pretty much always use Apple Wallet on my phone rather than cards themselves.

loncall

Thanks crellston that is helpful to know.

Diamantina

Loncall, thanks for the compliment!

Because I live in NZ, I use my debit card on a daily basis, and my bank credit card for larger purchases. I hardly ever use cash. One exception is when using our local bus, which only takes coins or small bills/bank notes ($5 to $20). If you have bank cards that don’t incur fees or currency exchange fees, definitely use those. Use your debit card to withdraw only NZ$40 or so for unexpected cash payments such as having to take a local bus, though you probably won’t even need to do this. Most parking meters, which you’ll only find in busier town centres, accept cards. Tips are not expected in NZ, so won’t even need cash for tipping a taxi or shuttle driver. Besides, if you end up needing more cash, it sounds like you can easily withdraw more. I’m sure you don’t want to end up with too much NZ currency at the end of your trip. Chances are you’ll still have that NZ$40 at the end, which you can easily spend at an airport shop or food concession on your way out of the country (a cup of coffee, for example, would cost around NZ$5 more or less).

Have a wonderful trip!

loncall

Thanks Diamantina, Sounds like very little need for cash Last few trips I have been on in Europe I have returned home with virtually all the cash I took. It is so difficult to get out of the lifetime habit of ordering loads in advance even though I sort of know I will not use it !

places_with_palms

Yes, most people use Apple Pay, and their eftpos card regularly. Since Covid there are actually quite a few shops and services that try not to take cash. It's more common to pay with a card than cash.

loncall

Thanks

northie

Most places have a surcharge for using a credit or debit card card.

nelsonian

I was about to mention that Northie. Some places just charge a fee if you use Paywave, others charge if you use any sort of credit card, The shop or cafe must display in a prominent place that a fee will be charged,

loncall

Thanks