From Thursday, Kiwis will be able to use a reloadable pre-paid visa card that works in a similar way to pre-paid mobile phones.
NZ Post and Visa have teamed-up to launch the cards, branded "Loaded", claiming they will make online shopping more accessible and more secure.
"It offers a new payment option to consumers looking for the functionality and acceptance of a credit card along with the sensible spending habits offered by prepaid," a statement released yesterday says.
An application fee of $16.50 will be charged but this is reduced to $10.00 until June 30 as part of the launch. There are no monthly or transaction fees.
“Loaded is the ideal card for people who are either too young or don’t qualify for a credit card or those people who want added control over their spending," New Zealand Post’s payment services general manager, Terese Tunnicliffe, says.
Loaded isn’t attached to a bank account and anyone over the age of 13 is able to apply for one.
NZ Post and Visa say the card will allow customers who couldn’t buy from e-tailers and general retailers previously a means to shop online, by mail order, by phone as well as over the counter.
The cards are not totally unrestricted, however. Tunnicliffe says when a customer applies for a card, they will receive either an over-18 account or an under-18 account.
The under-18 card can't be used at bottle shops, bars or to purchase adult orientated services and products, NZ Post and Visa claim, either at point of sale or online.
The card can be reloaded online at www.loadedcard.co.nz, direct from a New Zealand bank account or at any PostShop using cash or Eftpos. Cardholders can also check their balances and transactions online.