Last updated: June 23, 2026 · Credit cards compared: 15 · Data source: Official bank product pages
Reviewed by Zia Shahid, Buzdy Banking Editor · Our methodology
? In this guide
Looking for the best credit card in New Zealand in 2026? We compared 15 credit cards from top banks in New Zealand to help you find the right one for your needs, income, and lifestyle.
This guide covers fees, interest rates, eligibility, rewards, and key benefits for every option. All data is sourced from official bank product pages and updated as of June 23, 2026. Every option is from a bank regulated by Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
Quick Comparison: All 15 Credit cards in New Zealand
Side-by-side comparison of every credit card option in New Zealand as of June 23, 2026. Tap any name for full details.
| Credit card | Bank | Rate / Eligibility | Top Features | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ANZ NZ Cashback Visa | ANZ New Zealand | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wal… | View → |
| 2. ANZ NZ Low Rate MC | ANZ New Zealand | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wal… | View → |
| 3. ANZ NZ Visa Platinum | ANZ New Zealand | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, … | View → |
| 4. ASB Low Rate MC | ASB Bank | 9.95% p.a. | Internet Banking | View → |
| 5. ASB True Rewards Visa | ASB Bank | 20.95% p.a. | Internet Banking | View → |
| 6. ASB Visa Platinum | ASB Bank | 19.95% p.a. | Internet Banking | View → |
| 7. BNZ Advantage Visa | BNZ | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wal… | View → |
| 8. BNZ Low Rate MC | BNZ | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wal… | View → |
| 9. BNZ Visa Platinum | BNZ | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, … | View → |
| 10. Kiwibank Low Rate | Kiwibank | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wal… | View → |
| 11. Kiwibank Visa Gold | Kiwibank | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Dinning Benefit… | View → |
| 12. Kiwibank Visa Platinum | Kiwibank | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, … | View → |
| 13. Westpac NZ Cashback MC | Westpac NZ | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wal… | View → |
| 14. Westpac NZ Low Rate | Westpac NZ | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wal… | View → |
| 15. Westpac NZ Visa Platinum | Westpac NZ | 1.67% per month | Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, … | View → |
Top 15 Credit Cards in New Zealand (2026)
1. ANZ NZ Cashback Visa
Bank: ANZ New Zealand
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Chip/Pin, Supplementary Cards
Cashback card earning up to 1% automatic cashback on all purchases, no points to track.
2. ANZ NZ Low Rate MC
Bank: ANZ New Zealand
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Chip/Pin, Supplementary Cards
Low interest card at 13.90% p.a. with purchase protection and worldwide acceptance.
3. ANZ NZ Visa Platinum
Bank: ANZ New Zealand
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, Dinning Benefits, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet
The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is a premium travel rewards credit card designed for individuals who want to earn Airpoints Dollars on their everyday spending with no earning limit. Cardholders benefi
4. ASB Low Rate MC
Bank: ASB Bank
- Annual Fee: No annual fee
- Interest Rate: 9.95% p.a.
- Interest Free Days: Up to 55 days
- Benefits: Internet Banking
The ASB Visa Flex is ASB Bank New Zealand's lowest interest rate card at 9.95% p.a. for both purchases and cash advances, with no annual card fee and no Offshore Service Margin on foreign currency tra
5. ASB True Rewards Visa
Bank: ASB Bank
- Annual Fee: NZD 40 per year
- Interest Rate: 20.95% p.a.
- Rewards: 1 True Reward Dollar per NZD 150 spent
- Interest Free Days: Up to 55 days
- Benefits: Internet Banking
The ASB Visa Rewards card from ASB Bank New Zealand offers everyday rewards earning at NZD 40 annual fee with a 20.95% p.a. purchase interest rate and up to 55 interest-free days. Cardholders earn 1 T
6. ASB Visa Platinum
Bank: ASB Bank
- Annual Fee: NZD 80 per year
- Interest Rate: 19.95% p.a.
- Rewards: 1 True Reward Dollar per NZD 100 spent
- Interest Free Days: Up to 55 days
- Benefits: Internet Banking
The ASB Visa Platinum Rewards is the highest-earning rewards credit card from ASB Bank New Zealand, with an NZD 80 annual fee, 19.95% p.a. purchase interest rate, and overseas travel insurance. Cardho
7. BNZ Advantage Visa
Bank: BNZ
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Chip/Pin, Supplementary Cards
Rewards card earning Fly Buys points on all spending with retail partner bonuses.
8. BNZ Low Rate MC
Bank: BNZ
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Chip/Pin, Supplementary Cards
BNZ Low Rate Mastercard features a competitive 13.50% p.a. purchase rate with lean fees to keep costs down. Offers up to 55 days interest-free when balance is cleared monthly, Apple Pay and Google Pay
9. BNZ Visa Platinum
Bank: BNZ
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, Dinning Benefits, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet
Premium card with Fly Buys Airpoints, travel insurance, and airport lounge access.
10. Kiwibank Low Rate
Bank: Kiwibank
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Chip/Pin, Supplementary Cards
Kiwibank Low Rate card offers a competitive interest rate designed to minimize borrowing costs for everyday purchases. Features up to 55 days interest-free on purchases when paid in full, Apple Pay an
11. Kiwibank Visa Gold
Bank: Kiwibank
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Dinning Benefits, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Lifestyle Privileges
Kiwibank Visa Gold provides a balance of rewards and reasonable rates with up to 55 days interest-free on purchases. Features Apple Pay and Google Pay support, travel benefits, and account fee waiver
12. Kiwibank Visa Platinum
Bank: Kiwibank
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, Dinning Benefits, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet
Kiwibank Visa Platinum combines a great rate with built-in domestic and overseas travel insurance for peace of mind. Features up to 55 days interest-free, Apple Pay and Google Pay, $25 six-monthly fee
13. Westpac NZ Cashback MC
Bank: Westpac NZ
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Chip/Pin, Supplementary Cards
Westpac NZ Cashback Mastercard lets you earn cashback on everyday purchases that is credited directly to your account. Features up to 44 days interest-free, CardGuard 24/7 fraud protection, contactles
14. Westpac NZ Low Rate
Bank: Westpac NZ
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet, Chip/Pin, Supplementary Cards
Westpac NZ Low Rate Mastercard offers a competitive 13.45% p.a. purchase rate designed to minimize interest costs. Features up to 44 days interest-free on purchases paid in full, CardGuard 24/7 fraud
15. Westpac NZ Visa Platinum
Bank: Westpac NZ
- Interest Rate: 1.67% per month
- Salary/Eligibility: Not Required
- Benefits: Shopping Discounts, Travel Benefits, Lounge Access, Dinning Benefits, Purchase Protection, Digital Wallet
Westpac NZ Visa Platinum provides premium travel and lifestyle benefits with extended warranty insurance up to 12 months and 90-day purchase protection. Features up to 44 days interest-free, CardGuard
7 Smart Tips Before You Apply
What banks won't put in their marketing — but every smart applicant should know.
- Compare APR, not just headline rates. The advertised "low interest" is usually a promo. The real cost is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) after fees, balance transfer charges, and FX markups. A 1.5% monthly rate is actually ~19.6% APR.
- Read the small print on rewards. Banks advertise "5% cashback" but cap it at $20/month. After the cap, you earn 0.5%. Always check the monthly cap, eligible merchants, and minimum spend requirements.
- Know your credit profile before applying. Each rejected application damages your credit score. Use the bank's pre-qualification check (soft pull) before submitting a formal application (hard pull).
- Avoid cash advances at all costs. Cash advance APR is usually 5-10% higher than purchase APR, with no grace period and an upfront fee of 2-5% of the amount. Use only in emergencies.
- Set up direct debit for the full balance. Paying only the minimum (often 5% of balance) means interest accrues on the rest. A balance of $1,000 paid at minimum costs ~$1,400 in interest over 5 years.
- Use foreign-fee-free cards abroad. Standard cards charge 2-3% on every foreign transaction plus FX markup. Travel cards charge 0%. On a $3,000 holiday, that's $90 saved.
- Watch the annual fee waiver conditions. Many premium cards waive fees in year 1 only or require a minimum annual spend (e.g. $5,000) to keep the waiver. Set a reminder before renewal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The five most expensive errors people make with credit cards:
- Applying for too many cards at once. Each application is a hard credit pull. 3+ pulls in 6 months drops your score 30-50 points. Space out applications by at least 90 days.
- Only paying the minimum. If you have $5,000 balance at 24% APR and pay only the minimum (5%), you'll pay $1,500+ in interest before clearing the debt. Always pay in full when possible.
- Ignoring the fine print on welcome bonuses. "Get $200 cashback!" usually requires spending $3,000 in 90 days. Read the qualifying spend, the eligible categories, and the payout timeline.
- Not using benefits you've already paid for. If you pay a $400 annual fee for a card with airport lounge access, lost-baggage insurance, and concierge — use them. Most users don't claim 80% of what they paid for.
- Treating credit cards as free money. They're high-cost short-term loans. The minimum payment cycle is designed to keep you indebted for 7-10 years on average.
How to Choose the Right Credit card in New Zealand
- Annual fees — compare across banks, some offer zero fee for the first year
- Interest rates — lower rates save money if you carry a balance
- Rewards and benefits — match to your spending habits
- Eligibility — salary and documentation requirements vary by bank
- Digital access — mobile app, internet banking, contactless payments
- Customer support — 24/7 helpline, branch network, dispute resolution time
- Regulation — all products listed are from banks regulated by Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Frequently Asked Questions: Credit cards in New Zealand
What is the best credit card in New Zealand for 2026?
The best credit card depends on your priorities — income level, spending habits, and eligibility. Use the comparison table above to filter by rate, benefits, and bank. For premium benefits with worldwide acceptance, look at Platinum tier cards. For low income requirements, classic tier cards offer easier eligibility. Compare all 15 options on this page.
What credit score do I need for a credit card in New Zealand?
Most banks in New Zealand require a clean credit history with no defaults in the last 5 years. Premium products typically require higher monthly income. Each bank publishes its own minimum on the product page.
Can I apply online for a credit card in New Zealand?
Yes, most major banks in New Zealand now offer fully online applications. Tap "View" on any credit card above to start the application process directly with the bank.
What documents do I need?
Standard documents: valid government ID, tax identification number, proof of address (utility bill or rental agreement), latest 3 months of payslips (for salaried applicants) or 6 months of bank statements (self-employed), and a recent passport-size photograph. Exact requirements vary by bank.
Are these credit cards regulated and safe?
Yes — all 15 options listed are from banks regulated by Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Consumer disputes can be escalated to the regulator if a bank does not resolve the issue.
What are the typical fees in New Zealand?
Fees vary by tier and bank: classic cards typically NZ$ 0–1,500/year, gold NZ$ 1,500–3,000, platinum NZ$ 3,000–10,000. Many banks waive the first year. Always check the product page for the exact fee schedule.
Can I get a credit card if I am self-employed in New Zealand?
Yes. Self-employed applicants typically need: business registration, latest tax returns, 6 months of bank statements, and audited financials (for higher tiers). Approval rates are lower than for salaried applicants but several banks specifically cater to small business owners.
What happens if I default on payments?
Missed payments trigger late fees (typically NZ$ 500–2,000), a credit-score drop, and a higher interest rate going forward. After 90 days of non-payment, the account goes to collections and is reported to credit bureaus. Contact your bank BEFORE missing a payment if you have trouble — most banks offer hardship plans.
Related Guides for New Zealand
- All banks in New Zealand
- Bank branches across New Zealand
- Credit Cards In New Zealand 2026
- Personal Loans In New Zealand 2026
- Savings Accounts In New Zealand 2026
- New Zealand EMI calculator
- New Zealand savings calculator
How We Compare
Our editorial team reviews each product based on annual fees, interest rates, rewards programs, eligibility requirements, and verified bank disclosures. We update this comparison regularly to reflect the latest offers. Data is sourced from official bank websites and verified where regulatory filings are publicly available.
Buzdy compares products from 555 banks across 51 countries. We are not affiliated with any single bank — our rankings are based on objective criteria outlined in our methodology.
Disclosure: Buzdy may earn a referral commission when you apply through links on our site. Commissions never influence rankings. Read our full editorial standards.