$20

Details of the security features, size and images used on the $20 banknote.

The front of the 20 dollar banknote showing the different security features

The back of the 20 dollar banknote showing the different security features

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)
$20	145	70

$20 images (front)

Image	Description	Significance
	Queen Elizabeth II portrait	Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II To mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, new official portraits of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II wearing her New Zealand honours were released. The portrait was taken by London-based photographer, Julian Calder, in the Blue Room of Buckingham Palace. It pictures The Queen wearing the Sovereign’s insignia of the Order of New Zealand, the New Zealand Order of Merit, Star, Sash and Badge (obscured) and The Queen’s Service Order. The Queen wears the Diamond Fern brooch presented by the women of Auckland in 1953 on her right shoulder.
	Parliament & Beehive buildings	Parliament Buildings The note shows the two main buildings of the New Zealand Parliament, situated in Wellington. The older building, clad in Takaka marble, is in Edwardian neo-classical style and was designed by architects, John Campbell and Claude Paton. It was built between 1914 and 1922 as the first stage of a larger planned building, and houses the Legislative Chamber. Construction of the 'Beehive' Executive Wing, designed by Sir Basil Spence, began in 1969. It was officially opened in 1977 and occupied in 1979.
	Tukutuku "poutama"	Tukutuku panel “Poutama” The pattern is called Poutama and is from the Rongowhakaata whare whakairo, Te Hau-ki-Tūranga. Te Hau-ki-Tūranga is the oldest carved meeting house in existence and is currently located at Te Papa. The Poutama (Stairway to Heaven) pattern has both religious and educational meanings. The steps symbolise levels of attainment and advancement. It is a predominant pattern in other Rongowhakaata wharenui including Te Mana o Tūranga and Te Poho o Rukupō located in the village of Manutūkē, Gisborne. Ko te ingoa o tēnei tauira ko Poutama, ā, i takea mai i te whare whakairo o Rongowhakaata, i Te Hau-ki-Tūranga. Ko Te Hau-ki-Tūranga te whare whakairo tawhito rawa o Aotearoa, ā, kei Te Papa Tongarewa e tū ana. He aronga tō te Poutama e pā ana ki ngā āhuatanga o te ao wairua, ā, he aronga anō tōna e anga ana ki te mātauranga (Te Pikinga ki ngā Rangi). Hei tohu ngā pikinga mō ngā taumata o te akoranga, me te ahunga whakamua. He tauira tēnei e kitea nuitia ana i ētahi atu wharenui o Rongowhakaata, tae atu ki Te Mana o Tūranga, me Te Poho o Rukupō, kei Manutūkē, kei Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa.

$20 images (back)

Image	Description	Significance
	New Zealand Falcon/Kārearea (Falco novaeseelandiae)	New Zealand Falcon/Kārearea The kārearea or New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae), is a striking and majestic bird. A fearless hunter, it is mainly found in bush-clad mountain valleys. For more information see the Department of Conservation website
	Mount Tapuaenuku	Mount Tapuaenuku Mount Tapuaenuku, the highest peak in the South Island’s Inland Kaikoura range at 2,885 metres high. The view on the note is from the east side of the Inland Kaikouras, looking up from the Awatere Valley floor.
	Marlborough rock daisy (Pachystegia insignis)	Marlborough rock daisy The Marlborough rock daisy (Pachystegia insignis) is a small spreading shrub, with thick leathery leaves and large, spectacular flower heads. It grows in inaccessible places, and can flourish in areas from sea level to 1,200 metres.