New Zealand Money & Costs -- Currency, Budget Guide & Expenses | Kiwi Grand Tours

Currency

New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar (NZD, $). It is not the same as the Australian Dollar (AUD) -- the two are separate currencies with different exchange rates. Do not assume NZD and AUD are interchangeable.

Current approximate exchange rates (check live rates before travel as these fluctuate):

From	Approximate NZD equivalent
1 AUD (Australian Dollar)	NZD ~1.08
1 USD (US Dollar)	NZD ~1.65
1 GBP (British Pound)	NZD ~2.10
1 EUR (Euro)	NZD ~1.80
100 INR (Indian Rupee)	NZD ~1.95
1 SGD (Singapore Dollar)	NZD ~1.23

Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Always confirm current rates before travel.

Getting cash and using cards

ATMs: Widely available at airports, banks, and shopping centres in cities and towns. Most accept international Visa, Mastercard, and Cirrus/Maestro cards. International transaction fees apply -- check with your bank.
Credit/debit cards: Accepted almost universally, including at small cafes, tour operators, and rural accommodation. Contactless payment (tap) is the norm in NZ.
Currency exchange: Available at airports (rates are typically poor), banks, and specialist exchange bureaux. NZ banks (Westpac, ANZ, ASB, BNZ) generally offer better rates than airport counters.
Tipping is not required: See below -- this genuinely saves money compared to countries with tipping culture.

Tipping in New Zealand

New Zealand does not have a tipping culture. Service staff receive a living wage and tips are not expected at restaurants, cafes, hotels, or on tours. You may occasionally see a tip jar at a cafe counter -- this is entirely optional. At restaurants, leaving a small amount for genuinely exceptional service is a pleasant gesture but absolutely not expected or required. Never feel obligated to tip in NZ.

Typical costs guide

Item	Budget	Mid-range	Luxury
Hotel/lodge per night	NZD $100-180	NZD $200-350	NZD $500-2,000+
Cafe breakfast	NZD $15-22	NZD $22-30	NZD $35-60
Restaurant lunch	NZD $20-30	NZD $30-55	NZD $60-120
Fine dining dinner (excl. wine)	--	NZD $70-100pp	NZD $120-250pp
Bottle of NZ wine (restaurant)	NZD $45-65	NZD $65-120	NZD $120-400+
Domestic beer or coffee	NZD $8-10	NZD $8-12	NZD $10-15
Private day tour (per person)	NZD $99-179	NZD $180-350	NZD $350-800+
Domestic flight (e.g. AKL-ZQN)	NZD $80-150	NZD $150-250	NZD $350+ (business)
Petrol per litre	NZD $2.30-2.70 (fluctuates with global prices)
SIM card (data + calls, 30 days)	NZD $25-55 depending on plan

Luxury lodge pricing

New Zealand's finest lodges (Blanket Bay, Huka Lodge, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Matakauri, Kauri Cliffs) typically range from NZD $1,200-3,500 per room per night. These usually include breakfast, some meals, and concierge services. For a premium all-inclusive experience at a single property, budget NZD $2,000-4,500 per couple per night all-in. Contact us to discuss options within your budget.

What costs are usually included in a KGT programme

Typically included in our private programmes

All private transport and transfers
Professional guide throughout
Listed accommodation (on a per-night basis)
Specified activity and entrance fees
Specified meals as per itinerary
Bottled water and in-vehicle refreshments

Typically not included (unless specified)

International flights to/from New Zealand
Travel insurance
Visa and NZeTA fees
Personal expenses, laundry, mini-bar
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Optional upgrades requested during the trip

GST (Goods and Services Tax)

New Zealand charges 15% GST on all goods and services. Unlike Australia, there is no tourist GST refund at departure. All prices in NZ are quoted inclusive of GST -- what you see is what you pay.

💰 Money & Costs