No. 1 Currency

Rates in T departures usually beat the out-of-airport kiosks

No. 1 Currency sits airside in Terminal T at Christchurch, after security and before the main international gates. It focuses on over-the-counter cash rather than cards or banking products, so think last‑minute notes, not full financial services. You’ll see the rate boards facing the main concourse, which makes it easy to compare against the numbers you saw in town before deciding how much to swap.

Opening hours track the heavier departure banks, typically from early-morning long-haul waves through late-evening flights, though exact times shift with the schedule. The counter handles a solid mix of major currencies like AUD, USD, GBP, EUR and JPY, and sometimes carries regionals if New Zealanders travel there often that season. Expect a service fee built into the spread, so the buy/sell numbers on the board matter more than any “no commission” sign.

No. 1 Currency deals in physical cash only: new banknotes out, New Zealand dollars back in. There’s no ATM attached to the counter, so you’ll be standing in a staffed line rather than tapping a machine. If you only need a small top‑up, think NZD 50–100 equivalent for taxis and snacks on arrival; larger amounts quickly magnify any rate difference versus what your card issuer would charge.

For cards, remember many shops and taxis at major destinations now accept contactless, so your bank’s FX rate may beat anything on the CHC board for big spends. Cash still helps for tips and smaller stalls, especially outside capitals. Quick tip: screenshot your bank’s current FX rate before you head to the airport, then compare that to No. 1 Currency’s board before committing to a big exchange.