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New Zealand Information

Overview

New Zealand is a unique land of breathtaking scenery. Craggy coastlines, sweeping golden beaches, verdant rainforests, snow-capped alpine mountains, gurgling volcanic pools, fuming active volcanoes, flashing fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes compete for attention, all beneath a brilliant blue sky. Pair this with a thriving indigenous culture, bustling cosmopolitan cities, traditional towns and friendly people with a distinct lust for life and you have an outstanding and unusual combination.

New Zealand is spread over several small islands. The more developed North Island is home to the main cities, whilst the vast empty spaces of South Island are best for escaping the crowds. Tiny, undeveloped Stewart Island is reminiscent of how New Zealand must have looked before the arrival of people.

Getting around is easy as the country has a modern and efficient transport network, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. The plant and animal life are also excellent offering opportunities to see the varied birdlife (including kiwis), seals, dolphins and whales.

Enjoy the chance to explore two of the richest New World wine regions on the planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on moody beaches, tramp through the national parks or over alpine passes on well-maintained, beautifully sited tracks.

The country is also perfect for every kind of outdoor activity. Not surprisingly, some of the world’s most cutting-edge adventure activities originated in New Zealand. Try bungee jumping, caving or white-water rafting. Or if that is not your bag, immerse yourself in culture in the museums and galleries of New Zealand’s main cities - Auckland, Christchurch and the capital Wellington.

New Zealand was first settled at least 1,000 years ago by the Polynesian Maori, a well ordered tribal society. The first European arrival was Dutchman Abel Tasman in 1642, although it was not until the voyages of Captain James Cook, in 1769 and 1779, that the islands were charted and explored.

Since then the country has developed into one of the cleanest, greenest, most popular places to live and visit. Tourist numbers rocketed around the release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which showcased New Zealand’s fantastic scenery to a worldwide audience.

Author

Anthony Mudd

Top Things To See

In Auckland, enjoy fantastic views of the city, its beaches, the coast and the mountains from the distinctive Sky Tower. It is also possible for the particularly brave tourist to abseil down the side of the building to the street (a drop of over 100m/328ft).

Hang out on Auckland’s Karangahape Road, New Zealand’s funkiest street, eat along Ponsonby Road and check out Otara Market for the country’s finest expression of Polynesian culture. Search out the Maori and Pacific Island collection at the Auckland Museum.

In Rotorua’s arts centre, see how young Maori learn the skills of traditional bone, wood and greenstone carving. Visit a Marae (a Maori meeting house) and enjoy a concert of traditional songs, the haka (a Maori challenge usually witnessed before All Black rugby matches) and a hangi (a delicious feast cooked in an earth oven).

Visit the bubbling mud pools and performing geyser at Wai-O-Tapu to see the best of Rotorua’s thermal attractions. Check out the volcanoes at Tongariro to see the explosive power of these eruptions.

In Napier, immerse yourself in art deco. Razed by an earthquake in 1931 and subsequently rebuilt in the art deco style of the time, this laid-back coastal town now boasts one of the world’s finest collections of lovingly preserved art deco buildings.

Relax in the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch, whose neo-gothic architecture is reminiscent of an old English university town. Visit the Christchurch Art Gallery, New Zealand’s newest major gallery, which is home to an impressive collection of local, home-grown art.

Discover New Zealand’s wildlife: Go birdwatching at Taiaroa Head (near Dunedin), known for colonies of royal albatrosses, and Stewart Island, where kiwis can be observed. Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay is the only gannet colony in the world. In Dunedin, in the Otago Peninsula, see rare yellow-eyed penguins, royal albatross and fur seals.

See Wellington’s star attraction, the spectacular Te Papa Museum of New Zealand (website: www.tepapa.govt.nz), on the city’s pretty waterfront. Window shop and people watch on ‘alternative’ Cuba Street, stroll through the Botanic Gardens and tramp up to the top of Mount Victoria for panoramic views.

In the forests of the Northland Forest Park, see some of the world’s oldest trees, including the famous kauri, many of which date back centuries.

Explore the Southern Alps around Aoraki Mount Cook, where short walks repay the effort of steep climbs with outstanding views over alpine glaciers, snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear lakes. If that all seems like to much effort, take the TranzAlpine train and enjoy one of the world’s finest rail trips, journeying coast to coast through the Alps.

In Queenstown, test your nerves on any of the many adrenaline-fuelled activities on offer in New Zealand’s main centre for outdoor sports, then retreat to the shores of Lake Wakatipu, beneath giant craggy mountains to draw breath.

Check out the fjords that indent the lower west coast of South Island. Cruise around Milford Sound in the shadow of iconic Mitre Peak or dive into its icy-cold waters to see red and black corals. Kayak around Doubtful Sound to escape the crowds and enjoy similarly stunning scenery.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

Take the plunge: this is the world’s prime destination for bungee jumping. Famous jump-off points include the Kawarau River Bridge, the Skippers Bridge, the Pipeline, the Ledge (near Queenstown), Taupo and Mangaweka (North Island) and Hanmer Springs (South Island). Also try bridge swinging, falling then swinging along a gorge whilst harnessed to a cable.

Test your paragliding skills; beginner’s courses are available near Queenstown and Wanaka, while experienced paragliders head to Christchurch, the Daney Pass or Wanaka.

Experiment with zorbing, which involves being strapped into an inflatable transparent plastic ball that is then rolled down a grassy hill or onto a river. Queensland is a good place for this.

Opt for jetboating, another New Zealand invention, which consists of high-speed boat trips in special power boats. It is popular on many of the country’s best-known rivers, including Queenstown’s Shotover River and on the Waikato River beneath the Huka Falls.

Take advantage of New Zealand’s long coastline and ideal conditions for swimming, diving and windsurfing. The Poor Knights Islands (near Whangarei) are particularly renowned among divers. For many more suggestions, contact New Zealand Underwater (website: www.nzunderwater.org.nz).

Go surfing, with some of the best breaks located at Mahia Peninsula (near Gisborne), Murawai, Palliser Bay (near Wellington) and Piha,. You can also ride one of the best left hand breaks in the world at Raglan.

Go swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands (north of Auckland), the Coromandel Peninsula, Kaikoura (South Island) and Whakatane. Whale watching is also possible on the eastern coast of South Island all year but with most sightings from April to August. Contact Whale Watch (website: www.whalewatch.co.nz).

Go sailing and yachting in Auckland - ‘the city of sails’. Excursions to the remote maritime reserves in the Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf and Marlborough Sounds are also possible.

Seek the thrill of white-water rafting. Popular rivers include the Wairora (near Tauranga), the Mohaka (in Hawke’s Bay) and the Kaituna (near Rotorua), which features the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall at 7m (23ft). Black-water rafting through underground caves is also available. Tackle the 3-5 day Whanganui River Journey to see some of North Island’s finest scenery.

Hit the slopes for skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering from June to October. On North Island, the best ski regions are on Mount Ruapehu. Other good slopes are found in the Southern Lakes region and Mount Hutt. Alternatively, g lacier ski and glacier walk in the Southern Alps.

Go caving: the Waitomo Caves, whose ‘Lost World’ cave can be abseiled into through shafts of sunlight, are the most visited. Also available is cave rafting or tubing, where participants float through the cave system on custom-made tyres keeping an eye out for glowworms.

Go fishing: brown and rainbow trout are particularly popular. Salmon fishing is best in the Rakaia, Rangitata, Waimakariri and Waitaki rivers. For further information on seasons and permits, contact the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association (website: www.nzpfga.com).

Tramp though stunning national parks and protected forest areas. Popular walks include the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the Lake Waikaremoana Track, the world-famous Milford Track and the remote Rakiura Track. Contact the Department of Conservation (DOC) (website: www.doc.govt.nz) for more information.

Enjoy a tipple or three in the wine-growing region of Hawke’s Bay. Around 70 wineries allow visitors in to sample the region’s respected red wines, particularly Pinot Noir. The Marlborough province also has world-class, new-world wineries producing white, sharp Chardonnay and crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Visit the whisky distilleries of Dunedin (Gaelic for Edinburgh), reputedly the world’s southernmost distillery. It’s located at the bottom of South Island, which has strong Scottish roots and retain a distinctive Celtic flavour.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

New Zealand has a reputation as a leading producer of meat and dairy produce with lamb, beef and pork on most menus. Venison is also widely available. A variety of fish is available, including snapper, grouper and John Dory. Seasonal delicacies such as whitebait, oysters, crayfish, scallops and game birds are recommended. New Zealand is also establishing a reputation for French-type cheeses: bleu de Bresse, brie, camembert and montagne bleu.

Things to know: Picnic areas with barbecue facilities are provided at roadside sites. Restaurants are usually informal except very exclusive ones. Waiter service is normal, but self-service and fast-food chains are available. Some restaurants invite customers to ‘BYO’ (bring your own liquor). Bars have counter service and public bars are very informal. Lounge bars and ‘house bars’ (for hotel guests only) are sometimes more formal and occasionally have table service. There is some variation in licensing hours in major cities and some hotel bars open Sunday, providing a meal is eaten. In most hotels and taverns, licensing hours are 1100-2300 except Sunday.

National specialities:
• Kumara (native sweet potato) in Auckland.
• Feijoa (local fruit) and golden-fleshed Zespri Gold kiwi fruit from the Bay of Plenty.
• Battered fish and chips from Gisbourne.
• Salmon and green-lipped mussels from Marlborough.
• Paua (abalone) from Stewart Island.
• Toheroa (clam) from Ninety Mile Beach.

National drinks:
New Zealand boasts world-class domestic wines and beers, some of which have won international awards. A wide range of domestic and imported wines, spirits and beers is available from hotel bars, ‘liquor stores’ and wine shops.
• Merlot (Auckland and Wairarapa), Chardonnay (Bay of Plenty, Gisbourne, Wairarapa and Canterbury), Pinot Gris and Noir (Auckland, Wairarapa, Marlborough and Central Otago), Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough and Wairarapa).
• New Zealand draught beer and lager.

Legal drinking age: The minimum drinking age in a bar is 18.

Tipping: Service charges and taxes are not added to hotel or restaurant bills. Tips are not expected.

Nightlife

New Zealand has an active and varied entertainment industry. Theatres offer good entertainment ranging from drama, comedy and musicals to pop concerts and shows. Concert tickets can be booked online (website: www.ticketek.com). In large cities, there are often professional performers or guest artists from overseas. Visitors should check ‘What’s On’ in local papers. There are also cinemas and a small selection of nightclubs in larger cities.

Shopping

Special purchases include distinctive jewellery made from New Zealand greenstone (a kind of jade) and from the beautiful translucent paua shell. Maori arts and crafts are reflected in a number of items such as the carved greenstone tiki (a unique Maori charm) and intricate woodcarvings often inlaid with paua shell. Other items of note include woollen goods, travel rugs, lambswool rugs, leather and skin products.

Shopping hours: All shops and businesses are open Mon-Sat 0900-1700, as a minimum; there are local variations but many stores and most malls are also open Sun 1000-1300. In resorts, most shops are also open in the evenings.

Climate

Subtropical in the north and temperate in the south. The north has no extremes of heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the south, with snow in the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions in summer; the west, particularly in South Island, has more rain.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens are worn in North Island most of the year and in summer in South Island. Mediumweights are worn during winter in South Island. Rainwear is advisable throughout the year, and essential if visiting South Island’s rainforest areas.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1-2 Jan New Year.
6 Feb Waitangi Day. 
21-24 Mar Easter.
25 Apr ANZAC Day. 
2 Jun Queen’s Birthday.
27 Oct Labour Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2009
1-2 Jan New Year.
6 Feb Waitangi Day. 
10-13 Apr Easter.
25 Apr ANZAC Day. 
1 Jun Queen’s Birthday.
26 Oct Labour Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Note

Each province also observes its particular anniversary day as a holiday.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: No

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: No

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: No

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: No

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

Medical facilities, both public and private, are of a high standard. Telephone numbers for doctors and hospitals are listed at the front of the white pages of local telephone directories. Should you need drugs or pharmaceutical supplies outside normal shopping hours, refer to ‘Urgent Pharmacies’ in the local telephone directory for the location of the nearest pharmacy or check with your hotel. Many hotels have doctors on call.

Long-staying visitors with a valid permit to stay for two or more years are entitled to health care services on the same basis as New Zealand citizens. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK, which entitles short-term British visitors to publicly funded health treatment. They will receive free treatment as a hospital inpatient, but must pay some charges for any services provided by outpatients and private doctors.

Comprehensive medical insurance is strongly recommended before travelling to cover any additional charges. If you intend to participate in adventure activities, such as bungee jumping or white-water rafting, you should ensure that your travel insurance covers these types of activities.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD; symbol: NZ$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of NZ$2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 cents.

Note: In November 2006, the New Zealand Reserve Bank introduced new, smaller 50, 20 and 10 cent coins. The 5 cent coin has been phased out. Old coins can only be exchanged at the Reserve Bank.

Currency Exchange

Exchange facilities are widely available throughout New Zealand.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are common.

Traveller's Cheques

Can be exchanged at official rates at trading banks, large hotels and some shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Australian Dollars.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1630, except public holidays.

Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/2
Return Ticket Required: No

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/3
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Passports

Passport valid for at least one month beyond the intended period of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months except:
1. nationals of the UK who may stay for up to six months;
2. nationals of Australia who may stay indefinitely.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact their nearest New Zealand Immigration Service to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
3. Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien (non-citizen) passports issued by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Validity

Visitor: up to a total maximum of nine months in an 18 month period. Transit: up to 24 hours.

Applications to:

Local New Zealand Immigration Service (see Contact Addresses).

Working Days Required

Dependent on local office – contact for details.

Contact Addresses

New Zealand High Commission in the UK

2nd Floor, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TQ, UK
Tel: (020) 7930 8422.
Website: www.nzembassy.com/uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

New Zealand Immigration Service in the UK

Mezzanine Floor, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TE, UK
Tel: 0906 910 0100 (visa information and immigration service; national calls cost £1 per minute; from outside the UK call Tel: +44 1344 7161 99, charged at normal toll rate).
Website: www.immigration.govt.nz
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1545.

Tourism New Zealand in the UK

Level 7, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TQ, UK
Tel: (020) 7930 1662 or 0906 910 0100 (immigration).
Website: www.newzealand.com

New Zealand Embassy in the USA

37 Observatory Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 328 4800.
Website: www.nzemb.org

Tourism New Zealand in the USA

501 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Tel: (310) 395 7480 or 1 866 639 9325.
Website: www.newzealand.com or www.tourisminfo.govt.nz

Travel Advice

Warning

Travellers visiting remote areas should ensure that their journey details are made known to local authorities or friends/relatives before setting out. New Zealand weather can be treacherous, especially in winter.

Most visits to New Zealand are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

• New Zealand Overview
• New Zealand Things to See
• New Zealand Things to Do
• New Zealand Events
• New Zealand Climate
• New Zealand Public Holidays
• New Zealand Health
• New Zealand Currency
• New Zealand Passport & Visas
• New Zealand Contact Addresses
• New Zealand Travel Advice