Leasing an EFTPOS machine in New Zealand costs from $35 + GST per terminal per month. On top of that you pay a payment network fee of $15.00 to $18.90 + GST per terminal per month, and merchant service fees on credit card and contactless transactions. Standard EFTPOS debit transactions are free to process. The terminal is only one of four costs associated with taking payment.
Pricing last reviewed: October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Leasing a terminal costs from $35 + GST per terminal per month, which covers hardware, support, updates, and compliance.
- The payment network adds $15.00 to $18.90 + GST per terminal per month.
- Standard EFTPOS debit is free to process. Merchant service fees apply only to credit card and contactless payments, and your bank sets them.
- Bundled EFTPOS and MSF plans shift costs into the merchant service fee, and can carry a minimum monthly charge that catches out new or low-volume businesses.
- The cheapest setup is the lowest total cost at your own transaction volume, not the lowest advertised price.
What does it cost to accept EFTPOS in New Zealand?
| Cost | Typical price | Who you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal lease | From $35 + GST per terminal per month | Your terminal provider |
| Payment network | $15.00 (Verifone) to $18.90 (Paymark) + GST per terminal per month | The network provider |
| SIM connectivity | Included in some plans, otherwise about $12.00 + GST per terminal per month | Your terminal provider |
| Wi-Fi or ethernet | No extra cost if you already have broadband | Your internet provider |
| Merchant service fee | A percentage of each credit card and contactless transaction | Your acquiring bank |
The costs above are predictable, flat monthly costs, except the merchant service fee, which moves with how your customers pay.
How much does it cost to lease an EFTPOS terminal?
Leasing costs from $35 + GST per terminal per month, depending on the model, the support level, and the contract length. The fee covers hardware maintenance, software updates, PCI compliance, and technical support. Buying an EFTPOS terminal outright costs more upfront and removes the monthly fee, but updates, repairs, and replacement become yours to manage. Our guide to EFTPOS terminal rental in NZ compares leasing, buying, and short-term hire.
How much does it cost to connect to a payment network?
The payment network carries each transaction from your terminal to the cardholder’s bank for approval. There’s a monthly fee per terminal: the Verifone network is $15.00 + GST, Paymark is $18.90 + GST. Eftpos NZ runs the Verifone network, so your terminal and network can sit on one contract, one bill, and one support number.
How much does it cost to connect an EFTPOS terminal to the internet?
Nothing extra over Wi-Fi or ethernet if you already have broadband. A mobile data SIM is either included in your plan or costs about $12.00 + GST per terminal per month. An optional backup SIM keeps you trading if your main connection drops
How much does mobile EFTPOS cost?
A mobile EFTPOS terminal leases for about the same as a countertop terminal, from $35 + GST per month plus an unlimited data SIM fee. Most New Zealand banks now offer full mobile EFTPOS with monthly device fees averaging around $30 to $40 + GST depending on the terminal and plan. For a full breakdown, see what is the cost of mobile EFTPOS in New Zealand.
What are merchant service fees on EFTPOS in New Zealand?
A merchant service fee (MSF) is a percentage of each credit card or contactless transaction, charged by your acquiring bank. Standard (swiped or inserted) EFTPOS debit transactions do not attract an MSF. Eftpos NZ is not an acquirer, but we partner with all major merchant acquiring banks in New Zealand. For more detail on how much each transaction type costs to accept, see why different payment types cost different amounts to accept and what interchange fee changes mean for your business.
You can also choose to offset these fees by surcharging, which passes the cost of accepting contactless and credit card payments on to the customer paying by those methods. In New Zealand, surcharging is legal as long as the surcharge reflects your actual cost of acceptance and is disclosed before payment. It’s optional, so you decide whether to apply it. See our Guide to credit card surcharging merchant obligations for the rules.
Is a “$0” EFTPOS terminal really free?
No. A $0 terminal offer bundles the terminal, network, and card processing into a single rate. You are not paying a separate hardware fee, but the cost is recovered through the merchant service fee on every card transaction, so the terminal is not free. The difference between a bundled EFTPOS package and a standard one is who controls your costs. With a bundled provider, your terminal and your card processing come from the same company, so that company sets your MSF and your acquiring is tied to them.
With an independent provider like Eftpos NZ, your bank handles your acquiring and sets your merchant service fee (MSF). You can switch terminal providers without changing banks, or change banks without switching terminal providers. This allows you to shop around and find the best deals for each.
To compare a bundled plan against Eftpos NZ feature by feature, see Eftpos NZ compared with a ‘low cost’ EFTPOS provider.
What is the cheapest way to take card payments for a small business in NZ?
The cheapest EFTPOS setup is the one that costs your business the least overall, not the one with the lowest advertised monthly price. Compare terminal rental, network charges, connectivity and merchant service fees using your actual transaction volume. A ‘$0 terminal’ could cost more over a year if higher processing fees outweigh the rental savings.
Check how each plan handles quieter months. A bundled 'low cost' plan may have a minimum monthly charge or require a certain turnover to qualify for its advertised rate. If you’re starting out, trading seasonally or taking different amounts each month, those conditions could mean paying more overall. A bundle may suit a business with steady, higher sales, but the total cost still needs to stack up.
Use your latest merchant statement, or a realistic sales forecast if you’re new, as the basis for comparison. Ask each provider for the total monthly cost per terminal, who sets your MSF, any minimum charges or turnover requirements, and the contract term and exit fees. Apply the same sales figures to every quote, including a quieter month, to see which option offers the lowest total cost.
The cheapest plan today could cost more later if it can’t meet your changing needs. Look beyond basic payments: check whether the terminal integrates with your POS, supports payment types you may want to add and can grow with your business. Switching providers to get the features you need takes time and may mean paying early exit fees.
Eftpos NZ quotes set out every cost month by month, so there are no surprises. Get a quote.
How do I compare EFTPOS quotes?
Ask every provider for the same five things, in writing:
-
The full monthly cost per terminal, including network and SIM fees
- Who sets your merchant service fee and how it varies by card type
- The contract length and any fees for cancelling early
- Whether POS integration is included in the quote or costs extra
- Which payment types the quoted rate covers and whether any attract additional fees
Copy this table and fill in one column per provider. Compare the total monthly cost, not the headline price.
| Item | What to check | Provider A | Provider B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal rental or purchase, and network fee | Rates per month. If either shows $0, where has the cost moved? Check processing rates, minimums and merchant services lock-in. | ||
| Connectivity and add-ons | Mobile data, receipt paper, optional features, short-term hire | ||
| POS integration | Does it work with your POS? Is there a setup fee or monthly charge? Who supports it when something breaks, the provider or the POS vendor? | ||
| Surcharging | Is it included or an add-on? Can you set different rates by card type rather than one flat rate? Can you change or switch it off if your costs or the rules change? | ||
| Payment methods | Which cards and wallets does the terminal accept out of the box? | ||
| Estimated processing fees | Based on your actual mix of card payments, not an average rate | ||
| Minimum monthly fee or turnover | Is there a minimum, and what happens if you fall short? | ||
| GST | Are the prices quoted including or excluding GST? Compare every provider on the same basis. | ||
| Total monthly cost | Add the fixed costs and estimated processing fees. | ||
| Fixed or variable | Which costs are fixed for the term, and which can change? | ||
| Contract terms | Length, renewal and cancellation | ||
| Your bank | Can you keep your bank, and what does it cost to leave? | ||
| Support | Who services the terminal: an on-site technician or phone-only? Also check software updates and how fast a faulty terminal is replaced. |
Every Eftpos NZ quotes sets out every cost month by month. Get a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is EFTPOS free for merchants in NZ?
No. Standard EFTPOS debit transactions carry no per-transaction fee, but you pay for the terminal, the network connection, and merchant service fees on credit card and contactless payments.
How much does an EFTPOS machine cost per month in NZ?
Leasing a terminal costs from around $35 + GST per terminal per month, plus a network fee of $15.00 to $18.90 + GST. Merchant service fees apply to credit card and contactless transactions.
Do I need a merchant account to use an EFTPOS terminal?
You need a merchant facility with an acquiring bank to accept credit cards and contactless payments. Your bank sets it up and gives you your merchant ID.
Should I lease or buy an EFTPOS terminal?
Leasing includes support, updates, and compliance in the monthly fee. Buying costs more upfront and leaves those responsibilities with you. See our guide to EFTPOS terminal rental in NZ.
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