Westpac bank in New Zealand has rolled out a contactless payments sticker for mobile devices, enabling customers to make purchases of up to NZ$80.

The Westpac PayTag can be attached to the back of any phone, tablet or other portable device suitable for tapping at a contactless payment terminal.

Developed in partnership with Gemalto, the bank said the sticker was protected by secure encryption technology, making it just as safe as an ordinary contactless card. If a Westpac PayTag is lost or stolen it is covered by MasterCard’s zero liability policy for unauthorised transactions.

Westpac’s chief product officer, Shane Howell, explained that feedback from a PayTag trial earlier this year had been “overwhelmingly” positive.

“We’re excited we’re able to offer a way for all of our customers to make payments using their mobile device, regardless of what type of device or operating system they have,” he said. “Westpac PayTag uses PayPass contactless technology, providing an easier and faster experience for our customers at point of sale.”

Howell noted that New Zealanders were embracing mobile payments, with less cash per capita circulating in New Zealand than in other OECD countries. He added that PayTag was just one of the mobile solutions the bank had considered.

“We are also trialling Host Card Emulation ‘digital wallet’ technology, which enables credit and debit card details – and over time things like transport cards, loyalty cards and potentially ID – to be accessible from Android smartphones. This will be available to our customers from early next year.”

PayTag will initially be available to Westpac customers for free, with the bank planning to charge NZ$4.99 for the contactless sticker after a promotional time period.

Share Story: