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Story: Coins and banknotes

Current coins

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Current coins

These are the current New Zealand coins. In 1991 the $1 and $2 banknotes were replaced by coins. The $1 coin features a kiwi and the $2 a kōtuku (white heron). In 2006 the five-cent piece was withdrawn and the 10, 20 and 50-cent coins were made smaller and lighter. The monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, remained on the obverse ('heads') side of all the coins.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Coins and banknotes – Decimal currency, 1960s to 2000s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/36410/current-coins (accessed 14 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 5 June 2012.

Comments

Juan Manuel
27 October 2015
Great website. Useful for collectors.