Personal Finance Tips

Top payment methods in New Zealand: A guide on best ways to pay

Nicholas Chia

08.09.25

Read time 2 minutes

Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in New Zealand? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.

New Zealand, with a population of around 5.39 million people, has a GDP of approximately 248.67 billion, making it the 53rd largest economy in the world. The official currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

The economy is based on the export of agricultural products, particularly dairy, meat, and wine, as well as tourism. It has close economic ties with Australia and is a member of the CPTPP, with China as its largest trading partner.


Country	New Zealand
Population	5.39 million
GDP (USD)	248.67 billion
Global Ranking	53rd
Currency	New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

What is the main payment method in New Zealand?

The primary way people pay for things in stores in New Zealand is via the ubiquitous EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) debit card system.¹ Contactless payments using both debit and credit cards are standard for most transactions. For paying bills and making online purchases, Online EFTPOS and direct bank transfers are popular and secure methods.²

How to pay in New Zealand

Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in New Zealand.

Payment method	Description	Type
Wise	Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies.	Online/in-person
EFTPOS (Debit Cards)	The national EFTPOS debit card system is the most common payment method for in-person retail transactions.¹	in-person
Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)	Credit cards are extremely popular for both online and in-person purchases, often linked to loyalty programs.²	Online/in-person
Bank Transfers	Online bank transfers are a very common way to pay bills and make P2P payments directly from a bank account.³	Online
Cash (New Zealand Dollar)	New Zealand is a largely cashless society, but cash is still accepted everywhere and used for smaller purchases or at local markets.	in-person

Is PayPal available in New Zealand?

Yes, PayPal is accepted in New Zealand.⁴

Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card

Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.

You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.

And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.

Get started with Wise

*Wise is not a bank. The Wise Multi-Currency Card is issued by our sponsor Bank(s), member(s) FDIC. Fees and T&C apply. See https://growth-layer.live/a%3E for details.

Sources:

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.