New Zealand

The historical foundation lies in the paper issues of 1934–1967, where the portrait of Captain James Cook dominates the obverse, paired with Māori chiefs and early national symbols. These notes use dense engraving, framed borders, and balanced layouts typical of British-influenced design, and they remain key targets for collectors building pre-decimal or early Commonwealth sets.

The modern identity is defined by the polymer “Brighter Money” series. Each denomination pairs a national figure with a native species, executed with sharp zoological engraving. The 5 dollar note shows Sir Edmund Hillary alongside the hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) and received the IBNS Banknote of the Year award. The 10 dollar features Kate Sheppard with the whio (blue duck), the 20 dollar pairs Queen Elizabeth II with the kārearea (New Zealand falcon), the 50 dollar presents Sir Āpirana Ngata with the kōkako, and the 100 dollar shows Ernest Rutherford with the mohua. These birds are positioned against open polymer fields, allowing feather detail and habitat elements to remain clearly visible.

Māori visual structure is embedded directly into the substrate. Poutama (stairway-to-the-heavens) tukutuku patterns and kōwhaiwhai scrollwork form the underlying geometry of the notes rather than surface decoration. Transparent polymer windows carry maps of New Zealand, native flora such as the Mount Cook Lily, and high-security elements. SPARK Live features appear within bird motifs, shifting color when tilted and adding a dynamic layer to the printed surface.