New Zealand travel info

General information for the traveller new to New Zealand.

Visas
Many countries have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand for visits of less than 3 months and current details on eligibility can be gained from the New Zealand Immigration Service. All visitors to New Zealand must ensure that their passports are valid for 3 months beyond their intended visit and must also have proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of their stay. This amount is calculated as NZ$1,000 per person/per month or NZ$400 if accommodation is already paid for.

Customs
There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign or local currency, although visitors entering the country with more than NZ$ 10,000 (or foreign currency equivalent) must complete additional documentation upon arrival.

Visitors may take the following into New Zealand duty free:

• Alcohol - 4.5 litres of wine or beer (about 6 bottles) and 1.125 litres or 40 oz of spirits or liqueurs
• Tobacco - 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g tobacco
• Goods to a total value of NZ$700

It is worth noting that New Zealand customs have become very strict about people arriving with any type of food, and dirty footwear and sports equipment. If in doubt, declare all food items on your arrival card and ensure that footwear, golf clubs, tents etc. have been cleaned before arriving.

Refer to www.customs.govt.nz for specific customs requirements.

Time
New Zealand time: GMT + 12 hours
New Zealand Summer time: GMT + 13 hours (from the first Sunday in October to the third Sunday in March)

Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) Check current exchange rates
NZ$1 = 100 cents
Notes issued NZ$100, NZ$50, NZ$20, NZ$10, NZ$5
Coins issued NZ$2 and NZ$1, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents

Language
The official language of New Zealand is English.

Tipping
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated.

Banking Hours
Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Automatic teller machines are widely available throughout the country.

Shopping Hours
Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Some stores open later on Thursday or Friday evenings.

Telephone
The international dialling code for New Zealand is 64
When making international telephone calls from New Zealand first dial 00 + country code + area code + telephone number

Local Telephone Codes

South Island	03
Wellington Region	04
Manawatu, North, Taranaki, Palmerston, Whanganui	06
Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau, Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Tauranga, Waikato	07
Auckland, Whangarei	09

Emergency Services
For emergency fire, ambulance and police services dial 111 from any telephone.

Electricity
230 - 240 volts AC, 50Hz
Flat 3 pin or 2 pin plugs are used in New Zealand, therefore it is advisable to carry an adapter and converter. Most hotels and motels have 110-volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only.

Water
Tap water is safe to drink and bottled water is widely available.

Health
The clear, pollution free air and the hole in the ozone layer above the Antarctic makes the sun particularly strong in New Zealand, so take extra care when outdoors. No inoculations are required but check the current situation and any vaccination requirements with your doctor when planning your trip. New Zealand has no snakes and is free of poisonous spiders, however mosquitos and sand-flies can be unwelcome visitors in some forested and river/lake areas. A bottle of insect repellent is useful item to carry.

New Zealand beaches are generally safe places for swimming, but be aware that some surf beaches have dangerous undertows and rips which are not always visible until you are in the water. Visitors who are unfamiliar with such conditions should check with locals before entering the water.

Weather
Have you ever heard the saying “four seasons in one day”? Nothing is truer than this in New Zealand. It can be a beautiful sunny day one minute and raining the next. Whatever the time of year, it is advisable to arrive in New Zealand with rain gear and something warm to wear. Mountaineers and hikers in particular should plan carefully, and ensure they have the right equipment.

Driving
New Zealand motorists drive on the left hand side of the road. If you rent a vehicle check the driving rules with the rental company, as New Zealand has one or two slightly unusual driving rules. You must be aged 21 or over to hire a vehicle in New Zealand, and require a valid overseas driver license.

When driving the country, keep in mind that New Zealand roads vary greatly in quality. A particular 200 kilometre flat stretch of road may take 2 hours to drive, whereas another more winding, mountainous road of the same length may take 5 hours! The speed limit is 100 kilometres per hour on the open road, and 50 kph in built up areas.

International Airports

• Auckland
• Christchurch
• Wellington

International Airport Departure Tax
NZ$25 payable by credit card or in cash.

Domestic Airports
There are numerous domestic airports in New Zealand. These include those mentioned above plus:

• Bay of Islands
• Blenheim
• Bulls
• Dunedin
• Gisbourne
• Greymouth
• Haast
• Half Moon Bay
• Hamilton
• Invercargill
• Kaitia
• Lake Pukkaki
• Masterton
• Murchison
• Napier/Hastings
• Nelson
• New Plymouth
• Palmerston North
• Picton
• Rotorua
• Taupo
• Tauranga
• Timaru
• Wanganui
• Wellington
• West Port
• Whakatane
• Whangareri

Domestic Airport Departure Tax
None

Etiquette/Dress Code
New Zealand is a fairly informal country, so dress is similarly relaxed. Some bars and restaurants may ban the wearing of vests/singlets, flip flops (thongs), beach and bush wear.

Useful Sources of Information
Further information on New Zealand culture and tourist attractions.

New Zealand Travel Guide and Information
http://www.destination-nz.com/nz/mainmenu.html

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