What New Zealand businesses and consumers really think about recurring payments
3 Jun 2026
Independent research commissioned by Qippay points to strong business interest, clear consumer demand for greater control and security, and an emerging market that may be closer to change than many expect.
New research reveals how New Zealand is thinking about recurring payments
Recurring payments are already embedded in everyday life, from subscriptions and utilities through to household bills and other regular payments. Yet the systems behind many of those payments still create friction for both businesses and consumers.
To better understand where the market stands, Qippay commissioned independent research into how New Zealand businesses and consumers view the future of recurring payments, including ongoing payments, scheduled payments, and variable recurring payments. The findings point to a market that is interested in change, but still building familiarity with what comes next.
Conducted by Nielsen in June 2025, the research surveyed 94 corporate financial decision-makers and 323 consumers across New Zealand. It explored payment pain points, expected benefits, barriers to adoption, and differences across age groups and market segments.
While the full details sit within the report and accompanying white paper, several themes stand out.
Business interest is already visible
One of the clearest signals in the research is that many New Zealand businesses appear open to a better model for recurring billing.
Among corporates surveyed, 69% said they would be interested in offering variable recurring payments. That interest appears to be grounded in practical day-to-day pressures rather than abstract innovation alone. High transaction fees, payment delays, reconciliation issues, and payment failures all featured in the research as ongoing pain points with current payment collection methods.
This matters because it suggests the conversation around recurring payments is shifting. For many businesses, it is no longer just about adding a new payment option. It is about improving efficiency, reducing friction, and collecting payments in a way that better supports operations and cash flow.
Speed and cost are shaping the business case
When businesses were asked what they would expect from a more modern recurring payment model, the results were consistent.
Faster settlement emerged as the leading expected benefit. Lower transaction costs followed closely. Ease of setup and payment detail management also ranked strongly.
That combination is important. It shows that for many organisations, the appeal of newer recurring payment models is highly practical. The strongest themes are speed, cost, and operational simplicity.
Qippay’s wider market synthesis suggests these priorities are broadly consistent with patterns already seen in more mature markets. In other words, the signals appearing in New Zealand are not emerging in isolation.
Consumers are drawn to the benefits, but still want reassurance
The consumer side of the research reveals a similarly clear pattern.
Enhanced security was rated as the most impactful payment benefit. Faster processing followed just behind alongside greater control over payments. The top desired features also leaned strongly toward visibility and control, including the ability to view upcoming payment schedules in one place and to easily update or cancel permissions.
At the same time, familiarity remains one of the biggest barriers. The research found consumers described variable recurring payments as unfamiliar or unproven, a large portion of those were unsure who would be responsible for disputes or refunds if something went wrong.
That tension may be one of the most important findings in the study. Consumers appear to respond positively to the underlying benefits, but many still want clearer explanations, stronger reassurance, and greater confidence before changing established payment habits.
Younger consumers may lead early adoption
The research also points to a clear early-adopter pattern.
Among consumers aged 18 to 34, the majority said they would switch if variable recurring payments were available. In the 35 and over this percentage was a lot lower. Younger respondents were also more likely to report frustrations with current payment friction, including fees and delays.
This broadly aligns with the international picture captured in Qippay’s synthesis work, which found that younger consumers have also been the most willing early adopters in more mature markets.
For businesses, this does not necessarily point to a narrow audience. It may simply indicate where familiarity and momentum are most likely to build first.
New Zealand may be early, but it is not alone
One of the more useful findings from the broader market synthesis is that New Zealand appears to be showing many of the same early-stage conditions seen elsewhere during the formative phase of open banking payment adoption.
These include strong latent business interest, clear consumer demand for more control and security, and barriers that appear to be more educational than structural. The synthesis also points to the value of simple communication, merchant education, and strong onboarding in helping markets move from interest to real adoption.
That context matters. It suggests the future of recurring payments in New Zealand may be shaped not only by technology, but also by clarity, trust, and how well the market helps people understand what is changing and why.
A category worth watching closely
The research does not suggest that New Zealand has fully arrived at its next payment model. It does suggest that the direction of travel is becoming easier to see.
Businesses are signalling strong interest. Consumers are responding to the promise of greater security, speed, and control. Awareness gaps remain, but they appear addressable. International comparisons suggest these are common conditions in markets at an early stage of change, not unusual local obstacles.
For anyone watching the future of scheduled payments, automatic payments, recurring billing, and recurring payments more broadly in New Zealand, this is a space worth paying attention to.
Read the full report
The report explores the complete corporate and consumer findings, including methodology, deeper breakdowns, and the key signals emerging across the New Zealand market.
Our white paper takes a broader view of what these findings may mean for the future of recurring payments in New Zealand, including how local sentiment compares with more developed overseas markets.
FAQ's
Understanding Variable Recurring Payments
What are Variable Recurring Payments?
Variable Recurring Payments, or VRPs, are a form of recurring payment where the amount can vary within agreed limits, rather than being fixed every time. They are designed to give consumers more control and give businesses a more flexible way to collect ongoing payments.
How are Variable Recurring Payments different from direct debit?
Direct debit is generally built around fixed instructions and slower clearing cycles. Variable Recurring Payments are designed to support more flexibility, faster settlement, and easier control over permissions and payment limits.
Why are businesses interested in Variable Recurring Payments?
The research suggests businesses are looking for better ways to handle recurring billing, especially where current methods create cost, delay, reconciliation issues, or payment failures. In the Nielsen research, 69% of New Zealand corporates said they were interested in offering VRPs.
What are the main benefits businesses expect?
The strongest business benefits in the research were faster settlement and lower transaction costs. Businesses also pointed to easier setup, better payment detail management, and fewer failed payments.
Security, control and confidence
Are Variable Recurring Payments secure?
Security is one of the strongest themes in the research. Consumers rated enhanced security as the most impactful payment benefit, although unfamiliarity still creates hesitation for some people.
Who controls a Variable Recurring Payment?
Control is central to the appeal. The research points to strong consumer interest in being able to manage permissions, view payment schedules, and update or cancel access more easily.
Can I cancel or update a Variable Recurring Payment?
That is clearly something consumers expect. One of the most valued features in the research was the ability to easily cancel or update permissions through a banking app or similar payment experience.
What happens if something goes wrong with a payment?
This is one of the biggest information gaps identified in the research. Consumers want clear answers on overcharging, refunds, disputes, and what happens if a payment arrangement changes or ends.
Why are some consumers still unsure about Variable Recurring Payments?
The biggest barrier is unfamiliarity. The research found that 37% of consumers saw VRPs as unfamiliar or unproven, and 32% were unsure who would handle disputes or refunds.
Market readiness in New Zealand
Are younger consumers more likely to adopt Variable Recurring Payments?
Yes. The research found that 49% of consumers aged 18 to 34 would switch if VRPs were available, compared with 31% of those aged 35 and over.
Do banks in New Zealand support this shift?
New Zealand’s regulated open banking framework went live on 1 December 2025. The synthesis notes that ANZ, ASB, BNZ, and Westpac are designated data holders under the Customer and Product Data Act 2025, which gives the market a stronger regulatory foundation.
Why does education matter so much?
Because the research shows that many barriers are about familiarity, trust, and clarity rather than lack of interest. The synthesis makes clear that simple explanation and good onboarding are likely to be critical to adoption.
Author: Wayne Deas – Co-founder & COO