Apple Pay might be coming to NZ in October, but there's a catch

Reports have surfaced that Apple Pay is making its way to New Zealand, to be launched as early as October. However, it might only be a selective rollout, available to only ANZ Bank customers with Visa credit and debit cards.

Apple Pay has been around in the United States since 2014, and recently launched in Australia. Today Apple launched the rollout of Apple Pay in Japan scheduled for October, and New Zealand looks to be on the cards.

While both Verifone and Eftpos New Zealand have detailed their ability to accept Apple Pay payments since last year, but it remains to be seen when and how the system will be rolled out further.

In Australia, only ANZ and American Express currently accept Apple Pay technology so far, covering American Express credit cards, Mastercard credit cards, Visa credit and debit cards.

Apple's statement says that Apple Pay will be available to Japanese users with Apple devices such as the iPhone 7, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch Series 2. Payments will be accepted at stores using Suica, iD or QUICPay technology - useful for Kiwi travellers who wish to visit the likes of 7-Eleven, supermarkets like AEON, gas stations including Esso Mobil General and brands such as JapanTaxi.

Apple Pay allows users a secure way to pay for items through the Apple Wallet app. The app stores credit card or debit card information, which then uses NFC to transmit data to Apple Pay terminals for purchase. Authentication is through fingerprint for iPhone users or a double click for Apple Watch users.