Can you recommend a good bank in New Zealand?

Yes. The only NZ owned banks are the Taranaki Savings Bank, Kiwibank, the Southland Building Society and the credit unions. The only trouble with the TSB is you need to deposit a minimum $5000. My accounts are with the Southland Credit Union and Kiwibank. Both are good, especially the SCU. My experience of dealing with the foreign-owned trading banks is that they're rude, arrogant and unhelpful to everybody on an ordinary income. They make it clear that every customer who isn't rich is a nuisance.

I'm not a student, but my banks are the Southland Credit Union and Kiwibank. Both are excellent. The Southland Building Society I've heard is also excellent. If you're on a low income like most students, these institutions will treat you much better than any trading bank. I've dealt with the National Bank, BNZ and ANZ and found them arrogant, unhelpful and they made it clear that they're only interested in offering good service to rich customers.

I found it difficult to find a bank that would allow me to open up an account without having a working visa.

However, the Bank of NZ let me open one. But that was a few years ago..sorry can't help ya with exchange rates ect

As others have said Kiwibank, TSB are both the only N.Z owned bank.

Where are you and what is your current bank. I know that Lloyds Bank of England has ties with ANZ/National Bank of New Zealand which may make things easier for you if you are English.

I don't like Kiwibank. I don't agree with the Government putting money into one bank and helping it.

I'm with Westpac. Just don't lose your eftpos card or they'll make you pay $15 for a new one!!

Kiwi bank is the best bank

these are the major banks in NZ although I am sure I may have missed a couple

http://www.anz.co.nz/

http://www.asb.co.nz/

http://www.nationalbank.co.nz/

http://www.bnz.co.nz/

http://www.kiwibank.co.nz/

http://www.westpac.co.nz/

http://www.psis.co.nz/

Ive also added a website for real estate you may find interesting

http://www.realestate.co.nz/

good luck and happy retirement!

KiwiBank would be my first chioce, SBS(Southland Building Society) ,and TSB.