Reserve Bank of New Zealand $20 banknote

A twenty-dollar denomination banknote, issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. This is an example of the Bank's 'Series 7' notes, the first denominations of these, $5 and $10, went into circulation from 12 October 2015. The higher denomination notes, $20, $50 and $100 were issued in 2016.

The 'Series 7' notes are also known as the 'Brighter Money' notes, and they are the first redesign of New Zealand's banknotes since 1999. The design of the new notes features as do their predecessors depictions of the reigning monarch, eminent New Zealanders and indigenous flora and fauna. They are printed on polymer, and incorporate advanced security features, including holograms.

The $20 dollar note depicts Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. To demonstrate her status as the reigning Sovereign of New Zealand she is shown wearing Sovereign's insignia of the Order of New Zealand, the New Zealand Order of Merit, Star, Sash and Badge (obscured) and The Queen's Service Order. The Queen wears the Diamond Fern brooch presented by the women of Auckland in 1953 on her right shoulder.

The bird on the other side of the note is a Karearea, also known as the New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae. This bird is a fast, manoeuvrable hunter, whichj is found in forests, including pine plantations, as well as open, mountain habitats. It is unique to New Zealand.

A nation's banknotes not only have value in economic terms as cash, they are also embody in their design and iconograph universally recognised and respected emblems of national identity.

These notes display, as do their predecessors, depictions of eminent national figures, indigenous animals and plants which brand the notes as relating explicitly to New Zealand.