Poll: No more card payment surcharges – but who should be covering the cost? 💸
The Government says it's scrapping those annoying card surcharges – and it’s happening next year.
Consumer NZ is stoked, saying these sneaky surcharges cost Kiwis around $65 million a year and should’ve been gone ages ago.
But not everyone’s convinced it’s a win. Labour and Hospitality NZ are worried the costs won’t just disappear. Labour MP Arena Williams put it simply: there should not be surcharges for customers at all. But she points out that the Government’s plan does not deal with banks and merchants “who still scoop a big fee”.
Many of our community are rocked by the recent announcement. Retailers warn card surcharge ban could lead to higher prices - the unfortunatel reality is that small businesses are feeling the squeeze along with their customers. In comparison, large retailers pay significantly lower banking fees and ultimately have more leverage at the negotiation table.
💸 So someone still pays – but who?
We want to know: Who should be covering this cost?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
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5.7% Retailers need to absorb the cost
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88.7% The banks are the problem - the cost should not sit with consumers or retailers
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4.2% I do not mind paying a surcharge - I just want everything to be transparent
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1.4% It is more complicated - I will share below
💡 A Little Brain Buzz for You⚡
I have two faces, but show you only one.
I once had guests, but now have none.
I’m rarely bloody and seldom blue.
I’m often promised and sometimes new
(Trev from Tamatea kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Auckland has a thriving cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures across the country, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.
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41.6% I avoid spending money on coffee
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40.4% I still indulge at my local cafe
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18% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
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