STAY MINDFUL OF CURRENCY AUTHENTICITY

14th July 2023
By
COOK ISLANDS TOURISM CORPORATION
Keep a watchful eye when handling incoming currencies within our community.

We urge industry members to exercise due diligence in verifying the authenticity of all incoming currencies. By implementing simple yet effective verification measures, we can help maintain a secure and trustworthy environment for our businesses and customers.

  • If you come across a note that seems questionable, politely decline it with a smile.
  • If you have received a banknote that you suspect may be fake, we recommend keeping it safely in an envelope for future reference.
  • Should you encounter such a situation, please report it promptly to the Police or FIU.

    • If you have already received the banknote:

  • Store the banknote safely and minimize handling.
  • Document all relevant details, including the date, time, location, person involved, and any available CCTV footage.
  • Provide the banknote and these details to the Police/FIU as soon as possible.

    • If you require guidance on replacing old NZD banknotes, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) website offers clear instructions that can be found under "What to do with damaged or old cash - Reserve Bank of New Zealand - Te Pūtea Matua.

    To familiarize yourself with identifying counterfeit banknotes, the RBNZ website also provides user-friendly resources such as ""How to spot a fake banknote or coin''..

    Please bear in mind that the current banknotes in circulation are the Series 7 and Series 6, both made of polymer plastic. The valid denominations include $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The RBNZ can replace old NZD banknotes either in person or through mail.

    For further inquiries, the friendly team at the FIU can be reached via email at [email protected].