1080p: What are the fees for just walking into a Western Union and handing them the cash? I thought it would be ~$25 or so, wouldn't it?
There are several components to the costs though -- the transaction 'fee', and the fx margin.Maybe WU offers horrible fx rates!!
Personally, I've found credit cards to be a reasonable method to get an OK fx rate for purchases.
But, if when CC is not possible, I have a fx account with ASB -- i receive the funds in the same currency as the foreign exchange and call the bank dealing room for the best deal to convert into NZD. The banks advertised rates are always much worse and I always get a much better deal by calling the dealing room.
For sending funds overseas, I don't see why you couldn't call the dealing room direct anyway.