Tipping in New Zealand – the complete guide for travellers.
Are you planning on visiting New Zealand but aren’t sure about whether you need to tip or not? Here’s a handy guide for travellers all about tipping in New Zealand: Do you need to tip? How much to tip? Who should you tip?
We’re MoaTrek, and since the 1970s, we’ve been welcoming visitors to New Zealand on our small group tours and have answered just about every question imaginable from our travellers – including about tipping in New Zealand.
If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand and want to get the lowdown on tipping whilst here, read on.
Contents
Is tipping expected in New Zealand?
The quick answer is no. Tipping is not expected in most situations in New Zealand.
New Zealand is a modern, international country, and New Zealanders are familiar with international customs like tipping, especially with the rise of global apps such as Uber.
While tipping happens more often in places with lots of international visitors, it’s still not a common part of everyday life for most New Zealanders. While not expected, you may notice tip jars on counters or tipping options on payment terminals, but tipping is entirely optional and never assumed.
Many travellers on our tours ask whether it’s necessary to tip, or if it might be seen as impolite. Rest assured, service staff in New Zealand are paid fairly – a tip here is seen as a genuine thank you for outstanding service, not a necessary part of someone’s income.
If your experience doesn’t meet expectations, there’s no pressure to leave anything, and you should never feel uncomfortable deciding not to tip. New Zealanders don’t expect it, and no one will take offence. That said, if you do feel inspired to leave a tip for exceptional service, it will always be warmly appreciated.
If you take just one thing away from this article, remember that service staff don’t rely on tips to get by and no-one will be upset or chase you out the door if you don’t tip. If you do tip it will be welcomed and appreciated by most people.
Where Tipping Happens in New Zealand? (and where it doesn’t)
Tipping in the service industry here in New Zealand is not nearly as common as it is in countries like the US and Canada, however, there are a few places where you might choose to leave a tip to award outstanding service.
- In restaurants and cafés, tipping is becoming slightly more common, particularly where service is exceptional.
- Tour guides, particularly on private or small group tours often receive tips from grateful guests at the end of an unforgettable experience.
- Hotel porters might receive a small tip for helping with luggage, but tipping hotel housekeeping staff is rare.
- Taxi and rideshare drivers occasionally receive a tip, often simply by rounding up the fare.
- In retail shops or for general services like petrol stations or grocery stores, tipping does not happen at all.
How Much Should I Tip in New Zealand?
A tip of 10% of the bill is a good tip in New Zealand. Offering this amount is a sign that the service was good. Tipping more than that, say 15 – 20% of the bill means you found the service outstanding.
Tipping in Restaurants in New Zealand
- Locals rarely tip, unless the service goes above and beyond.
- In touristy areas, tipping may be more common, but it’s still optional.
- Credit card receipts often include a tip line, feel free to add a tip to your bill if you want to, remember it’s up to you though.
How much to tip in restaurants?
- Tip up to 10% if the service was good.
- A tip of 15 – 20% acknowledges excellent service.
- No tip needed for standard, regular service – it’s considered part of the job.
Tipping Tour Guides & Drivers in New Zealand
- Many international visitors do tip, as a gesture of thanks for great service.
- New Zealand based tour companies don’t rely on tips to supplement wages – unlike some overseas operators.
- Tips are seen as a bonus, not a necessity, and staff genuinely love what they do.
- Feel free to tip if your guide went the extra mile, but there’s no pressure to do so.
How much should you tip a tour guide in New Zealand?
We’ll take a little time to answer this one clearly, as many of the readers of this article will be coming to New Zealand on one of our small group tours and would appreciate some guidance on this.
Remember if you don’t tip in New Zealand then nobody is going to be upset or think poorly of you, including your tour guide. But say you’ve just finished your tour, you’ve had a great time and think your guide did an outstanding job, how much should you give?
A suggested amount for your Kiwi Guide on your MoaTrek tour is a cash tip of $NZD10 – $NZD$20 per day of tour (or the equivalent in your own currency). If you feel you have received exceptional service from your guide, then a tip is a great way of saying thank you and will be greatly appreciated.
Tipping in New Zealand: Everyday scenarios for travellers
Here’s a quick summary of everyday scenarios you’re likely to encounter when travelling in New Zealand, and what makes a standard or great tip.
🏨 Tipping at Hotels & Accommodation
Porters & Concierge
- Tipping hotel porters for helping with bags is appreciated – $5 – $10 is a good range.
- Tipping isn’t required just for providing information or directions.
Hotel Housekeeping
- Leaving a few dollars on your pillow is the internationally recognised way to leave a tip for your housekeeper. Up to $5 per night would be appreciated.
- This is becoming more common, especially in international-style hotels or serviced apartments.
🍸 Tipping at Bars
Bartenders
- You may see tip jars at the bar.
- If your bartender went above and beyond, it’s polite to tip up to the cost of a drink.
- Local Kiwis rarely tip bartenders — so it’s entirely up to you.
🚕 Tipping Taxis & Ride Shares
Taxi Drivers
- If paying cash, it’s common to round up to the nearest $5 or $10.
- Letting the driver keep the change is a friendly and accepted gesture.
Uber Drivers
- Uber now prompts users to leave tips, 100% of the tip goes to the driver.
- A tip of 5% or rounding up the fare in-app is more than enough, but entirely optional.
✂️ Tipping for Haircuts & Beauty Treatments
Hairdressers & Salons
- Tipping your hairdresser or beauty therapist is not standard practice here.
- If you’re really happy with the result, rounding up the bill or leaving $10 – $20 would be appreciated.
MoaTrek Travel Tip – What’s the best way to hand over my tip?
The best thing to remember is New Zealand is a country that doesn’t like ostentatious and showy displays of wealth.
If you would like to thank your MoaTrek Kiwi Guide for making your trip memorable, the best approach is simple, personal and discreet. Most travellers choose to give a cash tip directly to their Kiwi Guide on the final day of the tour – often with a handshake, a smile and a few kind words.
Tips in New Zealand dollars are preferred, and placing your tip in a small envelope or card helps avoid loose notes and adds a thoughtful touch. Choose a private moment to hand it over – your guide and fellow travellers will appreciate the discretion.
Sometimes, groups pool their contributions and nominate one person to present the tip on everyone’s behalf, which is a lovely gesture. If you wish, you can also include a short thank you card or note, which guides often treasure even more than the tip itself.
Just like everywhere else in New Zealand, tipping your guide is completely optional and never expected.
The Maori Tradition of Koha
The indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), the Maori, have a strong identity and culture and Maori culture is now enjoyed and celebrated by all New Zealanders.
Visitors attending an event, gathering or ceremony may be expected to give koha. Koha is a kind of donation by the visitor to a Marae (a local Maori meeting house and grounds).
It’s a way of supporting the organisers and helping to pay for the running costs. In the past, the size of the koha showed the respect the visitor had for the local community or person who welcomes them.
Traditionally, the amount given was at the discretion of the giver – you give as much as you like or can afford. The monetary value was less important than the act of giving, which shows respect. Koha was originally a physical gift in the form of food, precious materials, or crafts, but in modern times, is more likely to be a monetary gift or donation.
If you get invited to a marae, it’s important to understand what’s expected. If you’re concerned about making a cultural faux pas, visit the marae or event with a guide. They will negotiate the entire thing while you enjoy the experience.
Koha at Maori concert performances
One important thing to remember is that if you attend a Maori concert or performance at a visitor destination like Rotorua, the same rules for koha do not apply here.
You will not be expected to make a donation in koha style, but if you enjoyed the performance and want to tip the performers then go about this in the same way you would back home.
MoaTrek Travel Tip – Don’t be surprised if someone refuses your tip
Visitors are sometimes taken by surprise when New Zealanders react with a less than enthusiastic response to a tip. Don’t worry! It’s a cultural thing. The main point to remember is that if someone refuses a tip, it’s best not to insist. Older people are less likely to appreciate the culture of tipping that people from other parts of the world are accustomed to.
If in doubt, don’t tip. If it’s something you want to do, make a discreet moderate value tip. Minimum wage laws and local customs dictate that gratuities are not expected and, in some cases, unwelcome.
Ready to start planning your New Zealand trip?
We hope this is a helpful introduction to tipping in New Zealand for anyone planning a trip down to see us soon.
At MoaTrek, we’ve been running small group tours all over New Zealand since the early 1970s and love nothing more than helping visitors make their New Zealand dream holiday a reality.
If you have any New Zealand travel questions or would like to find out more about our tours get in touch with one of the friendly team now.
