New Zealand twenty dollar note

First issue (1967 to 1981)

The first $20 notes featured Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, with a window watermark panel showing a portrait of Captain James Cook. The obverse featured a kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) and a miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea).

Second issue (1982 to 1990)

This issue's design was very similar to the first issue, with the most obvious difference being the updated portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. There is also some new color changes.

Third issue (1990 to 1999)

In 1990, all of New Zealand's notes were redesigned. The new $20 note featured Queen Elizabeth II and the New Zealand Parliament Buildings on the obverse, while the reverse featured a New Zealand Alpine scene, containing a kārearea (Falco novaeseelandiae), Marlborough rock daisy (Pachystegia insignis), Flowering red tussock (Chionchloa rubra) and Mount Tapuaenuku. This note is different from the fourth series because it was issued in cotton not polymer.

Fourth issue (1999 to present)

In 1999, the material used to make twenty dollar notes was changed to polymer. The basic design of the note remained unchanged, although new anti-counterfeiting measures such as transparent sections of the note were added, and the metallic stripe removed. The 20 has the New Zealand Parliament Buildings on it, which is to the left of Elizabeth II, the portrait was taken in 1986. On the back is the kārearea. The scene in the background is Mount Tapuaenuku, the highest peak on the South Island's Inland Kaikoura range, standing at 2,885 Meters (9,465 ft) in height.

Security features

The note has a clear window of a fern on the left and an oval-shaped window on the right, with the denomination burned on to it. There is a fern printed on the both sides; when held up to the light the fern will be complete and match up perfectly. Above the oval window, there is a watermark of Elizabeth II when it's held up to the light. When put under UV Light a yellow patch will appear with the denomination on it.

Drug association

A tinnie is a colloquial term coined for marijuana buds wrapped in aluminium foil (typically around 1g) which are illegally sold in New Zealand. The most popular price and form of currency used in exchange for tinnies is a 20 dollar note, although this can vary depending on quantity, weight, area and the vendor. Tinnies are often frowned upon even by regular marijuana consumers, the term and sale of which are typically only common in rougher areas of the towns and cities.