New Zealand Travel Money Guide

New Zealand is a long way from KL and costs more than most Asian trips, but money is the easy part. Tap-to-pay is the default almost everywhere, from city cafés to petrol stations in the middle of nowhere. A small float of New Zealand dollars is plenty.

When to exchange

The New Zealand dollar can move a few percent in a month, but it's less volatile than many currencies and widely available at KL changers. For a trip a few weeks away, compare the live rates and exchange once. For a trip further out, splitting the exchange into two rounds is a sensible way to smooth the rate.

Tip: NZ is a card country, so the best use of your time isn't chasing the last cent on cash rates, it's choosing a travel card or credit card with low foreign fees for most of your spending.

How much cash to bring

NZ is expensive for food and accommodation, but most of your spending will be on a card, so your cash budget stays small. A rough daily budget for a comfortable mid-range trip:

• Food — NZ$60–100/day (a café lunch is about NZ$15–25, and a pub dinner about NZ$25–40)
• Local transport — NZ$10–30/day on city buses, more if you rent a campervan or car (fuel and vehicle costs are separate)
• Activities — NZ$40–120/day (a gondola, a wildlife cruise or a glacier walk can cost far more than a museum)

A card-first road trip

• Tap everywhere — supermarkets, petrol stations, cafés, national park visitor centres and most tours accept contactless cards and phones.
• Rural gaps — some farm stalls, honesty boxes and small campsites still take cash only, so a few small notes are useful.
• Fuel — pay by card at the pump or counter, so check that your card works for pre-authorisation before you drive off into the countryside.
• Rental cars and campervans — expect a large deposit to be held on your credit card, so you need a card with enough available credit.

International visitor levy

Most international visitors pay a NZ$100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), which is paid online as part of your visa or NZeTA application rather than at the border. It isn't cash, so you don't need to change money for it, but it is worth including in your trip budget. Check Immigration New Zealand for the current fees and whether the levy applies to you.

Where to exchange in KL

These three changers currently post the best NZD rates. Tap to see their branches and live rates:

Payment tips on the ground

• No tipping needed — tipping isn't part of the culture, though a small tip for exceptional service is welcome.
• Pay in New Zealand dollars — if a terminal asks whether to charge you in ringgit, decline and choose NZD.
• Keep a small float — a few notes for the odd cash-only stall, then pay for everything else by card.