About New Zealand Information
Below is a list of commonly asked questions compiled by my client Green Realm Travel.
Where is New Zealand?
What is the New Zealand Language?
What are the Entry Requirements?
Where are the International Airports located in New Zealand?
What is the Time Zone?
What are New Zealand’s season’s?
What Clothes should we bring?
What is the Currency?
What about Banking?
Can we use our Credit Cards?
What are the Shopping Hours?
Is there a Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
Do we have to pay Departure Tax?
How much Duty Free can I bring into New Zealand?
Do we Tip?
Can we E-Mail during our holiday tour?
What Telephone and mobile phone networks are there?
Is there a Postal Services?
Is New Zealand Safe?
What if I become ill?
Can I drink the Water?
Can I swim in New Zealand?
Do I need Sun Protection?
Are there Disabled Facilities?
What is the Voltage?
1. Where is New Zealand?
New Zealand is located in the South Pacific, not far from Australia.
2. What is the New Zealand Language?
English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand. New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and during luxury vacations visitors may hear many other languages spoken, including Maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.
3. What are the Entry Requirements?
Entry to New Zealand is granted to visitors who intend to visit as a tourist and carry a fully paid return or onward ticket to a country they may enter.
You have to show sufficient funds to maintain yourselves while in the country.
You will require a passport, which must be valid for 3 months beyond end date of your vacation in New Zealand.
You have to hold a valid Visa. Most Europeans and American Citizens receive a tourist Visa upon entry to the country.
Visitors entering New Zealand do not need any vaccination certificates.
All persons arriving in New Zealand must complete an arrival card before passing through immigration and customs. This will be given to you on your incoming flight.
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. Please go to www.immigration.govt.nz for more information.
Quarantine - New Zealand has very strict quarantine regulations. Please do not bring any raw food, fruit, plant material, or soil with you. There are severe penalties if you do.
4. Where are the International Airports located in New Zealand?
New Zealand's International Airports are at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch most International flights will land at Auckland. Some flights from Australia also land at Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Dunedin.
5. What is the Time Zone?
New Zealand is the first in the world to see the sun, and is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Summer is from November to March and winter from June to August.
6. What are New Zealand’s season’s?
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. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 10-15ºC.
7. What Clothes should we bring?
New Zealand is a very casual country and the weather can be unpredictable. Bring comfortable shoes and casual clothes, (shorts and T-shirts, sweaters and a waterproof jacket). 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 included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit the high country. Pack warm winter clothing if visiting between May and September. Layer your clothing.
8. What is the Currency?
New Zealand currency is decimal; Dollar notes are in denomination of five, ten, twenty, fifty and hundred. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be bought in or taken out of New Zealand for your luxury vacations. You can pay with credit card, bank notes, traveller’s cheques and coins. Money exchange facilities are available in banks, hotels and airports. Calculate your currency into NZ Dollars
9. What about Banking?
Banks are generally open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm from Monday to Friday. New Zealand offers a very advanced banking system and a nearly cashless community. In all cities and most small towns you will find banks or ATM machines that accept international bank and credit cards.
10. Can we use our Credit Cards?
All major international credit cards are accepted such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and to a lesser extent Diners Club. If you are unsure, please let us know which bank you use and we will check its availability. If your bank or credit card is encoded with a pin number and has an international acceptance mark on it such as Visa, Plus, MasterCard or Maestro, you will be able to get money at any ATM machine.
11. What are the Shopping Hours?
Stores and shops are usually open from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm Monday through to Friday (most supermarkets in the cities are open between 8.00am - 9:00pm and 9.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday and Sunday). Shops in cities and tourist areas are open longer than in rural areas, usually 7 days a week. It all depends on the demand.
12. Is there a Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
All goods and services purchased in New Zealand are subject to a 12.5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is usually included in the displayed price. Visitors are unable to claim back refunds on this tax.
13. Do we have to pay Departure Tax?
All international air passengers have to pay a departure tax of $25.00NZ in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
14. How much Duty Free can I bring into New Zealand?
You are permitted to carry 1 Bottle of 1125ml spirits (see below for Over Allowance Conditions)
4.5 litres of Wine, port, Sherry, Champagne (six bottles) or beer (12 cans).
200 cigarettes or 250 gms of tobacco or 50 cigars
NZ $700 of other goods purchased Duty Free or overseas.
New Zealand duty free - Over Allowance:
Provided you have not purchased personal goods of a total value exceeding $700, you may bring in an additional 2 bottles of spirits, or other combinations of alcoholic beverage on which less than $50 duty/GST is collectable. These additional bottles must be declared when you clear Customs at the Airport you arrive at. The over-allowance does not apply to tobacco products. Please note that Duty Free Allowances can not be shared between travelers.
15. Do we Tip?
It is not normal practice to tip or give gratuities and it is not expected. If you feel that you have received special service or help then it is at your discretion. There are no service charges added to bills in hotels or restaurants.
16. Can we E-Mail during our holiday tour?
There are plenty of internet and e-mail centres located in most major cities and nearly any accommodation on our New Zealand luxury vacations will offer you the use of their connections.
17. What telephone and mobile phone networks are there?
All international telecommunications are readily available in New Zealand. There is an excellent network throughout the country. Public telephones use either coins (20 cents) or phone cards, which are widely available from stationery stores, post offices, tourist offices and supermarkets. Most international mobile phones will work in New Zealand.
18. Is there a Postal Services?
Post Offices are open during business working hours and in some city centres on Saturdays. In more remote towns the general store often has a post shop service.
19. Is New Zealand safe?
In New Zealand you are responsible for your own safety. With anything you plan to do, even a guided tour, you will need to use your own judgment when it comes to safety. You cannot sue anybody for your own misjudgment. New Zealand has no snakes or dangerous wild animals, making it safe for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities.
20. What if I become ill?
New Zealand’s medical & hospital facilities, both public and private, provide a high standard of treatment and care. It is important to note that medical services are not free to visitors (Except as a result of an accident). We recommend personal travel insurance.
21. Can I drink the water?
Throughout the country it is safe to drink tap water. It is fresh and has been treated to remove impurities. Water in streams and lakes should still be boiled before consumption. Fresh and pure spring water can be found in many places.
22. Can I swim in New Zealand?
Water temperatures for swimming in the ocean vary greatly depending on where you are in New Zealand. In the summer you will find it very comfortable to go into the water.
23. Do I need sun protection?
Be sure you bring plenty of high SPF sunscreen. The burn time is usually around 10 minutes in the summertime and even with just a mild 20º C you will need good protection on a clear day. The motto here is slip, slop and slap (slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat)
24. Are there disabled facilities?
The law requires that every new building and major reconstruction provide reasonable and adequate access for people with disabilities. Every motel and hotel must have units with accessible facilities. A Green Realm Travel New Zealand holiday tour is highly interactive and with this in mind we do not recommend that any person with a significant physical disability undertake a tour.
25. What is the voltage?
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.
