Escrow services in New Zealand, made simple.
Escrow puts a neutral, protected account between the buyer and the seller. The money is real and committed, but it's held on trust until the work is done — so nobody has to pay on a promise. Here's everything you need to know.
What is escrow?
Escrow is a simple idea: instead of paying someone directly, the buyer pays into a protected third-party account. The money sits there — safe, committed, and visible to both sides — until the work is completed and approved. Only then is it released to the seller.
Think of it as a handshake backed by real money. The buyer knows their payment won't disappear if something goes wrong. The seller knows the funds are genuinely there before they pick up a tool or open a laptop. In New Zealand, escrow funds are held in a dedicated trust account — legally kept separate from the provider's own business funds.
How escrow works
- 1
Payment link
The seller creates an escrow payment and shares the link.
- 2
Funded from the bank
The buyer pays via open banking — no cards, no chargebacks.
- 3
Held on trust
Funds sit safely in an NZD trust account, committed but not released.
- 4
Released on approval
The buyer confirms, and the seller is paid out in NZD.
Want the full walkthrough? See how CASHBOX works, step by step.
Who uses escrow in New Zealand?
Tradies & contractors
Secure a deposit before starting and confirm final payment before leaving site.
Freelancers & consultants
Payment certainty for project-based work, without chasing invoices.
Small businesses
Protect payment for both sides on any service delivered over time.
Marketplaces & platforms
Offer built-in payment protection between the buyers and sellers you connect.
Not sure which fits you? Explore escrow by profession.
Learn more about escrow
Escrow payments in New Zealand: how they work
The complete plain-English guide to escrow — what it is, how it protects both sides, and how to start.
Read articleOpen banking payments, explained
How bank-to-bank payments compare to cards and manual transfers, and why they pair perfectly with escrow.
Read articleAre deposits safe? A guide for homeowners
How to pay a deposit to a tradie without carrying all the risk yourself.
Read articleMilestone, deposit, or full upfront?
How to structure job payments so both sides stay protected and cash flow stays healthy.
Read articleHow to avoid chargebacks
Why chargebacks hurt small businesses, and how open banking and escrow remove the risk entirely.
Read articleHiring on a task marketplace safely
A buyer's guide to getting jobs done online without getting burned.
Read articleEscrow FAQs
What is escrow?
Escrow is when a neutral third party holds a payment on trust until the agreed conditions of a deal are met. Instead of paying the seller directly, the buyer funds a protected account; the money is only released to the seller once the work is completed and approved.
Is escrow legal and safe in New Zealand?
Yes. Reputable New Zealand escrow services hold funds in a dedicated client trust account, kept separate from the provider's own operating funds and reconciled regularly. CASHBOX funds payments through licensed open banking and pays out in NZD to New Zealand bank accounts.
How much does an escrow service cost?
CASHBOX charges a flat 2% fee (GST-inclusive) per escrow payment, shown up front before the buyer funds and deducted when funds are released. There are no monthly fees or subscriptions.
How is escrow different from a bank transfer?
A direct bank transfer puts all the trust on one side — someone pays first and hopes. Escrow puts a protected account in the middle: the money is committed but not released until both sides are satisfied.
Start using escrow today.
Free to set up, no monthly fees. Your first protected payment link takes under a minute.
Get started free