Reserve Bank of New Zealand $100 banknote

A one hundred-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 eminent New Zealander depicted on this note is Ernest, Lord Rutherford of Nelson (1871 – 1937). He is internationally recognised as the 'father of the atom'. He changed the basic understanding of atomic science on three occasions.

He explained the perplexing problem of naturally occurring radioactivity, determined the structure of the atom, and changed one element into another.

Also depicted is the Nobel Prize Medal in chemistry won by Rutherford in 1908 "for his investigations into the disintegration of the elements, and the chemistry of radioactive substances".Overlaying the medallion is a graph plotting the results from Lord Rutherford's investigations into naturally occurring radioactivity.

The tukutuku panel Tukutuku panel used as a background on the $100 note is called Whakaaro Kotahi from the Wharenui Kaakati at Whakatu Marae in Nelson.

Whakaaro Kotahi is a representation of the unity and consensus of the six Iwi of Whakatu Marae in the Nelson area. Rutherford identified strongly with the Nelson area and when he accepted his peerage he took the title Lord Rutherford of Nelson. He always considered this part of New Zealand home.

Ko te tauira e whakamahia nei hei kaupapa mo te moni peke $100 ko Whakaaro Kotahi, mai i te wharenui o Kaakati, i Whakatu Marae, i te Tauihu o Te Waka.

Ka noho ko Whakaaro Kotahi hei whakaahuatanga mo te kotahitanga me te noho pipiri o nga iwi e ono o te marae o Whakatu, i te takiwa o Whakatu. He kaha tonu te piringa o Rutherford ki te takiwa o Whakatu, a, no tana whakaaetanga ki te turanga rangatira ka taunahatia e ia te ingoa Lord Rutherford of Nelson. Ka noho tonu i roto i a ia tenei whakaaro, ko tenei rohe o Aotearoa tona kainga, a, mate noa.

On the reverse of the note is depicted a mohua or yellowhead (Mohoua ochrocephala) a small and colourful bird. It nests in tree holes, making it vulnerable to predators. It can be found in small isolated populations in the South Island and on islands off Stewart Island/Rakiura. Also shown is a South Island lichen moth (Declana egregia), Sometimes called the 'South Island zebra mot' it can be found in Fiordland beech forests. The moths are camouflaged against the lichens that grow on the trunks of the trees.

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.