Welcome to our new website.
Please note our navigation has changed, so any bookmarks that you have to pages on our site will need to be updated. Subscribers won’t be affected. If you have any queries or issues please contact [email protected]
$50 banknote
This page provides details of the security features, size and images used on the $50 banknote.
Learn more about the security features of our banknotes
Nominal sizes
The Series 7 banknotes nominal sizes are the same as Series 6
| Denomination | Length (mm) | Height (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| $50 | 150 | 72 |
$50 banknotes images (front)
| Image | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
 |
Sir Apirana Ngata portrait | Sir Apirana Ngata (1874–1950) played a significant role in the revival of Māori people and culture during the early years of the twentieth century. He was the first Māori to graduate from a New Zealand university and an elected Member of Parliament for 38 years. |
 |
Porourangi meeting house | Porourangi Meeting House was first built in 1888 and designed by Major Rōpata Wahawaha. It is significant for the Ngata family as it is located next to the original Ngata family home and Waiomatatini Marae, near Ruatōria. It is a showcase for Māori art. |
 |
Tukutuku 'poutama' |
This Tukutuku panel is known as ‘Poutama’. It means ‘stairway to heaven’ and is a feature in the Porourangi meeting house. Ko Poutama te ingoa o tēnei tukutuku, arā, ko te pikinga ki ngā rangi. He tauira tēnei i roto i te wharenui o Porourangi. |
$50 banknote images (back)
| Image | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
 |
Kōkako | The kōkako or blue wattled crow (Callaeas wilsoni) is a large, native bird with a distinctive bluish-grey body, a black face ‘mask’ and sky-blue wattles. The variety on the note is the North Island kōkako. For more information, see the Department of Conservation website |
 |
Pureora Forest Park | Pureora Forest Park, located in the central North Island, stretches for 78,000 hectares. It is one of the most ecologically significant forests in New Zealand and home to a large population of kōkako. |
 |
Sky-blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) |
The sky-blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) grows throughout New Zealand. It is notable for its bright blue colour, which fades with age. |
Image credits
The Alexander Turnbull Library licensed the use of the Sir Apirana Ngata portrait.
The Porourangi meeting house image was supplied by Heni Tawhiwhirangi.