Digital wallets top online payments in New Zealand

Global Payments has released new figures showing digital wallets are now the leading online payment method in New Zealand, pointing to a broader shift in how consumers pay at checkout.

Its latest Global Payments Report found digital wallets accounted for 29% of eCommerce transaction value in New Zealand in 2025, ahead of cards on an individual method basis. That share is forecast to rise to 37% by 2030. At the point of sale, digital wallets represented 15% of transaction value in 2025 and are expected to reach 22% by 2030.

Cards, however, still account for most spending overall. Debit, credit and prepaid cards made up 46% of eCommerce transaction value and 73% of point-of-sale transaction value in New Zealand in 2025, underlining their continued role in online and in-store purchases.

Within online card spending, credit cards accounted for 25% of eCommerce transaction value and debit cards for 20%. By 2030, the report projects debit cards will fall to 16% and credit cards to 19% of online transaction value, even as total card-funded spending remains significant.

Cards also remain the main funding source within digital wallets, suggesting much of the shift reflects how consumers complete transactions rather than a full move away from card-based payments.

BNPL uptake

New Zealand also stood out for its use of buy now, pay later products. BNPL represented 13% of eCommerce transaction value in 2025, putting the country level with Australia and well above most other Asia-Pacific markets, where the share was closer to 3%.

Afterpay was the leading provider among online shoppers surveyed, used by 22%, while Zip was used by 5%. Global Payments expects BNPL to edge up to 14% of eCommerce transaction value by 2030, indicating the product has moved beyond early adoption and become a settled part of the online payments mix.

Another digital method, account-to-account payments, accounted for 11% of eCommerce transaction value and 2% of point-of-sale transaction value in 2025. The report forecasts eCommerce use of account-to-account payments will rise to 12% by 2030.

The findings are based on a survey of more than 63,000 consumers across 42 markets. The study tracks payment use online and at the point of sale and includes projections through 2030.

Market shift

Colin Baines, Country Manager and Head of Commercial for Australia and New Zealand at Global Payments, said: "Cards continue to underpin the majority of New Zealand payment value. While consumers embrace new ways to pay, cards continue to power many of those transactions behind the scenes. So even though consumer behaviour is evolving, cards remain very much at the centre."

The data suggests New Zealand's payments market is changing gradually rather than breaking sharply with established habits. Cash also remains an important part of the local payments system, despite the growth of wallet-based, instalment and direct bank payment methods.

For merchants, the figures suggest checkout choice is becoming more important as consumers switch between methods depending on the purchase and their budget. The growth of digital wallets in stores also points to wider use of contactless payments on mobile devices.

New Zealand's level of BNPL use is one of the clearest signs of that shift. Unlike digital wallets, which often sit on top of existing card networks, BNPL changes the form of borrowing at the point of purchase and gives shoppers a separate way to manage spending over time.

Baines said: "New Zealand consumers are increasingly adopting a wider mix of payment methods as digital payments continue to evolve. While credit and debit cards remain a major part of the payments landscape, digital wallets are seeing real traction, with BNPL maturing as an established credit option. What we're seeing is a payments ecosystem that is rapidly diversifying and evolving, with consumers increasingly adopting a more flexible mix of methods shaped by convenience, accessibility and personal preference."

Global Payments recently completed its acquisition of Worldpay, adding one of the best-known names in merchant payments to its business. The New Zealand figures form part of the first annual payments report issued after the deal.

Baines said: "The transformation of New Zealand's payments landscape is well underway. Digital wallets are gaining share online and in-store, BNPL has become an expected option at checkout, and A2A is emerging as a credible and growing payment method. Kiwi businesses best placed to grow are those that can provide the greatest flexibility of payment methods for their customers."