The new $20, $50 and $100 banknotes were revealed at a Reserve Bank event in Wellington today.

Concept designs have already been circulated but this will be the first time the final design is made public.

The $5 and $10 notes are already in circulation.

The banknotes were literally bought to life with the kārearea / New Zealand falcon, a feature of the $20 banknote, on display at Government House.

'Our banknotes and coins are the national emblems that are most frequently accessed by all our citizens," says Governor-General, Lt Gen the Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae.

"They reflect who and what we value and remember, our taonga; and they declare what we want to say about our place in the world. I am sure that New Zealanders will appreciate the quality and enhanced integrity of the new notes”.

Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler says the innovations in the banknotes and their ability to include sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technology are notable.

'Global banknote technology has advanced to a state where sophisticated design can be incorporated into a security feature to make the banknote both hard to counterfeit and visually appealing."

All the new Series 7 banknotes incorporate the same four main security features, which are the holographic window, colour-changing bird, puzzle number and raised ink.

The new Series 7 $20, $50 and $100 will come into circulation from May 16. This is the first day that banks and retailers can use the new $20, $50 and $100 banknotes as change or dispense from their ATMs, branches, or shops.

The new banknotes are the same size and denomination as the current Series 6 banknotes, and they continue to be made of flexible polymer.

While the banknotes are brighter, bolder, and clearer, the themes of the notes remain the same, with respected New Zealanders, the Queen and flora and fauna remaining central to the designs.

The new Series 7 will co-circulate with the current Series 6 notes. Both sets of banknotes will be legal tender.

The new $5 and $10 banknotes started making their way into the hands of the public during October last year.