It seems the Government has no plans to back down on its proposed card surcharge ban, despite pleas from businesses to pause the move.
The Government announced in July a ban on surcharges on card payments in-store, such as paywave, from no later than May 2026.
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson told RNZ he’s hoping to press on with the charges at pace, and is looking forward to a possible “surcharge-free summer”.
“We are determined to remove these pesky little stickers, these surprise little bits that are added on to your purchases when you go and buy your date scone and your cup of coffee,” Simpson said.
The move follows growing public frustration at the cost and transparency of such surcharges. The Commerce Commission estimates New Zealanders are paying up to $150 million in surcharges each year – including $45 to $65 million in what it considers excessive charges.
Retailers were increasingly using them to recover merchant service fees charged by banks and payment providers.
Retail NZ’s chief executive Carolyn Young said they want the Government to do a full consultation with the sector before forging ahead with the card surcharge ban.
She told RNZ retailers feel really strongly about the surcharge ban.
“It’s been a very tight economic environment and businesses are trying really hard to stay open. Every one, or two or half a percent makes a difference,” she said.
Young said more businesses are opting to have card surcharges due to the economic squeeze on businesses. She said a survey of Retail NZ’s members last year found 26.5% used paywave surcharges – now that’s up to 44% of members.
“It is very, very difficult for businesses to stay open right now. Over 60% of businesses have told us recently that they are not meeting their sale targets,” she said.
She said if a customer doesn’t want to pay a surcharge they have other options such as choosing to pay with cash or EFTPOS, or shopping in a different store that doesn’t have surcharges.
Simpson said he understands that businesses were facing challenges, but so were consumers.
He added he would be asking the Commerce Commission to investigate the transparency of the bank and its card fees, to ensure the fees being charged were appropriate and in line with those overseas.
rnz.co.nz
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