Middle finger up to "Cashless Society"

[king1]

Cash is still very much in use, not heavily but still used, and not just by drug dealers

The 2021 survey is the third in a series, following on from 2017 and 2019 (available below). The key findings from this survey are:

• The use of cash as a way to pay for everyday things has declined sharply. In 2019, 96% of New Zealanders used cash as one of the ways they pay for everyday things, this had reduced to 63% in 2021.
  
• 40% of people who use cash do so less than twice a week.
  
• The proportion of heavy cash users declined to 2% in 2021 from 5% in 2017.
  
• The main reason for people who report using cash as a way to pay is because the shop/stall only accepts cash. For 42% of Māori one of the reasons they use cash is for cultural reasons (such as Koha and gifting) compared to 24% for non-Māori.
  
• 91% of people who report using cash use an ATM as one way of getting cash out, but only nine percent use a teller at a bank.
  
• 8% of cash users find it somewhat difficult or very difficult to get cash out while 24 percent said the same about depositing cash.
  
• Between 2017 and 2021 the proportion of New Zealanders storing cash (and not for immediate use) rose from 38% to 46%.
  
• There are significant differences between Māori and non-Māori when it comes to cash use. Cash is the preferred way to pay for 22% of Māori compared to 12% for non-Māori.
  
• Rural New Zealanders are more likely to be concerned about a reduction in cash use within society compared to those living in urban areas.
  

https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/money-and-cash/...-resources