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Kiwi Currency Trivia Quiz

Various methods of exchange have been used in New Zealand's short history of human occupation. Answer questions on the development of the country's currency since human occupation began in the 14th century CE.

A multiple-choice quiz by AdjNZ. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
AdjNZ

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
408,343

Updated
Mar 04 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
168

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What medium or method of exchange was favoured in New Zealand before large numbers of European colonists arrived in the mid-late 19th century? Hint

Coins

Gold

Barter

Pounamu (greenstone/jade)

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Question 2 of 10

2. Coins from what country were the first to be made legal tender in New Zealand? Hint

France

Great Britain

Netherlands

Australia

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Question 3 of 10

3. During which decade did British coins cease to be legal tender in New Zealand? Hint

1960s

1940s

1930s

1950s

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Question 4 of 10

4. What change to the New Zealand currency occurred in July 1967? Hint

Smaller coins were introduced

Paper notes were introduced

Decimal currency was introduced

Australian coins were not accepted

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Question 5 of 10

5. Prior to the adoption of polymer bank notes, New Zealand "paper" banknotes were primarily made from what raw material? Hint

Sugar Cane

Wood

Cotton

Bamboo

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Question 6 of 10

6. New Zealand was the first country in the world to introduce polymer banknotes, in 1988.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. A picture of which person was removed from the front of most New Zealand banknotes in 1992? Hint

Edmund Hillary

Queen Elizabeth II

Captain James Cook

Abel Tasman

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 1991 the New Zealand $1 and $2 banknotes were removed from circulation and replaced by $1 and $2 coins. What colour are the coins? Hint

Silver

Gold

Copper

Red

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Question 9 of 10

9. Denominations of New Zealand banknotes are all the same size.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. What type of animal is displayed on the back of all New Zealand banknotes? Hint

Mammals

Fish

Reptiles

Birds

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What medium or method of exchange was favoured in New Zealand before large numbers of European colonists arrived in the mid-late 19th century?

Answer: Barter

New Zealand has a relatively short history of human occupation. It was the last significant land mass to be occupied by humans (Polynesian explorers found it just after 1300CE). Localised tribes were mostly self sufficient but there was some exchange of goods between groups.

This barter system continued into the early/mid 1800s. When European settlers arrived in numbers, numerous international currencies were traded in the early 1800s based on their metal content.

2. Coins from what country were the first to be made legal tender in New Zealand?

Answer: Great Britain

After the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, British law was extended to many parts of the country and standard British coins circulated freely and were finally made legal tender in 1858. Australian minted coins were also in common circulation.

3. During which decade did British coins cease to be legal tender in New Zealand?

Answer: 1930s

In 1935 New Zealand became the last self-governing dominion of the British Empire to introduce its own coinage.

4. What change to the New Zealand currency occurred in July 1967?

Answer: Decimal currency was introduced

Pounds, shillings and pence were replaced with dollars and cents (one pound became one dollar). Decimal currency was introduced with 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c coins. Banknotes were $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 and $100.

5. Prior to the adoption of polymer bank notes, New Zealand "paper" banknotes were primarily made from what raw material?

Answer: Cotton

Most "paper" banknotes are primarily made from cotton, commonly mixed with linen.

6. New Zealand was the first country in the world to introduce polymer banknotes, in 1988.

Answer: False

Australia was the first in 1988, New Zealand introduced polymer banknotes in 1999. Polymer banknotes last up to four times as long as paper banknotes, and are harder to counterfeit.

7. A picture of which person was removed from the front of most New Zealand banknotes in 1992?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth II

The banknotes were redesigned and the Queen was removed from the front of all banknotes except the $20 note. Notable New Zealand citizens were placed on the front of the other notes. Ed Hillary on the $5, Kate Sheppard on the $10, Sir Apirana Ngata on the $50 and Ernest Rutherford on the $100.

The redesign was reportedly required because of copyright issues. The printers owned the printing plate copyrights and the Reserve Bank wanted to put the printing out to tender so had to redesign the currency and changes were made at this time.

8. In 1991 the New Zealand $1 and $2 banknotes were removed from circulation and replaced by $1 and $2 coins. What colour are the coins?

Answer: Gold

Small donations or contributions (Koha) asked for when attending events are sometimes called "gold coin donations".

9. Denominations of New Zealand banknotes are all the same size.

Answer: False

The $5 is the smallest at 135mm x 66mm. The $100 is the largest at 155mm x 74mm.

10. What type of animal is displayed on the back of all New Zealand banknotes?

Answer: Birds

The Hoiho (Yellow Eyed Penguin), Whio (Blue Duck), Karearea (NZ Falcon), Kokako and Mohua (Yellowhead) are all endemic bird species of New Zealand. It was "A Land of Birds" prior to the introduction of mammals by human colonisers.

Source: Author AdjNZ

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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