New Zealand’s Familiar Cash Machines Face Extinction
The metallic hum, fluorescent glow, and tactile comfort of cash withdrawal—the automatic teller machine (ATM)—are woven into the fabric of daily New Zealand life. Yet, on the horizon, a cashless reality is quickly gaining ground. Studies and industry insiders suggest a radical shift is coming: ATMs may become practically extinct nationwide by the year 2026.
This potential disappearance is not just a financial sector footnote—it’s a transformation touching every Kiwi, from urban Auckland professionals to rural South Island pensioners.
Why ATMs Are Vanishing at an Unprecedented Pace
Over the last decade, the rise of digital banking and card payments has chipped away steadily at demand for cash. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as an accelerant, nudging both consumers and businesses toward contactless payment systems.
Banks are hustling to keep up with the new expectations, but their efforts aren’t solely driven by convenience. “Maintaining an ATM in a small town can cost thousands a year—it’s just not sustainable when usage drops so low,” explained Kerry Hamilton, a banking analyst based in Wellington.
Impact Across Urban and Rural New Zealand
The shift away from ATMs affects different communities in starkly different ways. In Auckland or Wellington, digital payment infrastructure is robust. Here, most transactions are already cashless. But in smaller towns and rural communities, the situation is more complex.
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- Elderly residents who grew up with cash
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- Tourists reliant on quick currency access
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- Small business owners skeptical of card fees
For many, access to cash isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about control and stability. Margaret, a dairy owner in the Waikato region, observes: “Some people still prefer handing over a $20 note. If the nearest ATM is 40km away, that’s a real problem.”
Table: A Side-By-Side Look at Payment Methods
| Feature | ATM/Cash | Digital/Card Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Limited in remote areas | Widely available, phone required |
| User Experience | Anonymous, tangible money | Convenient, trackable spending |
| Maintenance Costs | High for banks | Lower, centralized |
| Suitability for Elderly | High | Often challenging |
| Fraud Risk | Physical theft | Cyber fraud, data theft |
Bank Strategies and Business Realities
Banks are responding with a mixture of optimism and regret. The reduction in ATM numbers is often positioned as part of a “digital transformation,” but there’s no hiding the underlying pursuit of cost reduction.
Industry consultant Rahul Patel shared, “In places where it costs more to maintain the cash infrastructure than the revenue they get from ATM fees, banks have tough choices to make. It’s affecting their branch presence too.”
For New Zealand’s financial institutions, the pivot may feel inevitable, but the social consequences linger. Community leaders worry that phasing out cash creates a “digital underclass”—those without the means, skills, or trust to bank online.
Will There Always Be a Need for Cash?
While the government and banks tout the benefits of a cashless society—speed, safety, efficiency—not everyone is convinced this new era will serve everyone equally well. Some scenarios still demand cash: markets, school fairs, tips, and, most crucially, during national emergencies.
“In a crisis, power can go out, internet can go down. Last thing you want is for people to be unable to buy food because card networks fail,” said Helen Scott, a disaster resilience volunteer.
What the Future Holds: Adaptation and Inclusion
The looming disappearance of ATMs is a reflection of broader, global trends. But unlike in many countries, New Zealand faces a compressed timeline. The urgency to find workable solutions is real, and it begs for creative, community-centered responses.
Banks are now trialling mobile ATMs and community partnerships to maintain access in under-served areas. Some advocate for cash-back at the counter in local shops. Others propose digital literacy campaigns aimed at elderly Kiwis.
The next two years will be decisive. As the boxes with keypads and cash slots start vanishing from street corners, New Zealand’s challenge is simple: leave no one behind. The country’s journey toward a cashless future is inevitable, but the care with which it steers the transition will define its national character, far beyond the banking sector.
From my experience of living through couple of natural disasters, no power or internet down for weeks, meaning no working eftpos machines. Even with generators powering some essential services the internet/ cell towers were down & cash was needed to buy fuel & food.
Crazy to rely on digital finance alone.
Yes I totally agree with you
The thought that banks will try to bring this change in sucks – I think customers need to start getting vocal about crappy banking services and practices.
iN cHINA IT IS ALMOST CASHLESS. ALOT OF PEOPLE DO LIKE IT AT ALL. gOVERNMENT CONTROL.
Not a good idea people need access to money its part of life not everybody knows how to navigate the Internet. Which leaves us at a disadvantage
The banks are making billions of our money so to say oh it cost to much to have an ATM is rubbish .. they need to pull there heads in and remember they work for us .not the other way around ..
I agree with that not everyone does have access to the Internet and no how to use an ATM teller or how to use anz go money app like my partner as he doesn’t remember somethings as he memory problems and I like to use cash to pay for stuff and how is the elderly people going to get if they go cashless
We certainly need some ATMs always specially when power is down. For tourists, they can withdraw via visa or Mastercard etc.
I have heard that some countries such as Denmark and Sweden have brought in physical cash again on a limited permanent basis while keeping the digital currency system. We can do that here without ATMs
We certainly need cash to buy goods at market places and to have security in the event of a power outage or natural disaster occurring, it is also cheaper to buy goods with cash thus avoiding the surcharge that often occurs with a purchase, the banks are only pushing this cashless idea for there own profits and so is the government.
Totally agree!!
I quite agree with that we do need cash so they should keep cash
Cashless is crap, you worry about spending to much money maintaining atm’s??, how about the millions you spent on letting a lying corrupt woman like Jacinda Adern, run Aotearoa New Zealand, and then, did a runner leaving us in shit. Millions will be affected by the cashless trap for many reasons, and it will do damage.
Absolutely correct in all accounts. Add to that,the banks need to be pulled into line and stop this act of trying to get rid of cash,which what they are trying to do
Which Labour policies are you referring to? Global pandemic caused economic woes everywhere – we got off lighter than many other countries. Whereas the current crop of politicians are ACTUALLY lying and corrupt, lining the pockets of big business (tobacco induatry, landlords, developers) while pretending they’re helping people. Evidence over unsubstantiated claims please.
Here here you got it I agree whatever happened to cash is king my partners car broke down while she was traveling back to Auckland from up north I couldn’t even go to the bank to put cash into her account so she could get help and she was at a different bank to me so transferring money to her account would take days it’s just ridiculous
Corrupt woman like who???? Are you referring to the leader that kept us safe during the period that there was no Covid Vaccine? Look at what happened in Italy, and other places that didn’t lock down early. Good on her for putting the lives of NZers first. She deserves a medal.
I totally agree jacinda was the best prime minister we’ve ever had we were lucky to have her
“……a lying corrupt woman like Jacinda Adern, run Aotearoa New Zealand, and then, did a runner leaving us in shit.”
Wow, such ugly, hate filled rhetoric and totally OFF topic. The correct name is Jacinda Ardern and your vicious, venomous and completely unsubstantiated post is probably libellous and/or slanderous.
It is little wonder that Ms Ardern chose to leave this toxic environment for overseas with your hate filled and dangerous types walking around.
Morningside Website Admin, take note. This appalling and irrational personal attack has been recorded via a screenshot and a formal complaint will be filed with the appropriate authority,
For what it is worth, CASH must always be available even if only from the Supermarket Checkouts.
The Government of the day has the primary responsibility of ensuring that Banks retain a level of ATM service for the foreseeable future,
Completely agree and now people are starting to turn on the national government who were left with her frustrating mess
Totally agree. Banking spokespeople, banking ‘experts’ and government policy wonks will never discuss the real drivers behind this. Identity and control. If a country goes ‘cashless’ it’s not for the people, it’s for the power it hands to Government, and the massive increase in profits for Banks. RESIST THIS AT ALL COSTS
You are so right my friend you Have My Vote cheers 🍻 👏 ✌️
Cash is a relic of the past, therefore ATM’s are no longer required. I rarely use cash, except to pay for a raffle ticket at my bowling club!! I embraced non-cash transactions at the turn of the century as it was obvious over the ensuing years where it was going. If one needs an ATM to draw cash to pay for a dairy item, why not use the eftpos machine at the dairy? Btw, I am going on 74. Among my cohorts, there are many who Won’t embrace change, rather than Can’t. It’s a mindset.
Must have led an uneventful (boring?) life.. How do you pay for your sex, drugs and gambling without cash?
So, John, you rarely use cash. Fair enough, but how are you going to buy your raffle ticket with no cash? How are sports clubs etc going to sell those raffle tickets when nobody has cash? Hire an eftpost machine? Then that comes out of the money they raise, a negative. Cash is still necessary.
When the systems go down how do we get fuel for car especially in rural area.Have experienced this and not an option to be without fuel and stranded miles from home. Has to be another payment option for emergency situations when systems crash as they do not infrequently!! Personal safety becomes a risk.
If folks do not stand up to this totalitarian tiptoe, it’s our kids that will really suffer. Digital ID, Central Bank Digital Currency, withdrawal of cash, social credit scoring, 15 minute neighbourhoods and SMART cities, the future will be grim. All conspiracy theories a few years ago, but coming to reality fast.
You bootlicker.
Don’t be a twat John. Don’t assume nothing. For some it’s not a mindset, it’s a genuine concern with how the futures going and the control that can be had over ones life by relying on digital currency. Youl be on your way out soon so easy for you to assume. Be more embracing and caring for those with genuine concerns. But hey can’t teach an ol dog eh…
We have a small shop and no longer offer eftpos. It cost us $1200+ per year to have an eftpos machine so we did away with it and are now cash or bank transfer only. We have lost zero sales since this change. It also means we can offer better prices, as we’re not paying exorbitant bank transaction fees. Sure, digital might be convenient, but it’s the business paying for the convenience and the bank profiting from it. We have been doing so much better since changing our retail model and have a lot of support.
I don’t agree about going cashless. The banks are saying atm’s are expensive to maintain but their profit margins continue to be very healthy. After all it is people money where they get their business so surely they can provide this service. The branches have disappeared from regional areas so please keep some way for people who want to use cash.
I am 73 yrs old and receive a cash pension every fortnight.
Going cashless in 2026 is a gradual lead to receiving the mark of the beast ( Technology ) a simple insertion device on the back of the hand.
There is definitely a need to keep cash as a form of payment. I agree with the removal of ATM’s mainly due to the safety aspect, with so many having their own resident begger sitting nearby. Perhaps the solution is to ensure all supermarkets offer cash out terminals?
Another solution, maybe we need to go back to the old ways and start keeping LARGE amounts of cash at home. The risks are the same for theft but savings on fees will more than justify this option. We could easily become more innovative in storing and safe guarding money at different locations.
This is just not acceptable, 😡 there still needs to be some ATM machines especially for many of our elders. Plus it is handy to grab some cash out when required for small items or to give to grandchildren . Do not want to become a cashless society .
It is an absolute right to us all that Cash should be accessible and easier to access due to the increase of adverse Weather events and loss of Power .
Small towns across the Nation will be disadvantaged now let alone the poorer Societies .
Banks have made Billions from their Customers , who have faithfully kept them in business . It time to give back to the Community for their unwavering support .
Digital transactions are constantly being hacked well before firewalls designed to protect the consumer and Banks aren’t up to scratch with the protection to their users and if they are it’s often too late for the consumer’s who ultimately lose .
Technology as we’ve all seen is not up to scratch in Aotearoa New Zealand and the customer shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail to get these issues rectified .
Training for our children by sending them to the Shops with lose change is how most of us are taught about Money and this needs to remain so that children can understand the process and gain the knowledge to give them a better insight .
The bank make millions they are just being greedy.
It’s our money not the banks
Stupid idea to get rid of ATM machines.
What about people that start work at 6am..And finish after banks are closed. They only way they get cash is from a ATM machine.. as alot of the time no business will give them the amount of cash they need.
I hope that the banks legs turn into bicycle pedals and back pedal up their own bubbles.
Hi all I have to say …wot is the tooth fairy going to use..,.
Even now my local tennis club committee has just voted to go cashless and I think it’s wrong
I think the whole idea is based on control, money and greed from government then banks. We’ve done cash for centuries and people should have the option to use both. It’s also practical to have cash in case the Internet goes down and then how are you going to pay for petrol, food, services if there’s no Internet banking. Ive been at a supermarket where there was an outage and checkout machines suddenly went down. I always carry cash so I wasn’t stuck paying and could get my food without the use of digital currency. Like they used to say – IF ITS NOT BROKE DON’T FIX IT – HAVE CASH
it is the CBDC problem that makes me uneasy about the transition away from cash.
I don’t mind Eftpos but I dislike CBDC which is a development we don’t need. But it is one that govt needs in their pursuit of population control. It has no value to us but is precious to them.
I’ve watched all the banks and major company’s move from the local shopping area, I for one appreciate being able to retrieve my own money in whatever form I wish, what’s more expensive ATMs or the bank fixing up scams on line etc. The way they all bleat about the expense of ATMs and branches you would think they didn’t earn anything out of your money, have a look at there prophets and tell me how it’s not viable.
In a cashless society and with much of NZ being rural as well as being frequently faced with the effects of ever-increasing, destructive natural disasaters, how will we then pay for the necessities of life?
It also seems that, slowly, the backbone of our wonderful, true NZ values are being eroded, often by commercial giants (who seek maximisation of profit over service to the community). Things like roadside stalls, fundraising, helping the less fortunate, small ‘dairy’ purchases, slipping a ‘tenner’ to one’s grandchildren, payments for small yoga/exercise sessions and (particularly in rural NZ) any Village Hall gatherings: card-playing, concerts, flower shows and donations, etc.
Proposed cashlessness would put an end to all that.
Banks, you’ve closed many branches. Maybe to hang on to our ATM machines?
It will be not right if the bank continues take commission for over-counter cash deposits. They remove ATMs already, so hard to find an ATM that takes deposits.
Cash money will continue to exist, as some people use it for many reasons, including to avoid taxes, illegal deals or such. Other people may not like the cash but are getting paid cash for trade and services sometimes.
How dare banks, govt, worldwide agenda’s control our money, which we have worked hard for.
Please everyone who cares, even though it is a hassle to get cash out, use cash.
Don’t let them tell you that it is because people aren’t using cash, that they will bring in digital currency. We have to push back for as long as possible.
Then when they have a big say over our money, at least we can say, we tried to stop it happening.
You obviously don’t live in a rural area where petrol is needed to get anywhere, medical assistance, food etc When systems go down which occures even in non emergency times can’t purchase fuel. There has to be another option besides digital which in the future could be more at risk from nature/ sabotage think outside the square.
Sorry but it’s not the banks money but our cash all very well look at the staggering wages a CEO gets then complain of costs to maintain AT machines no mention of the cash owner then having to travel miles and time to see a bank. And not only that that $50 would only be worth $30 or less after multiple transactions on a machine. Thieves.
The cost of maintaining ATMs?
What a a load of crap.
Backs make record profits every single year. They have a duty to provide us with legal tender to use.
I like Cash we Need to keep it around its Really horrible to think of not being able to get Cash out at a ATM or at the bank .Cash is king
The suggestion that dairies would give cash out is ridiculous. Where is the dairy going to get the cash from? Banks are closing branches and some are no longer supporting retailers cash related deposit and withdrawal needs.
Fine to expect change in cash for cash tendered in a purchase but cash out. Why should dairies act as surrogate banks / cash out facilities, that’s what banks are there for, isn’t it.
I always keep a cash reserve, after I misplaced my eftpos card for 2 days. Fortunately I had some cash to buy milk etc. Was also useful when power went out during cyclone.
Really, it’s costs banks thousands when they make billions of their clients. Bring corruptible privately run digital banking and we will crest a separate system that suits the people, not banks or the globalists.
It’s not just natural disasters we need to worry about. What if the Russians shoot down some satellites and all electronic systems are down for an unlimited time.
This is all well & good, but do people want to give their privacy away. This is just the start to electronic id & control. I don’t have anything to hide, but it’s the principal of this.
🤔 Not convinced sorry
Cash is the last freedom we’ve got otherwise you are digitally tracked every minute of every day and that says it all in a nutshell.
I personally rarely use cash, but in a disaster, having it can mean the difference between survival and struggle. I always keep $5,000 in cash on hand for emergencies, so my family can buy food, water, or other essentials if needed. Think back to the floods when power was out for a whole week—those without cash were completely stranded. Cash is not just convenient; it is essential. It should always remain an option and must never be phased out.
Money talks, n that’s the way it should stay! As 4 Governments they r their 4 there $100 plus K n they an’t worth it,So wen the he’ll r we gonna put them on Hourly rate if wat they say they work 4 the People
n let’s not 4 get the perks 2 boot
Public Servant My Arse
I don’t feel particularly comfortable with the idea of a cashless society. The thought of every purchase being tracked and logged means the government, banks, and corporations would effectively have a detailed record of where I am and what I’m doing at all times. My spending habits are personal, and frankly it’s none of their business whether I buy a coffee, a book, donate to particular political party, or purchase a new pair of shoes. While digital payments may be convenient, I value the privacy and autonomy that come with cash – something that doesn’t leave behind a digital footprint for some to exploit, and others to scrutinise (and no, I leave my personal tracking device in a drawer at home and use TOR through a VPN whilst on the Internet).
Don’t leave anyone behind. I am a Financial Adviser of 49 years experience in banking and insurance. I have seen banks close branches in rural towns and even in an urban suburb such as Wainuiomata, Wellington, a suburb of 20,000 people. If they want cash they have to buy something from the supermarket or dairy, or drive over the Wainui Hill Road to Lower Hutt. In Auckland I have seen children helping a parent withdraw money from an ATM. I have seen a social worker helping an elderly person withdrawing money from an ATM. This is a sad blight on the banking system, and on our society for letting the banks do this. There is no caring for the elderly who struggle to cope, only bank profits. Cost is just an excuse. Of course they can afford it. But they only look at the stand alone cost of ATMs and not the effects on the elderly and society. The elderly already cannot remember their PIN numbers. They struggle with the internet, and do not or cannot use internet banking. Don’t make it harder for them.
If we lose cash the controller of electronic banking controls us.
That’s stupid idea most places want cash in hand deposit like builders, lawnmower man and plumbers
Cash is legal tender and always will be. The govt have said so. People need to have the choice to have both especially in a weather disaster which has happened and unfortunately will be happening again and again…cash will buy food and essentials….
As usual the banks are planning on doing the lowest cost option for their own financial benefit.
Never mind that the reason businesses can operate is Because of their Customers. Look after your customers!
Leave ATMs alone.
Cash is and will be always king, this idea of a cashless society is crazy, no markets, no fundraising, no donations, no cash for kids rewards, do you realise the only ones making money out of this is the banks, not to mention the eventual control of where and when and how much you can spend at any one time, not to mention digital tracking of where you have been etc. I think you will see a huge out cry from the public if this ever accentuates.
What about the homeless & the old people that dont have EFTPOS
This will lead to a political oligarchy or even worse totalitarianism. If we don’t push back against these corporate and political agendas to control our God given freedom we will be like lambs to the slaughter. It’s happening all over the world and it reminds me of a phrase in a World Economic Forum article “YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND BE HAPPY” are we heading towards a modern dystopia?
I work in a supermarket and have witness firsthand the eftpos going down at the checkout. Customers had to end up paying by cash some had it on them. While others had to go find an atm to withdraw cash.
I think people should have the choice rather than have it forced on us .I for one prefer to have cash & I know many people who don’t have access to things Ike internet banking who would of thought the day would come when there was no cash
Being cashless is a way of controlling people knowing exactly how much money you get and how you spend it .. and if an event happens what do you need like in floods earthquakes
So use money people the banks are getting rich off you.
Many Asian countries needs cash payment for; tricycle rides, jeepneys, taxis, street vendors, small shops, homeless people/beggars, tips, payment between 2 persons not having an ATM card, children needing to buy snacks, persons needing to buy just 1 bottle of mineral water, and many more…