Hindus

Hindus call on NZ Reserve Bank to remove animal fat from cash

A polymer used in bank notes contains a reduced form of tallow, which is often made from sheep, pigs and cows.

Cows are sacred to Hindu people and many followers of the religion do not eat beef. US-based Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said the NZ Reserve Bank should change the notes via a statement on Thursday.

"RNZ should have been wise and literate enough to look into the religious sensitivities of its consumers before investing so much money and effort into the production of polymer banknotes," Mr Zed said.