New Zealand $$$

I am going to NZ in a couple weeks to hassle some trout, salmon and kingfish.

I have not been there for about 8 years, and am wondering what is the most cost effective way to exchange currency?

Do the airport currency exchange place rip you off????  I'm sure they do!  Can you just use your credit card, will there be rip off fees.

 

Anyone been OS lately and can help me?

thanks

 


Gav's picture

Posts: 21

Date Joined: 24/04/09

Airport currency exchange

Sun, 2013-10-20 13:25

Airport currency exchange rates are some of the worst going so don't bother with that. These are about the two best options I've found for currency at the moment.

For online, go to american express aus website and then foreign exchange, then folllow the links to FX4YOU. No fees, it's bpay via bank so you can use your card (credit or savings) and it's the best rate going. You order what you want and then nominate the post office you'd like to pick up from and it's there in a few business days.

Otherwise that little currency exchange place opposite student flights next to red rooster in the food hall at innaloo westfield generally has the best rate of any of those joints as they're also part of the Amex group.

NZ dollar's been a lot stronger against the Aus. than usual lately so rates aren't that great in general. Biggest increase was the day that the yanks officially announced that they were getting bailed out again as everything jumped a good three points but dropped back again the day after.

 

Posts: 5803

Date Joined: 18/01/12

NZ$ has steadily increased

Sun, 2013-10-20 12:54

NZ$ has steadily increased against $au unfortunately, had been about $1.29 for along time but now about $1.16

Cheapest? Ozforex or similar to an account over there but it takes a day or 2 so at the end you have some left over-not convenient.

Change about what you reckon you need to cash at a good rate then the last bit use your credit card.

 

If you havent been there before-mate you will have a blast, and Id seriously recommend just taking a few extra days, rent a car and go driving to anywhere along the coast or mountains for a "tiki tour"

____________________________________________________________________________

 Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...

 

 

The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.

Everyone's just winging it.

 

JoRn's picture

Posts: 368

Date Joined: 20/11/07

if you have time, get a

Sun, 2013-10-20 12:52

if you have time, get a 28degrees mastercard

Posts: 1755

Date Joined: 02/01/10

Thanks JoRn, never heard of

Sun, 2013-10-20 13:58

Thanks JoRn, never heard of it before but looks good!

 

Buz's picture

Posts: 1555

Date Joined: 28/08/07

+1 on the 28 Degrees card. I

Sun, 2013-10-20 22:57

+1 on the 28 Degrees card. I just used mine for travelling through Central and South America. Worked everywhere I tried it, and NO FEE's at all(unless the ATM charges you a fee), no withdrawal fees or conversion fees :-)

Just have to remember when withdrawing money from an ATM to select Credit and not Savings, so its actually a 'cash advance'.
I just preloaded some $ onto it before hand via BPay and my internet banking, so I was really doing a Credit cash Advance with my own money.

Posts: 1755

Date Joined: 02/01/10

Thanks guys, I have been

Sun, 2013-10-20 13:38

Thanks guys, I have been there before.  Once was a fishing trip once was the Contiki pissfest.

This time I have a family, but bought a new travel rod and hiring a campervan.  Hope to park up most nights adjacent to flowing streams and catch sea run trout / salmon.

 

2 weeks to go  :)

 

Posts: 5803

Date Joined: 18/01/12

 Contiki aka "the f~#ktruk" 

Sun, 2013-10-20 15:12

 Contiki aka "the f~#ktruk"

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...

 

 

The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.

Everyone's just winging it.

 

sea-kem's picture

Posts: 15000

Date Joined: 30/11/09

 Grab a prepaid cash

Sun, 2013-10-20 15:02

 Grab a prepaid cash passport. Get them from the money exchangers in most shopping malls. They are a master card and are basically a debit type set up. Used one in the US recently and found it the way to go. Card and PIN easy as.

____________________________________________________________________________

Love the West!

Posts: 1755

Date Joined: 02/01/10

Also, should I just buy a NZ

Sun, 2013-10-20 15:25

Also, should I just buy a NZ simcard for my phone?  Never took mobile back in my younger days.

I currently have telstra $60 mth plan.  What do they charge to keep my Aussie number?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

Posts: 5803

Date Joined: 18/01/12

 Last year when i was there i

Sun, 2013-10-20 15:49

 Last year when i was there i just bought a prepaid sim, $29 with data also and had about $30 calls included from memory. Has to be done online thu TelecomNZ though so need an address there to post to.

was best deal i could find.

____________________________________________________________________________

 Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...

 

 

The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.

Everyone's just winging it.

 

Posts: 127

Date Joined: 17/01/12

 If you take your Aussie

Thu, 2013-10-24 06:26

 If you take your Aussie phone make sure to turn off all data options. We've had data bills at work of $15G through Telstra for week long overseas trips for guys using iPhones!

Posts: 1755

Date Joined: 02/01/10

thanks rob :) 

Sun, 2013-10-20 16:23

thanks rob :)

 

Posts: 358

Date Joined: 12/05/12

Phone

Sun, 2013-10-20 19:59

 Go to the NZ  warehouse buy a 30 dollar phone prepaid with 20 bucks credit...top up on line ....talk to anz for a overseas money card....no fees just top up when required....got a iPad just get a NZ prepaid SIM card ...available from akld  inter airport....when grocery shopping shop at the supermarket that gives the fuel discount receipt...sorry can't remember wether countdown pak n save or new world....enjoy your trip happy fishing

Lamby's picture

Posts: 3145

Date Joined: 04/08/09

Kchriiiiiist! How's that for

Sun, 2013-10-20 20:36

Kchriiiiiist! How's that for an exchange rate, remind me again why do I keep having these whinging Enzed's pissing in my pocket & always moaning about Australia when they are allegedly only here "for the money" ?!?!

Look at that boys, off you go back to being balls deep in lambs wool again

Posts: 1755

Date Joined: 02/01/10

Thanks for the comments

Mon, 2013-10-21 06:29

Thanks for the comments guys!

 

Posts: 358

Date Joined: 12/05/12

Lamby

Mon, 2013-10-21 17:52

 Sounds like you know a few...a name like Lamby...not surprised....sure it's just pissing in ya pocket...soft skin a by product of cuddling a lanalon blanket....

Lamby's picture

Posts: 3145

Date Joined: 04/08/09

Absolutely know a few & an

Wed, 2013-10-23 18:20

Absolutely know a few & an inside joke for them pardon the pun, law of averages that if you are a west oz & love ruggers then you tend to accumulate them plus the hairy backs as mates 

Posts: 5803

Date Joined: 18/01/12

I dont quite understand what

Wed, 2013-10-23 22:42

I dont quite understand what your saying-accumulate a few what and what are hairy backs-Maoris?

____________________________________________________________________________

 Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...

 

 

The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.

Everyone's just winging it.

 

Lamby's picture

Posts: 3145

Date Joined: 04/08/09

Sorry Rob read that again &

Thu, 2013-10-24 07:24

Sorry Rob read that again & I'm typing double dutch by the looks, accumulate as in make friends 

Hairy Backs - no. Surprised you have never heard this? In short it's a piss take name for South Africans generally by Aussies & Kiwi's.

In long, originally it was slang used by Africans for Afrikaners & most likely derogatory. Over this way it was adopted as a jibe to all South Africans & the infamous sledge by Hookesy "hairy back sheila" during one of Warnie's playing away from home episodes made it really stick.

Sorry for the thread hijack pale ale

Posts: 1755

Date Joined: 02/01/10

no worries mate!  I like

Thu, 2013-10-24 08:31

no worries mate!  I like comedy :)

 

Posts: 1755

Date Joined: 02/01/10

Why do Kiwis have lambswool

Sat, 2013-10-26 16:36

Why do Kiwis have lambswool steering wheel covers?

They love the feeling of fleece between their fingers!

 

Thanks for your help guys!