Where to Exchange Foreign Currency in New Zealand: Best Providers, Methods & Tips

If you’re a Kiwi gearing up for an overseas trip, or you’ve just landed in Aotearoa and need to switch some foreign cash for New Zealand dollars, knowing where to exchange money can save you time.

Exchanging currency in New Zealand is relatively straightforward, but the exchange rates, commissions and fees can vary depending on where you go. Understanding your options upfront makes it easier to choose a provider that’s fast, fair, and good value for your trip. To that end, this guide is going to share where you can exchange money in New Zealand, and what to look out for when you do.

Where to exchange money in New Zealand

There are currency exchange options in most major cities and travel hubs across New Zealand, giving you plenty of choices for where you can exchange foreign currency in NZ. Banks, specialist money changers, retail stores, travel agents, and airport kiosks are all places that can offer foreign exchange services, but each comes with different rates, fees, and levels of convenience.

Banks

The landscape for foreign currency exchange at New Zealand banks has shifted significantly in recent years, with nearly all major institutions moving away from physical cash services. In the past, it was common to walk into a local branch to buy or sell banknotes, but most banks have now discontinued this service in favor of digital solutions and third-party partnerships.

For example, ANZ officially stopped all in-branch foreign cash exchanges in November 2020¹, and ASB followed suit in July 2021². BNZ similarly does not offer foreign cash services directly at its branches³. While Westpac was the last of the major banks to maintain these services, they have announced that all in-branch foreign currency trading will officially end on 30 January 2026⁴.

If you can find a bank that still supports foreign currency cash exchange, they usually offer reliable service and secure transactions, but the exchange rate may not be as competitive as other providers. They also tend to just keep major currencies in stock, like AUD and USD, but may be able to order less common ones on request.

Specialist money changers

Specialist currency exchange providers can sometimes offer better rates than banks, especially in busy city centres or tourist areas. They often advertise no commission, but the exchange rate itself may include a markup.

Some of the more well-known New Zealand money changers are:

• Travelex
• Prosegur Change
• Lotus Foreign Exchange
• Travel Money NZ

These providers can be a convenient option if you want cash straight away, although availability and rates vary between locations.

Retail travel agents and post office outlets

In some countries, post offices offer exchange services for common currencies. The New Zealand national postal service is NZ Post, and while they don’t handle currency exchanges in-house, you can collect online Travelex money orders at select NZ Post outlets.⁵

Some travel agencies also offer currency exchange services, for example Flight Centre NZ who offer it through their partner, Travel Money NZ.⁶ Keep in mind rate can vary between providers, even if they have the same partners, and you may need to order certain currencies in advance.

Airport and hotel kiosks

As you travel, airport and hotel kiosks can be a convenient place to exchange cash, but they’re often the most expensive way to exchange money. These providers typically charge higher fees or use less favourable exchange rates in return for convenience. For the best value, it’s usually worth comparing other options before you travel.

Places to exchange currency in New Zealand

Here are some city guides with more details on where to exchange money in NZ:

• Auckland
• Christchurch
• Tauranga
• Dunedin
• Queenstown

What to know before exchanging money in New Zealand

Exchange rates and fees can make a significant difference to how much you get, exchanging foreign cash for New Zealand dollars, or vice versa. Before exchanging money, be sure to check:

Compare against the mid-market rate

By doing this you can see if a markup has been added and decide which provider is offering the best value for money. Be wary of anyone offering “zero fees” or “no commissions” as they often add a higher margin instead.

If you want to avoid high markups, you can use a provider that offers the mid-market exchange rate. Wise uses the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees, which can help you keep more of your money when converting currencies in New Zealand or abroad.

Avoid exchanging money at airports or hotels

It may be highly convenient, but airports and hotels usually offer poor rates and high transaction fees. Whenever possible, wait until you reach a city center or use a local ATM to get better value for your money.

Always choose the local currency

When using an ATM for cash withdrawal, you may be asked if you want to be charged in your "home currency" or the "local currency". Always choose local currency.

Choosing your home currency triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This allows the local ATM or merchant to set their own (usually terrible) exchange rate. By picking your local currency, your own bank or Wise handles the conversion at a much fairer rate.

Summary

You have plenty of options for currency exchange in New Zealand. Specialist changers offer the convenience of physical cash. You can also consider digital multi-currency account such as Wise for your foreign currency. With the mid-market exchange rate and some fee-free ATM withdrawals, it’s a flexible way to manage your money while travelling and also get access to cash.

Hold and manage 40+ currencies with the Wise account

The Wise account is an easy way to save up to 7x when you send, spend, and withdraw money internationally. Hold and manage 40+ currencies, including NZD, USD, EUR, and more. All you need to do is sign up for a free account to get started, there's no monthly fees either.

You can exchange currencies at the mid-market rate on every conversion — basically the rate you see on Google. And with zero foreign transaction fees, and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

You'll get 8+ local account details in NZD and a selection of other global currencies to get paid conveniently to your Wise account. And when it's time to send money abroad, enjoy fast, low-cost transfers to 140+ countries. Plus, you can get a linked Wise debit card for spending internationally at the same great mid-market rate.

When it comes to managing money globally, the Wise account is a handy tool that makes it easier and simpler.

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Date: 6 December 2025