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The first true paper money is said to have appeared in China about 700 AD and not until the 17th century, did paper money being to appear in Europe. In New Zealand, paper money arrived with the European settlers of the 19th century. New Zealand first decided to establish a New Zealand currency in 1930 and the Reserve Bank started in 1934. The first New Zealand money was printed in London and was finally issued in New Zealand on the 1st of August 1934.
Since 1999, New Zealand ‘paper’ money has been printed on polymer (plastic) to help notes last longer, keep cleaner and be harder to forge. Whether minted from paper, plastic, steel, bronze or aluminium, it’s fair to say that New Zealand money remains an endless source of fascination for all those of us monkeying around with it.
