Submission on RBNZ consultation on access to cash
3 Aug 2026
Payments NZ has submitted feedback to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) on its consultation on access to cash, Keeping cash local.
We support the objective of ensuring people, businesses and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand can continue to access essential cash services in a way that is fair, reliable and inclusive.
Our submission focuses on broader payments system outcomes, including financial inclusion, resilience, consumer confidence and the interaction between cash and digital payment channels. We do not take a position on the specific regulatory mechanisms proposed in the consultation.
Key points from our submission
Access to cash remains an important inclusion issue
While digital payments continue to grow, cash continues to play an important role for many New Zealanders, particularly those who are vulnerable, digitally excluded, geographically remote, or who rely on cash for cultural, social or practical reasons. Access to cash is an important component of financial inclusion.
Cash and digital payments are interconnected
Access to cash and access to digital payments should be considered together as part of a broader payments ecosystem. Policy settings should support inclusion, resilience and public confidence across all payment options.
A collaborative approach is most likely to achieve durable outcomes
Long-term access to cash outcomes are more likely to be achieved through collaboration between regulators, industry participants, affected communities and other stakeholders. A joined-up approach will help ensure solutions are practical, proportionate and aligned with broader system objectives.
Focus on outcomes rather than specific interventions
We support the inclusion outcome the RBNZis seeking to achieve. However, there may be a range of approaches capable of delivering those outcomes, and it is important to distinguish between the outcome being sought and any particular intervention.
Resilience remains important
Cash continues to play an important role during outages, emergencies and other situations where digital payment channels may be unavailable. Consideration of cash access should therefore form part of a broader conversation about payments system resilience.
Looking ahead
Payments NZ supports continued work to ensure New Zealanders can access cash services in a way that is fair, reliable and inclusive. We encourage a system-wide approach that considers access to cash alongside broader objectives such as financial inclusion, resilience, consumer confidence and participation in the economy.
We believe collaboration between regulators, industry participants and affected communities will help deliver enduring outcomes that meet the diverse needs of New Zealanders while supporting a resilient and trusted payments ecosystem.
You can read our full submission to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Te Pūtea Matua below.