Banking when in NZ

The cheapest option is to open a no fees bank account in NZ and use an outfit like xe.com to suck money out of your Australian account, convert it and dump it into the NZ account. Both Westpac (if you're willing to go through a one hour marketing exercise) and ASB/BankDirect have fee free accounts.

Open a Westpac account in Aust, their Mastercard Debit one will do.

You do have to pay a monthly fee, $5 or $6, but if you stick with using the Westpac NZ ATMs, you do not pay the nasty per ATM withdrawal fee.

Not sure if ANZ have the same thing.

Check out the Commonwealth Bank in Aust, I think they have an ATM liaison with ASB in NZ, with no ATM fees if you use ATMs belonging to ASB Bank.

The websites of the Aust banks would have info. Or contact their phone banking 13xxxx phone numbers or go to a branch and ask.

My suggestion (I do understand myskin's pov though), does not entail you opening a bank account over there.

How long are you going for?

1 year, 2 years, or a few months.

If 1 year or 2, then follow myskin's suggestion.

Or ANZ Travel Card.

ANZ Travel Card

$11 to buy the card, and you can refresh it too.

Just like a credit card, might be a good idea.

Or open a Bendigo Bank Visa Debit, no credit checks, just the name of your employer and $300 to open the account, oh, you will have to pass that 100 point id to open an account.

You can earn points while you buy things with the card in NZ.

They do pop you an ATM fee though.

They charge you a $2 reward account fee per month, but other than that, they don't charge you a monthly account keeping fee, unlike the rest of the other banks.

Lots of options.

Then, there is the Visa Travel Money, from Travelex.

oo, sorry, myshkin, got your handle name wrong.

Just get a few grand in Kiwi money before you go, splitting it between the "we" and then if you need some more, maximise your withdrawals.

Also should have added travelling is a great reason to get a credit card, fee free one and then if on principle you do not like to have one generally, you just use the scissors when you get back or keep it for next bit of travelling.

The Westpac Elect account gives you a VISA debit card and if you choose the option of no statements - then there are no account management fees.

Also the NZ Post has a "Prezzy Card" - also VISA and is like a preloaded gift certificate of sorts.. NZPost Prezzy Card. But really depends on how you use it and how much you wish to bring over here..

Prezzy cards can only be used online or in eftpos terminals. CANT be used in ATM's or the old style of swipe machines and only have a limit of NZ$500 and cant be reloaded. No ID required.<BR>On the other hand, cash passports can only be used at Visa ATM's but can be reloaded in country of purchase. Need photo ID only to purchase.

Before my last trip to NZ, I was determined to find a way that would avoid paying additional fees in accessing funds. Using a credit card such as Mastercard you will pay a percentage on the exchange rate conversion to the bank every time you use the card. When you get your statement there will also be a Foreign Currency Transaction Fee that goes to Mastercard. Even if you put your MC into credit with your own money before you leave you will still pay fees to access that money while overseas. You will also pay a fee to buy $NZ before you go . Setting up a NZ bank account could be worth investigating but don't be surprised if there fees involved when you transfer/convert your funds. The banks never lose - just imagine the phenomenal income creamed off thru those little fees whilst we to'n'fro around the world. Check with your own bank, Westpak NZ and Mastercard - talk to someone senior otherwise you may find it difficult to get to the nitty gritty.