Homepage Ways to bank Smart ways to pay

Tap. Ride. Repeat.

You can now Tap & goᵀᴹ on public transport.

What is happening?

New Zealand currently uses four prepaid public transport payment solutions – AT HOP (Auckland), Snapper Card (Wellington), Metrocard (Christchurch/Canterbury region), and Bee Card (other regional centres).

Starting in Auckland in November 2024, New Zealand is moving to a simpler way to pay for public transport. Instead of using prepaid cards, you'll be able to tap on and off with a debit card, credit card or digital payment device. No need to plan ahead or carry multiple cards — just Tap & go™!

How does it work?

When you hop on a bus, train or ferry, simply tap your contactless Westpac Mastercard on the reader, just like you would with a transit card. Tap again when you get off to complete your journey. Remember to always use the same card or device to tap on and off for a seamless journey.

When is this happening?

Auckland is the first city in New Zealand to introduce this new payment option for public transport, starting in November 2024. Over the next two years, similar technology will be rolled out across the country, one region at a time.

Benefits.

  • No need to top up your transit card or plan ahead – just Tap & go™.
  • Only pay for what you use – fare amounts are exact, so there's no wastage of your funds.
  • It's more convenient – no need for a separate transit card, just use what's already in your wallet.

Security & privacy.

Paying is as easy and secure as any other Tap & go™ contactless payment. When you tap on and off, you won’t see your card details, a balance, or fare amount on the reader. Instead, all your trips for the day will be combined into one total amount, charged to your account at the end of the day. You’ll see the charge appear within a day or two.

To avoid being charged multiple fares, always tap on and off with the same card or payment device for each journey.

Is my information safe?

Yes, your information is secure. Your card number is never shared because all your card data is tokenised. Your transactions are linked to your tokenised card, not your actual card details. Only the essential information needed to process the payment is stored, and it won’t be kept any longer than necessary.

What if I lose my credit or debit card?

If your card is lost, remember to block it in Westpac One® digital banking. You can still tap on and off using a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay™ on your mobile phone or wearable device. It's quick to set up, and once you've ordered a replacement card, you can add it to your digital wallet and start using it right away. Just remember, a card that’s been reported lost or stolen can't be used for public transport.

Important information for public transport users in Auckland.

What do I need to do?

From November 2024, you can use your Westpac Mastercard to make Tap & go™ contactless payments on buses, trains and most ferries (excluding Fullers360 Waiheke ferries) in Auckland. If your debit or credit card has the contactless symbol, you can tap it or your payment device on the card reader, like you would any other Tap & go™ payment. The reader will beep to confirm it’s been read correctly, and you’re good to go. Fares paid with your Westpac Mastercard will be charged at the adult AT HOP rate. Remember to always tap on and off with the same card or payment device for each journey.

Is this right for me?

If you usually pay the adult AT HOP fare, Tap & go™ on public transport is a great option. However, if you qualify for discounted fares – like children, students, SuperGold cardholders, or others – you should keep using your AT HOP card to get the discounted fare.

What does it cost?

When you use your Westpac Mastercard to tap on and off on public transport, you’ll be charged the adult AT HOP fare. You won’t be charged any extra fees for using your Westpac Mastercard.

Is there a surcharge for using my credit or debit card?

No, there's no transaction fees or surcharges for using your Westpac Mastercard on public transport. However, if you’re using an overseas card, your bank may charge a transaction fee.

What if I have concession fare pricing?

Concessions fares don't apply to Tap & go™ payments. So, if you have a concession, such as a child, student, community, accessible or SuperGold, continue using your AT HOP card as usual to get your discount.

Will there be a fare cap with Tap & go™ payments?

Yes, Tap & go™ payments with your Westpac Mastercard are capped at $20 per device, per day, for trains, buses, and inner harbour ferries (excluding Waiheke and Pukekohe). However, the $50 weekly cap doesn't apply to Tap & go™ payments, so use your AT HOP card if you want to benefit from that.

How do I identify my public transport charges on my Westpac Mastercard account?

You won't see individual rides on your Westpac Mastercard statement. Instead, you’ll be charged a total amount for all your rides that day, capped at $20 for trains, buses, and inner harbour ferries (excludes Waiheke and Pukekohe). This total will appear on your account in the next day or two, called "AT Public Transport".

Why do I see a $0.10c charge for public transport on my card?

When you first tap on to public transport on any day, a $0.10c pre-authorisation is placed on your account to verify your card. At the end of the day, your total travel costs will be charged, and the $0.10c will drop off.

What about children or people without a debit or credit card?

AT HOP cards are still available for those without a debit or credit card and must be used for concession fares, like for children or students.

Do I have to use a physical card or can I use the one my phone?

If your Westpac Mastercard is loaded into a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay™, you can use your phone or wearable device to make Tap & go™ payments on public transport. Just be sure to tap on and off with the same card or device to make sure you're charged the correct fare.

Can I still use my AT Hop card?

Yes, AT HOP cards will still work as normal and must be used for concession fare pricing.

Head to Auckland Transport for more information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Important Information for public transport users outside of Auckland.

What do I need to do?

Public transport payments across New Zealand will gradually switch to a new national payments and ticketing system over the next two years. Starting in Canterbury from early 2025, the new system called Motu Move will allow enable you to use your Westpac Mastercard on public transport or get a prepaid Motu Move card. Motu Move payment options will replace Snapper, Metrocard and Bee Cards in regions across the country. For information on when it’s coming to your area, visit the Motu Move website or your local public transport website.

Is this right for me?

Tap & go™ payments offer convenience and ease when travelling. However, the Motu Move prepaid card is available for those without a debit or credit card or for anyone who prefers to use a prepaid card. Fares will be the same when using debit and credit cards as they are for prepaid Motu Move cards. Fare concessions like child, youth, Community Services Card or SuperGold, can be linked to a debit, credit or Motu Move card.

What does it cost?

Whether you use your Westpac Mastercard or a prepaid Motu Move card, the fare remains the same. Check your local public transport website for full fare details, including any fare caps. You won't be charged any extra fees for using your contactless Westpac Mastercard.

Is there a surcharge for using my credit or debit card?

No, there’s no transaction fees or surcharges for using your Westpac Mastercard on Motu Move. However, if you’re using an overseas card, your bank may charge a transaction fee.

What if I have concession fare pricing?

You can easily apply to add your fare concession to any card or payment device by creating a Motu Move account.

Will there be a fare cap with Tap & go™ payments?

Yes, debit and credit card payments will count towards any fare caps available in your area. Daily, weekly or monthly fare caps will vary depending on your town. It’s best to check your local public transport website for specific details.

How do I identify my public transport charges on my Westpac Mastercard account?

You won’t see fares for individual trips on your Westpac Mastercard statement. Instead, you’ll be charged a total amount for all your trips that day (adjusted for any fare caps that apply), which will appear on your account within a day or two, called "Motu Move".

Why do I see a $0.10c charge for public transport on my card?

When you first tap on to public transport on any day, a $0.10c pre-authorisation is placed on your account to verify your card. At the end of the day, your total travel costs will be charged, and the $0.10c will drop off.

What about children or people without a debit or credit card?

You can purchase a prepaid Motu Move card or buy a ticket ahead of your trip. In some regions, cash may still be accepted to buy tickets onboard.

Do I have to use a physical card or can I use the one on my phone?

If your Westpac Mastercard is loaded into a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay™, you can use your phone or wearable device to make Tap & go™ payments on public transport. Just be sure to tap on and off with the same card or device to make sure you're charged the correct fare.

Can I still use my Snapper Card, Metrocard or Bee Card?

Once Motu Move launches in your town, these current transit cards will no longer be accepted. You’ll be given plenty of notice to prepare to switch to using your contactless Westpac Mastercard or get a prepaid Motu Move card.

Head to the Motu Move website for more information about your region and Frequently Asked Questions.

Things you should know.

Conditions of Use for the applicable card apply. 

If you only make the minimum payment each month, you will pay more in interest and it will take you longer to pay off the unpaid balance. 

Mastercard® and Tap & goTM are registered trademarks and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Apple Pay is available to all eligible Westpac debit and credit Mastercard customers. Excludes Mastercard BusinessCard, Westpac Business Prepaid Mastercard, hotpoints Visa, hotpoints Gold Visa, hotpoints Portfolio Gold Visa, Prepaid and Global Currency cards. Customers also need a compatible Apple Device. For a list of compatible Apple Pay devices, see Apple Support. Terms and conditions apply to Apple Pay see  Westpac Apple Pay Terms and Conditions  for more information. 
Apple Pay, Apple Watch, Face ID, iPad, iPhone, MacBook Pro, and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. 

Google Pay is available to all eligible Westpac debit and credit Mastercard customers. Customers also need a compatible Android device. For a list of compatible Google Pay devices, see  Google Wallet Help. Terms and conditions apply to Google Pay see Westpac Google Pay Terms and Conditions  for more information. 
Google Pay and Google Wallet are trademarks of Google LLC.