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Buy New Zealand dollars before you fly
Buy New Zealand dollars online from US First Exchange and land in Auckland, Wellington or Queenstown with a little local cash. We are a Los Angeles currency exchange registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business. Choose your amount in the order form on this page and see your full price before you pay.
Cash for the road trip
New Zealand is very card-friendly. Tap-to-pay works in most cafés, shops, petrol stations and tourist attractions, even in smaller towns.
Cash earns its place on a road trip: honesty boxes at campsites and farm-gate stalls, small rural cafés, weekend markets and places with patchy mobile signal. Tipping is not expected in New Zealand, so you will need less cash than in the US.
Where else the New Zealand dollar is used
Besides New Zealand, the New Zealand dollar is used in the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and the Pitcairn Islands. Australia uses its own currency, so you will need Australian dollars if your trip crosses the Tasman Sea.
New Zealand dollar banknotes at a glance
New Zealand banknotes are issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. All current notes are polymer and feature native birds. We source New Zealand dollars as orders come in, so the exact mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
| Note | Typical use |
|---|---|
| $5 NZD | Coffee, snacks, honesty boxes |
| $10 NZD | Small purchases, market stalls |
| $20 NZD | Meals, everyday spending |
| $50 and $100 NZD | Larger purchases |
How to buy New Zealand dollars online
- Choose your amount. Select New Zealand dollar and enter how much you want. You can add other currencies to the same order.
- Pay securely. Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order.
- Verify your identity. Upload a valid US government-issued ID, as federal rules require.
- Receive your delivery. Choose FedEx 2Day or Overnight and track your package.
See how to get foreign currency delivered to your door or the full process on how it works.
Payment and delivery
Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order. We do not accept bank wire, ACH or PayPal payments.
| Payment method | Time to clear |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Up to 72 business hours |
| Check, e-check, cashier's check or money order | Up to 7 business days from the day payment is received and processed |
Check payments take longer because of our due diligence checks. Once your payment clears, your order ships by FedEx with full-value insurance and tracking.
| Shipping option | Cost |
|---|---|
| FedEx 2Day | $24 |
| FedEx Overnight | $34 |
| Orders of $5,000 or more | Free |
An adult (18+) must sign for the package. We deliver to every U.S. state except Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico; Alaska and Hawaii are treated as international deliveries.
Because we source New Zealand dollars to order, allow a little extra time and order well before your trip.
Why buy New Zealand dollars from US First Exchange
- Verified notes checked on De La Rue verification machines before they ship.
- Fully insured FedEx delivery, free on orders of $5,000 or more.
- Rate locked at checkout, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Registered and compliant. We are registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business and follow federal know-your-customer rules. Read our compliance statement.
- A real US business. Our office is at 550 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We serve customers by mail and phone; there is no walk-in counter.
- People who pick up the phone. Call 310-982-1743, 10am–5pm Pacific Time.
- Sell back leftovers. Home with Kiwi dollars to spare? Sell New Zealand dollars for US dollars.
Visiting more than one country? See every currency on our buy foreign currency page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need cash in New Zealand?
Only a little. Cards work almost everywhere, but cash is handy for campsite honesty boxes, farm-gate stalls and rural areas.
Do I need to tip in New Zealand?
No. Tipping is not expected, though it is welcome for exceptional service.
Can I use New Zealand dollars in Australia?
No. Australia uses the Australian dollar.
How long does it take to get New Zealand dollars delivered?
Your order ships once your payment clears and your notes are sourced: card payments clear in up to 72 business hours, check payments in up to 7 business days. Order well before you travel.
How much is shipping?
FedEx 2Day costs $24 and FedEx Overnight costs $34. Shipping is free on orders of $5,000 or more.
Is there a minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Larger orders need extra identity verification, and government reporting rules may apply.
Can I buy New Zealand dollars with a credit card?
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Your card issuer may treat the purchase as a cash advance, so check with them first.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH or PayPal?
No. We accept credit and debit cards, e-checks, checks, cashier's checks and money orders.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?
Yes. An adult aged 18 or over must sign for the package at the address on your order.
Can I return New Zealand dollars?
All sales are final and currency cannot be returned. You can sell it back to us later at our posted buyback rate.