Telling
the Time
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 last Sunday in September and ends on the first
Sunday of the following April, when clocks are put back
to GMT+12.
The Spoken Word
English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand.
New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and you may hear
many other languages spoken, including Maori, which is also
an official language of New Zealand.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand
New Zealand is an extremely popular summer destination,
both for overseas and domestic visitors. Tourism New Zealand
strongly recommends you book at least your first two nights
accommodation during the months of January, February and
March to avoid disappointment. It's a good idea to make
contact with the local i-SITE visitor centre in the region
you are travelling to, and discuss with them whether late
bookings will be available. Summer
and winter temperatures vary by only about 10ºC over
most of the country, making New Zealand an ideal holiday
destination all year round. New Zealand has four quite
distinct seasons - Spring (Sept-Nov), Summer (Dec-Feb),
Autumn/Fall (Mar-May) and Winter (June-Aug). In summer
there's plenty of sunshine, and activities in and around
the water include rafting, snorkelling, diving and kayaking.
You'll find snow on the mountains in winter and excellent
skiing. Away from the mountains, New Zealand winters are
mild and temperatures generally do not fall below freezing.
What's
the climate like?
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 and generally fairly mild.
That
said, on any given day the weather and temperature can
change unexpectedly and sometimes dramatically. You should
be prepared for that, particularly if you are going hiking
or doing other outdoor activities.
What
clothes should I take?
Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart
casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and
night-spots. 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 jacket and sweater should be included in your
luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher
altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a
light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting between May
and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your
clothing.
Do
I need a passport or visa to enter New Zealand?
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that
is valid for at least three months beyond the date you
intend to leave the country.
Most
visitors who intend to stay for less than three months
do not require a visa. If you want to stay longer than
three months, or your country of origin does not have
a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand, then you will
need to apply for a Visitor's Visa.
Read
our Passports and Visas section carefully, and if you
need more information look at the Immigration New Zealand
website or the New Zealand Embassy website.
Can
I use my credit cards/ATM cards in New Zealand?
All major international credit cards can be used in New
Zealand and Travellers Cheques are accepted at hotels,
banks and some stores. If your credit card is encoded
with a PIN number you will be able to withdraw cash from
automatic teller machines (ATMs) situated at banks and
shopping centres throughout the country. If possible only
withdraw small amounts of cash at a time and always shield
your PIN number.
Credit cards with "Smart Card" technology
Smart cards are payment cards that carry an embedded microchip
allowing them to store encrypted, confidential information,
and carry multiple applications from different industries
alongside debit, credit, or prepaid payment applications.
Please note these cards, which often have no magnetic
strip, are not accepted everywhere in New Zealand. You
may experience problems using these cards, and we therefore
recommend you contact you card provider for further information
before arriving in New Zealand.
Are
there any poisonous animals in New Zealand?
New Zealand has no snakes or dangerous wild animals, making
it safe for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities.
Is
it safe to drink the water in New Zealand?
New Zealand cities and towns have excellent water supplies
and in all cases tap water is fresh and safe to drink.
Water from rivers and lakes should be boiled, chemically
treated or filtered before drinking to avoid stomach upsets.
What
is the voltage of electricity supply in New Zealand? Do
I need to take a converter?
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 adapter/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.
What
rental car agencies are in New Zealand?
The main international companies such as Avis, Hertz and
Budget operate in New Zealand. There are also local rental
companies.
Where
are the international airports located in New Zealand?
New Zealand's international airports are at Auckland,
Wellington and Christchurch. Some flights from Australia
also land at Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and
Dunedin. You'll find more information about New Zealand
airports in the Getting to and Around New Zealand section.
When
is the best time to go trekking/hiking in New Zealand?
Tracks such as the Abel Tasman, Heaphy and Queen Charlotte
Sounds Walkway located at the top of the South Island
can be walked all year round. However, those tracks at
higher altitudes such as the world famous Milford Track,
Kepler and Routeburn are closed in the winter due to snow.
You must book to walk the Milford and Routeburn tracks,
which are open between October and April.
Should
I go on a guided walk or an independent walk?
If you like hot showers and other home comforts, you should
book a guided walk. But if you don't mind 'roughing it
a bit' then try independent walking, carrying your own
pack and staying in basic huts or tents. If
you wish to walk the popular Routeburn and Milford Tracks,
you will need to book through the Department of Conservation's
Great Walks Booking Office. Email greatwalksbooking@doc.govt.nz
for further information or fax +64 3 2498 515.
What
types of accommodation are available in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers a wide range of accommodation options
from top-class hotels, exclusive lodges, motels, guest
houses, and farm or homestays to holiday parks and backpacker
hostels. You might also like the freedom to discover New
Zealand at your own pace in a campervan. Two, four or
six berth vans are available to rent, offering all the
comforts of home including a shower, refrigerator and
microwave. See our Accommodation section for more information.
Do
I need to pre-book accommodation and transport?
It's a good idea to book at least your first two nights
of accommodation in advance, especially during the busy
summer period in New Zealand - from December to February.
Booking transport in advance is also recommended, especially
in summer. Visit the local Visitor Information Centre
to book further travel.
What
is a 'Farmstay'?
Farm and homestays are an ideal way to get to meet local
people and experience a slice of New Zealand rural life.
Depending on the kind of farm, you may get the chance
to share home cooked meals with your hosts and join in
with milking cows, shearing sheep, lambing, kiwifruit
harvesting or whatever else is happening on the farm.
Which
international hotel chains operate in New Zealand?
A wide range of international hotel brands operate in
New Zealand including;
Accor
Group - (Ibis, Mecure Grand, Mecure, Novotel and Sofitel)
Carlton
Choice - (Comfort Inns and Quality Inns)
Grand Chancellor
Hilton
Hyatt
InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn
Langham
Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate
Peppers
Rydges
Outrigger
Stamford Plaza
Where
is the capital of New Zealand?
Wellington is the political, banking and financial centre
for New Zealand. The Parliament building known as the
'Beehive' is one of the city's top attractions. The National
Archives, National Library and Old Government Buildings
(the second largest wooden building in the world) are
located nearby and are open to casual visitors free of
charge.
What
is a 'Kiwi'?
The kiwi, New Zealand's national emblem, is a flightless
bird with hair-like feathers and a long, slender bill
which it uses to pull worms and insects out of the ground.
Found only in New Zealand, it is active at night in the
wilderness areas of the country. Be sure to visit one
of the many kiwi houses where you can watch them under
special 'nocturnal' lighting.
New
Zealanders often refer to themselves as Kiwis, and the
term is also used as a short form for the famous kiwifruit.
On the stock exchange, the New Zealand Dollar is also
referred to as 'the kiwi'.
What
kind of night-life is available in New Zealand?
Lively DJ and band scenes, particularly in the larger
cities, have given New Zealand's night life a renewed
vibrancy. You will find a variety of night-clubs, cabarets,
pubs, concerts and live performances to choose from, and
there are also four casinos, in Auckland, Christchurch,
Dunedin and Queenstown.
What
types of activities are available for children?
If you are thinking about visiting with your family, you
can be confident that New Zealand has a wide range of
activities to keep your children happy.
New
Zealand's parks and large areas of unspoilt wilderness
are ideal places to expand your children's appreciation
of wildlife and the outdoors. Horse riding, snow activities,
whale watching, fruit picking and wildlife centres and
zoos are just some of the choices available.
If
you are visiting the larger centres, you will find a range
of themed attractions including Rainbow's End (Auckland),
Splash Planet (Hastings), Marine Land (Napier) and the
International Antarctic Centre (Christchurch). Te Papa,
New Zealand's interactive national museum, has a range
of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including
Story Place, a haven for small children.
Most
family restaurants have childrens' menus and high chairs.
Many cafes also have high chairs, and a toy basket to
amuse babies and toddlers is becoming increasingly common
in both cafes and shops. Most public gardens have well
equipped play areas for young children, as do many holiday
parks. Adventure playlands such as Chipmunks or Lollipop's
Playland are always popular with the very young —
these can be found in most main centres.
When
are School Holidays in New Zealand?
The most up to date details for School Holidays in New Zealand
can be found at www.moe.govt.nz.
Health Services
Public and private health facilities have a high standard
of treatment and care. Larger hotels and motels often have
a local doctor on call; otherwise, doctors and other medical
services are listed in the front of the telephone directory.
Accident Compensation and Personal InsuranceV
isitors are covered by the Government-run scheme for personal
injury by accident. Claims may be lodged with the Accident
Compensation and Rehabilitation Insurance Corporation (ACC)
irrespective of fault. Some medical/hospital expenses and
physical disability compensation are covered, but not loss
of earnings outside New Zealand. Actions for damages may
not be brought, and personal travel insurance should therefore
cover accidents. Medical services are not free. Accident
care is subsidised. ACC does not cover any medical treatment
relating to illness.
Pharmaceuticals and Medicines
Available from chemists during normal shopping hours. Most
cities have urgent dispensaries open outside these hours,
listed in the front of the telephone book under Hospitals.
Chemists also sell cosmetics and insect and sun protections.
A certificate for Customs is advised if visitors plan to
bring pharmaceuticals into the country. Many drugs sold
over the counter in other countries are often not available
without a prescription.
Provisions for Travellers with Special Needs
It
is best to check availability prior to arrival, or to contact
the Disability Resource Centre (phone number at the end
of this section), which will have a list of the accessible
facilities and services at your destination. Some major
carriers have excellent provision for people with disabilities,
but all prefer advance notice of your access needs so they
may prepare in advance.
If you are a tourist from outside of New Zealand and propose
to acquire and use a car for your stay, Mobility Parking
Permits are available from branches of New Zealand CCS,
which are in all the main centres. Addresses are on their
website www.ccs.org.nz. These permits also allow parking
in other time-limited parking areas for an extra period
that varies with each local parking authority. These concessions
do not apply in privately owned parking facilities.
Under New Zealand law, guide and hearing dogs may accompany
you anywhere there is public access. Tourists from the UK,
Australia, Sweden, Singapore, Ireland, Hawaii and Norway
do not have quarantine restrictions on service dogs. Animals
from other countries must complete up to six months preparation
in the country of origin before arriving in New Zealand.
Further information can be obtained from Disability Resource
Centres. Enable New Zealand, National Office: Ph: 0-6-952
0011 Email: info@enable.co.nz
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