The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) extended the deadline for its “Keeping Cash Local” consultation on access to cash to 31 July 2026, citing strong engagement with more than 4,000 responses received so far. RBNZ also signalled it will publish additional material to support stakeholders in shaping their feedback. Within two weeks, RBNZ expects to release information addressing questions about the legal basis for the proposals and to provide Official Information Act responses completed in that timeframe. The consultation seeks views on what minimum local services should be available free of charge in every district of New Zealand for withdrawing cash, depositing cash, and swapping cash, with RBNZ noting that no decisions have yet been made and that its preferred approach is to work with banks to improve access on a voluntary basis. Alternate formats of the consultation document, including New Zealand Sign Language, braille, easy read, audio and large print, are to be made available in May.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand 2026-04-09
Reserve Bank of New Zealand extends Keeping Cash Local consultation deadline to 31 July 2026 and will publish more material on the proposal’s legal basis
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has extended the deadline for its “Keeping Cash Local” consultation on access to cash and will publish additional material, including the legal basis for the proposals and Official Information Act responses, to support stakeholder feedback. The consultation seeks views on minimum free local services for withdrawing, depositing and swapping cash in every district, with the authority emphasising that no decisions have been made and that it prefers a voluntary approach with banks.