A digital gift card for use in hospitality venues around the country has been launched by Hospitality New Zealand with hopes it will help to boost businesses over summer. 

The KOHA Card can be purchased online, sent to any cellphone number, stored digitally in a smartphone wallet, and redeemed at any participating hospitality venue on food, drink, activities and accommodation.  

A purchaser buys a card online, nominates a value, and provides the recipient’s phone number. The recipient receives a text with a personalised message and a link to the digital card with its value.  

The card can be saved into a smartphone wallet ready for use at Eftpos terminals in participating venues. Balances can be checked online or at the redeeming venue. Online sales websites include KOHAcard.co.nz and giftstation.co.nz. 

Registering as a participating business is free with no fixed term contract. There is a flat fee of $0.25c per transaction but no ongoing charge to have KOHA Card redemption available on terminals.  

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Mediaworks are partnering with Hospitality New Zealand for the card’s launch. 

MediaWorks will give away 300 $50 KOHA cards nationally from November 1 across its MediaWorks radio network, which includes Mai, The Edge, More FM, The Rock and George. It will also promote the card through its out-of-home channels. 

Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive Julie White says the card is one for the times as KOHA is digital and contactless, meaning it can be used anywhere in the country, whatever the Alert Level. 

“It takes the guesswork out of choosing a gift, letting the recipient choose what he or she wants from their favourite business or venue. 

“Being digital and contactless means you can shout friends or family a gift of a coffee, a meal, or a staycation of any value you want and it doesn’t matter where you live or if you’re at different alert levels. 

“This is game-changing technology the industry has been waiting for. Users get something that’s mobile and flexible and everyone will be helping our industry of largely family-owned small businesses at a time when they’re on their knees and struggling due to COVID.”  

W: Find out more at hospitality.org.nz/s/koha-card