RBNZ releases design of polymer $10 and $100 notes

RBNZ

17.07.99

The Reserve Bank today revealed the `look' of the new polymer $10 and $100 bank notes. The notes, although not being released into circulation yet, are available for sale from today in collectors' presentation packs from the Reserve Bank.

Polymer $100 notes will be released into circulation on 26 July, and $10 notes will most likely be released in polymer in mid-October this year. Polymer $20 notes have been in circulation since early May.

Reserve Bank Currency Department Chief Manager Brian Lang said today: "The Reserve Bank originally planned to issue the $10 note at the same time as the $100 note, but we now plan to release it in October. This is to give the cash machine industry time to programme their machines to accept the new notes.

"Like the polymer $20 note, the size and essential design of the $10 and $100 notes have not changed. Apart from the plastic feel, people will notice the colours are brighter and the text is more modern. These notes have the same transparent windows as the $20 note, which make the bank notes much harder to forge.

"The Reserve Bank has been very pleased by the way New Zealanders have taken to polymer notes so far. We just have one plea - please don't iron them!" Mr Lang concluded.

The polymer $5 note will be released on the same day in October as the $10 note. The Reserve Bank expects to release polymer $50 bank notes early next year and the special $10 note to celebrate the new millennium this November.

Please note: There will be no freebies for media this time around. Polymer $10 and $100 notes will be available for photographing at the Reserve Bank, 2 The Terrace, Wellington. Please contact me at the phone number below to arrange this.

For further information contact:

Lisa Weekes

Communications Officer

Phone 04 471 3767, pager 026 103 787

Email weekesl@rbnz.govt.nz