Tipping guide

Tipping in New Zealand

New Zealand has essentially no tipping culture. Bills do not prompt for it, staff do not expect it, and paying exactly what is on the receipt is the ordinary thing to do.

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Tipping in New Zealand at a glance

Staff earn a living wage — tipping is optional

  • Restaurant (sit-down)
    5-10%
  • Cafe / Bar
    Round up
  • Taxi / Rideshare
    Round up
  • Food delivery
    Round up
  • Tour guide / Driver
    Round up
  • Spa / Salon / Barber
    Round up
  • Hotel housekeeping
    $4.00 per night
  • Hotel porter / Bellhop
    $4.00 per bag
  • Valet parking
    $4.00 per car
  • Hotel concierge
    $9.00 per request

There is no tipping culture to speak of. Rounding up a taxi fare or leaving 10% after a special dinner is as far as it goes.

Tipping is not expected anywhere in New Zealand and no bill will prompt you for one. Tour operators and guides are the one place a tip is welcomed.

Rates shown are typical amounts, converted to local currency at approximately 27 Aug 2026. Tipping customs evolve and vary from region to region, so treat this as your best starting point rather than a hard rule. Where a bill already shows a service charge, that is usually the tip.

Common questions

Do you tip in New Zealand?

No. Restaurants, cafes, bars and taxis all expect the amount on the bill and nothing more.

Are there exceptions in New Zealand?

Tour guides and adventure operators — the people running your glacier hike or dolphin trip — will happily accept a tip, and that is the one place it is a normal gesture.

Will staff be offended if I tip?

No, just mildly surprised. It will be accepted graciously, but nobody is counting on it.

International tipping guides by country

Open the free online tipping calculator — or read the guidance for another destination.