Money transfer

Western Union.

What is Western Union?

Western Union is a method of transferring cash from person to person in minutes*. It is available in over 200 countries and territories worldwide including your local PostShop or selected New Zealand Post outlets nationwide.

When would I use it?

There are a number of reasons that you might want to send money to a family member or friend...

  • when they have run out of money on holiday
  • when they have had their wallet, cash or bank cards stolen abroad and need money urgently
  • to help pay student fees
  • as a birthday gift
  • as a mothers day gift
  • as a graduation gift
  • as a Christmas/Easter present
  • to help support members of your family living in another country,

...the list is endless!  And remember, you can also receive money from overseas for any of the above reasons.

Whatever the occasion or situation, Western Union and New Zealand Post can help you send and receive cash in a matter of minutes*.  The Western Union service is fast, reliable and secure.

What countries are covered by Western Union?

Western Union is available in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Western Union agents can be found in various countries throughout Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, North and South Asia, Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean.  To find an agent in a specific country visit www.westernunion.com.

Western Union Gold Card

A Western Union Gold Card is a card you can use when completing a money transfer at New Zealand Post. It is loaded with your details, and the details of any of your chosen recipients you regularly send money to. This speeds up the process of sending money by accessing these details, making for fast, convenient and easy money transfers.

Better still, the Western Union Gold Card is completely FREE to use, with no registration or annual fees.

As a bonus, each time you complete a money transfer using your Western Union Gold Card, you will automatically receive FREE phone time credit. You can use this credit to call friends and loved ones in New Zealand and in over 200 countries worldwide.

You can fill out a Gold Card application form at any PostShop, or visit www.westernunion.co.nz/goldcard  for more information and terms and conditions for both the Western Union Gold Card and the FREE phone time offer.

How much does it cost to send money?

The cost of sending money depends upon two things:

  1. the amount of money that you want to send, and
  2. the country that you are sending the money to.

To obtain a quote ask at your local PostShop (you will have to name the country you want to send to money to and tell them the amount as well) or call Western Union on 0800 005 253.

How much does it cost to receive money?

Its free!  The person that has sent the money pays for the service so when you pick your money up it costs you nothing.

So how does it work?

Visit any PostShop or selected New Zealand Post outlets and complete the "Send/Receive money" form to send money overseas or collect money that someone has sent to you.

You will need to provide the following information by completing a Send/Receive money form:

  1. The country you are sending the money to.
  2. The amount of money you wish to send and the currency.
  3. The name of the receiver.
  4. Your name, address and telephone number.
  5. Confirm that  the receiver will have valid identification.
  6. Your signature.

A ten word message can accompany the money free of charge to some countries. Additional words can be added at a cost of 40 cents per word. Also, in selected countries you can have your cash delivered direct to the receiver for an additional charge. Ask at your PostShop for more details.

In order for the receiver to be able to pick up the money they must complete a Send/Receive form (.pdf - 210kb) and know the following four things:

  1. The Sender's first and last names
  2. The city and country the money was sent from
  3. The amount of money that was sent
  4. The Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) from the sender's receipt. This is required in some countries to pick up funds.

Send/Receive forms (.pdf - 210kb) are available in all New Zealand PostShops and selected New Zealand Post outlets.

The following service description pamphlet contains a brief description of the service in four languages.

Download the entire Pamphlet (.pdf - 1,865kb) or just the relevant section relating to you below:

*subject to the hours of operation of the receiving agent.