Over 75 percent of contactless payments in the US are made via Apple Pay.

Apple is bringing its payment platform to New Zealand - but only for ANZ customers.

The payment system will work with Visa credit and debit cards issued by ANZ. A release date has not been announced, but it is expected to arrive before the end of the year.

Apple Pay launched in the US in 2014. It allows users to make payments by swiping their iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad over contactless terminals - much like PayWave allows with credit cards.

Users authenticate purchases with Apple's Touch ID fingerprint recognition system. The retailer does not receive any personal data from the customer's phone. Current contactless payment terminals generally work with Apple Pay.

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Apple Pay can also be used to authenticate payments within iOS apps. Within three months, Apple Pay will work on the web too, with customers able to authenticate payments to websites with their phones rather than their credit cards.

"Our customers in the nine markets around the world where Apple Pay is live today love how convenient it makes their day-to-day shopping, and we can't wait to bring Apple Pay to New Zealand so customers there can start making easy, secure and private payments in their favourite stores, apps and on the web," said Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay, in a statement.

Apple Pay will be available on the iPhone 6, 6+, 6S, 6S+, SE, 7, and 7+, as well as any Apple Watch and newer iPads. Apple Watch users using older iPhones authenticate payments with a PIN rather than a thumbprint.

It is not yet clear when, or if, Apple Pay will come to other NZ banks.

The announcement was made as part of Apple's keynote this morning, where they launched the iPhone 7 and Watch Series 2.

While New Zealand was not specifically mentioned, Apple's website soon updated to inform customers of the move.

Over 75 per cent of contactless payments in the US are made via Apple Pay.

"Customers are going to love the convenience of Apple Pay, with its easy, secure and private way to make purchases," an ANZ spokeswoman said in an email.

"We've seen how popular Apple Pay has been in Australia and we're excited to soon offer our ANZ New Zealand customers the same great experience."

Henry Cooke travelled to San Francisco courtesy of Apple.

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