Notes & coins frequently asked questions
Q. How do I return my old money when it's no longer 'legal tender'?
A. Please print this form for returning demonetised currency to the Reserve Bank, complete it, then return it with your old money to the Reserve Bank in Wellington.
Q. What should I do if I have any old coins?
The Reserve Bank will always pay face value for currency that has been legally issued for use in New Zealand. In order to obtain value, old coins should be returned to the Reserve Bank in Wellington.
We are aware that trading banks have elected to no longer accept old coins and that old coins should now be returned to the following address:-
Reserve Bank of New Zealand
PO Box 2498
2 The Terrace
Wellington
New Zealand
Attn Mr D Blake
Q. Where can I find out about the new coins?
A. The silver coins changed on 31 July 2006. Read about the changes on our New coins website.
Q. Where do I find out about money? How are the coins and bank notes designed? How long do they last etc.
A. Our pamphlet Explaining Currency: New Zealand's bank notes and coins (PDF 398KB) should contain the answers to most of your questions. Also have a look in the Money area on this website for additional information.
Q. What can I do with a damaged note?
A. If you come across a badly damaged bank note, don't throw it away, as it will normally have some value. The Reserve Bank is liable to pay on currency it issues, provided that the note is not so badly damaged that it is unrecognisable. In extreme cases, individual assessments of notes may need to be made. To receive payment on a damaged note, you need to present it to a bank or to the Reserve Bank in Wellington.
Q. Does the RBNZ accept old coins and bank notes?
A. All New Zealand currency is accepted by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand for payment at face value. Some currency has been demonetised or withdrawn including 1c and 2c coins and $1 and $2 notes. These do not need to be accepted by moneychangers as they are no longer legal tender, but are still accepted by us. Should moneychangers take this money they can send it to us and we will pay full value. (This is also the case for pre-decimal "LSD" New Zealand pounds). It is important to note that all decimal (dollars) paper bank notes (excluding $1 and $2 notes) are legal tender and are still in circulation.
Q. Does the Reserve Bank of New Zealand sell collectable coins?
A. No. Collectable legal tender coins and bank notes are sold by NZ Post, see http://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/Cultures/en-NZ/Coins or phone 0800 782 677 or email collectables@nzpost.co.nz
Q. Can we make some reproduction New Zealand bank notes for our school play?
A. Yes you can, as long as you follow these guidelines:
The reproduction of all or part of a New Zealand bank note shall be authorised in the following cases:
- For photographs, drawings, paintings, films and generally for any type of image in which the focus is not the bank notes or reproductions themselves and which do not provide a close-up view of the bank note designs;
- For one-sided reproductions, provided these are more than 125% or less than 75% of both the length and width of the respective bank note, irrespective of the material used for the reproduction.
For more information, see the Issuing or reproducing "bank notes" and "coins" section of the Reserve Bank website.
