Just a quickie today. Posts like yesterday’s take a lot of time to put together!
I have to admit that I didn’t research New Zealand currency before arriving, even after my confusing experience in Sydney. Lucky for me, and probably surprising to no one, the currencies of the two countries share quite a few similarities. The notes seem to use the same type of colored paper with a little transparent window, but the coins are a bit different.
Like the Aussies, the Kiwis have $2 and $1 coins that get used all the time, but the latter saw fit to make the higher valued coin larger in size (way to go!). In the pic above, the coins are, from left to right, $2, $1, 50c, 20c, and 10c. New Zealand actually phased out their 5c piece in 2006. Interesting, huh? So everything gets rounded up or down to the nearest 10th. I chose to show the “tails” side of the coins in the pic because every single one has Queen Elizabeth on the opposite side.
This is the first country in which I have traveled where the exchange rate is in my favor, and it’s awesome! Today the rate is 1.00 NZD = 0.83 USD. I love spending $40 on something and seeing a $33.30 charge on my credit card statement!
kentuckyfriedscott 
Just imagine that 1 USD used to be 2 AUD 😦 That would’ve made traveling so much easier. The different sized bills apparently really help the blind community (in the US, blind people have to basically have someone organize their money, and trust that they’re using the correct bill). I’m not a huge fan of up to 2$ coins, every time I’ve gone to europe I have this giant pocket of change. They were still using pennies (and 2 cent pieces! why!).
Please go see the toothbrush fence. I believe it’s a national monument.
Thanks for the laugh Adam. I had forgotten about the Conchords. I will add my own toothbrush if I end up anywhere near Te Pahu!