If you’ve ever tried to figure out how much 170 Australian dollars is worth in New Zealand dollars, you already know the rate moves—often more than you’d expect. That small difference between the mid-market rate and what your bank or airport kiosk offers can add up to a real cost.

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Current mid-market rate: 1 AUD = 1.2081 NZD · 170 AUD to NZD: 205.42 NZD · Average rate last 30 days: 1.2156 AUD/NZD · Last updated: March 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Mid-market rate: 1 AUD = 1.2081 NZD (Wise)
  • 170 AUD ≈ 205.42 NZD at mid-market (Instarem)
  • Australian dollars are not accepted in New Zealand (Crown Currency)
2What’s unclear
  • Which factor (interest rates, commodity prices, or economy size) drives weakness the most
  • Whether the NZD will strengthen in the near term
3Timeline signal
  • Rates update live on provider sites; OFX last refreshed Jun 9, 2026 (OFX)
  • Travelex AU rate snapshot: 1 AUD = 1.1604 NZD (Travelex AU)
4What’s next
  • Compare rates before converting; the difference across providers can exceed 10 NZD on 170 AUD
  • Expect continued NZD weakness unless RBNZ raises rates or commodity prices shift
Quick reference: key conversion facts
Item Value Source
1 AUD to NZD (mid-market) 1.2081 Wise
170 AUD to NZD (mid-market) 205.42 Instarem
Wise rate 1 AUD = 1.201 NZD Wise
Wise conversion (170 AUD) ~204.17 NZD Wise
Revolut rate 1 AUD = 1.15130 NZD Revolut
Revolut conversion (170 AUD) ~195.72 NZD Revolut
OFX rate 1 AUD = 1.212878 NZD OFX
Instarem rate 1 AUD = 1.2064 NZD Instarem
Travelex AU rate 1 AUD = 1.1604 NZD Travelex AU
Last update March 2025 Multiple providers

How much is $1 AUD to NZ?

What is the mid-market rate?

  • The mid-market rate is the rate banks and currency services trade among themselves. As of March 2025, it sits at 1 AUD = 1.2081 NZD, according to Wise (online money transfer service).
  • Xe (currency data provider) shows the reciprocal: 1 NZD = 0.8281 AUD, which implies 1 AUD ≈ 1.2078 NZD.

How does the rate change during the day?

Bottom line: One Australian dollar buys roughly 1.21 New Zealand dollars at the mid-market rate. The exact number you get depends on when and where you exchange.

Why is NZ dollar so weak against AUD?

Economic factors

  • Australia’s economy is larger and more diversified, with strength in mining, energy, and services. New Zealand relies heavily on agriculture and tourism, which can be more volatile.
  • The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has kept its official cash rate lower than the Reserve Bank of Australia for extended periods, reducing the NZD’s appeal to investors.

Interest rate differentials

  • Higher interest rates in Australia attract capital, boosting demand for the AUD. As of early 2025, the RBA’s cash rate stood above the RBNZ’s, widening the yield gap.

Commodity prices

  • Australia is a top exporter of iron ore, coal, and LNG—commodities that have seen strong global demand. New Zealand’s key exports (dairy, wool, meat) face more price fluctuation.
The trade-off

A weaker NZD is good for New Zealand exporters but bad for Australians visiting or sending money across the Tasman. On 170 AUD, the gap between provider rates means you could lose or save over 10 NZD.

The pattern: The AUD’s advantage is structural, rooted in economic size and interest rate policy, not a short-term blip.

How much is 170 AUD in NZ?

What is the exact amount?

At the mid-market rate of 1.2081, 170 AUD equals 205.42 NZD. That’s the reference number from Instarem (cross-border payments platform). But providers rarely give you the mid-market rate.

How to calculate other amounts

Use the formula: amount in AUD × current exchange rate = amount in NZD. For example, 200 AUD × 1.2081 = 241.62 NZD. The Western Union Australia (money transfer service) offers a similar calculator.

The catch

The rate your bank or airport kiosk quotes is almost always worse than the mid-market. On 170 AUD, a 3% markup shaves off roughly 6 NZD from what you’d get using a transfer service like Wise or OFX.

What is $150 AUD in NZ dollars?

Conversion for 150 AUD

150 AUD × 1.2081 = 181.22 NZD at the mid-market rate.

Comparison to 170 AUD

The extra 20 AUD adds about 24.20 NZD. If you’re converting both amounts, check whether the provider imposes a fixed fee—larger transfers often become more cost-effective per dollar. PayPal’s currency calculator shows its own exchange rate, which includes a spread.

The implication: The 24 NZD difference between 150 AUD and 170 AUD highlights why even small amount variations matter when provider markups are applied.

How to convert AUD to NZD?

Using online converters

  • Services like Wise, OFX, and Instarem display live mid-market rates and charge a transparent fee.
  • Step 1: Choose a provider and create an account. Step 2: Enter the amount (e.g., 170 AUD). Step 3: Confirm the total NZD after fees. Step 4: Transfer funds electronically.

Bank exchange rates

Tips for getting the best rate

  • Use a dedicated money transfer service instead of a bank for larger amounts (e.g., 170 AUD and above).
  • Avoid airport exchange counters—their rates are the worst. Crown Currency (foreign exchange retailer) advises exchanging AUD for NZD before leaving Australia.
  • Set up rate alerts on platforms like Wise or OFX to convert when the rate moves in your favor.

Five providers, one pattern: the spread between their rates on 170 AUD is as wide as 10.47 NZD.

Provider Mid-market rate 170 AUD to NZD (approx.) Fee / Markup
Wise 1.2010 204.17 Transparent % fee
Instarem 1.2064 205.09 Transparent % fee
OFX 1.2129 206.19 Low or no fee
Revolut 1.1513 195.72 Spread + possible weekend markup
Travelex AU 1.1604 197.27 ~4% markup

The implication: The best provider (OFX) gives you 10.47 NZD more than the worst (Revolut) on the same 170 AUD.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 1 AUD = 1.2081 NZD (mid-market rate from Wise)
  • 170 AUD = 205.42 NZD at the mid-market rate (Instarem)
  • Provider rates vary by up to 10.47 NZD on 170 AUD
  • Australian dollars are not legal tender in New Zealand (Crown Currency)

What’s unclear

  • Exactly why the NZD is weak – multiple factors (interest rates, commodity prices, economy size) interact in complex ways
  • Future exchange rate movements – unpredictable due to monetary policy shifts and global events
  • Whether providers will change their fee structures in coming months

The mid-market rate is the rate we use for currency conversion, based on real-time market data. It’s the fairest benchmark for comparison.

Wise (online money transfer service)

We recommend exchanging AUD for NZD before you travel—it’s more convenient and you avoid poorer overseas exchange conditions.

Crown Currency (foreign exchange retailer)

Why this matters

A traveller converting 170 AUD at an airport kiosk could lose over 8 NZD compared to using a transfer service like OFX. Over a full trip budget of several hundred dollars, the gap becomes significant.

For travellers planning a trip to New Zealand, the choice is clear: compare rates online before you go, or lose over 20 NZD on every 170 AUD exchanged at the airport.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to convert AUD to NZD?

There is no guaranteed “best time” because rates fluctuate 24/5. Many travellers track the rate over a few days using tools like Wise or OFX and convert when the AUD is relatively strong. Aim for a period when the RBA is hawkish on rates and global commodity prices support the AUD.

Do banks give the same rate as online converters?

No. Banks typically mark up the mid-market rate by 2-5% when converting cash. Online services like Wise and Instarem offer rates much closer to the mid-market and charge a transparent fee that is often lower than a bank’s spread.

Is the NZD expected to strengthen against the AUD?

Unclear. The NZD is under pressure from lower interest rates and a commodity export mix that is less in demand than Australia’s. If the RBNZ raises rates or dairy prices spike, the NZD could recover—but most analysts see the AUD maintaining its advantage in the near term.

How often does the exchange rate update?

Live rates from providers like OFX and Wise update in real-time during forex market hours. On weekends and public holidays, rates may freeze until markets reopen.

What fees apply to currency conversion?

It depends on the provider. Wise charges a small percentage fee; Revolut includes a spread; banks add a markup; airport kiosks often charge a flat fee plus a bad rate. Always check the total NZD you will receive before confirming.

Can I lock in a rate for future conversion?

Some services like OFX allow you to set a forward contract to lock in a rate for a future date. This is useful if you want certainty for a planned trip or payment, but you may pay a premium.

Why does the rate vary between providers?

Each provider sources its exchange rate from different liquidity providers and adds its own profit margin. Market volatility also causes short-term differences. Comparing three or four providers before converting ensures you get a fair deal.

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