Reserve Bank to issue bank note celebrating the new millennium

News Release

Date: 05.02.99

The Reserve Bank announced today that it would issue later this year a special $10 bank note to commemorate the new millennium.

Reserve Bank Currency Department Chief Manager Brian Lang said, "The millennium bank note will be of a special design to mark this event.

"We will be releasing up to three million millennium bank notes into general circulation, so that members of the public can keep these notes as millennium souvenirs if they wish. In addition, there will be special collector's packs available.

"The millennium bank note will be printed on the same flexible plastic that is soon to be used for all New Zealand bank notes", Mr Lang said.

The millennium note has been designed by Wellington-based graphic design company, Cue Design Limited. The Reserve Bank chose the design after viewing a number of submissions prior to Christmas.

"The millennium bank note will incorporate new technology security features, which we will test for future use with our other plastic bank notes. For security reasons, the final design of the note will not be released until shortly before it is issued", Mr Lang concluded.

For further information contact:

Lisa Weekes

Communications Officer

Phone 04 471 3767, pager 026 103 787

Email weekesl@rbnz.govt.nz