The Value of Online Payments to New Zealand Businesses

How modern payment platforms are unlocking productivity, growth, and innovation across New Zealand

New Zealand was once a global pioneer in digital payments. The nationwide rollout of EFTPOS in the 1980s created one of the most efficient card payments systems in the world. But while other advanced economies have moved to real-time, data-rich payments infrastructure, New Zealand now relies heavily on ageing, batch-based systems.

This report, commissioned by Stripe and prepared by Mandala Partners, examines how modern online payment platforms are helping New Zealand businesses overcome these constraints. Drawing on original survey data from over 200 New Zealand businesses, alongside regulatory and industry analysis, the report shows how digital payments are driving revenue growth, productivity gains, and new business models across the economy.

Key insights

• Businesses using modern online payment platforms report an average 26% increase in annual sales, driven by higher conversion rates, improved customer experience, and access to new markets.
• Digital payments save New Zealand businesses around 9 hours per week, with time reinvested into serving more customers, supporting staff, and expanding into new activities.
• Modern payment systems enable cross-border commerce, recurring billing, marketplace models, and embedded finance that were previously complex or inaccessible for small firms.
• Advanced fraud prevention, tokenisation, and AI-driven security tools reduce losses, improve trust, and level the playing field for smaller businesses.

Payments as economic infrastructure

The report finds that payments are no longer just a back-office function. They are foundational economic infrastructure that shapes productivity, innovation, and competitiveness. While New Zealand has strong institutions and a clear reform agenda through Payments NZ, the Reserve Bank, and the Commerce Commission, continued investment in next-generation payments infrastructure is critical to closing the gap with international peers.

Fintech platforms such as Stripe are already helping New Zealand businesses bridge this gap by providing fast onboarding, flexible APIs, global reach, and integrated security. Case studies across ecommerce, SaaS, marketplaces, and subscription businesses show how payments innovation translates directly into economic value on the ground.

Looking ahead

As real-time payments, open banking, AI-enabled tools, and tokenisation continue to evolve, the opportunity for New Zealand is to once again lead in digital commerce. Coordinated action by industry and government can ensure payments infrastructure supports business growth, international expansion, and resilience across the economy.

Read the full report here.