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Getting there

Travel Times to New Zealand
New Zealand is a three and a half hour flight from Eastern Australia, a non-stop overnight flight from the United States, and around 10 hours flight from most other places on the Pacific Rim, like Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Time Differences
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day. It is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand has daylight saving, when clocks are put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight saving begins on the first Sunday in October and ends on the third Sunday of the following March, when clocks are put back to GMT+12.

Passports
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of intended departure from the country.

Visa Exemptions
Visitors do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if they are:
• A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
• An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
• An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
• Citizens of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand

Visa Waivers
Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a Visitor's Visa for stays less than 3 months. They do require:
• A passport that is valid for at least 3 months after departure from New Zealand
• An onward or return ticket to a country that the visitor has permission to enter
• Sufficient money for the duration of the stay - approximately NZ$1000 per month per person
• Countries that are eligible for visa waivers are listed under the immigration website www.immigration.govt.nz

Visitor's Visa Applications
For countries not on the visa waiver list or for visitors wishing to stay longer than 3 months, applications for Visitor's Visas can be can downloaded from the immigration website, or by contacting the nearest New Zealand embassy.

Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.

Arrivals and Departures
New Zealand's international airports are at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Some flights from Australia land at Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Dunedin.

Arrival Cards
Every person arriving in New Zealand must complete the arrival card handed out on the aircraft.

Agricultural Restrictions and Quarantine
New Zealand's agricultural industries are free of many insects, pests, and plant and animal diseases common elsewhere in the world. Customs put a lot of effort at ports and airports into minimising the risk of these being introduced.

When visitors depart for New Zealand they should leave prohibited items behind, including food items. Further details on quarantine issues for entry into New Zealand can be found on the website www.quarantine.govt.nz

Duty Free Goods
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. Duty-free stores in downtown Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will deliver purchases to aircraft departure lounges.

Apart from visitors' own personal effects, and as long as they are over 17 years of age, the following concessions are allowed:
• 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars, or a mixture of all 3 weighing no more than 250 grams
• 4.5 litres of wine or beer (6 x 750ml bottles) and one 1125ml bottles of spirits, liqueur or other beverages
• Goods up to a total of NZ$700 are free of duty and tax, but goods in excess of this may attract both duty and tax

Departure Tax
A tax of NZ$22-NZ$25 has to be paid at the airport when leaving New Zealand. Please note that this tax is not included in ticket prices.

Insurance

General Insurance and Safety
New Zealand is one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. However, it is recommended visitors invest in comprehensive travel insurance before undertaking any international travel.

Health and Medical Insurance
New Zealand is a country without snakes or dangerous wild animals, making it safe for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. New Zealand's public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service but it is important to note these services are not free, except as a result of an accident.

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

No vaccinations are needed to enter New Zealand.

Accident Compensation Scheme
Visitors to New Zealand are covered under the local Accident Compensation Scheme for personal injury by accident. Benefits include some medical and hospital expenses within New Zealand, but not visits to a doctor, dentist or pharmacist in New Zealand unrelated to an accident or any medical expenses or loss of earnings outside New Zealand. It is therefore strongly advised that visitors arrange their own comprehensive health insurance before departure.

Accident Advice for Visitors
A private company called Accident Info Services can advise visitors to New Zealand on how best to access New Zealand's health system should they have an accident or need medical attention for an illness. The 24-hour service can give advice on where to go and can arrange for a medical practitioner to visit the patient.

Money

Currency
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.

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.

All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travellers' Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.

Exchange Rates
Banks should be able to tell visitors what the current exchange rate is with the New Zealand dollar. The Reserve Bank Of New Zealand provides a monthly online summary of the New Zealand Dollar's average value against the US Dollar, the Pound, the Australian Dollar, the Yen and the Euro at www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/exandint/index.html

Banking
Banks are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at airports, banks, along main shopping streets and in malls.

International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they are:
• Visa or Mastercards and/or have the Plus or Cirrus symbol on the reverse of the card and
• Encoded with a four digit PIN number.
• Check with your bank before departure if you are unsure if your credit cards are internationally acceptable.

Goods and Services Tax
All goods and services are subject to a 12.5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, however when a purchase is made in a duty free shop or from a retailer who ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged. International airfares purchased in New Zealand do not include GST.

How Much Does it Cost?
Approx per person/per item
• A hotel breakfast    NZ$15- $25
• Dinner (no alcohol)  NZ$20 - $50
• Lunch snack/sandwich NZ$5 - $10
• Cafe lunch NZ$10
• A postcard stamp to anywhere overseas    NZ$1
• Big Mac Hamburger    NZ$3.95
• Cappuccino NZ$2.50 - $3.00
• Kodak Film, 36 exposures  NZ$7.95

Tipping and Service Charges
New Zealanders do not expect tips for normal service - even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for extra special service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.

Savety

Safety Precautions
Although there are no snakes or dangerous wild animals in New Zealand, visitors should be aware of the following:

Variable Weather - Weather conditions in New Zealand alpine and coastal areas can change rapidly. Be prepared for cold wet weather if planning to walk in the National Parks, whatever the time of year. http://www.met.co.nz/

Sandflies - In wetter areas, particularly in Fiordland, sandflies can be pests, but are effectively controlled by use of an insect repellent.

Giardia - Giardia is a common global 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. Tap water is safe to drink in New Zealand.

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 for exposure to the sun for more than 15-20 minutes, especially in the summer.

Road Information

International Driving Licences and Permits
Visitors can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if they have either a current driver's licence from their home country, or an International Driving Permit (IDP).

For rentals: A full resident country drivers licence, held for a least one year, is to be presented at the time of rental. If the licence is not in English format, an international drivers licence is also required.

Road Safety
In New Zealand, (like the UK and Australia) all motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road

When turning left, give way (yield) to traffic crossing or approaching from the right

When the traffic light is red, drivers must stop. There is no free left turn rule as in North America, (where traffic can turn right on a red light if the way is clear).

The speed limit on the open road is 100km/h (around 60 mph). In built up areas the speed limit is 50km/h.

Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times

Check out the New Zealand http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/ website for details on the New Zealand Road Code, cycling safety and other general motoring information.

Utilities and Public Holidays

Electricity
Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only.

For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option. Please note that power outlets only accept flat 3 or 2-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted.

Public Call Phones
Most public call phones take cards purchased from bookstalls and newsagents, with a minimum value of NZ$5.00. Some public call-phones also accept credit cards, but very few accept coins.

Mobile Phones
Check with your local phone companies before leaving home about international mobile roam facilities available in New Zealand.

Laptops
An RJ45 type plug is needed to connect laptops into a computer socket in New Zealand, and an adaptor with a flat two or three-point power plug to connect to the power supply.

Public Holidays
New Year  1-2 January
Waitangi Day  6 February
Good Friday  29 March
Easter Monday  1 April
ANZAC Day  25 April
Queen's Birthday  3 June
Labour Day  28 October
Christmas Day  25 December
Boxing Day  26 December

School Holidays
The big school holidays start before Christmas and end in the fourth week of January. The Ministry of Education website has a complete list of New Zealand school holidays.

Shopping and Entertainment

Shopping
Most shops and businesses are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, as a minimum. Many stores also open Saturdays and some open on Sundays. In resorts most stores are open in the evenings. Banks are closed at weekends. In cities some larger supermarkets are open either 22 or 24 hours a day.

What to Buy
New Zealand offers a huge variety of shopping from arts and craft markets, galleries and museum shops to exclusive designer stores. For traditional New Zealand souvenirs look for examples of superb Māori carvings in wood, bone and pounamu (greenstone). Also available are jewellery and ornaments made from the iridescent paua shell (abalone), treasured by Māori for centuries.

New Zealand potters have been recognised as among the world's finest ceramists and today many fine artisans are also working in stone, wood, glass and metals. The country's vast wool industry makes it possible to find wonderful hand-knitted wool sweaters, beautiful wall hangings, homespun yarns and top-quality sheepskins.

Alongside top international fashion in boutique stores in the main city areas, visitors will also find New Zealand's own award-winning fashion labels, including Zambesi, NomD, Karen Walker and World.

Food and Wine
New Zealand's 'Pacific rim' or 'fusion' cuisine style takes its inspiration from Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam. This unique blend of influences has created a mouthwatering range of flavours and food available from cafes and restaurants nationwide.

For dishes that have a distinctly New Zealand style look out for lamb, pork and venison; salmon, crayfish, Bluff oysters, paua (abalone), mussels and scallops; kumara (sweet potato); kiwi fruit and tamarillo; and pavlova, our national dessert, made from meringue and lashings of fresh whipped cream topped with fresh fruit or berries.

While the main cities support a few elegant, silver-service restaurants, the trend is towards more relaxed cafe-bar dining. There is a wide variety of international food available including Japanese, Indian, Halal, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, including more than 900 Asian restaurants throughout New Zealand.

New Zealand whites wines, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, have achieved an international reputation for excellence - and the reds are catching-up fast!

Alcohol
Most night-spots, restaurants and cafes serve liquor 7 days a week. Visitors can purchase alcohol from liquor outlets (beer, wine and spirits) and supermarkets (beer and wine only) 7 days a week. Legally, patrons must be 18 years old to buy alcohol or consume it in a public place, and may be asked for a photo-ID.

Night Life in New Zealand
Lively DJ and band scenes, particularly in the larger cities, have given New Zealand's night life a renewed vibrancy. Visitors will find a variety of night-clubs, cabarets, pubs, concerts and live performances to choose from, and there are also two casinos, in Auckland and Christchurch, which are open 24 hours a day. Casinos can also be found in Dunedin and Queenstown.

Shows
Most cities stage first-class concerts and shows. Theatre, orchestral concerts, ballet, rock and jazz are well represented.

Recommended Clothing
Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and nightspots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities.

In summer a light jacket or sweater should be carried in case the weather turns cooler or if visiting the high country. Expect some rain, so a light waterproof jacket or coat is important. Pack warm winter clothing if visiting between May and September.

People and History

Population
New Zealand is an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth. It has a diverse multi-cultural population of around 3.8 million people. The majority of New Zealanders are of British descent, and the largest minority is New Zealand's indigenous Māori who make up around 14 percent of the population.

Language
English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand. Other languages are spoken, including Māori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.

The Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's founding document and established the country as a nation. It was signed in 1840 between leading Māori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown. The location, at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, is now one of the country's most historic sites. The signing of the treaty began on 6 February, which has become New Zealand's national day, known as 'Waitangi Day'.

Economy and Government
New Zealand is a modern country with a well-developed economy and a government structure based on the British parliamentary system. New Zealand has long been a sovereign nation, is active in UN peacekeeping missions and is a member of the British Commonwealth. More information is available on New Zealand's government.

New Zealand Environmental Care Code
Toitu te whenua - Leave the land undisturbed

Protect Plants and Animals
Treat New Zealand's forest and birds with care and respect. They are unique and often rare.

Remove Rubbish
Litter is unattractive, harmful to wildlife and can increase vermin and disease. Plan your visits to reduce rubbish, and carry out what you carry in.

Bury Toilet Waste
In areas without toilet facilities, bury your toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from waterways, tracks, campsites and huts.

Keep Streams and Lakes Clean
When cleaning and washing, take the water and wash well away from the water source. Because soaps and detergents are harmful to water-life, drain used water into the soil to allow it to be filtered. If you suspect the water may be contaminated, either boil it for at least 3 minutes, or filter it, or chemically treat it.

Take Care With Fires
Portable fuel stoves are less harmful to the environment and are more efficient than fires. If you do use a fire, keep it small, use only dead wood and make sure it is out by dousing it with water and checking the ashes before leaving.

Camp Carefully
When camping, leave no trace of your visit.

Keep to the Track
By keeping to the track, where one exists, you lessen the chance of damaging fragile plants.

Consider Others
People visit the backcountry and rural areas for many reasons. Be considerate of other visitors who also have a right to enjoy the natural environment.

Respect Our Cultural Heritage
Many places in New Zealand have a spiritual and historical significance. Treat these places with consideration and respect.

Enjoy Your Visit
Enjoy your outdoor experience. Take a last look before leaving an area; will the next visitor know that you have been there?

Protect the environment for your own sake, for the sake of those who come after you, and for the environment itself.

Miscellaneous

Poste Restante
Enquiries can be made at any Post Office for the nearest shop offering this service. Letters are held for up to 3 months, unless the sender requests a shorter period, at no charge.

Internet Cafes
The easiest way to stay in touch while travelling. Internet Cafes are now common in the centre of most New Zealand cities and towns. Many hotels, budget hostels and some visitor information centres provide Internet access.

Facilities and Guides for Less Mobile Travellers
New Zealand law requires that every new building and every major reconstruction provides 'reasonable and adequate' access for people with limited mobility. Most accommodation has wheelchair access, please check when booking.

Transport for Less Mobile Travellers
Some New Zealand tour operators can provide holiday packages for individuals and groups. Most transport operators cater for people with special needs, but it is recommended to phone ahead to inform operators and check availability. Most urban transport buses are not equipped to cater for the disabled.

Parking concessions are available for people with limited mobility. Mobility Parking Permits can be issued for the length of a visitor's stay. Other country's permits cannot be used in New Zealand. For proof of limitation, visitors should bring their home mobility card or medical certificate in order to obtain a New Zealand card. Contact the organisation that approves Mobility Parking Permits (CCS) by calling 0800 227 2255 on arrival in New Zealand to apply for a permit. Most parking areas have parks set aside for Mobility Parking Permit holders.

Natural Environment

Geography
New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific ocean, between latitude 34°S and 47°S. The country runs roughly north-south with mountain ranges down much of its length. Its two main islands cover 270,500 sq km (97,000 sq miles), about the size of Japan or Colorado and slightly larger than Great Britain.

Natural Environment
New Zealand's separation from other land masses for more than 80 million years has allowed many ancient plants and animals to survive and evolve in isolation. Complementing our unique flora and fauna is a landscape that contains an unrivalled variety of landforms. In a couple of days' drive it is possible to see everything from mountain ranges to sandy beaches, lush rainforests, glaciers and fiords and active volcanoes.

Flora
In spite of around 1000 years of native bush clearance by humans, about a quarter of the country still remains forested - mostly in high-country areas. Most of these remaining areas are protected from exploitation in national and forest parks, where they can be enjoyed by all.

The characteristic New Zealand forest is a temperate, evergreen rain forest with giant tree ferns, vines and epiphytes - looking a bit like the popular image of a jungle. The giant kauri, among the largest trees in the world, is now restricted to relatively small forest pockets in Northland and on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Fauna
New Zealand is a land of unique birds. The best known is the kiwi, New Zealand's unofficial national symbol. Also flightless are the weka and the endangered kakapo, the world's largest parrot, which at a pinch, is just able to scramble up into shrubs and small trees.

Another unique bird, one capable of flight, is the inquisitive alpine parrot, the kea, which is renowned for its fearlessness of humans and its cheeky personality.

Getting married

Anybody can marry in
New Zealand
Anybody can marry in New Zealand, as long as you are legally free to marry. Under New Zealand law this means that:
• You are not married already (or if you have been married, the marriage has been dissolved by a court of law).
• You are old enough (16 or over, although parental consent is required if either of you party is under 20 years old).
• You are not closely related by blood, marriage or adoption.
• If you do not live in New Zealand, you should check with the authorities in the place where you normally live to see if there are any special steps you must take or rules that apply when you marry in New Zealand.


Before you can get married
Decide when and where you want to get married as you will need to know these details when you complete your application for a marriage licence.


Choose a Marriage Celebrant
In New Zealand you must be married by a registered marriage celebrant. This may be a Registrar of Marriages, a civil marriage celebrant, a minister of a church or a person connected with an approved organisation.
You will need to contact your celebrant and agree on a time and place before applying for your marriage licence.


Get a Marriage Licence
To get a licence, you will need to complete an application form (Notice of Intended Marriage where Parties Ordinarily Resident outside New Zealand). You can download this application form here.
Marriage licences are only valid for three months from the date of issue. During that period you are free to marry at the place specified on the marriage licence.


Make a Statutory Declaration
As part of completing the application form for a marriage licence, you need
• to make a statutory declaration. Either you or your partner will need to make a formal statutory declaration that there is no lawful impediment to the marriage, means that there is no legal reason that you cannot marry,
• that the details you give are true,
• that the bride and groom are not within the "prohibited degrees of relationship" and
• that - where relevant - parental consent has been given.


Complete the form
Once you have completed the form, signed the statutory declaration and had it witnessed you send the form to the New Zealand Registrar of Marriages closest to where you intend to marry. You should advise the Registrar of the date that you intend to collect the marriage licence (this must be at least three days after your completed form reaches the Registry).


Get your birth certificate
You will need an officially certified English copy of your birth certificate.


Pay for your Marriage Licence
• Marriage conducted at the Registry office
If you wish to be married by a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages at the Registry Office, you must pay a fee of $NZ120.00 when you send in or hand over the completed form.
• Marriage conducted by minister or civil celebrant outside of a registry office
The licence fee is $NZ80.00 The name of the celebrant must be given on the form in order for your licence to be issued. The celebrant must be registered to conduct marriages in New Zealand.


Collect and use your Marriage Licence
A marriage licence is normally issued three calendar days after the Notice of Intended Marriage form is submitted and the fee is paid.
Your marriage licence is valid for three months from the date on which it is issued. During that period you are free to marry at the place specified on the marriage licence.