From Monday 2 October, the New Zealand High Commission in Apia will no longer accept cash for service fee payments over the counter. 

The move, says New Zealand High Commissioner, David Nicholson, is designed to streamline the way the office does business, and free up frontline staff to spend more time helping customers and less time processing money. 

 “We know going cash-free is the way of the future,” said Mr. Nicholson. 

 “In a predominantly cash-based society, like Samoa, it will take a little bit of getting used to, but we are confident that in the long run, it will be worth it. 

 “Going cash-free also removes the risks associated with transporting money to and from the bank — overall, it will be faster and more effective for everyone.”

Mr. Nicholson also noted the important role Samoa’s banks will play in supporting the Go Cashless approach. 

 “Given that we will only be accepting EFTPOS or credit card payments, direct deposits, or official bank cheques, making sure both our customers and the banks know what is required — like knowing the correct bank account or payee details — is critical,” he said. 

The new system will apply to payments for all service fees, including passport and citizenship fees, consular and notarial fees, and births, deaths and marriages fees. 

Aligning with the front-of-house transition to going cash-free, the New Zealand High Commission will also be moving all of its vendor accounts away from cash and cheque payments to an electronic payment system. 

 “We will be using an online banking platform — so, direct credit payments to bank accounts — for all of our vendor accounts from Monday 2 October, as well,” Mr. Nicholson said. 

“Again, this is to modernise our processes and ensure we are operating in the most secure and efficient way possible.” 

Instead of paying with cash for New Zealand High Commission services, from Monday 2 October 2017 you will need to use one of the following methods:

• local ANZ EFTPOS card 

• international Visa or MasterCard 

• direct deposit to the New Zealand High Commission bank account 

• official bank cheque (personal or business cheques are not accepted).

If you have any questions about the schedule of fees for New Zealand High Commission services, or about the new Go Cashless system, please call +685 21 711 or email: [email protected] 

IMPORTANT: in the event you have a consular or travel document emergency, and you are unable to access one of the accepted methods of payment, you should call the Consular Team on +685 21 711 for support.