Should You Get a Wise Card
If you live in New Zealand, travel overseas, or have money coming from the UK, you’ve probably heard people talk about a Wise Card. But is it worth setting up? Here’s a straightforward look at what it does, who it suits, and when it can really save you money.
If you live in New Zealand, travel overseas, or have money coming from the UK, you may have heard people talk about the Wise card. But is it worth getting? Here’s a clear look at what it is, when it’s useful, and how to get one.
What is the Wise Card?
The Wise card is a debit card that works in more than 40 currencies, including NZD, GBP, AUD, EUR, and USD. You can use it anywhere Mastercard or Visa is accepted, just like a normal debit card, and you can withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide. The main benefit is that spending in foreign currencies is much cheaper than with most bank cards, because Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges low, transparent fees.
When is it Worth Having?
The Wise card is not something you’ll use much for everyday spending in New Zealand, but it’s very useful in three situations.
Travel to Australia, Fiji, or elsewhere
Load the currency you need onto the card before you travel, then just tap or enter your PIN like you would with any debit card. There are no foreign transaction fees and no need to hunt for exchange counters.
Going back to the UK without a UK bank account
Many UK banks close accounts for non-residents, which can make it difficult to spend or receive money in pounds. The Wise card solves this because:
You can have pounds paid into your Wise account, including private pension payments, as if it were a UK bank account.
You can spend directly in GBP in the UK, including at airports and hotels, just as you would with a local debit card.
Receiving money from the UK while living in New Zealand
If you still receive income or payments from the UK, these can be paid into Wise and loaded onto your card. You can either spend directly from the card in GBP or convert the money to NZD and withdraw it to your New Zealand bank.
How to Get a Wise Card
Ordering the card is simple:
Go to the “Cards” section in your Wise account, confirm your details, and pay a one-time fee (about NZD 14 for New Zealand residents).
The physical card usually arrives in about a week.
Activate it, set your PIN, and load money before using it.
A virtual card is available straight away, so you can use it for online payments or through Apple Pay or Google Pay while waiting for the physical card.
The Wise card is a practical tool if you travel regularly or need to move money between the UK and New Zealand. It’s especially helpful if your UK bank account has been closed, as it lets you receive and spend pounds as if you still had a local account. With a low one-off cost, no monthly fees, and competitive exchange rates, it’s an easy way to save money on international spending.