Agriculture Restrictions
Because of the importance of agriculture and horticulture to the New Zealand economy, animal products, fruit, plant material or foodstuffs that could contain plant or animal pests and diseases may not be brought into the country. Heavy fines may be imposed on people caught carrying these prohibited materials, so it is suggested that visitors place any questionable items, particularly fruit, in the bins provided before approaching the immigration area on arrival at a New Zealand airport.

We recommend you visit the New Zealand embassies or consulate’s website for full details on Agriculture Restrictions and prohibited items.

Airport Transfers (back to top)
Taxis and shuttle buses meet all international and most domestic flights. Ask your Travel Adviser for details.

Arrival Cards (back to top)
Every person arriving in New Zealand must complete the arrival card handed out on the aircraft.

Climate
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. Don't let cold months put you off - winters tend to be short in New Zealand, with signs of spring showing up well before winter is officially over.

Clothing
Air-conditioning on aircraft can be lowered for comfort, so we recommend you fly with a jacket or some other warm clothing.

New Zealand has a relaxed informal lifestyle. In summer, light clothing is usually sufficient for the day, however have a jacket at hand. Always pack a waterproof jacket. During winter, and between May and September, always pack warm clothing.

Currency and Banking (back to top)
All major credit cards may be used for the purchase of goods and services, and travellers' cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.

Bank hours are from 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Provided they are encoded with a PIN number, international credit cards may be used to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs), widely available in the main shopping centres and suburban malls. Check with your bank before leaving home whether this facility is available for your card(s).

New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$), comprising coins with values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2, and notes with values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

Customs
We recommend you visit the New Zealand Customs Service website on www.customs.govt.nz

Duty-free shopping (back to top)
Visitors to New Zealand may purchase duty-free goods, which are not subject to local taxes, from airport duty free shops on arrival and departure. Some Duty-Free stores in downtown Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch may deliver purchases to aircraft departure lounges.

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. For all other equipment, an adaptor / converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option. Please note that power outlets only accept flat three or two-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted.

Exchange Facilities
Most airports and hotels have currency exchange facilities, however we recommend buying enough New Zealand dollars to cover your expenses for the first few days.

Exchange Rates (back to top)
Banks should be able to tell you what the current exchange rate is with the New Zealand dollar. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand  provides a monthly on-line summary of the New Zealand Dollar's average value against the US Dollar, the Pound, the Australian Dollar, the Yen and the Euro.

Flying Times
New Zealand lies in the south-west Pacific, about three hours flying time from Australia.

From the West-Coast of the United States, you can fly to New Zealand on a 12 hour non-stop flight.

From Singapore a direct flight takes about 10 hours.
New Zealand's three international airports are at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Goods and Services Tax (back to top)
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.

Insurance - Health, Medical and General. (back to top)
New Zealand's public and private medical facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service, but it is important to note these services are not free. We strongly advise you to arrange your own health insurance when making your travel arrangements.

Visitors bringing in a quantity of medication are advised to have a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with Customs. Doctor's prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in New Zealand.

Passports
Passports are required for all visitors to New Zealand and must be valid for at least three months beyond the date the visitor intends leaving the country.

Road Rules (back to top)
It is important to view the road rules before you drive. Most rental car and motorhome companies will provide a short list of the more important rules, and the ones that maybe unique to New Zealand. Click here to see driving times and distances in both islands

New Zealanders drive on the left, give way to all traffic crossing or approaching from the right, and if turning , give way to all traffic not turning. The speed limit is 100 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in built up areas. Most foreign driver licences are acceptable in New Zealand (check with your travel agent). Both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times.

Safety Precautions (back to top)
New Zealand is one of the safest destinations in the world, so visitors often relax and can be caught off-guard and suffer from petty crime and very rarely, serious offences.

Be aware of:
Giardia - Giardia is a water-borne parasite that causes diarrhoea. To avoid contracting it, it is best not to drink water from lakes, ponds or rivers without first boiling, chemically treating or filtering it.

Sandflies – Always carry insect repellent.
Sunburn - New Zealand's clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe or North America, so be prepared to wear hats and sun block if you plan to be out in the sun for more than 15-20 minutes.

Variable Weather - Weather conditions in New Zealand alpine areas can change rapidly. Be prepared for cold wet weather.

Telephones (back to top)
Most public call phones take cards purchased from bookstalls and newsagents, with a minimum value of $2. Some public call-phones also accept credit cards, but very few still accept coins.

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.

Tipping and Service Charges
Tips in New Zealand are optional and are generally given in appreciation of extra good service. Service charges are not added to hotel or restaurant bills.

Tourist FM Radio (back to top)
Tourist Information FM radio provides visitors travelling throughout New Zealand with information on the history and culture of an area, the availability of local services and activities 24 hours a day. A blue road sign tells visitors they are in a broadcast area with transmission on frequency 88.2 FM (100.4 FM for German language and 100.8 FM for Japanese language).

Vaccinations
No vaccination certificates are required to enter New Zealand.

Visa and Immigration Information
We recommend you visit the New Zealand Immigration website for visa information.

Visitor Information Network (VIN) (back to top)
There are over 100 official Visitor Information Network locations throughout New Zealand - just look for the green Visitor Information Network logo.

• National Visitor Information Centres
  These centres provide comprehensive New Zealand information and booking service, seven days a week.
• Regional Visitor Information Centres
  These centres provide a general information and booking service, seven days a week.
• Local Visitor Information Centres (back to top)
  These centres provide local information, usually five days a week.