COVID-19 updates
We’ve got a range of initiatives to support you or your business, if you’ve been financially impacted by COVID-19, We also have guides to help you bank from home. For all other updates, see our COVID-19 page.
All our branches have returned to normal trading hours. See our latest branch updates for more information.
Visa payWave is the faster way to pay. With payWave, you don't need to swipe, insert, sign or enter a PIN – just tap your card on the reader to make a purchase under $200 in New Zealand.
Changes to Credit and Debit Card Contactless PIN thresholds
Kiwibank is supporting an industry wide move to help limit the risk of COVID-19 infection in retail stores by increasing its contactless PIN threshold from $80 to $200 for all Kiwibank Credit and Visa Debit cards. This means customers can perform contactless transactions of up to $200 without having to touch an EFTPOS terminal pin pad.
This change will be effective from 9 April 2020 and will continue until further notice. See our commonly asked questions about this change.
Using payWave
You can use payWave anywhere you see the Visa payWave logo and the contactless symbol, both here and overseas. All Kiwibank Visa Debit and credit cards come with payWave functionality.
How to use it
Hold your card within 4 cm of the secure contactless reader. This takes no more than half a second and the terminal will beep once the transaction is processed. You can then remove your card and the transaction will be complete.
For purchases over $200, you can still tap your card, but you’ll need to sign or enter your PIN to complete the transaction. Different transaction limits may apply overseas.
Going overseas?
You can use Visa payWave anywhere in the world you see the payWave logo – but the transaction limit before you are asked for your PIN will vary from country to country.
When you use your card for foreign currency transactions, your transactions will be charged to your account in New Zealand dollars at a rate of exchange determined by Visa on the date it sends the transaction details to us. An international transaction fee will also apply.
Is it safe?
Visa payWave is just as secure as how you pay now.
Your card:
- never leaves your hand when you make a payment – so you’re always in control.
- has to be extremely close to the reader to make a purchase – there’s no risk of accidentally purchasing anything as you walk past the reader.
- is only charged once – even if you accidentally tap it twice.
As always, your card is protected by Visa’s Zero Liability Policy for purchases (not cash withdrawals). It covers you for losses caused by unauthorised use of your card, provided you didn’t contribute to the loss, and on the condition you advise us as soon as reasonably possible if your card is lost or stolen. Visa’s Zero Liability Policy does not apply to ATM transactions, or transactions not processed by Visa.
If you think your card has been used without your authorisation, call us as soon as possible on 0800 521 521 or +64 4 473 1133 from overseas.