Our vision is to grow a community of Kiwi Bitcoiners and a thriving circular economy through the adoption of Bitcoin as the monetary standard.
As a small and highly digital country, we think that New Zealand can become a global leader in the adoption of Bitcoin technology.
This is an Open Source Project. If you have a Bitcoin project to contribute please get in touch!
As a small and highly digital country, we think that New Zealand can become a global leader in the adoption of Bitcoin technology.
This is an Open Source Project. If you have a Bitcoin project to contribute please get in touch!
Bitcoin Events in NZ
Community events and meetups are part of the heart of Bitcoin in New Zealand.
Events help bring people from all walks of life together to discuss the technology and ideas behind Bitcoin.
Have a New Zealand Bitcoin Event or Meetup to share? Get in touch.
Bitkiwi - New Zealand's Premier Bitcoin Meetup
Friendly, laid back Bitcoin meetups held all over New Zealand four times a year.
Coming Up
Merchants Accepting Bitcoin in NZ
Why is Bitcoin Important for NZ?
Bitcoin is a new kind of digital money launched in 2009. Think of Bitcoin like a digital version of gold.
Bitcoin is native to the internet, and is a global, decentralised and censorship-resistant payment network. Bitcoin can be used by merchants, retailers, and individuals locally and internationally with minimal fees and no middlemen.
Shocked by your supermarket bill?
When there is no cost to print money, we get inflation and all parts of society feel the pinch. The increasing cost of living crisis in New Zealand and the world is due to the broken monetary policy of Governments who have had the ability to freely print money at zero cost.
Bitcoin fixes this.
Bitcoin is digital, but it is unique in that it cannot just be printed out of thin air. Bitcoin has a fixed supply backed by the energy of the world's largest decentralised network of computers. Every Bitcoin requires a certain amount of real-world energy to generate, which gives it fundamental value.
Bitcoin is like a better version of the gold standard, but for the digital era.
Bitcoin is like a better version of the gold standard, but for the digital era.
What does Bitcoin mean for New Zealand?
Bitcoin enables lower fees, more secure and private transactions, and an alternative to constantly increasing prices caused by Government and Reserve Bank monetary policy.
What the internet did for the way we interact with information is what bitcoin is doing to the way we use money.
What the internet did for the way we interact with information is what bitcoin is doing to the way we use money.
A Positive Social Story
Beyond a day-to-day asset and payment tool held by tens of thousands of kiwi individuals and businesses**, Bitcoin is a positive social success, and is increasingly being used for remittance payments to developing nations, helping smaller nations avoid the debt trap, and to provide a way around financial censorship.
Articles & Guides
FAQ
Is Bitcoin legal in New Zealand?
Yes! In fact the New Zealand government and IRD already permit businesses to pay their staff in Bitcoin, there are registered Financial Service Providers (FSPs) operating in Bitcoin, along with clear statements from both the Government and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand setting a precedent for the legal use of Bitcoin.
Do I have to pay tax on Bitcoin?
For day-to-day payments, Bitcoin is considered a transfer of money from one form to another. Think of it like a transport card top-up (Snapper, AT Hop, Metrocard, etc).
If you receive Bitcoin as business income then you will have to pay GST and income tax just the same as if you were receiving dollars.
See IRD guidance
If you receive Bitcoin as business income then you will have to pay GST and income tax just the same as if you were receiving dollars.
See IRD guidance
What is the impact of Bitcoin on the environment?
Bitcoin is powered by a decentralised network of specialised computers called miners. Bitcoin mining secures the network and helps give Bitcoin its value.
Bitcoin mining requires electricity and is no different than any other use of electrical power. However, mining is unique in that it tends to seek out areas where electricity is renewable, abundant, and low cost. In New Zealand this means Bitcoin mining is emerging as a key piece of co-locatable infrastructure alongside renewable hydro and wind generation assets.
Because electrical power is "use it or lose it", Bitcoin mining provides an important function as a load-balancing tool for the electrical grid.
Bitcoin mining requires electricity and is no different than any other use of electrical power. However, mining is unique in that it tends to seek out areas where electricity is renewable, abundant, and low cost. In New Zealand this means Bitcoin mining is emerging as a key piece of co-locatable infrastructure alongside renewable hydro and wind generation assets.
Because electrical power is "use it or lose it", Bitcoin mining provides an important function as a load-balancing tool for the electrical grid.
Aren't there many "cryptocurrencies"?
It is important to understand the difference between Bitcoin and "Crypto". There are thousands of get-rich-quick "cryptocurrencies" that have emerged over the last few years which are highly volatile and often crash to zero.
Bitcoin however has been online for over 13 years and is the safest, most popular decentralised digital money we have. Unfortunately a lot of these "cryptocurrencies" are marketed alongside Bitcoin on online exchanges and can be confusing.
Bitcoin however has been online for over 13 years and is the safest, most popular decentralised digital money we have. Unfortunately a lot of these "cryptocurrencies" are marketed alongside Bitcoin on online exchanges and can be confusing.
What about all these hacks and exchanges going bankrupt?
If you leave your Bitcoin on an exchange your funds may be at risk. It is important to learn to self-custody your own Bitcoin in your own Bitcoin wallet to keep it safe. If properly custodied, your Bitcoin is controlled only by you and cannot be taken from you.
Where can I buy Bitcoin?
There are a number of ways to buy Bitcoin in New Zealand, but as mentioned above it is important to choose the right way to buy and to understand the difference between Bitcoin and "Crypto".
We encourage you to attend a Bitcoin event first to learn more or you can reach out directly.
We encourage you to attend a Bitcoin event first to learn more or you can reach out directly.
What is the best way to connect with other Bitcoiners?
The best way to meet other Bitcoiners in NZ is to attend a local meetup!
NZ Bitcoin Projects
A collection of Kiwi Bitcoin projects, websites and tools.
Got a project that is ready for the public and want to share? Get in touch.
AcceptBitcoin.NZ
Learn more about how to get up and running with Bitcoin in New Zealand.
Find Out More
The Altruist Bitcoin Education and Community Space, Auckland
All things Bitcoin · 74 Albert St, Auckland Central.
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Stackr
Stackr is a Bitcoin mining company that aims to grow its hashrate and revenue while using sustainable and renewable energy sources. Stackr are actively seeking options for our next mining facility location, including within New Zealand and overseas.
Find Out More
The Transformation of Value - A Bitcoin Podcast with Cody Ellingham
NZ-based podcast about Bitcoin and its long-term impact on society, thinking, and culture.
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WalletMatrix
A wallet is your view into your bitcoin as your browser is for the web. Whether you're new to Bitcoin, a developer or a Bitcoin OG, the WalletMatrix wallet feature comparison service will help find what you're looking for.
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Bitcoin Basics Podcast
Bitcoin is a journey. Hosts Faris Mali (economist, based in New Zealand) & Gordon Cormack (technologist) make the complex world of Bitcoin simple by interviewing experts & translating key concepts for the Bitcoin beginner.
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Orange
Orange hosts a server in the popular game called “Rust” and is a place for learning about Bitcoin in a fun and engaging way! The objective is simple - we want to help people learn to survive and thrive with Bitcoin.
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Lightning Pay
Lightning Pay is New Zealand's easiest, cheapest, and fastest way to Buy and Sell bitcoin, using the Lightning Network. Accept bitcoin payments over the counter, and receive bitcoin immediately, or NZD to your bank the next business day with zero fees.
Find Out More
Resources
A collection of curated Bitcoin resources.
Knowledge & Discussion
stacker.news
A Bitcoin discussion board like Hacker News, but where you can tip with Sats.
Lopp.net
Jameson Lopp is a long time bitcoiner, and a prolific educator in the space. Lopp.net has some of the best information for new users anywhere.
Bitcoiner.guide
BitcoinQ&A is well known in bitcoin for his bitcoin.guide and contributing to various projects in bitcoin
Podcasting 2.0
The Transformation of Value - A bitcoin Podcast by Cody Ellingham
An NZ-based Bitcoin Podcast.
Swan Signal
Swan is a bitcoin only exchange, and has a mission focused on self custody and education
TFTC: A Bitcoin Podcast
TFTC is a podcast hosted by Marty Bent about Bitcoin. Join Marty, Editor in Chief of "the best newsletter in Bitcoin", as he sits down to discuss Bitcoin with interesting people.
value4value
value4value is a concept for how creators can monetise their content, writing, and podcasts via the Lightning Network over the likes of fountain.fm.
fountain.fm
Listen, learn, and earn for the value you bring to the platform by streaming sats over the Lightning Nework.
Get Setup With a Wallet
Wallet of Satoshi
The easiest Bitcoin wallet to get up and running with, has Lightning support. iOS & Android.
Blue Wallet
A simple Bitcoin Wallet with Lightning support. iOS, Android, Desktop.