Recommendations.. more cash or more on the travel card for New Zealand? Is contactless widely available? 

Hi Dawn

I took mainly NZ cash last time (I'm 'old school' and prefer good old fashioned cash!) but when I go back in Feb 2027 I think I'll do half and half. 

Most of the 'big ticket' excursions, i.e the helicopters etc, take cards but some of the smaller coffee places and gift shops still prefer cash. I think there was only one place that refused cash, and that was the bar of the hotel in Auckland which insisted on cards or room charging. Everywhere else is much the same as the UK and as the NZ dollar is basically two to the pound, it's really easy to keep a track of prices and how much you are spending.

Happy travels

MLB

I've been to NZ twice in last 3 years. Even in the smallest settlements shops and cafes use EFTPOS as they call it down there. I don't think I used cash at all on my last visit and my relatives living there seem to have stopped carrying cash. If you do decide to use cash you'll probably get better exchange rates in NZ than if you buy it here.