Shopify Pricing NZ: Which Plan Is Right for You in 2025?

New Zealand’s eCommerce market is expanding rapidly, with online sales reaching a record NZD 7.4 billion in 2024 (MBIE). With highly competitive costs starting at just $1/month for the first three months, over 15,000 NZ businesses choose Shopify as their growth partner.

Why is Shopify pricing NZ the best option, then?  Some features, like a transparent cost structure and Afterpay, which is preferred by 45% of New Zealanders, it can help businesses grow 23% faster than the industry average.  With Shopify’s help from the start, you may become the next success story.  In this post, we’ll examine 2025 Shopify pricing in New Zealand in greater detail.

1. Shopify Pricing Nz 2025 Breakdown

1.1. Starter Plan Pricing in New Zealand

Key Features You Won’t Find Elsewhere

• One-Click Social Selling

For just $5, you can easily turn Instagram posts and WhatsApp conversations into shoppable links without a full website, which is perfect for New Zealand’s mobile-first customers (82% of Kiwis shop on their phones)

• NZ-Focused Checkout

Built-in support for Afterpay/POLi payments (used by 53% of NZ online buyers) with same day NZD payouts

• Lightning Setup

Launch in fifteen minutes with just your phone; no coding or design skills are needed.

• Local App Access

Add NZ-critical tools like:

• NZ Post shipping labels
• GST calculator (IRD-compliant)
• Māori language translation

This Plan is Best For:

• Kiwi influencers monetizing Instagram/TikTok followings
• Local artisans selling at weekend markets (add QR codes to stalls)
• NZ startups validating product demand before scaling

1.2. Basic Plan Pricing in New Zealand

Are you looking for a simple online business solution? The Basic package from Shopify is the ideal choice. With Shopify for 1 dollar in the first 3 months (then $39/month or $29/month if billed annually), this package provides all the essential features you need to start your online store selling journey

Key Features You Won’t Find Elsewhere:

• Card Rates:
  • Online: 2.7% + $0.30 NZD
  • In-person: 2.0% (no fixed fee)
  • 3rd-party providers: 2.0%
• Inventory Management: 10 locations
• Support: 24/7 chat
• Global Selling: 3 markets
• POS Lite for in-person sales

This Plan is Best for:

• Individuals starting a business with a limited budget (under 50,000 NZD/year).
• Single-channel retail businesses (online only or pop-up store) in NZ.
• Testing the market before making a big investment, in line with the growing small business trend in NZ.

1.3. Shopify Plan Pricing in New Zealand

As you enter the business growth phase, the Shopify package at $79/month (or $105/month if billed monthly) will be a reliable companion. This plan helps optimize transaction costs and expand your team management capabilities.

Key Features You Won’t Find Elsewhere:

• Card Rates:
  • Online: 2.5% + $0.30 NZD
  • In-person: 1.85% (no fixed fee)
  • 3rd-party providers: 1.0%
• Staff Accounts: 5 additional seats.
• Checkout: Standard capacity
• Includes POS Lite

This Plan is Best for:

• Small businesses (2-5 employees) with annual revenue of 50,000–200,000 NZD
• Multi-channel sales (combining online + physical store), taking advantage of the 1.85% POS fee discount
• Using Afterpay/Zip – only 1% fee, ideal for NZ’s installment-friendly market.

1.4. Advanced Plan Pricing in New Zealand

The Advanced package, which includes Shopify NZ pricing, costs $299 per month, offers a comprehensive solution for businesses who are expanding rapidly.  Every company demand is optimally satisfied, from a multi-national sales system to favorable transaction fees.

Key Features You Won’t Find Elsewhere:

• Card Rates:
  • Online: 2.4% + $0.30 NZD
  • In-person: 1.7% (no fixed fee)
  • 3rd-party providers: 0.6% (lowest fee)
• Staff Accounts: 15 seats
• Checkout: 10x capacity
• Support: Enhanced 24/7 chat
• Global Markets: Add more for $59/month each

This Plan is Best for:

• Expanding businesses (200,000+ NZD/year revenue) with export needs to Australia/ASEAN.
• Handling large order volumes (10x checkout), ideal for peak seasons like Black Friday in NZ.
• Optimizing international transaction fees (0.6% for PayPal) when selling to tourists/international customers.

1.5. Shopify Plus Plan Pricing in New Zealand

Shopify Plus stands out with its enterprise level sales management system. This solution offers unlimited customization, making it ideal for brands with a global vision.

Key Features You Won’t Find Elsewhere:

• Custom Rates: Negotiable for high-volume sales
• Staff Accounts: Unlimited
• Checkout: 40x capacity + customization
• Global Selling: 50 markets included
• POS Pro: Up to 200 locations
• B2B/Wholesale tools

This Plan is Best for:

• Large enterprises (200+ locations) such as NZ retail chains (e.g., Kathmandu, Warehouse Group)
• B2B (wholesale) sales to partners in the agriculture/food industry – NZ’s key sectors
• Custom checkout for complex loyalty programs, tailored to NZ shopping culture.

💡 Is There A Free Trial For Shopify New Zealand?

✔ Yes. All packages come with a 3-month trial for $1/month (standard transaction fees apply).

✔ After the trial: Payment in NZD, with automatic GST (15%) support.

Note: The Plus package requires direct contact for a custom trial.

2. Shopify Pricing Nz vs Shopify International Pricing​

Key Considerations for NZ Merchants

• Exchange Rates Matter

Due to currency conversion expenses (NZD to USD), international plans that bill in USD may be more expensive for New Zealand firms.  Shopify NZ stays away from this.

• Local Payment Preferences.

NZ plans give priority to Afterpay/POLi (cheap fees), whilst overseas plans might concentrate on SEPA (EU) or Alipay (Asia)

• Tax Compliance

Shopify NZ automatically computes 15% GST for local sales, which is required by NZ law.  For New Zealand taxes, international plans need to be manually set up

• Shipping & Logistic

Global plans might automatically switch to DHL/FedEx, which has higher NZ rates, however, NZ plans work perfectly with NZ Post/Courier Partners.

• Feature Gap

Certain foreign apps (like EU cookie banners) are irrelevant in New Zealand and vice versa (like loyalty programs tailored to New Zealand).

 3. Ongoing Costs and Additional Fees.

Your budget is greatly impacted by long-term costs like domains, taxes, applications and point of sale systems, even though selecting between Shopify NZ and worldwide plans affects upfront pricing.  We’ll break down these recurring expenses for New Zealand firms below, along with practical advice on how to maximize expenditures.

3.1. Domain

• .nz domains: Usually between 30 and 50 NZD annually (bought via Shopify or regional registrars like Domainz)
• International domains (e.g., .com): Slightly cheaper (~$15–20 NZD/year) but less optimized for local SEO

💡Start with Shopify’s free myshopify.com subdomain to validate your business idea before committing to a custom domain

3.2. VAT

• Automated for NZ sales: Shopify automatically applies 15% GST at checkout in accordance with NZ IRD regulations
• International sales: This requires manual configuration or the use of programs such as TaxJar for regional taxes and New Zealand VAT

Example: A 100NZD product→115 NZD charged (includes GST)

3.3. Apps & Themes

• Free apps: Basic tools like Product Reviews or Google Shopping
• Paid apps: Range from 10–50 NZD/month (e.g., Klaviyo for email marketing)
• Premium themes: One-time fees of 100–350 NZD (e.g., Dawn or Prestige).

💡 Prebuilt Shopify stores include curated essential apps to avoid overspending on unnecessary tools

3.4. Shopify POS

In addition to the recurring expenses already mentioned, point-of-sale (POS) is an essential component of any business in New Zealand.  Sell in Person Plans and Sell Everywhere Plans are the two most popular Shopify POS types in New Zealand.  You can choose from a variety of solutions in these categories to determine if they meet your needs:

Sell in Person Plans

Sell Everywhere Plans

Smart Ways to Reduce Costs

Before you cut corners, cut waste! Let’s find out how to optimize spending without sacrificing functionality:

• Start with free themes then customize

Instead of splurging $200+ on premium themes, many savvy store owners begin with free options and have them professionally tweaked – a service some Shopify experts specialize in to give your store a custom look without the premium price tag.

• Audit apps quarterly

Unused apps cost some stores hundreds of dollars.  Reviewing subscriptions every three months is a smart idea.  Certain development companies can even assist you in determining which apps are necessities rather than extras.

• Optimize your POS setup 

For physical sales, consider whether you really need POS Pro’s $89/month features. Many retailers work with Shopify stores setup services – to implement hybrid solutions that use POS Lite for pop-ups while reserving Pro for flagship locations.

• Leverage GST automation

Give Shopify the task of automatically calculating your taxes. Some firms provide setup help for stores with complicated requirements so you can be completely compliant without spending a fortune on accounting plugins.

Ongoing costs are part of the game, but the right approach  can save you a lot of money. For store owners weighing setup investments, this guide breaks down where to allocate—and where to save.

4. Local Payment Gateways for Shopify NZ

The secret to raising your store’s conversion rate and lowering transaction fees is selecting the appropriate Shopify payment gateway NZ after your operating costs are optimized.  Local payment methods are more likely to be trusted and valued by New Zealand consumers, which lowers expenses and facilitates purchasing.

To assist you in making the best choice, a thorough evaluation of the top three payment gateways for Shopify in New Zealand is provided below, along with a list of each one’s unique benefits and drawbacks.

1. Shopify Payments

First up is Shopify Payments. This is the default payment gateway, specifically optimized for the New Zealand market, offering several key benefits:

Wide Payment Acceptance

• All major cards: Visa, Mastercard, Amex + UnionPay (for Chinese-NZ shoppers)
• Local debit cards: EFTPOS NZ support
• Buy Now Pay Later: Built-in Afterpay (used by 40% of NZ shoppers)

Competitive NZ-Specific Rates

💡Note: Domestic transactions often get *0.2-0.5% lower interchange fees

NZ-Optimized Features

• GST Automation: Auto-adds 15% tax at checkout
• Fast Payouts: 1-3 business days to NZ bank accounts
• Centralized Management: No extra login needed

Important Requirements

• Must have a NZ business bank account (NZD, BECS-compatible)
• Not available for high-risk industries (CBD/vaping)

Best For:

• New stores wanting simple setup
• Businesses selling both online & in-store
• Stores targeting Chinese-NZ customers (via UnionPay)

2. Eway

If Shopify Payments is not the optimal choice for “high-risk” industries, then Eway is the perfect alternative. Let’s take a look at some interesting features of the Eway payment gateway!

🔹 Key Advantages:

• Higher approval rates for sensitive industries (e.g., supplements, CBD).
• Supports multiple payment methods: PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
• Powerful fraud detection tools to reduce chargebacks.

🔹 Costs:

• Basic fee: ~2.5% + $0.30 NZD/transaction (negotiable for high volume).
• No long-term contracts required.

Best suited for:

• Businesses needing multiple payment gateways as a backup.
• Stores selling restricted products under Shopify Payments.

3. Windcave

A “Made in NZ” payment gateway for large businesses, Windcave is renowned for its internationally certified security system, making it an excellent choice for:

Advanced Security Features:

• Tokenized card information – protects customer data for repeat purchases
• Smart fraud filtering – reduces chargebacks by 30% compared to standard gateways

 Pricing Policy:

• Custom fees based on volume (typically 1.8–2.2% + $0.30 NZD)
• Free setup for long-term contracts

Best suited for:

• Businesses processing 100+ orders/day needing a stable solution
• Multi-channel retail chains in NZ

Conclusion

Regarding Shopify pricing NZ, what truly sets it apart is its pricing system, designed to support you at every stage of your business journey. Like a trusted companion who understands the New Zealand market, Shopify doesn’t force you to pay for unnecessary services but encourages you to start with the plan that best fits your needs.

The success stories of thousands of businesses in NZ have proven that choosing the right plan for your current scale—no matter is the affordable Starter plan or the feature-rich e—is the key to success. Through this article, eComStart hopes you’ll find the best option for your business!

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