Apple Pay today launched in New Zealand, marking the 11th country where the payments service is available. The "Coming Soon" label has been removed from the Apple Pay New Zealand website and New Zealand website Stuff confirms Apple Pay is now functional in the country.
Apple Pay in New Zealand is available through a partnership with ANZ bank, meaning it can only be used with Visa credit and debit cards issued by ANZ at this time. Some banks in Australia and New Zealand have been reluctant to accept Apple Pay due to the fee Apple collects. ANZ executive Liz Maguire told Stuff Apple Pay was worth the fee.
"For us it much more about the value it brings out customers than anything else. I think we're going to see a lot of people using it because it's so easy."
She said the bank had received enquires from new customers but did not say how many.
"We think there's a lot of interest for Apple Pay in the market and when it was announced there was a lot of commentary on social media saying 'when is my bank going to offer Apple Pay'".
Apple Pay works with all of Apple's latest iPhones, including the iPhone 6, 6s, 7, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, 7 Plus, and SE, plus it is available on the iPhone 5, 5c, and 5s with an Apple Watch.
In New Zealand, Apple warns that a PIN may be required for purchases over 80 NZD, a restriction also implemented in several other countries for security purposes. For purchases under 80 NZD, no confirmation beyond Touch ID (or skin contact on an Apple Watch) is required.
Apple Pay is available at many locations in New Zealand, including McDonald's, Domino's, Glassons, K-Mart, Hallenstein Brothers, Stevens, Noel Leeming, Storm, and more.
Apple Pay is now available in the United States, the UK, China, Australia, Russia, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore, France, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. Later in 2016, Apple plans to expand Apple Pay to Spain through a partnership with American Express.
Apple Pay will soon expand to Japan, Spain, and Taiwan.
