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| Before you arrive |
| When to come |
| New Zealand is suitable to visit all year round. Traveling is more pleasant, however, during the warmer summer months (November to April). The Christmas period is the busiest, with the schools holidays in the second half of December and all of January. We, therefore, recommend November, February and April as the best months to travel in New Zealand. Skiing is, of course, only possible during the winter months and is usually best during July and August. |
| Insurance |
| While the Accident Compensation Scheme covers visitors for personal injuries caused by accident, this does not include loss of earnings outside of New Zealand. We highly recommend arranging travel insurance that includes accidents. Order travel insurance online. |
| Passport, Visas & Vaccinations |
| Only a passport valid for three months beyond the intended
date of leaving the country is necessary for citizens of most countries.
We recommend you visit the New Zealand Immigration website for further information. No vaccination certificates are required to enter New Zealand. |
| What to bring |
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If you plan to visit New Zealand during the colder months between May
and September, bring warm clothes and a waterproof jacket. This is especially
important in alpine regions where the weather can change rapidly. |
| Getting there |
| New Zealand's three international airports are at Auckland,
Wellington and Christchurch. Which one to fly into is indicated when you
create your itinerary on this site. Flying times are approximately 3 hours
from Australia, 10 hours from Singapore, and 12 hours from the west coast
of the United States. Every person arriving in New Zealand must complete the arrival card handed out on the aircraft. Find the best prices for flights to New Zealand. |
| When you're there | ||
| Key facts | ||
| Area: 270,500 sq km Population: 4.3 million Capital city: Wellington (pop 200,000 ) People: 75% European (Pakeha); 10% Maori; 15% Polynesian, Asian and other Languages: English and Maori Religion: Predominantly Christian (80%) Government: Independent member of the British Commonwealth GDP: US$120 billion GDP per head: US$28,000 Annual growth: 2% Inflation: 2% Major industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, iron and steel Major trading partners: Australia, Japan, the USA |
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| Health Risks | ||
| There are no major health risks in New Zealand. However you should be aware of Giardia, which is a water-borne parasite that causes diarrhea. To avoid it, do not to drink water from lakes, ponds or rivers without first boiling, chemically treating or filtering it. | ||
| Costs | ||
All goods and services in New Zealand are subject to a 12.5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim refunds on this tax, but GST is not charged, on either goods or freight exported by a supplier to a visitor's home address. You can calculate your total budget in New Zealand dollars and convert into your own currency when you create your itinerary on this site. |
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| Banking and Foreign Exchange | ||
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All major credit cards are accepted for the purchase of goods and services.
Travelers' checks are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. |
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| Electricity | ||
| Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts (50 hertz), although most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. | ||
| Time | ||
| New Zealand is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer, on the first Sunday in October, New Zealand has daylight saving when clocks are put forward one hour. Daylight saving finishes on the last Sunday of March. | ||
| Driving | ||
| Most foreign driver licenses are acceptable in New Zealand (check with your travel agent). New Zealanders drive on the left, give way to all traffic crossing or approaching from the right. Most rental car companies will provide a short list of the more important rules. | ||
| Tipping | ||
| Tips in New Zealand are optional and are generally given in appreciation of extra good service. You should tip 5-10% of the bill in a restaurant (not in a simple café) if you feel you have received exceptional service. | ||
| Information Centers | ||
| New Zealand has a network of national visitor information centers that
can provide comprehensive information and booking service, seven days a
week. Regional visitor information centers provide general information and booking service, seven days a week, and local information centers provide local information, usually five days a week. |
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