BNZ has today launched Android Pay, offering its Visa cardholders the first chance to use Android Pay in New Zealand for everyday transactions.

BNZ Android Pay allows anyone with an NFC-enabled Android device to pay instore with a tap of their phone. 

David Bullock, director of products and technology at BNZ, said with half of the New Zealand market using Android phones, there are tens of thousands of BNZ customers with the right technology to start using BNZ Android Pay straight away.

“We see clear benefits in bringing Android Pay to New Zealand for BNZ customers – for many, it will be the first time they can shop without their wallet,” Bullock said. “As the uptake of contactless payments increases there will be more places to pay with just a tap of your phone. It’s about simplicity and convenience in payment options for your everyday banking.”

“New Zealanders have a long standing affinity with electronic payments, as shown most recently by the swift uptake in contactless payments,” Bullock said. “BNZ Android Pay is just like tap and go payments with contactless cards, except you tap your phone on the payment terminal.”

Android Pay was first unveiled in May 2015 and has been available in the US since September last year. New Zealand is just the sixth country in the world to have Android Pay.

Android Pay is available at a range of retailers including The Warehouse, Noel Leeming, New World, PAK’nSAVE, Countdown, Animates, Paper Plus, Rebel Sport, Kathmandu, Farmers and JB Hi-Fi.