New Zealand Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2030

The ‘New Zealand Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2030' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in New Zealand cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including card, credit transfer, cash, and direct debits during the review-period (2021-25e).

The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2026f-30f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including market shares of issuers and schemes.

The report brings together the analyst’s research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in regulatory structure.

The ‘New Zealand Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2030' report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into New Zealand cards and payments industry, including:

• Current and forecast values for each market in New Zealand cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards.
• Detailed insights into payment instruments including card, credit transfer, cash, and direct debits. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.
• Ecommerce market analysis.
• Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing New Zealand cards and payments industry.
• Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.
• Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards.
• The competitive landscape of New Zealand cards and payments industry.

Key Highlights

• Contactless payments have become increasingly prevalent in New Zealand; spanning various sectors, including retail and public transportation. In December 2024, the National Ticketing Solution (NTS), in collaboration with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and 13 Public Transport Authorities, introduced Motu Move. This system aims to standardize fare payment across public transport by allowing users to settle fares via contactless debit or credit cards, digital wallets or a Motu Move prepaid card. Motu Move was launched in Greater Christchurch in November 2025 and will be introduced progressively in each region, with full national operation projected by the end of 2027. Since its launch, over 100,000 contactless payments have been made by bus and ferry users in Greater Christchurch in the first month since the new contactless ticketing system was introduced.
• In March 2025, New Zealand’s open banking framework - officially implemented through the Consumer Data Right (CDR) under the Customer and Product Data Act 2025 - came into force in March 30, 2025. This framework establishes the legal basis for giving individuals and businesses control over designated customer and product data and enables them to share that data with third parties. Meanwhile, customers can also authorize which data is accessed, for what period, for what purpose, and by which third-party provider. Customers have the ability to revoke authorization and be informed of active authorizations annually.
• The competitive dynamics in New Zealand’s banking sector are shifting with the rise of fintechs and digital-only banks. For instance, in October 2025, the fintech company Emerge launched personal banking services in New Zealand. This move enables customers to open bank accounts online with no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no foreign transaction fees, along with debit cards.

Report Scope

• Card market size in terms of number of cards, value and volume of transactions in New Zealand along with detailed card segmentation of debit, credit and charge cards available in the country.
• Market sizing and analysis of major payment instruments including card, credit transfer, cash, and direct debits.
• Payment market trends and growth for both historical and forecast period
• Competitor analysis with detailed insights into leading card issuers and schemes.
• Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards.
• A detailed snapshot of country's key alternative payment brands.

Reasons to Buy

• Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to New Zealand cards and payments industry and each market within it.
• Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in New Zealand cards and payments industry.
• Assess the competitive dynamics in New Zealand cards and payments industry.
• Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in New Zealand.
• Gain insights into key regulations governing the New Zealand cards and payments industry.