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New Zealand - Aotearoa – “land of the white cloud”. This is a land of magnificent scenic beauty that will astound you. You will discover rolling farmlands, thermal geysers, golden beaches, spectacular glaciers and pristine lakes and rivers. The people of New Zealand, often called “Kiwis” after their national symbol the Kiwi Bird, will amaze you with their generosity and friendliness. These travel tips will help you get the most out of your New Zealand vacation.
Your departure tax of NZD25.00 is included in your international airline ticket.
New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere in the Pacific Ocean. Their nearest large neighbor is Australia at about 930 miles to the West.
Since the Maori people named New Zealand ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, climate has been of paramount importance to the people of New Zealand — many of whom make their living from the land. New Zealand has mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall, and many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country. Its climate is dominated by two main geographical features — the mountains and the sea.
New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as 14F in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.
The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south. January and February are the warmest months, and July is the coldest month of the year. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 68F-86F and in winter between 50F-59F. You can check on weather conditions in New Zealand on the New Zealand Met Service website.
New Zealand weather can change unexpectedly. Be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature if you're going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand uses ‘daylight saving’, with clocks 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.
For U.S. citizens, a visa is not required to enter New Zealand, however you passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date.
3 pin plugs, 230/240 volts, 50Hz. Most motels and hotels will have 100 volt AC sockets for electric razors but other than that you will need adapters.
It is not customary to tip in New Zealand but if you feel your server performed well you are welcome to tip.
New Zealand offers a huge variety of shopping from exclusive designer stores and arts and crafts markets to large chain stores. Most shops and businesses are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; most are open on Saturdays and some on Sundays.
Kiwis dress informally on most occasions. Be sure to pack layered clothing all year round with a waterproof jacket so you’re prepared for any changes in weather.
New Zealand has an excellent health care and hostipal system. No vaccinations are required but we do strongly suggest travel insurance to all travelers to cover the cost of emergencies and medical services
should they be needed.
New Zealand banks are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Some are also during weekends. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. Check with your bank before leaving home.
The predominant religions practiced in New Zealand include Catholic, Anglican and Christian though most other religions are also practiced.
There are a range of ways to stay in touch. Internet cafes are everywhere but you can also access the internet at most hotels and libraries. Cell phones can be rented and public phones are great for local calls that are a flat rate and untimed. Public phones accept New Zealand coins, credit cards and some calling cards.
Westbound flights appear to be the worst for jet lag but many people report feelings of jet lag with any long haul flights. To prevent feeling the worse for wear when you arrive at your destination try the following tips:
Be well rested before boarding your flight, drink plenty of fluids and cut back on the alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. Try to exercise by stretching in your seat or strolling the isle. One of the best tips is to try to set your body clock to your destination’s time while in flight.
Driving in New Zealand is easy. The roads are comparatively uncrowded and the tourist routes are generally of a high standard. All roads are signposted and the main roads are sealed. Driving is on the left. You will need your US drivers license. An International Drivers License is not necessary.
New Zealand is one of the safest travel destinations in the world, with a relatively low crime rate, few endemic diseases and a great healthcare and accident compensation system. However, you should observe the same precautions with your personal safety and your possessions as you would in any other country or at home.
The emergency telephone number in New Zealand is 111. It is a free phone call. If you have an emergency and need a quick response from the Police, the Fire Service, Ambulance or Search and Rescue, dial 111.
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