How to send money to Kenya from New Zealand with the best NZD-KES rate

Comparing the different providers offering services between New Zealand and Kenya, is the best way to send money with confidence.

Here are your top options for sending money from New Zealand to Kenya

• Wise is our top choice for NZD to KES transfers. For example, sending 10,000 NZD to KES will cost you $100.79 in fees, and you will receive 729,249 KES. The delivery time usually is same day, but it depends on the day you make the transfer.

• Cheapest company to send money to Kenya from New Zealand is Revolut. They offer a fee of 55 NZD and exchange rate between NZD-KES that is 0.41% different to the mid-market rate. Sending money from New Zealand to Kenya through Revolut will cost you 55 NZD in fees.

• Fastest money transfers from New Zealand to Kenya is with Revolut.

The 3 providers we've compared ensures you will get the best options for your transfer to Kenya from New Zealand. By taking the time to compare you can save yourself in the region of 3% of the total transfer amount.

Whilst we rate Wise as the best overall, comparing gives you a comprehensive view of all the options for transferring New Zealand Dollar to Kenya.

The exchange rate determines how much Kenyan Shilling you will get for every New Zealand Dollar you want to send. A better exchange rate is the best way to save money on transfers from New Zealand to Kenya.

The current rate between the New Zealand Dollar and Kenyan Shilling is 73.3551.

With currencies, the exchange fluctuates constantly, and the NZD-KES exchange rate is no different. Tracking the rate and understanding the averages can help get a better deal. Even waiting a day or two can help you get more KES for the same amount of New Zealand Dollar. Also, a forward contract allows you to lock in an agreed exchange rate between New Zealand and Kenya.

The total cost of money transfers from New Zealand to Kenya is a combination of fees and exchange rates. Get the best of both, and you will be getting a good deal.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: The mid-market rate for NZD-KES is currently 73.3551 KES per New Zealand Dollar. Providers offering services closer to this rate will ensure more Kenyan Shilling for your New Zealand Dollars.

• Fees: Transfer fees are charged alongside a transfer. The company offering the lowest fee is Revolut, just 55 NZD per transfer. In all cases, we recommend searching for your exact send amount as fees may change.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount eventually received in Kenyan Shilling. Simply, the higher the amount received in New Zealand, the lower the cost of sending from Kenya.

The most cost effective way to send money from New Zealand to Kenya is via a bank transfer.

Here are all the ways to send money from New Zealand to Kenya:

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are often the fastest option, and normally the cheapest, for sending money from New Zealand to Kenya.

By opting for a money transfer company such as Revolut for transfers from New Zealand to Kenya, you can send money via a bank transfer while benefitting from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Using a debit card, or prepaid option, for sending money from New Zealand to Kenya is easy with Xe.


Xe is a market leader in debit card payments for transfers from New Zealand to Kenya, this is among a total of 3 money transfer companies compared.

Credit cards

When it comes to credit card transfers from New Zealand to Kenya, we recommend running a quick comparison to get the best deal as not many companies offer direct credit card deposits.

Regulations are important for keeping your money safe, New Zealand and Kenya have different regulations to consider.

Our directory of worldwide financial regulators contains details on regulation for money transfers between New Zealand and Kenya.

Some companies offering money transfers between New Zealand and Kenya will come with minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can send or receive and this could cause rates or fees to change.

Comparing NZD-KES rates for your specific transfer amount will factor in these rates and fees changes, so you’ll get the best provider for your specific needs. For regular transfers from New Zealand to Kenya, it’s best to check any changes in fees and rates every time you send.

For large transfers of money transfers from New Zealand to Kenya we’d recommend Wise. They offer a competitive combination of rates and fees when sending from New Zealand to Kenya, even at larger amounts.

Also, be sure to check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money entering Kenya from New Zealand.

Receiving Kenyan Shilling in Kenya has a few different options. The most popular ways to receive are through a direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all companies offering money transfers from New Zealand to Kenya will cater for every method for incoming Kenyan Shilling, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

One of the more popular ways is sending money from New Zealand directly to a bank account in Kenya. This is because it means the recipient in Kenya has to do very little. Wise is the best company for bank transfers between New Zealand and Kenya.

Whilst cash pickup is popular, it is not always supported and can be costly compared to cheaper options.

Mobile wallet or P2P services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp operate in Kenya and are popular because of convenience, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like Revolut.

When using a money transfer provider to send New Zealand Dollars to Kenya, you will need to verify your ID at the sign up stage.

Documents needed will vary and in some cases you might need a couple of options.

Generally speaking, those in New Zealand can verify through a government issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport. If the recipient needs an ID to collect money or open a multi-currency account in Kenya, both can also be used there as well.

Large transactions between New Zealand and Kenya will be subject to additional security measures such as proving where the funds originated, these will be for anti-money laundering purposes.

Wise has scored highly for transfers to Kenya because of the easy sign up process in New Zealand.

There will be tax declarations to consider when sending larger amounts of money between New Zealand and Kenya.

Transfers into Kenyan Shilling may need to be reported to tax authorities in Kenya as well, where regular income, large amounts (such as property or inheritance) and business payments will all be subject to tax checks.

Based on the recipient, tax limits in Kenya, as well as personal allowances will change. When in doubt, we’d recommend contacting a tax professional in New Zealand or Kenya to discuss your personal circumstances. This ensure you are not missing any specific tax declarations associated with your circumstances.