Browser issue

It looks like the browser you're using doesn’t work well with our website. For a better experience, please update to the latest version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.

$50 banknote

The $50 banknote features Sir Apirana Ngata on the front and the kōkako (blue wattled crow) on the back.

Published:

06 August 2024

Series 7

Front of $50 note — Front of Series 7 $50 banknote

Back of $50 note — Back of Series 7 $50 banknote

Series 6

What's on the $50 banknote

Dimensions: 150 mm (length), 72 mm (height)

Front

The front of the $50 note has a portrait of Sir Apirana Ngata. He was the first Māori person to receive a university degree.
Sir Apirana Ngata has featured on the $50 note since 1999 when the series 5 banknotes were first issued.
Next to Sir Apirana Ngata is the Porourangi meeting house (wharenui). The Porourangi is significant for the Ngata family as it is located next to the original Ngata family home.

Back

The kōkako or blue wattled crow is on the back of the $50 note.
Other design features include the tukutuku poutama (which is a feature in the Porourangi meeting house), Pureora Forest Park and the sky-blue mushroom (entoloma hochstetteri).

Use our interactive banknote

Learn more about the design features on Series 7 banknotes using our interactive banknote.

Current banknotes

$5 banknote

The $5 banknote features Sir Edmund Hillary on the front and the yellow eyed-penguin (hoiho) on the back.

$10 banknote

The $10 banknote features Kate Sheppard on the front and the blue duck (whio) on the back.

$20 banknote

The $20 banknote features Queen Elizabeth II on the front and the New Zealand falcon (kārearea) on the back.

$100 banknote

The $100 banknote features Lord Rutherford of Nelson on the front and the yellowhead (mōhua) on the back.