The Neo-Z Dollar

The currency of New Zealand has been the Dollar since 1967 prior to which it was the Pound, reflecting the New Zealand's Commonwealth membership. It was even subdivided into the varied mix of coin names then in use around the world. So, 1 pound was equivalent to 20 shillings, 4 crowns or 10 florins.

The New Zealanders adopted a policy of harmonization of their currency, and adopted the currency name in widest circulation worldwide, at the time: The Dollar and its Cent. However, all New Zealanders call it the Kiwi after the national bird of New Zealand, which is pictured on the 1 Dollar coin.

The banknotes feature national historic figures on one side, among whom Queen Elizabeth on the 20 Dollar bill (also repeated on all the country's coins, since New Zealand still belongs to the Commonwealth) and on the back some flying and other bipeds (penguins, ducks, a falcon, a Kokako or a Mohua) found almost exclusively on the island.