Compare Credit Cards in New Zealand

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29 live offers compared from 11 providers, from NZ$0 /year. Updated daily.

What are credit cards in New Zealand?

A credit card lets you borrow up to an approved limit to pay for purchases, repaying either in full each month (interest-free) or over time (with interest). In New Zealand, cards are issued mainly by the big banks and American Express, and range from no-frills low-rate cards to premium rewards cards earning Airpoints, cashback or travel benefits. Used carefully — paid off in full each statement — a credit card is a convenient, protected way to spend and can return real value through rewards.

How the New Zealand market works

The New Zealand credit-card market is dominated by the five main banks — ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank — plus American Express, with smaller issuers like SBS Bank and The Co-operative Bank. Cards typically run on the Visa or Mastercard networks (Amex issues its own). A defining local feature is the Airpoints and Air New Zealand rewards ecosystem, alongside bank cashback and points schemes. Interchange fees are now regulated, which has reshaped how generously banks can fund rewards.

Benefits

Interest-free period — Pay your statement in full and you typically get up to around 55 days interest-free on purchases.

Rewards — Earn Airpoints Dollars, cashback or points on everyday spending, often with bonus categories.

Purchase protection — Cards offer chargeback rights and, on premium tiers, travel insurance and extended warranties.

Cashflow flexibility — A card smooths timing between income and expenses when managed responsibly.

How to choose

Decide first whether you clear the balance monthly. If you do, chase the best rewards and interest-free period and don't over-weight the interest rate. If you sometimes carry a balance, prioritise a low-interest or low-fee card, because rewards rarely outweigh interest charges. Weigh the annual fee against the rewards you will realistically earn — a NZ 50 fee card only pays off with enough spending. Check Airpoints versus cashback value for your habits, and look at balance-transfer offers if you are consolidating existing card debt.

Leading providers in New Zealand

ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac all offer tiered ranges from low-fee everyday cards to premium Airpoints and Platinum cards. Kiwibank is known for straightforward low-fee and low-rate cards. American Express competes on generous rewards and its own Airpoints and Membership Rewards earn rates, though acceptance is narrower than Visa and Mastercard. SBS Bank and The Co-operative Bank offer competitive no-frills and low-rate options. Annual fees across the market range from NZ$0 on basic cards to around NZ$500 for top-tier premium travel cards.

What it costs

Annual fees run from NZ$0 on entry-level and some low-rate cards to roughly NZ$500 for premium rewards cards packed with travel perks. Purchase interest rates are the bigger cost if you carry a balance — commonly in the high teens to low twenties per cent — while low-rate cards trade fewer rewards for a materially lower interest rate. Cash advances attract higher rates and immediate interest. Foreign-transaction fees of around 1.5% to 2.5% apply on overseas and many online purchases unless the card specifically waives them.

Protections and regulation

Credit cards are regulated under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA), which mandates responsible lending, clear disclosure and fee limits, overseen by the Commerce Commission. Issuers must be registered financial service providers and belong to a dispute-resolution scheme. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand supervises the banks' prudential soundness. Chargeback rights through Visa, Mastercard and Amex give you recourse for faulty goods or fraud, and the Fair Trading Act prohibits misleading advertising of card terms.

Common questions

Airpoints or cashback? — Airpoints suits frequent Air New Zealand flyers who value flights; cashback is simpler and more flexible for everyone else.

Is the annual fee worth it? — Only if your realistic rewards or perks exceed the fee; low spenders are usually better on a no-fee card.

How long is the interest-free period? — Typically up to around 55 days on purchases, but only if you pay the full statement balance each month.

Credit Cards in New Zealand — FAQ