Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson has announced that in-store payment surcharges will be banned in New Zealand by May 2026 to eliminate surprise costs at the till and return up to $150 million annually to consumers.
The move, which follows a reduction in Visa and Mastercard interchange fees, aims to ensure shoppers are no longer penalised for using contactless or digital payment methods.
Simpson says the change will bring “greater transparency and savings”, allowing Kiwis to shop with confidence and clarity.
Image credit: Andrej Lisakov
