New Zealand Currency

New Zealand’s national bird. The kiwi is flightless. The $1 coin replaced the $1 note in 1991.

A small bird with a distinctive fan-shaped tail. This note was withdrawn in 1991.

This fern has a distinctive silver back and is used as an emblem for many New Zealand sports teams including the All Blacks. This coin was withdrawn in 1989.

One of New Zealand’s rarest birds. The $2 coin replaced the $2 note in 1991.

A small native bird. This note was withdrawn in 1991.

A beautiful yellow flower. This coin was withdrawn in 1989.

Back. Unique to NZ and one of the world’s rarest penguins. Part of a Campbell Island scene.

Front. A New Zealand explorer (1919 - 2008). He was the first person to climb Mt. Everest in 1953 and to drive overland (by tractor) across Antarctica to the South Pole in 1958. The note also features Mt Cook/Aoraki NZ’s highest mountain & a Massey Ferguson tractor.

New Zealand lizard sometimes called a living fossil. This coin was withdrawn in 2006.

Commemorative coin released in 1997. Legal tender but did not enter circulation.

Front. A prominent leader in the campaign to get New Zealand women the vote (1848 - 1934). In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to give woman the vote.

Back. An endangered species. Part of a river scene.

Changed to a smaller, lighter coin in 2006 but the same design was kept.

Back. Sometimes called the bush hawk. Part of a New Zealand alpine scene.

Front. Also features two of the three NZ parliament buildings including the Beehive, so-called because of its distinctive shape.

This was changed from the kiwi in 1990 because the kiwi design was used on the new $1 coin. Changed to a smaller, lighter coin in 2006 but the same design was kept. Has a distinctive ‘Spanish flower’ design edging.

Back. Grey native bird with black face mask and blue wattles. Part of a conifer broadleaf forest scene.

Front. First Maori to graduate from university, he was a member of parliament for 38 years and did much to revive Maori culture (1874 - 1950).

Captained by James Cook, the first European to discover New Zealand (Abel Tasman was the first European to sight New Zealand but did not land). Changed to a smaller, lighter coin in 2006 but the same design was kept.

Front. Scientist often referred to as the ‘Father of nuclear physics’. Amongst other accomplishments he explained naturally occurring radiation and determined the structure of the atom. The note also features the Noble prize for chemistry medal won by Rutherford in 1908.

Back. Also known as the bush canary. Part of a beech forest scene. $100 is the highest denomination in New Zealand currency.

Commemorative coin released in 1990 for the sesquicentennial of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (February 6th 1840). Legal tender but did not enter circulation.