Last updated: June 2026 — Fraser Ngata, Pipipress

How We Rate Online Casinos at Pipipress

At Pipipress, every casino review you read on pipipress.co.nz is built on a foundation of real testing, independent research, and a structured scoring process. Fraser Ngata, the owner and lead reviewer of this site, personally signs up, deposits real money, plays games, tests withdrawals, and contacts customer support before a single word of any review is written. No casino pays us to be featured, and no operator influences our scores. Here is exactly how we work.

Our Review Process, Step by Step

Fraser Ngata follows a consistent, repeatable process for every casino reviewed on this site. The steps below happen in order, and a casino must pass each stage before it earns a published score.

• Step 1 – Background Check: Fraser researches the operator's ownership history, regulatory licences, and any public complaints or enforcement actions before creating an account.
• Step 2 – Account Registration: A real account is created using a New Zealand IP address and NZD as the selected currency where available. We check how smooth the sign-up flow is for Kiwi players.
• Step 3 – Bonus Claiming: The welcome bonus or no-deposit offer is claimed and the full terms are read and documented, including wagering requirements, game restrictions, and maximum cashout limits.
• Step 4 – Gameplay Testing: A minimum of 20 different games across slots, table games, and live casino are launched and played with real money to assess software quality, loading speed, and fairness certification.
• Step 5 – Payment Testing: A real deposit and at least one withdrawal are completed. We record processing times, accepted NZD payment methods, and any fees charged.
• Step 6 – Customer Support Testing: Live chat, email, and where available telephone support are all contacted with a mix of straightforward and complex questions to assess response speed and quality.
• Step 7 – Mobile Testing: The casino is accessed on a mobile browser and, where an app exists, through the native app, to evaluate layout, navigation, and game availability on smaller screens.
• Step 8 – Score Calculation: Each criterion is scored individually and then weighted to produce a final rating out of 10.

Our Rating Criteria and Weightings

Every casino is scored across six core criteria. Each criterion carries a specific weighting that reflects how much it matters to the average New Zealand online casino player in 2026.

Criterion	Weighting	What We Assess
Licensing and Safety	25%	Valid licence from a recognised authority, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, and player fund protection policies
Bonuses and Promotions	20%	Bonus value, wagering requirements, time limits, game contribution rates, and overall fairness of terms for NZ players
Game Selection	20%	Total number of titles, software providers, variety of game types, jackpot availability, and presence of live dealer games
Payment Methods	15%	NZD support, accepted deposit and withdrawal options, processing times, withdrawal limits, and fee transparency
Customer Support	10%	Availability hours, contact channels, response speed, and quality of answers received during real test interactions
Mobile Experience	10%	Browser performance, dedicated app quality, game availability on mobile, and ease of completing deposits and withdrawals on a phone

Understanding Our Rating Scale

All casinos on Pipipress are scored on a scale of 1 to 10. The number reflects the weighted average of the six criteria above and is not adjusted for commercial reasons. Here is what each range means in plain terms.

• 9.0 – 10: Exceptional. Outstanding across all criteria and a genuinely top-tier choice for New Zealand players.
• 7.5 – 8.9: Very Good. Strong performance with only minor weaknesses. Recommended for most Kiwi players.
• 6.0 – 7.4: Good. A solid option with noticeable areas for improvement. Worth considering depending on your priorities.
• 4.0 – 5.9: Average. Passes basic standards but has significant drawbacks that players should be aware of before signing up.
• Below 4.0: Poor or Not Recommended. Fails on one or more critical criteria such as licensing, payment reliability, or unfair bonus terms.

How Pipipress Stays Independent and Unbiased

Independence is not a marketing claim at Pipipress. It is built into how the site operates. Fraser Ngata funds all testing personally using his own money. Casinos cannot pay to receive a higher score, and they are not informed in advance that a review is being conducted. Affiliate relationships exist on some reviewed sites, meaning Pipipress may earn a commission if a reader signs up through a link, but this commercial relationship has no influence on the score assigned. If a casino scores poorly, that score is published as recorded. Casinos that fail basic licensing or safety checks are not listed on the site at all, regardless of the commission rate offered.

Reviews are also updated on a regular schedule. If a casino changes its terms, withdraws a licence, or receives a significant volume of player complaints after initial publication, the review is revisited and the score is adjusted accordingly.

About Fraser Ngata

Fraser Ngata is a New Zealand-based gambling writer and the founder of Pipipress. He has been researching and reviewing online casinos for the New Zealand market since 2019, with a specific focus on player safety, payment reliability, and the regulatory landscape as it applies to Kiwi players in 2026. Every review on pipipress.co.nz carries his name because every review reflects his direct personal testing experience.

If you have a question about our methodology or want to suggest a casino for review, you are welcome to reach out through the contact page on pipipress.co.nz.