'Call me Mr Cash Man': MP seeks protection for hard currency
The New Zealand First MP's members' legislation, the Cash Transactions Protection Bill, would require vendors to accept cash up to the value of $500, with no limits on the amount of cash that must be accepted for essential items like fuel and food.
'There's a real concern across New Zealand that we're becoming a cashless society, and we've got a lot of people who depend on cash,' the MP told Q+A.
He said that particularly applied to people living in rural areas, the elderly who are more comfortable using cash than digital systems, and those on low incomes.
A self-professed fan of using cash, Arbuckle said, 'cash is king, and you can call me Mr Cash Man if you like.'
ADVERTISEMENT
'I've got to tell you right now, I don't like walking into a shop and not being able to pay cash for a coffee.'
Composite image by Vania Chandrawidjaja (Source: iStock/1News)
But he said in an increasingly digital world, there was a more serious point to be made about the ability to make anonymous payments.
'People are telling me they want to have the ability to use cash, it's a freedom of choice issue.'
'It's really the only true way of having privacy in a transaction. You don't get that with electronic payments. There's always the concern that Big Brother or someone is able to look at where you've been, what you've purchased, so the majority of people have been very positive about protecting cash use.'
A Reserve Bank survey released in June 2025 found that — while electronic and debit card use was by far the most common method of making payments — a significant minority of the country continued to use cash regularly.
Around 46% of respondents said they used cash 'to pay for everyday things', down slightly from 48% which an equivalent survey found in June 2023.
ADVERTISEMENT
The survey also found a majority had used cash at least once in the seven days preceding the survey being taken, with approximately 33% of respondents saying they hadn't used cash in the last week, and a further 3.6% saying they would never use cash.
Further research undertaken last year by the Reserve Bank found Kiwis value being able to use physical cash.
Director of money and cash Ian Woolford said, '84% of respondents were worried about losing access to banknotes and coins, and want assurance that cash will still be issued by the Reserve Bank and not reduced or replaced by digital cash.'
'We'll keep issuing cash for as long as New Zealanders want to use it," he said in December.
"We're doing a lot of work to redesign the cash system, including helping retailers through community cash services trials next year in several rural communities lacking over-the-counter bank or ATM services.'
Some businesses have moved to being cash-free, but Arbuckle said in his view, it couldn't be an opt-in and opt-out system.
'The majority of businesses hold cash, so we're only talking about a small amount of businesses that would have to change.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Cash is legal tender, and you should be able to purchase with cash.'
He said if the bill is pulled out of the member's bill biscuit tin, he'd welcome feedback from businesses that might be affected during the select committee process.
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Scoop
Cabinet Ministers Defend Hiking Board Fees For Crown Bodies
Cabinet ministers are defending a move to hike board fees for Crown bodies by up to 80 percent, insisting those in the roles are overseeing billions of dollars - not just "beer and skittles." Labour says the decision proves the government is out-of-touch with the cost-of-living crisis and has accused it of trying to sneak the news by the public. A Cabinet document, quietly uploaded online on Monday, shows ministers agreed to lift the maximum annual fee for chairs of governance boards from $90,000 to about $162,000. The "Cabinet Fees Framework" is not binding but provides guidance to ministers when deciding compensation for those on a range of bodies, such as royal commissions and ministerial inquiries. Speaking on Tuesday, Luxon said public sector fees had become completely "out of whack" with private sector rates and needed a reset. "We need to make that a little bit more competitive, so that we can actually attract good talent," he said. Luxon said paying more to ensure "really good governance teams" could save billions in the long run. Finance Minister Nicola Willis echoed the point, stressing that New Zealanders deserved value for money. "This isn't beer and skittles. This is billions of dollars of public money. We need the very best people making governance decisions about it." Public Service Minister Judith Collins told reporters that the updated fees still fell short of private sector rates - around 80 percent of the going rate. "A lot of people who are experienced directors don't want to do these jobs in the public sector because they know they're going to lose money," she said. Collins said she did not think the public would be worried by the news. "One of the problems is that we've had an underperforming public service that's taken a hell of a lot of taxpayers' money, and so it is very important that we have the right people in charge of that." Hipkins accuses government of 'twisted priorities' Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the decision revealed the government's "twisted priorities" at a time when households were doing it tough. "They're saying that board members can get up to 80 percent increases in their pay, whilst nurses and teachers are being told to settle for 1 pecent or less," he said. "They've said everyone needs to tighten their belts - apparently except for the people who they hand-picked to put on public sector boards." Hipkins rejected the idea that higher fees were necessary to attract quality candidates, calling it "absolute nonsense." He said many public appointees had altruistic motivations and were already sitting on "very well paid directorships" in the private sector as well. "They're not doing it for the money," Hipkins said. Hipkins accused the government of trying to "slip this [announcement] out quietly" without scrutiny. But Luxon denied any secrecy: "It's normal practice... how it's been communicated." Hipkins does not appear to have issued a media release as Public Service Minister in 2022 when the then-Labour Cabinet agreed to a smaller 10 percent increase in fees. In November, State Owned Enterprises minister Paul Goldsmith did publish a release about a similar but separate move to increase director fees for 22 Crown-owned companies.
1News
3 hours ago
- 1News
Police Minister says record high gang numbers 'highly concerning'
For the first time, the number of patched gang members and gang prospects has surpassed 10,000 — with Police Minister Mark Mitchell acknowledging the figure is highly concerning. The number of gang members has been steadily growing in recent years. There were 9270 gang members on the National Gang List at the time of the 2023 election. As of July 10, there were 10,009 — an increase of more than 700 gang members and associates. The National Gang List counted patched members and prospects identified by state agencies. Police officer numbers are failing to keep up with the national gang member list, Benedict Collins reports. (Source: 1News) Mitchell told 1News today that the Government's tough on crime policies were working and gang numbers were now growing more slowly. ADVERTISEMENT "We're going after the gangs, we're making their life as difficult as possible," he said. He repeatedly blamed the rising gang numbers on the previous Labour-led government and their policies. "We're not going to reverse what happened under Labour [for] six years, where you saw a massive increase in gang numbers. "We're heading in the right direction." In an answer to a Parliamentary written question, however, Mitchell acknowledged the issue was alarming. "I acknowledge that it is highly concerning to see gang membership grow to this level." ADVERTISEMENT Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said the Prime Minister and his Government were failing to make New Zealanders safer. "Not only have gang numbers increased but methamphetamine levels have skyrocketed under their watch," she said. However, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today maintained his Government was "smashing the gangs". "I'm proud of the progress that we've made, I mean putting the gang patches [ban] in place — many people said that couldn't be done." Criminologist Jarrod Gilbert said the gang patch ban may actually be leading to an undercount of gang members now. "We can't identify the gangs anymore because insignia has been banned so, perversely ,we might see numbers come down on this list, it's not reflective of anything that's happening on the street it's just that the gangs are more invisible." When in opposition, the National Party repeatedly attacked the previous Labour government over rising gang numbers. Data from the Police Minister's office shows that when Labour came to power in 2017 there were 5343 individuals on the National Gang List. By the 2023 election, there were 9270 — an increase of nearly 4000 over six years.
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Scoop
71% Of Generate Members Maximise Final $521 Government Contribution – Ahead Of Policy Changes
Generate members claimed over $62 million in Government Contributions this year — a strong sign of engagement ahead of next year's halving. In total, 71% received the full $521.43 contribution, with another 14% making a partial claim. This result stands out across the industry. Recent reports from some other KiwiSaver schemes have indicated that only 60–65% of their members received the contribution. Generate's total cohort of members receiving the full or partial contribution (85%) is also well above the national average, which sits at around two thirds of members. 'The Government Contribution is one of the most valuable features of KiwiSaver — essentially a 50% return on up to $1,042.86 in annual contributions,' says Generate adviser Hayley Taylor. 'We're proud to see such high engagement from our members. Our commitment to educating our members via our adviser network plays a key role in helping Kiwis make the most of their KiwiSaver investment.' In total, Generate claimed $62,474,541.57 in Government Contributions to pay out to its members through the scheme this year — helping thousands of Kiwis build a stronger retirement foundation. From 1 July 2026, the maximum Government Contribution will be halved to $260.71, making this year's result even more significant. Members who earn more than $180,000 per annum will also no longer be eligible. 'The upcoming change reinforces the importance of being proactive,' says Taylor. 'Small, consistent contributions — and good advice — can make a real difference over time.' As the KiwiSaver landscape evolves, staying informed and making smart decisions will be more important than ever. Generate remains committed to helping New Zealanders get the most out of their KiwiSaver investment through advice, education, and long-term performance. ---------------------------------------------------------
