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Money and cash

Access to cash

Have your say on a cash services standard that will make sure you can easily withdraw and deposit cash and get coins for free, no matter where you live.

Published:

Information in alternate formats

We have translated our key consultation information into Easy Read, Large Print, Audio, Braille and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).

View alternate formats

What we're proposing

Is cash important to you?
 
Kia ora, I’m Robbie, Manager of Money and Cash Policy here at Te Pūtea Matua, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

For a number of years we’ve been asking Kiwis if they still want the option of using cash. The answer’s been a resounding, unambiguous Yes. And we’ve been asking businesses if it’s getting harder to handle cash – and yup, the answer is another resounding, unambiguous Yes.
 
So we have come up with a plan to make sure New Zealand keeps cash. We want to know what you think.

Our plan is to introduce a cash services standard that banks would have to meet. The standard would create a minimum number of locations across New Zealand to access cash services.

This means that wherever you are in New Zealand, you will be able to withdraw, deposit or swap cash close to where you live.
 
As part of our plan, we’ve got maps that show what our proposed standard could deliver in each district of New Zealand. 
 
Visit our website to check out the plan for yourself. It's designed to deliver what you need, but we need your help to get it right.

Find the plan at rbnz.govt.nz

We're improving access to cash services across Aotearoa New Zealand 

Cash services are services that help you to:

  • deposit cash into your bank account
  • withdraw cash
  • swap cash for a different mix of banknotes and coins.

ATMs and bank branches provide cash services. 

We’re asking banks to provide free cash services at enough sites across the country so you don’t have to travel too far to access them or wait in long queues. 

Banks can choose how they provide these services, but whatever they do, each district needs to have enough cash services for its population. 

What this means for you

A hand holding a smartphone displaying a map showing the nearest ATM

Easy access for urban communities 

Most people living in towns and cities should be within 3km of: 

  • free cash withdrawals 
  • free cash deposits 
  • free cash swap services.

Reasonable driving distances in rural areas 

People in rural settlements (with a population of 200 to 999 people) shouldn’t need to drive more than 15km one way for cash services. People living in more remote areas shouldn’t need to drive more than 30km. 

As part of this plan, we’ve prepared some maps showing what this could look like in every district. 

Download the maps (PDF, 4 MB)

Read our consultation paper (PDF, 1 MB)

Other countries are already doing this

Countries like the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands already have, or are bringing in, new rules to make sure people can still access cash services when they need to. 

Why cash still matters

Cash is still important for many New Zealanders. We use cash for social, economic and cultural reasons, like koha. 
Over 80% of adults use cash sometimes for everyday purchases, 8% of adults rely on cash and more than 50% store cash.
72% of small business say they will be worse off if cash is not available

Cash comes into its own during digital outages and during emergencies, like Cyclone Gabrielle, when payment systems are down. 

Over the last decade, banks have closed around 40% of their branches around the country, making it harder for people and small businesses to access the cash services they need. 

Tell us what you think

Fill out our online survey to let us know if you agree with our proposed cash services standard, and if you think it meets the needs of your community. 

Your feedback will help shape the future of cash in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Public consultation is open from 25 February to 31 July 2026.

Complete our survey

If you prefer, you can fill out a paper version of the survey instead, and email or post it back to us.

Download the paper survey (PDF, 911 KB)

You can also give your feedback in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) at the NZSL Direct website: www.nzsl.direct/rbnz

Want to know more?