New Zealand Money Activities | Make $1, $2 and $5 in Different Ways

A child may recognise a $1 coin—but do they understand that ten 10-cent coins, two 50-cent coins and five 20-cent coins are worth exactly the same amount?

Understanding money requires more than naming coins. Children need repeated opportunities to combine different New Zealand coins, calculate totals and recognise that the same value can be represented in many ways.

This New Zealand Money Equivalence Activity Pack helps early learners explore how to make $1, $2 and $5 using different combinations of NZ coins and notes.

Photographic money examples provide a clear visual starting point, while written addition expressions help children connect concrete currency with more abstract calculation.

Move Beyond Recognising Individual Coins

Children often learn the names of coins before they understand how those values relate to one another.

This resource helps learners see that:

• ten 10-cent coins make $1;
• two 50-cent coins make $1;
• two $1 coins make $2;
• $1 plus two 50-cent coins makes $2;
• a $5 note has the same value as several smaller coins; and
• many different combinations can represent the same total.

What Is Included?

• $1 photographic money mat showing four equivalent combinations
• $2 photographic money mat showing four equivalent combinations
• $5 photographic money mat showing four equivalent combinations
• Photographs of New Zealand coins and notes
• Written addition mats for $1, $2 and $5
• “Odd balls” mats containing combinations that do not equal the target amounts
• Materials suitable for teacher-led, partner or independent work

From Concrete Money to Written Addition

The photographic mats help children compare visible groups of coins. Once they understand the combinations, introduce the written mats so they can connect each amount with an addition expression.

For example, children can investigate whether:

• 50c + 50c equals $1;
• $1 + $1 equals $2;
• 50c + 50c + $1 equals $2; or
• a longer sequence of mixed coins equals $5.

The “odd balls” page adds an important reasoning challenge. Instead of assuming every combination is correct, children calculate each total and identify which expressions do not make $1, $2 or $5.

Ways to Use This Resource

• Pair the mats with real or play New Zealand money.
• Invite children to recreate each photographed amount.
• Cover one section and ask the child to find another combination.
• Sort written expressions under $1, $2, $5 or “not one of these”.
• Ask children to invent their own equivalent combinations.
• Use the mats for Montessori shelf work or maths centres.
• Use individual pages for small-group intervention or assessment.

Created for Aotearoa Learners

I’m Lisa—an NZ registered teacher, Montessori-trained educator, school principal and former homeschooler. I create practical resources for mixed-age classrooms and diverse learners, including children who need concrete materials, strong visual support and repeated opportunities to develop confidence.