New Zealand is a country blessed with stunning natural beauty that will leave you in awe. You can explore the subtropical beaches of the North Island or venture into the alpine landscapes of the South Island. And let’s not forget about the vibrant culture of Auckland and the thrill-seeking adventures that await in Queenstown. There’s something for everyone in this amazing country! Getting around this beautiful country is a breeze once you have a handle on the local cash, using cash and ATMs in New Zealand, and the various payment methods available.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in New Zealand?
There are over 1,800 bank-owned ATMs in New Zealand, along with numerous others operated by independent networks. There are plenty of places to find cash in New Zealand, both in cities and smaller towns. But don’t get your hopes up if you’re planning to visit remote islands or far-off places.
You can find ATMs at:
- Big airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Popular streets in any big city,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Branches of the bank,
- A few office buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Little airports,
- Islands,
- Farms,
- Bus stops,
- Villages,
- In little towns, away from the main roads,
- Resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in New Zealand for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in New Zealand are those owned by popular banks such as:
ANZ,
ASB,
Westpac,
BNZ, and
TSB.
There are some other banks too with ATMs that happily accept international debit and credit cards.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In New Zealand, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in NZD).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in New Zealand, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in NZD’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in New Zealand?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in New Zealand. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept American Express, Diners, Discover cards. Others like CUP, JCB, Maestro or Rupay cards are usually not accepted.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in New Zealand.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in New Zealand?
The term ‘ATM’ is commonly used or you will only see the bank name with no ‘ATM’ sign.
PIN type
Typically, 4-digit PINs are accepted for ATM transactions.
Merchant card requirements: Chip-and-PIN cards are the norm, but magnetic stripe cards are also accepted.
Languages at ATMs in New Zealand
ATMs in New Zealand come with English as the default language. If you’re not familiar with English, you can try using the camera function on Google Translate to translate the options on your phone in real time! Just a heads up – these translations might not always be spot-on, so don’t hurry. Take your time with the transaction.
If you cannot understand these languages, it’s fine. Use the camera feature of Google Translate to translate the selections on your phone in real time! Note: Because these translations are not always accurate, please take your time and finish the transaction without haste.
Do ATMs in New Zealand work similarly as other countries?
Yes. The ATMs are pretty modern and they look and work just like the ones you’d find in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and India. Just a heads up, some ATMs keep your card inside while you’re doing your transaction. So, make sure you don’t forget to grab it back after you’ve withdrawn your cash.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Australia & Oceania.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in New Zealand?
ATMs in New Zealand dispense only the official currency New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
ATM withdrawal limits in New Zealand?
ATMs in New Zealand have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of NZD 800 to NZ 2,000, with the most common being NZD 2,000 (New Zealand Dollar). Some bank ATMs also allow to withdraw as much as the card’s limit. Of course, the transaction limit is always dependent on the amount of cash available in the ATM at the time of withdrawal.
ATM Fees in New Zealand?
There are some fee-free ATMs in New Zealand. Many bank ATMs charge between NZD 3 to NZD 7 per transaction as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders (New Zealand Dollars) and some bank ATMs do not charge fees to foreign cards.So, there are some fee-free options in New Zealand for a foreign cardholder.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in New Zealand – something every traveller handling cash in New Zealand should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in New Zealand?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in New Zealand?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in New Zealand. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including New Zealand.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use New Zealand ATMs?
Yes usually. The crime rates near ATMs are pretty low.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in New Zealand takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, it is possible. There are some fee-free ATMs in New Zealand. Many bank ATMs charge between NZD 3 to NZD 7 per transaction as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders (New Zealand Dollars) and some bank ATMs do not charge fees to foreign cards.So, there are some fee-free options in New Zealand for a foreign cardholder.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in New Zealand?
Yes, cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries can typically be used at ATMs in New Zealand.
Bitcoin ATMs?
There are a bunch of Bitcoin ATMs in cities like Auckland and Wellington.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in New Zealand
Bank of America: There aren’t any Bank of America ATMs in New Zealand.
Citibank: None.
Barclays: There aren’t any Barclays ATMs in New Zealand.
HSBC: You can find HSBC ATMs in New Zealand.
Standard Chartered: There aren’t any Standard Chartered ATMs in New Zealand.
