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Across our incredible country, you can find everything from untamed wilderness to rich culture. There's more to find in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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New Zealand

Travel Advisory September 8, 2023

New zealand - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with removal of major event information.          

Exercise normal precautions in New Zealand.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to New Zealand.

If you decide to travel to New Zealand:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
• Review the  Country Security Report  for New Zealand.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .  

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Three months beyond the planned date of departure from New Zealand.

One page required for entry stamp.

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) or visa is required.

Border Cash Report required for New Zealand Dollars (NZD) $10,000 or more in cash or foreign equivalent.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Consulate General Auckland Citigroup Centre, 3rd Floor, 23 Customs Street East Auckland, New Zealand Telephone: +(64) (9) 303-2724 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(64) (4) 462-6000 Fax: +(64) (9) 303-1069 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Embassy Wellington 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon Wellington, New Zealand Telephone: +(64) (4) 462-6000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(64) (4) 462-6000 Fax: +(64) (4) 499-0490

Consular services to U.S. citizens are available only at the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland. Consular services are unavailable at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington even in case of emergency. Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland for consular assistance.

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA):

• U.S. citizens traveling to or transiting through New Zealand under the visa waiver program are required to have an  NZeTA . This is also true for cruise ship passengers. It can take up to 72 hours to process an NZeTA so apply well in advance of your trip. The NZeTA is valid for multiple visits for up to two years.
• If your NZeTA application is denied, you will need to apply for a visa. Visit the Embassy of New Zealand website for the most current visa information.

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL):

• U.S. citizens traveling to New Zealand for tourism, certain student programs, and short-term business trips are required to pay an  International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) . This levy is assessed when a person applies for an NZeTA or New Zealand visa. The IVL is not required of passengers that are transiting New Zealand on a transit visa or transit ETA.

Arrival Information:

• A customs officer at the port of entry into New Zealand may examine items such as mobile phones, iPads, Android tablets, hard drives, laptops, and digital cameras. The officer may ask for your password or ask you to enter it. Fines of up to NZD $5,000 may be enforced for failure to comply. Passwords are not kept, nor is personal data altered.
• New Zealand has very strict biosecurity procedures  to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases. All biosecurity-risk goods must be declared or disposed of in marked amnesty bins at airports and seaports. If you do not declare goods considered to be a biosecurity risk, such as honey, fresh fruit, seeds, and plants, you can receive an immediate fine of NZD $400.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to, or foreign residents of, New Zealand. 

Cook Islands: Cook Islands is self-governing in free association with New Zealand. U.S. citizen visitors do not require an entry permit for stays up to 31 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months past the arrival date in the Cook Islands.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Crime: The crime rate in New Zealand is relatively low, but theft from cars, recreational vehicles, and hostels is common, especially in areas frequented by tourists.

Do not leave passports or other valuable items in unattended vehicles.

Violent crime against tourists is rare; however, if you are traveling alone, you should remain vigilant and be cautious in secluded areas.

International Financial Scams:  See the   Department of State  and the   FBI   pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in New Zealand. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:  

• Romance/Online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Grandparent/Relative targeting 

Victims of Crime:  For emergencies please dial 111 for Police, Fire and Ambulance. For non-emergencies please dial 105 for Police, and contact the U.S. Consulate General Auckland at +64 4 462 6000.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

If you are on the Cook Islands, the emergency police number is 999.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

How we can assist:

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent 
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion 
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution 
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home 
• Replace a stolen or lost passport 

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Consulate General for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules [with regards to best practices and safety inspections] are regularly enforced.  Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in New Zealand are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

In New Zealand, driving under the influence could land you in jail. Roadside sobriety checks by police are common. The blood alcohol limit in New Zealand is lower than that in most U.S. states.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Consulate General immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Natural Disasters and Weather Conditions: Natural disasters occur in New Zealand and include earthquakes, tsunamis, volcano eruptions, and cyclones. In addition, weather conditions can change quickly leaving you stranded or injured, particularly if you are in an isolated area.

• For information on how to prepare for a crisis visit our webpage  Crisis and Disaster Abroad: Be Ready.
• For information on seasonal storms visit New Zealand’s  Meteorological Service  for a Tropical Cyclone bulletin with updated warnings.
• Monitor meteorological websites such as the  Joint Typhoon Warning Center .
• Visit  MetService  for forecasts and official warnings.
• Visit  The Department of Homeland Security  and the  CDC  websites for information on how to prepare for a specific natural disaster.
• Always follow the advice of local authorities.

On December 9, 2019, the volcano on Whakaari/White Island erupted while tourists were visiting. This led to numerous casualties, including deaths of U.S. citizens. The volcano remains active and further eruptions are possible. Avoid Whakaari/White Island and follow the advice of local authorities.

There are many areas in New Zealand with active volcanoes. Tourists are encouraged to visit GeoNet for up-to-date information on volcanic alert levels, as well as other geological hazards in New Zealand. As always, follow the advice of local authorities.

The National Emergency Management Agency provides timely information to citizens and visitors through an  Emergency Mobile Alert . This service is broadcast from local cell towers to all capable phones in the area and is designed to provide targeted messaging to areas affected by serious hazards. Messages will only be sent when there is a serious threat to life, health, or property.

Adventure Sports: Injuries and death can result from participating in extreme adventure sports, such as bungee jumping, sky diving, hiking, rappelling, climbing, motorcycling, and kayaking. Use caution and common sense when engaging in these activities. Make sure you have travel medical insurance and that it covers your sport.

Never participate in adventure sports alone. Always carry identification and let someone else know where you are at all times. Before kayaking, check the river conditions and wear a life jacket. When hiking, rappelling, or climbing, carry a first aid kit and know the location of the nearest rescue center.

Visit the  New Zealand Department of Conservation  website for advice and direction on how to safely and legally hike, bike, etc. in New Zealand.

Imports: New Zealand is an island nation, and the government is serious about preserving its delicate ecosystem. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) strictly regulates what can be imported into New Zealand.

• If you do not declare goods that could be quarantined, you can be fined up to NZD $100,000 and/or face up to five years in prison.
• If you do not declare goods considered to be a biosecurity risk, such as honey, fresh fruit, seeds, and plants, you can receive an instant fine of NZD $400.
• When importing a pet, you will need thorough veterinary documentation and a quarantine period will be required.
• The MPI may seize and destroy unfinished wood products, used hiking shoes, gardening tools, fresh food items, and items such as used pet carriers. Thoroughly clean any hiking equipment or sports gear prior to your arrival in New Zealand.

For more information visit the  Biosecurity New Zealand  website.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in New Zealand.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities:  The law in New Zealand prohibits discrimination against persons with physical disability or impairment; any other loss or abnormality of psychological or anatomical structure or function; reliance on a guide dog, wheelchair, or other remedial means; and the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing illness. The law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility may include accessible facilities, information, and access to services. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, and general infrastructure. 

• Every new building and major reconstruction in New Zealand must provide "reasonable and adequate" access for individuals with disabilities, but be aware that most buildings pre-date this requirement. Most facilities have wheelchair access.
• Many transport operators can provide accessible transport, but most need advance notice so you may want to call ahead to describe your needs. Mobility parking permits are available.
• If you are planning a holiday and need information on facilities for individuals with disabilities, please visit the  New Zealand Tourism  website.
• Rental, repair and replacement parts for aids/equipment/devices may be limited. Service providers, such as sign language interpreters or personal assistants are available in many areas. 
• For more information on the availability of disability services in New Zealand, please visit the disability section of the New Zealand Ministry of Health website.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .  

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Travelers and crew do not need pre-departure tests or proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand. Please check with your airline or cruise provider as they may still require proof of vaccination.

For emergency services in New Zealand, dial 111 .

Ambulance services and quality medical care are widely available in New Zealand. Waiting lists exist for certain types of treatment. Access to medical care may be less available in rural areas.    We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. If they do not, consider emergency or comprehensive traveler’s insurance. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the government of New Zealand regulations at New Zealand MedSafe to ensure the medication is legal in New Zealand.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Consulate General maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy:

• If you are considering traveling to New Zealand to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . 
• Although surrogacy agencies/clinics claim surrogacy is legal in New Zealand, there is little legal framework for foreigners or same-sex couples to pursue surrogacy in New Zealand. As a result, surrogacy agreements between foreign or same-sex intending parents and gestational mothers may not be enforced by New Zealand courts. You may be required to adopt the child before you are given parental rights.
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in New Zealand via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s citizenship. Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk criminal prosecution.

Adventure Travel: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel .

General Health Language: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in New Zealand. 

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: While in New Zealand, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Renting a car or a camper is a popular way to enjoy New Zealand's natural beauty, but if you are unfamiliar with local conditions, you should be extremely careful. New Zealand has only 100 miles of multi-lane divided motorways. Most intercity travel is on narrow, two-lane roads. While these roads are in good condition, New Zealand's rugged terrain means motorists often encounter sharper curves and steeper grades than those found on the U.S. Interstate Highway System.

• Use caution to avoid animals when driving in rural areas.
• There is very limited cell phone coverage on large portions of scenic highway in the South Island, which is remote and has little traffic.
• Drivers are advised to review the driving rules and regulations beforehand. For example, pedestrians do not have the right of way except in crosswalks. New Zealand law requires that cars stop at least two meters (approximately 6 feet) from a crosswalk that is in use. Additionally, there is no left-hand turn allowed at a red light. Drivers are reminded to remain cognizant of turning to the left (counterclockwise) when entering traffic circles.

Traffic Laws:  All traffic moves on the left in New Zealand, and you should exercise extra caution if you are accustomed to driving on the right.

• Driving on the wrong side of the road is a leading cause of serious injury and death for U.S. tourists.
• Make sure to follow the posted speed limit signs. The speed limits are much lower than those in the United States.
• Proceed carefully through intersections. Traffic circles are common throughout New Zealand. When approaching a traffic circle, always yield to traffic coming from the right--noting that traffic already in the circle has the right-of-way--and merge to the left into the circle. Left turns on a red traffic signal are not permitted.
• New Zealand prohibits driving while texting as well as driving while using a cell phone.

See our  Road Safety  page for more information. Visit the website of the  New Zealand Transport Agency  for information about safe driving in New Zealand.

Public Transportation: New Zealand has public transport systems in all major cities and some towns. The public transportation system in New Zealand is generally easy to use and reliable.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of New Zealand’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to New Zealand should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the   U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  New Zealand . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

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External Link

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New Zealand Traveller Declaration Whakapuakanga Tangata Haere ki Aotearoa

The New Zealand Traveller Declaration collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information. It aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. It is available for travellers arriving into New Zealand.

What you need to know

• Everyone entering New Zealand needs to submit a declaration.
• It is free and takes about 10 minutes.
• You can do it on the NZTD app or online form, using your phone or computer.
• For air travellers, the earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time you reach passport control in New Zealand.
• For sea travellers, the earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before departing the vessel’s last foreign port prior to arriving in New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time the vessel has berthed at its first port in New Zealand.
• Someone you trust can help you fill it in or do it on your behalf (with your permission).
• A declaration needs to be completed for each traveller, including babies and children.
• Your digital declaration is linked to your passport and is checked when you arrive at the eGate or by a border officer. There is no QR code issued and you don't need to print anything out.
• There is a paper declaration form available, for travellers who cannot complete it online.

Welcoming you to Aotearoa New Zealand

Kia ora, nau mai haere mai.  Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand.  We want to help you understand what you need to do to travel here.  Our home is precious – a taonga. Please help to keep our tangata and our whenua – our people and our land – safe.   We ask everyone travelling to, or returning to New Zealand, to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.  You can do this on our website travellerdeclaration.govt.nz or by downloading the NZTD app.  You’ll be asked some questions about your trip and what’s in your bags. Some items can’t be brought into New Zealand. If in doubt, declare it for inspection. Please answer the questions honestly, otherwise you could be fined. We look forward to welcoming you to Aotearoa New Zealand.   Ka kite anō

Support and resources in other languages .

About the NZTD

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What you will need to complete your digital declaration

Passport details

Contact details in New Zealand

Travel history from the last 30 days

Travel details

Information about what you're bringing into New Zealand

Visa or NZeTA, if you need one

Travelling by sea

Travellers arriving by sea on any maritime vessel can complete a digital New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD):

• Small craft
• Diplomatically-cleared
• New Zealand Defence Force

Before you travel

Avoid surprises — before you go, find and check your passport, pay your fines and check if there are any special travel requirements for the countries you’re visiting.

Documents you’ll need to leave NZ

You’ll need a passport. If your passport is damaged or close to expiring, you might not be allowed to enter some countries.

Check your passport is valid

The name in your passport must match your tickets and your officially registered name.

Before you travel, check if the country you’re visiting has special rules.

Check visa and entry requirements for your destination

Travel advisories

Travel advisories from the NZ government cover security and safety concerns in 137 places around the world.

The SafeTravel website has tips to help you stay safe overseas, what to do if things go wrong, and how the New Zealand government can or cannot help.

Register with SafeTravel

SafeTravel is the official registration facility for New Zealanders travelling or living overseas.

If you’re registered, SafeTravel can:

• contact you if there is a major incident overseas
• send you updates about emergencies, natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

Get travel insurance

You should get comprehensive travel insurance before heading away. You need to make sure it covers everywhere you’re going, and everything you plan to do.

If you do not have travel insurance, you’ll have to pay any overseas medical costs yourself, including the cost of returning to New Zealand.

Unpaid fines

If you have unpaid fines and try to leave or come into New Zealand, the police can stop you at the airport. You will be allowed to pay by credit card over the phone with a registrar.

If you’re travelling in the next 48 hours and you have fines or reparation you have not paid, call 0800 729 677 to pay with your credit card.

If you get a benefit

You must let Work and Income know your travel plans and your reasons for travel before you leave New Zealand. Partners travelling must also let them know. If you do not, your benefit might stop the day after you leave.

Going overseas to live

If you get NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension

You need to tell Seniors Services that you’re going overseas before you leave NZ.

• If you travel overseas
• Living overseas if you get NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension

If you have a student loan

If you do not meet your repayment obligations, you could be arrested when you return to NZ. Make sure you keep up your student loan payments while you’re overseas or you could be charged interest and penalties.

Going overseas when you have a student loan

If you pay tax

You might need to file a tax return (IR3) that covers the period up to the date you leave NZ. You may also need to file a tax return at a later time showing details of any income you’ve earned overseas or from an NZ source.

Find out if you should file a tax return

If you have tax debt, contact Inland Revenue to discuss the options for paying your debt. The Australian Tax Office can help recover tax debt owed by New Zealanders who move to Australia.

What to do if you have a tax debt

If you pay child support

You must contact IR.

Child support payments

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Last updated 15 October 2021

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On this page:

Covid-19 and international travel.

This COVID-19 travel advice applies to all international travel, in all destinations. If you are planning international travel at this time, please read this advice alongside our destination specific travel advisories .

In line with step two of the Government’s 5-step plan to re-open New Zealand’s borders , at 11:59pm on Friday 4 th of March 2022, we removed the SafeTravel global ‘Do not travel’ advisory and returned to issuing destination-specific travel advisories.

While our borders have reopened, it is important to remember that international travel is different now. Travel has become more complicated and there are additional things you need to think about when planning your trip overseas.

Although many countries now have increasingly high vaccination numbers, any country could continue to experience a sudden outbreak of COVID-19. This may include the emergence of new variants of concern, which may lead to the sudden imposition of strict travel restrictions or health measures that could impact upon your travel plans, and your travel insurance. If you’re heading overseas, it’s important you think about the risks of contracting COVID-19 in your destination. This may mean that you have to remain overseas for longer than you had planned, which may have financial implications for you. We recommend that all New Zealand travellers make contingency plans in case disruptions mean you need to support yourself overseas for longer than you planned.

All travellers also need to be aware of the requirements for returning to New Zealand. You can read more about that on the Unite Against COVID-19 website here .

We advise that New Zealanders overseas follow local health advice and use basic hygiene measures to minimise the risk of exposure. The Ministry of Health provides useful information about protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 .

Vaccination

We encourage all New Zealanders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before travelling anywhere overseas.   From February 28, 2024, International Travel COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates will no longer be available for New Zealanders travelling overseas, as most countries have now lifted their COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements.

There are alternative vaccination records available if people need them for international travel purposes as some countries and territories may still need you to show proof of vaccination.

The My Health Record web portal enables users to generate a record of all their vaccinations, including their COVID-19 vaccinations, and print these if needed.

Travellers are encouraged to check the vaccination entry requirements of their destinations before travelling.

You’re at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 if you’re unvaccinated. Sudden outbreaks of COVID-19 pose an increased risk to you, particularly in destinations with low vaccination coverage. Health services can also be difficult to access in these circumstances.

Other countries border requirements

While many countries and territories have opened up their borders to tourists again, border requirements may be different for each destination. These requirements may also change at short notice, so before you go, it’s important that you are well informed about the requirements for each of the destinations you are travelling to. This includes checking border requirements for the countries you’re visiting or transiting through, and COVID-19 testing and vaccine requirements of airlines and other transport providers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade cannot provide immigration advice about entry, transit or exit requirements for other countries and territories. The border authorities of the country or territory you are travelling to determine your eligibility for entry. Consult the official website or the nearest embassy/consulate of your country or territory of destination to find out about any border controls that may apply to you, before travelling.

 Obtaining comprehensive travel insurance is more important than ever. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

We understand that some travel insurance policies may cover some COVID-19-related claims. However, it’s really important to check the details of your travel insurance as this varies from provider to provider. Your travel insurance may be affected by COVID-19 and may not necessarily cover travel disruption or medical expenses, particularly in the event your travel is disrupted due to government imposed restrictions. New Zealand travel insurance providers usually don’t cover travel to countries or territories set at SafeTravel’s highest travel advisory level “Do not travel” (level 4 of 4), and there may be limited cover for destinations set at “Avoid non-essential travel” (level 3 of 4).

Contact your travel insurer if you have questions or concerns about whether you are covered by your insurance policy for any potential COVID-19 related expenses. We also recommend that you clearly understand how sudden changes to the international travel environment might affect your cover. You also need to ensure that you meet any compulsory insurance requirements put in place by airlines and other transport providers, as well as the border authorities at each of your destinations.

Before you go:

• Read our travel advice for each of the destinations you plan on travelling to. Our country specific advisories provide an essential source of information about other safety and security risks while travelling overseas
• Register your travel plans on SafeTravel so we can send you important information following an emergency
• Visit the  Unite Against COVID-19 website and make sure you understand New Zealand’s entry requirements for when you return
• Obtain your  International Travel Vaccination Certificate and understand how your vaccination status might affect your travel
• And finally, take out comprehensive travel insurance and check your travel insurance policy carefully to see what’s covered, particularly in the event your travel is disrupted due to unexpected government imposed restrictions

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9 things only New Zealand locals know

Oct 12, 2023 • 8 min read

Peak UV levels can be 40% higher in New Zealand than similar North American latitudes, so sunscreen is a must-have © nazar_ab / Getty Images

While I was born and bred here in  New Zealand – or Aotearoa, the country's Māori-language name – I’ve spent enough years away to understand how it’s a destination that can feel comfortingly familiar and completely strange to visitors all at once. 

The butter is bright, beta-carotene yellow. Pies are filled with meat. You usually go up to the counter to pay for your meal. Never, ever sit on a table – it’s a taboo that has spread from Māori to the wider population.  

But this diverse country of boiling mud pools, soaring mountains, subtropical beaches, rainforests and friendly people will make you feel – well, "sweet-as." (Yes, that means good.) Here are some things to know before going to New Zealand. 

1. New Zealand’s weather may be relatively mild – but it also has the potential to be wild

An archipelago in the Pacific, New Zealand is a long, skinny country moored in tempestuous oceans heavily influenced by Antarctica. Its landmass stretches between 34 and 47 degrees south – the rough equivalent of northern Morocco to southern France – and the climate is often compared to Britain’s. 

What does this all mean? The weather can turn bad quickly. It pays to pack for all seasons, with a hat and sunscreen being must-haves. New Zealand’s peak UV levels can be 40% higher than those in similar North American latitudes, thanks in part to its clean air. For some, a blistering burn can happen in minutes and will ruin your holiday for a good week or more. In summer, perhaps plan shadier activities, such as museums, for the peak hours of the day.  

2. It’s okay to dress down

Casualness rules in New Zealand, even in urban areas. Depending on what region you’re in, even a wedding might see some Kiwis in jeans, their cleanest bush shirt (a tough woolen shirt) and gumboots (rubber boots) or jandals (flip flops). This is unremarkable.

Something particularly disconcerting to travelers is New Zealanders’ penchant for bare feet. When you’re out of the main cities you’ll see tough-soled Kiwis hot-stepping over bubbling tarmac and strolling through the supermarket unshod. Feel free to pack casual clothes. 

3. What do you mean, there’s no bus?

Unbelievably, New Zealand’s public transport  was arguably far better in the mid-20th century. But with many tram and railways ripped up for the sake of roads, the country has become very car-dependent. 

With a population of only 5.2 million living on a landmass the size of Italy, car culture is proving difficult to shake. While cycling and public transport are making strong incursions, outside of Auckland there is nowhere near the density, quality, affordability and regularity of public transport you may be used to at home. Many New Zealand towns do not even have Uber or other rideshare apps. 

With that being said, the country is reasonably well set up for visitors. For example, there are regular shuttle services to popular tourist destinations, such as Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves – but it pays to plan your transport well ahead.

4. Biculturalism is at the heart of Aotearoa’s culture

Unlike many colonized nations, in 1840 the British Crown signed a founding treaty, the  Treaty of Waitangi  with Indigenous Māori, who have lived in New Zealand since at least the 1300s. Although colonization’s effect on Māori continues to spark debate and protest, the result is that modern New Zealand is a strongly bicultural nation. Te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) is an integral part of even everyday interactions. This is evident to visitors, who have countless Indigenous-led tours, eateries and experiences to choose from. 

To show respect, ask about local iwi (tribe) customs. As an example, don’t stand on the summit of maunga (mountains) including Ngāuruhoe (Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings films) or Taranaki, if you go for a hike. As the head of an ancestor, mountain tops are regarded as tapu (sacred). New Zealand’s most famous son, Sir Edmund Hillary, may have said “we knocked the bastard off” when he and Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest in 1953, but modern travelers don’t have to. 

Many place names and road signs are also in te reo Māori (the Māori language). When it comes to speaking it, Kiwis will appreciate you trying to pronounce the words as accurately as possible. ("Wh," for example, is generally pronounced "F.")  An online pronunciation guide or podcast can help you with some of the more unfamiliar sounds; try Everyday Māori .

5. If you want to make local friends, ask about our birds 

New Zealanders absolutely love talking about their native birds and will immediately consider you a "good sort" (a kind and likable person) if you show interest. 

But prepare to settle in. From tūī, kererū (wood pigeons),  pīwakawaka (fantails) or whio (blue ducks), everyone has their favorite. Conservation organization Forest and Bird even runs a hotly contested Bird of the Year competition.

We love our birds because we understand how precious they are. Many are endangered, some critically so. New Zealand was a paradise of birds before people arrived around the 1300s, bringing with them rats, pigs, dogs, stoats, mice, cats, rabbits, weasels and possums. These have wreaked havoc and sent biodiversity  plummeting ; in the last 1,000 years, 40 indigenous species have become extinct. (Thank goodness early settlers did not introduce the mongoose to control the rabbit population, as was suggested in the 19th century.) 

The country is currently in the first 10 years of its Predator Free 2050 strategy, which aims to wipe out as many introduced mammals as possible by 2050. It is hugely ambitious and has resulted in a massive groundswell of support as everyday Kiwis exercise their bloodlust, setting rat traps in the backyard.

As a traveler, you'll encounter many tourism operators doing the same. You can learn more about these efforts as you zipline across regenerating forests at Rotorua Canopy Tours or stay at Maruia River Retreat , which is in the process of converting to a fully electric resort powered by renewable sources. Projects are even popping up where tourists can help check traplines, such as Tongariro River Rafting's Blue Duck Experience .

Predator-free bird sanctuaries abound in many areas, including the  Zealandia  sanctuary in Wellington, a sprawling and peaceful city oasis where you may be lucky enough to see wild kiwi on a guided night tour. 

6. ACC is a wonder – but not a replacement for travel insurance

One of the most humane things about New Zealand is its no-fault accident compensation scheme, ACC . Fall and break your leg skiing? Get a bit banged-up on a big night out? It doesn’t matter whose fault it is and that you’re a tourist; if it’s an accident, your medical care is free. 

Of course, you’ll need to have your own travel insurance. There are a lot of things – such as travel delays or extra accommodation needs – that ACC won’t cover if you get injured. 

7. New Zealand is generally safe, but… 

 New Zealand is a safe and welcoming country, but crime happens. For travelers, avoiding downtown clubbing areas after midnight is a good way to avoid most problems. Tourist vans can be a goldmine for thieves, and targeted especially when parked at freedom camping sites. 

Many travelers have had an unfortunate souvenir of their time in New Zealand: a local newspaper article about how they lost everything in a break-in, ruining their dream Kiwi holiday. If you need urgent help, the emergency number is 111. 

8. Pies are savory, not sweet

Kiwis love international cuisine, and you should be able to find something vaguely familiar to eat, especially in the main centers. But try a few quintessentially New Zealand treats, too. Other than the fun you’ll have browsing the supermarket and trying every block of Whittaker’s chocolate on the market, roadside eateries (called "tearooms") and cafes offer a range of snacks. 

One of the most filling and affordable small meals is a savory pie, sold just about everywhere. They’re golden, crispy pastry cases with fillings like butter chicken, mince (beef) and cheese, and steak and mushroom. Hint: The best pies are made in the local bakery. To get a winner, choose pies sold in plain white paper bags (not branded plastic) and bite into it straight from the bag. 

If you’re down south and spot cheese rolls on the menu, try them, too. Known as "Southland sushi," a magical alchemy occurs when white bread is spread with a mix of grated cheese, evaporated milk, onion and other flavorings, like mustard or garlic, then rolled, brushed with butter and toasted into an oozy, golden delight. 

"Slices" are also popular and similar to what Americans call "bars." A cross between a tart and a cookie with a topping or two, they’re baked or refrigerated in a square tin and cut into squares or rectangles. Popular slices are peppermint, caramel (millionaire bar), tan square (caramel shortcake) and the unbeatable ginger crunch. 

Lolly cake is another favorite: a coconut-malt, no-bake cookie studded with colorful marshmallow-like fruit puffs.

9. Driving is very different in New Zealand

Unlike the wide, multi-lane expressways of other countries, many of our major roads are only dual carriageway or a two-way divided highway. They’re often winding and hilly, with the added obstacles of construction and "slips" (a Kiwi word for landslides).

Before you head off, check NZTA for potential road closures. Take care not to plan an overly ambitious road-trip itinerary , such as driving from Auckland to Cape Reinga in a day with stops for activities along the way. That might look like five-and-a-half hours on Google Maps, but it’ll probably be slow and exhausting. There’s no such thing as setting the cruise control and chilling out, letting drivers pass on the lanes around you.

You'll need your wits about you, particularly if it is your first experience driving on the left. When everyone’s driving in single file, people get frustrated. Kiwi drivers can follow too close for comfort, pass aggressively and have a particular disdain for camper vans. 

If you’re feeling nervous and notice a long line of cars behind you, you’ll be more relaxed if you regularly pull over where it’s safe and let the line of impatient locals pass. At least they’ll give a friendly toot of thanks.

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TRAVEL to NEW ZEALAND – Tips and Information Guide

New Zealand

Everything you need to know about travel to New Zealand in our comprehensive 2024 New Zealand travel guide.

New Zealand is truly the land of the Long White Cloud with a vast contrast between the epic coastlines of the Otago Peninsula to the summit of Aoraki Mount Cook.

Most people divide their travel in New Zealand between the North Island and South Island. South Island tends to be more popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

But regardless of which island you see, or whether you tour both, you won’t be let down.

Fancy a thermal river? Then head to the North Island’s Rotorua or if you prefer snowy mountains, Queenstown is the place to go!

If none of this fancies you then why not head to the Bay of Islands only a short drive from Auckland to take in some sunshine and fresh oysters? Follow this up with a trip you’ll not soon forget to the top of New Zealand, Cape Reinga.

New Zealand is probably the most surprising country you can visit as it is jam-packed full of adventure, landscapes and friendly locals. Do yourself a favour and get there ASAP!

Once you start planning to travel to New Zealand, you’re in for a great adventure!

Here’s our New Zealand travel guide to get you caught up on the basics of this amazing country.

TRAVELLING IN NEW ZEALAND: AT A GLANCE

Here are the basics about travel to New Zealand.

TOP 5 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN NEW ZEALAND

With so much to see and do in New Zealand, it really is hard to pick the top experiences.

However, we think that to truly appreciate New Zealand you need to plan to do these 5 activities during your visit.

Cruising the Milford Sound

Cruising on a boat in the stunning Milford Sound is an absolute MUST! Kayak, cruise and cuisine your way through some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand!

Book a Milford Sound cruise and lunch today !

Walking Hooker Valley

The Hooker Valley walk at Aoraki National Park is basically like walking in a piece of paradise. To your left will be snowcapped peaks and to your left will be snowcapped peaks. At the end of the trail lays Hooker Valley Lake full of icebergs and epic views of Mount Cook.

Stargazing at Lake Tekapo

Stargazing at Lake Tekapo is remarkable due to limited light pollution. Opt for a summer’s night out to enjoy the Southern Hemispheres spectacular stars!

Book a trip to Lake Tekapo here !

Snowboarding or Skiing the Remarkables

Snowboarding or skiing The Remarkables high above Queenstown is every snow enthusiasts dream! So get prepared to shred and smash some freshly fallen powder!

Wildlife Watching on the Otago Peninsula

Wildlife watching on the Otago Peninsula can be done at any time of the year where penguins, seals and albatrosses can be seen in their natural environment.

Other Things to do in New Zealand

There are plenty of great things to do in New Zealand. Most of them will keep you outside exploring the beautiful landscapes found throughout the country!

Splurge on a heli-skiing trip in Wanaka . See the mountainside like few people do as you shred your way through freshly fallen snow!

Go for a hike on any of the spectacular trails found throughout the country. Some favourites can be found in our guide to hiking New Zealand.

Visit Hobbiton and tour the set of Lord of the Rings . If you’re not a fan of the movies you will be once you check out where they were filmed !

Paddle a canoe on a multiday trip down the Whanganui River. Spend 3-5 days on a unique journey you are not bound to forget.

Kayak Doubtful Sound . You won’t get a more authentic and raw natural experience in New Zealand than getting out on the Doubtful Sound for a good paddle.

Take a zip-line canopy tour through Rotorua . Visit the thick forest from above and learn about its importance while getting the adrenaline moving !

Kayak Abel Tasman . Ok, so paddling Abel Tasman is pretty magical too. Be sure to add this to your list of things to do in New Zealand!

Kitesurf in Taranaki . The wind is epic and harnessing it in a kitesurfing sail is going to lead to one of the most adrenaline-pumping activities in New Zealand!

Go whitewater rafting down the Kaituna River . Paddle through 14 rapids , including a handful of epic class 5 rapids and the world’s highest rafted waterfall.

Bungee jump in Auckland or Queensland . Go weightless (momentarily) where bungee jumping first began with the most spectacular backdrop!

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN NEW ZEALAND

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in New Zealand. Depending on your interests, trip duration and time of year you will find plenty of things to do during any length of stay. 

Rich in Maori history and culture, Auckland is the most populous city in New Zealand. Here you’ll find plenty of incredible things to do !

Known for its beautiful landscapes and wild outdoor activities (can you say bungee jumping?!) Queenstown will have your heart as soon as you arrive!

Aoraki National Park

Aoraki National Park is a place of dreams complete with New Zealand’s highest peak, Mount Cook soaring to over 3,700 metres.

Tongariro Crossing

Tongariro Crossing is one of the most popular day treks in the North Island where you see scenes from the famous Mordor and Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings.

Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is honestly the most beautiful place to sit back and just stare at mountains for hours on end. Options here include a hike to Rob Roy Glacier or further onto French’s Ridge hut for those adventurous souls.

For more information on specific things to do in the top places to visit in New Zealand, reference our following city travel guides: 

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AWESOME PLACES TO VISIT IN NEW ZEALAND . 

BEST NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL ITINERARY

Depending on whether you are starting from scratch or have a general idea of what kind of things you would like to see and do when travelling in New Zealand, we’ve put together a few itineraries that are sure to leave you wanting for nothing at the end of your visit. 

There are so many amazing things to do in New Zealand that planning an itinerary for your travel can be a little overwhelming. 

In this section, we’ll not only help you plan a 1-, 2-, or 3-week New Zealand itinerary but also give you an overview of many of the places you might want to consider visiting and things you may want to do. 

Of course, no one-size-fits-all plan will suffice. But if we were to head back to New Zealand these are the top places and things that we would want to do! 

1-Week New Zealand North / South Island Travel Itinerary Highlights

If you only have 1 week to travel in New Zealand the best thing you can do is to pick either the North Island or the South Island to explore.

Here’s an overview of how we’d spend 1 week on either the North Island or South Island of New Zealand. 

2-Week New Zealand Travel Itinerary Highlights

With 2 weeks in New Zealand, you can split your trip to cover both the North Island and the South Island. For this itinerary we recommend you fly into Auckland and out of Christchurch.

This is an idea of how we’d spend 2 weeks in New Zealand.

• Day 1 and 2  – Auckland
• Day 3 – Mount Maunganui
• Day 4 – Rotorua and drive to the Tongariro National Park
• Day 5 – Tongariro National Park 
• Day 6 – Wellington
• Day 7 – Crossing the Cook Strait and driving to the Abel Tasman National Park. 
• Day 8 – Hiking in the Abel Tasman National Park 
• Day 9 – South Islands West Coast – Kaiteriteri to Hokitika
• Day 10 – South Island’s West Coast – Hokitika to Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and on to Wanaka
• Day 11 and 12 – Lake Wanaka
• Day 13 – Mount Cook 
• Day 14 – Christchurch

3-Week New Zealand Travel Itinerary Highlights

Three weeks in New Zealand gives you a chance to see and do more. So if we had 3 weeks in New Zealand, this is how we’d spend it. 

• Day 1 – Auckland 
• Day 2 – Waitomo 
• Day 3 – Tongariro National Park
• Day 4 – The Forgotten World Highway
• Day 5 – Wellington 
• Day 6 – Crossing the Cook Strait to Picton and driving to Kaikoura
• Day 7 – Whale watching and dolphin swimming in Kaikoura
• Day 8 and 9 – Akaroa, the Banks Peninsula and driving to Mount Cook.
• Day 10 – Hiking around Mount Cook
• Day 11 and 12 – Wanaka
• Day 13 and 14 – Queenstown 
• Day 15 and 16 – Doubtful Sound 
• Day 17 and 18 – Caitlins National Park 
• Day 19 and 20 – Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula 
• Day 21 – Christchurch 

READ MORE: Check out this post for more details on our New Zealand travel itinerary . 

NEW ZEALAND TRIP PLANNING

Now we’re going to help you plan your ultimate trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud so you don’t make any mistakes! Here’s our best New Zealand travel tips based on almost a dozen trips!

BEST TIME TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND

These are the best times to travel to New Zealand:

• October – February  for those perfect summer days.
• June – September for all things snow.

NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDELINE

New Zealand is not the most affordable place to visit. However, you are sure to have a spectacular time well worth the expense.

You’ll find that taking a road trip is the best and most affordable way to see the country – especially if you plan to do some camping along the way.

Here’s an overview of what to expect when budgeting for travel to New Zealand:

Here are a few things you should know about the different budgets at which you can choose to travel.

Note: Budgets shown as Single Traveller / Couples per day. 

Budget Traveller ($90 Single / $140 Couples)

If you’re here on a strict budget you are more likely to be getting around by car or basic camper van relying on DOC sites for your accommodation needs with the occasional splurge at a holiday park.  

Basic camper vans will be small 2 berth campers that are often old Mazda vans, or people carriers converted into a home on wheels.

These budget-friendly camper vans are not self-contained, therefore you will not be allowed to freedom camp. 

Make use of supermarkets and accommodation facilities to cook and limit eating out to an absolute minimum to keep the costs down.

Make sure to check the discounted aisles as quite often meat is marked down significantly if it is soon the pass its expiration date. 

Adrenaline sports and other activities in New Zealand do not come cheap. If you are on a budget you will need to limit there.

So work out what you can realistically afford and do your research before you go, as the same activity may be cheaper in other parts of the country. 

Mid-Range Traveller ($140 Single / $280 Couple)

If you’re on a mid-range budget then you are more likely to be travelling in a self-contained pop-top camper van and staying in a few more holiday parks than DOC sites. 

Although eating out is expensive you may be able to afford the odd restaurant visit. But you will still be utilising supermarkets and holiday park facilities for the majority of your meals. 

In terms of activities, you will be able to do more than if you were on a budget.

However, you will still need to watch the pennies, as the costs of these can rack up very quickly. 

Luxury Traveller ($200+ Single / $300+ Couple)

If money is no object then you will be travelling in a rental car and staying in Airbnb, hotels or guesthouses, or you will be in a large multi-berth camper van.

As well a being fitted with the latest mod cons, the larger camper van will also be self-contained. If you’re taking the camper van option then you will be spending the majority of your time in holiday parks. 

You will have the option to eat out more often, and whether you choose to is up to you.

In addition, you will also be able to splash out on some fancy purchases from the supermarket. 

For activities, go wild! You’ve got the money so splash out and do as much as you want. New Zealand is full of great adventures and opportunities to have an amazing time!

New Zealand Budgeting Tips:

We have some great tips on how to make the most of your budget when you travel to New Zealand.

Top 10 Cards 

Top 10 is the largest holiday park chain in New Zealand. They offer high-quality facilities at a reasonable price.

Purchasing a Top 10 card for $49 will save you 10% at all of their holiday parks. There are other additional discounts all over the country, including the ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton and on various activities including trips to Milford and Doubtful Sound.

Whenever you’re booking an activity, check if they have a top 10 discount. It saved us quite a lot when we were out there. 

Take advantage of supermarket deals 

Unless you have an almost unlimited budget you are going to be cooking a lot of your own food. New Zealand’s main supermarkets are Four Square, Pak n’Save, New World, Countdown and Fresh Choice. 

Each supermarket will have various deals and multi saver options and some will have fuel discounts as well. 

Early Bookings 

If you’re visiting in Spring or Summer then it pays to book early to both ensure your space in a holiday park (especially around the Tongariro National Park) or on various activities. 

Occasionally booking early will get you significant discounts. 

Scour Travel Magazines 

Any travel magazine, including ones you will pick up with your rental vehicle or at the airport, are loaded with discount coupons, for a variety of things potentially saving you quite a bit of money.

These generally can’t be combined with a top 10 discount card though. 

Free BBQ’s  

At various locations across New Zealand, you can expect to find free BBQs for public use. Make sure you have cleaning materials to ensure it’s clean for others to use afterward. 

Plan Where You Are Going To Fill Up 

Prices of petrol can vary in New Zealand. Therefore it pays to plan where to fill up.

For example, if you are taking a trip down to the tiny town of Manapouri to take a trip to Doubtful Sound, make sure you have a full tank before heading off as petrol is expensive there. 

As a general rule of thumb, the smaller and more isolated a place is, the higher the petrol price is likely to be. A small difference here or there can help you to save if you’re here for a significant period of time. 

Keep this in mind when travelling in New Zealand.

Check Your Fuel Consumption

When choosing which campervan you want to rent, check the fuel consumption. Often a lot of older and cheaper models consume a lot more fuel than some more expensive models.

Therefore it may be worth paying more to rent, as it could be cheaper when fuel costs are taken into account. 

Limit Your Eating Out

If you are on a budget then this is one of the easiest ways to save money. Whilst being delicious, eating out in New Zealand is expensive and as such is an easy way to limit your outgoings.

Consider Travelling in New Zealand in The Winter

The cost of activities and vehicle rental is much cheaper in the winter than in the spring and summer.

Naturally, the weather won’t be as good and there will be some activities that are not running and some hiking trails that may not be accessible.

However, it has the potential to save you quite a bit of money. 

Hire Returns 

If you are planning on visiting New Zealand for a long time then this could be worth considering. Many camper van rental companies need vehicles moving to various places around the country.

The cost of renting campervans for these journeys is insanely cheap, sometimes as little as a few dollars a day.

The downside is that you have a limited time to get from point A to point B and it can be hard to follow a route, as you may be going here there and everywhere. 

However, if time is on your side then this could be well worth it! 

Buying A Vehicle 

If you are going to be visiting New Zealand for an extended period of time then renting is not a sensible financial decision. 

Buying your own vehicles has a number of advantages

• Your trip is a long as you want it to be. 
• You could potentially sell the vehicle for the same or a similar price to what you paid for it, limiting your travel costs. 

However, you won’t be able to rely on a hire company if something goes wrong. 

You will need to add a few weeks on either side of your trip to buy and sell your vehicle.

GETTING TO AND AROUND NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is an island nation and thus the most reasonable, cost-efficient and common way to travel to New Zealand is by air.

Entry Requirements

It is relatively easy to travel to New Zealand. Australians can enter and stay visa-free.

UK citizens can enter for free with a 6-month stay.

Other nationalities may qualify for a visa waiver. 

For information about which countries are granted visa-free waivers click here

Getting Around New Zealand

Hiring a vehicle is the best way to get around New Zealand and experience the stunning scenery that New Zealand has to offer.

Whilst there are public transport options available, there are natural limitations on the areas you can visit.

Travelling by Air

This is not a common option for many travellers. However if your time here for a shorter period of time then they can be an excellent option to cover larger distances.

You can then pick up a hire car at each destination and utilise short term rentals. This may be beneficial, for example, in flying between the North and South Islands to/from Auckland and Christchurch.

It’s not uncommon to find discounts, especially when booking early. 

Travelling by Car

Generally much cheaper than renting a campervan, both in terms of rental fees and fuel consumption. If you’re here on a short visit then renting a car may be a better option than renting a campervan. 

This can be a particularly budget-friendly option if you plan on camping as opposed to staying in Airbnb’s and guesthouses.

This is the way most travellers get around. Many have wonderful memories of pulling up in their campervans on edge of a lake, a deserted beach, or just stopping on a quiet road to admire the view. 

It gives you more freedom and flexibility than a car. However it is more expensive and uses more fuel.

But if you are visiting for a longer period of time it can actually work out being quite similar, once you take the cost of accommodation into account. Holiday parks and DOC sites are much cheaper than guesthouses and Airbnb’s. 

Many travellers rent large campervans, despite have little experience of driving a vehicle of such size.

When combining this lack of experience with New Zealand’s narrow and winding roads it can be a rather stressful experience. So think carefully about what you really need.

READ MORE: Check out our epic New Zealand road trip itinerary !

Travelling by Bus

If you don’t drive then this is the best option. The two most well known bus companies are the Kiwi Experience , which is aimed primarily at those aged between 18 and 25, and the intercity network . 

Both companies offer flexible hop on hop off passes where you buy a certain number of hours in which you can then top up as you see fit. You can also change your plans if necessary.

Additionally you can purchase pre-arranged passes which can work out to be good value for money. 

Although bus networks in New Zealand are well connected, it is harder to get away from the towns and into the middle of nowhere – which is one of the highlights of any visit. 

Additionally, it will be harder to access hiking trails since you will not have a car and thusly will be reliant on public transport. 

Travelling by Boat/Ferry

The countries major ferry route is between Picton and Wellington connecting the North and South Islands.

In high season it is recommended to book ahead.

Travelling by Train

The most famous train journey in New Zealand is the Trans-Alpine route that crosses the South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth via the Arthus Pass National Park.

Aside from this there a number of other train routes offering stunning scenery. 

That being said, this isn’t the most convenient way to travel and you will have to combine it with bus travel or vehicle hire to be able to get around the country.  

APPS AND TECHNOLOGY

Mobile apps and technology will make your trip safer, more affordable and overall more enjoyable.

Here are a few we think you should definitely acquaint yourself with prior to your travels:

• Google Maps – The tried and true navigation app that will help you find virtually any place in New Zealand and help you with directions on how to get there
• XE Currency – Transfer, monitor and calculate currency as the need arises. This app may not be totally necessary as you are typically tied into rates the banks charge for services. But it is handy to have around. 
• Express VPN – This will protect your sensitive information wherever you travel – not just in New Zealand. Be sure to have this to keep your online information secure as you travel. 
• CamperMate – Since you will most likely find yourself camping at some, if not all, of your travel to New Zealand, use this app to find camping spots all around the country

BEST THINGS TO EAT IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand has some pretty tasty food. You should definitely give the following foods a try when visiting!

• Lamb – A staple in Kiwi meals and found at almost every restaurant. Lamb is traditionally prepared with rosemary and garlic.
• Spaghetti on toast – Yes, as simple as it sounds this is a delicious New Zealand staple
• Marmite – The equivalent of Australian Vegemite, made from yeast extract and herbs. Spread it thin over crackers or bread.
• L&P – Lemon and Paeroa is mineral water tinted with lemon that could easily be the countries national drink
• Hangi – A traditional Maori method of steaming meats and vegetables where the food is wrapped in leaves and buried to cook on heated stones in holes in the ground.
• Kumara – A form of sweet potato that is prepared a variety of ways such as chips and wedges
• Fish And Chips – A classic dish with deep-fried battered fish and potato fries served with tomato sauce
• Pavlova – A meringue dessert that has caused much dispute over whether it was originally created in Australia or New Zealand.
• Hokey Pokey Ice Cream – Vanilla ice cream with caramelized sugar. Enough said!
• Manuka Honey – Produced by bees that collect the pollen of Manuka trees, this honey is thick and uniquely sweetened in flavor

PLACES TO STAY IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is chock full of great accommodation options. Whether you’re on a budget and need to stay at a hostel or have enough room in your budget to splurge on a hotel or unique Airbnb you’ll be pleased with your stay.

Of course, if you are looking to camp in beautiful landscapes then your options become even more wide open.

Holiday Parks and Campsites

Probably one of the most popular accommodation options for travellers visiting New Zealand. The predominantly cater to campervans and campers. However, some do have small chalets on site.

The vast majority will come with large kitchens and communal bathrooms. However, not all kitchens are equipped, meaning they do not have cooking utensils and cutlery. 

In addition, holiday parks will offer both powered and non-powered sites. Naturally, non-powered sites are cheaper, so this could be a good way to save a few pennies here and there. 

Rankers and Campermate are two useful apps that can help you locate holiday parks and campsites, see what facilities they have and check out reviews from other travellers.

Campmate allows you to book in advance and check out various things to do in the local area amongst other things. 

There will be some campsites and holiday parks that only allow self-contained vehicles.

Your vehicle is self-contained if: 

• You have a toilet fixed or portable that can be used even when the beds are down
• You have a fresh and wastewater tank
• An evacuation hose
• A rubbish bin with a lid
• Self-contained campervans can also be identified by a blue sticker. 

DOC (Department of Conservation Sites) are generally cheaper and more rustic than holiday parks. Expect a bathroom and maybe a small unequipped kitchen.

However, they often located in stunning locations, with the White Horse Campground close to Mount Cook being a prime example. 

There are 6 different categories of DOC site . They are a great budget option and are often surrounded by some stunning scenery. 

Freedom Camping

There are some spots where you are allowed to freedom camp. In the past, you used to be able to freedom camp almost anywhere.

However, a large increase in tourists and the waste they left behind has put paid to that. You can now only freedom camp if you are in a self-contained vehicle.

Freedom camping is a wonderful thing. However for it to carry on working effectively, everyone needs to follow the rules and clear up after themselves. 

New Zealand is jam-packed with plenty of awesome hostels that connect travellers and are phenomenal resources of tips and information.

Incidentally, they are great places to buy and sell vehicles. So if you land in Christchurch or Auckland and are planning on buying camper van for your road trip, then your hostel is the perfect place to start. 

Hostels predominantly focus on dorms as opposed to private rooms, which brings to cost down significantly. 

If you are travelling by car, then hostels are a great alternative to camping, although they are naturally more expensive. Make sure they have parking!

Hotels in New Zealand are not cheap, so if you are on a budget this is something you may want to avoid.

However, there are spectacular hotels and guesthouses throughout the country that are a great excuse to splash some cash. 

Generally, hotels rank from simple motel-style options up the swanky 5-star options with plenty in between. 

Another good option in recent years for accommodation in New Zealand is AirBnB. And there are more and more amazing places popping up to stay for very affordable prices every day.

As is typical in many destinations where Airbnb accommodations are popping up, you’ll likely find great value and a little more personal space with an Airbnb stay. 

NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL TIPS

Here are the best travel tips for New Zealand to help you have the safest, most affordable and enjoyable trip possible.

GENERAL NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL TIPS 

While there are many basic travel tips we suggest you use when travelling to New Zealand, there are also plenty of New Zealand-specific tips that will make your visit the best it can be. 

Here are a few we recommend you consider as you plan your trip to visit New Zealand: 

1. Make Sure You Have a Credit Card

New Zealand is not densely populated. It’s the size of the UK with a population of around 4.5 million (for reference the UK population is over 65 million).

This means there are a rather large number of unmanned petrol stations that are pay at the pump. 

When we visited we had problems with debit cards being accepted at these machines. However, we experience no issues with credit cards.

2. Avoid The Summer Holidays If Possible

Late December and January are particularly busy in New Zealand as this is the nation’s summer holiday. This means that there will be large numbers of both international and domestic tourists.

November and early December bring great weather and smaller fewer people.

3. Don’t Follow Penguins 

If you are in Omaru, and you’re walking back to your accommodation and you catch sight of a penguin, stop and do not follow them.

If you don’t stop then the penguins may be too scared to return to their nests.

4. Check For Weather Warnings 

The weather can change quickly in New Zealand. During the winter months, large areas of New Zealand can experience heavy snowfall which can lead to road closures amongst other things. 

Make sure to check weather warnings and road closure notices to ensure you can make appropriate plans. 

5. Be Prepared For 4 Seasons in a Day 

New Zealand is the absolute definition of 4 seasons in a day. Therefore whenever you’re heading out on a hike make sure you bring the appropriate clothing just in case the weather changes.

6. Hayfever Issues

New Zealand has a large amount of indigenous flora and fauna, particularly on the South Island. If you have hay fever then you may have quite a serious allergic reaction. 

If you experience this then you’ll need to go to a doctor and get some prescription-strength hay fever medication.

7. Always Assume Journeys Will Take Longer Than Google Maps Says

New Zealand’s roads offer breathtaking views as you wind your way across the country.

Occasionally roads can be steep, narrow and extremely twisty.

If you are not used to driving such roads then it’s a safe bet that journeys will take longer than what google maps says.

8. Book Ahead If You Can

This is especially advisable for campsites and holiday parks. In Autumn and Winter, there is a good chance you can turn up and there will be space.

However in late Spring, early Summer this is not always a guarantee. Naturally, this is more likely in busier, more popular spots.

Additionally, you are likely to be arriving somewhere after 6 pm it’s worth calling the holiday park/campsite and booking a spot as very often desks close at 6 pm. 

If you are planning on taking on any of New Zealand’s great walks and are planning in staying on the huts en route, then this is another situation where it is advisable to book ahead. 

NEW ZEALAND PACKING LIST

We always travel with a core packing list wherever we go. And when it comes to New Zealand, many factors will affect what else you need to bring along with you. 

Check out our travel essentials and be sure to add any of the other additional items listed below. 

STAYING SAFE IN NEW ZEALAND

Generally speaking, New Zealand is very safe. That being said, you still need to take sensible precautions to keep yourself safe as you would do in your home country. 

If you are heading out on multi-day hikes make sure you inform somebody. You’re best off informing you accommodation, however, they may directly ask you to register elsewhere.

This will differ depending on the hike and the region of the country you’re in.  

Generally driving is very safe. The majority of road users are courteous and follow the rules of the road.

However, as mentioned earlier, New Zealand’s road criss-cross a variety of environments meaning that roads can be very narrow, steep and winding along the contours of the landscape.

Therefore make sure you are driving at a speed that you are comfortable with and follow the rules of the road. 

New Zealand is blessed with many stunning beaches. However, make sure you pay attention to any beaches that are advising against swimming due to currents. 

STAYING CONNECTED IN NEW ZEALAND

Staying connected in New Zealand can be challenging. But it has never easier as the country becomes more and more popular for travellers.

We feel like your money will go a lot further if you consider a few other options. 

Purchase a SIM Card

Travel sims can be picked up anywhere in New Zealand. There are usually a variety of deals on offer. However, don’t expect the same kind of data packages you get in Europe, the Far East or the US. 

With some companies, you can get free data when in the vicinity of one of their phone boxes. 

Access Free WiFI

The vast majority of holiday parks and campsites have wifi. However, outside of major towns and cities, there is often a limit on the amount of data that you can use, as little 250 MB in some cases. 

Unsurprisingly wifi connections can be patchy in more rural locations, with the South Island having a noticeable poorer wifi service in comparison to the North Island.  

Hotels and guesthouses don’t suffer the same wifi issues and don’t have limits of the amount of data you can use. Generally, the speed is reasonable, much faster than what is available in holiday parks. 

BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER IN NEW ZEALAND

In recent years tourism numbers to New Zealand have surged. Whilst this has brought economic opportunity up and down the country, it has also lead to a number of challenges. 

The first of these is freedom camping. In years gone by you could freedom camp almost anywhere with the expectations that people would follow basic rules such as cleaning up after yourself.

Sadly, however, these rules have been changed and you can now only freedom camp in designated spots and only if you have a self-contained vehicle in many cases.

Being a responsible traveller means following the rules with regards to freedom camping. 

New Zealand is pristine. A large part of this is due to the lack of trash bins. You are expected to leave nothing but footprints.

It’s a simple and easy rule to follow. Make sure you keep New Zealand beautiful for everyone else that has the pleasure of visiting. 

New Zealand is also home to a wide variety of wildlife with strict rules on interacting with them.

For example, a few of the basics are not feeding kea’s (the worlds only alpine parrot), staying a safe distance from seals whilst they are on land and not following the little blue penguins in Omaru. 

Many roads in New Zealand are single lane and are particularly windy and can be challenging if you are driving a large campervan.

Be sure to observe all road rules and drive sensibly. 

BOOKS TO READ ABOUT NEW ZEALAND

Maybe you already know everything about New Zealand. Chances are you don’t!

But even if you are well-read, here are a few suggestions that might be worth your time while you’re on the plane to New Zealand. 

Pounamu Pounamu (Witi Ihimaera) – A look at what it is like to be a New Zealander from the Maori perspective from one of New Zealand’s first and most respected writers of Maori culture, tradition and storytelling. Buy it online here .

The Penguin History of New Zealand (Michael King) – The well-rounded historical story of the settling and advancement of New Zealand from one of New Zealand’s leading historians. You can find it here .

Squashed Possums: Off the Beaten Path in New Zealand (Jonathan Tindale) – An fun story of vagabond life in New Zealand from a man who lived in a wandering caravan and had some of the most peculiar encounters across the country. Check prices on Amazon .

Straying From the Flock: Travels in New Zealand (Alexander Elder) – The memoir of a New Zealand traveller as told through 50 chapters, each reflecting one day of adventure in the wild country. Buy it online .

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR NEW ZEALAND BLOG POSTS

3 days kayaking in abel tasman (everything you need to know), 21 fun things to do in nelson, new zealand, 17 awesome things to do in wanaka (epic 2024 guide), 21 amazing things to do in auckland, new zealand [2024], ultimate guide to hiking in otago, new zealand [2024], whanganui journey in new zealand – the ultimate guide [2024], 8 amazing things to do in rotorua, new zealand, 22 cool things to do in wellington, new zealand (2024 edition), 21 best queenstown walks – ultimate hiking guide [2024], 13 amazing things to do in franz josef (2024 guide), the ultimate guide to hiking in new zealand (2024), 21 epic things to do in queenstown, nz [2024 guide].

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• Best time to visit New Zealand

The sunny summer months (October to April) are the most popular time for travellers visiting New Zealand, but winter offers great skiing and snowboarding and the days are often clear and bright, if chilly. The far north of the country is often dubbed the “winterless north”, although even in this subtropical area, winters can be nippy. The far south is the coldest part of the country – if you’re surfing you’ll need a wetsuit year-round.

Crime and personal safety

Electricity, entry requirements, gay and lesbian travellers, maps and gps, opening hours, time and seasons, tourist information, visitor centres, travellers with disabilities, women travellers, tailor-made travel itineraries for new zealand, created by local experts.

17 days  / from 5400 USD

From North to South - Auckland to Christchurch Self Drive

Explore both the North and the South Island in this compact itinerary. Your own rental car allows you the freedom to go at your own pace and scenic rail journeys break up the driving times. Explore glaciers and cities, thermal springs and panoramic hiking trails.

14 days  / from 3600 USD

Discover the South Island: a self drive trip from Christchurch and back

The larger of the two major island in New Zealand, South Island is best to be explored at your own pace in a rental car. From massive mountains to beaches, panoramic waterfalls to challenging hiking trails, this itinerary shows you the best of South Island.

9 days  / from 2900 USD

North Island: A self drive trip from Auckland

Discover the beauty of North Island on a roundtrip from Auckland in your own vehicle. Visit thermal springs, enjoy delicious wine tastings, and explore remote beaches and hiking trails. North Island has plenty to offer travelers and a rental car makes for the perfect discovery.

The relatively strong Kiwi dollar and effects of the global financial crisis means that New Zealand is no bargain, but with high standards of quality and service the country is still decent value for money.

Daily costs vary enormously, and the following estimates are per person for two people travelling together. (With the prevalence of good hostels, single travellers can live almost as cheaply as couples, though you’ll pay around thirty percent more if you want a room to yourself.)

If you’re on a tight budget, using public transport, camping or staying in hostels, and cooking most of your own meals, you could scrape by on $60 a day. Renting a car, staying in budget motels, and eating out a fair bit, you’re looking at more like $160 a day. Step up to comfortable B&Bs and nicer restaurants, throw in a few trips, and you can easily find yourself spending over $350 a day. Also, you can completely blow your budget on adventure trips such as a bungy jump or tandem parachuting, so it pays to think carefully about how to get the maximum bang for your buck.

The price quoted is what you pay. With the exception of some business hotels, the 15-percent Goods and Service Tax ( GST ) is always included in the listed price. GST refunds are available on more expensive items bought then taken out of the country – keep your receipts and carry the items as hand luggage.

Student discounts are few and far between, but you can make substantial savings on accommodation and travel by buying one of the backpacker or YHA cards. Kids enjoy reductions of around fifty percent on most trains, buses and entry to many sights.

New Zealand’s rates of violent crime are in line with those in other developed countries and you’ll almost certainly come across some grisly stories in the media. Still, as long as you use your common sense, you’re unlikely to run into any trouble. Some caution is needed in the seedier quarters of the larger cities where it’s unwise to walk alone late at night. One major safety issue is “ boy racers ” using city and town streets as racetracks for customized cars, leading to bystander fatalities. Although the police do take action, their presence is relatively thin on the ground so be careful when out late in city suburbs.

Always take precautions against petty theft, particularly from cars and campervans. When staying in cities you should move valuables into your lodging. Thieves also prey on visitors’ vehicles left at trailheads and car parks. Campervans containing all your possessions make obvious and easy pickings. Take your valuables with you, put packs and bags out of sight and get good insurance. When setting out on long walks use a secure car park if possible, where your vehicle will be kept safe for a small sum.

Police and the law

If you do get arrested, you will be allowed one phone call; a solicitor will be appointed if you can’t afford one and you may be able to claim legal aid. It’s unlikely that your consulate will take more than a passing interest unless there is something strange or unusual about the case against you.

The laws regarding alcohol consumption have traditionally been pretty lenient, though persistent rowdy behaviour has encouraged some towns to ban drinking in public spaces. Still, most of the time nobody’s going to bother you if you fancy a beer on the beach or glass of wine at some wayside picnic area. The same does not apply to drink driving, which is taken very seriously.

Marijuana has a reputation for being very potent and relatively easily available. It is, however, illegal, and although a certain amount of tolerance is sometimes shown towards personal use, the police and courts take a dim view of larger quantities and hard drugs, handing out long custodial sentences.

New Zealanders like to think of themselves as a tolerant and open-minded people, and foreign visitors are generally welcomed with open arms. Racism is far from unknown, but you’re unlikely to experience overt discrimination or be refused service because of your race, colour or gender. In out-of-the-way rural pubs, women, foreigners – and just about anyone who doesn’t live within a 10km radius – may get a frosty reception, though this soon breaks down once you get talking.

Despite constant efforts to maintain good relations between Maori and Pakeha, tensions do exist. Ever since colonization, Maori have achieved lower educational standards, earned less and maintained disproportionately high rates of unemployment and imprisonment. Slowly Maori are getting some restitution for the wrongs perpetrated on their race, which of course plays into the hands of those who feel that such positive discrimination is unfair.

Recent high levels of immigration from East Asia – Hong Kong, China and Taiwan in particular – have rapidly changed the demographics in Auckland, where most have settled. Central Auckland also has several English-language schools that are mostly full of Asian students. The combined effect means that in parts of Auckland, especially downtown, longer-established New Zealanders are in the minority. It is a sensation that some Maori and Pakeha find faintly disturbing. There’s little overt racism, but neither is there much mixing.

New Zealand operates a 230/240-volt, 50Hz AC power supply , and sockets take a three-prong, flat-pin type of plug. Suitable socket adaptors are widely available in New Zealand and at most international airports; and for phone chargers and laptops that’s all you’ll need. In most other cases, North American appliances require both a transformer and an adaptor, British and Irish equipment needs only an adaptor and Australian appliances need no alteration.

All visitors to New Zealand need a passport, which must be valid for at least three months beyond the time you intend to stay. When flying to New Zealand you’ll probably need to show you have an onward or return ticket before they’ll let you board the plane.

On arrival, British citizens are automatically issued with a permit to stay for up to six months, and a three-month permit is granted to citizens of most other European countries, Southeast Asian nations, Japan, South Africa, the US and Canada, and several other countries. Australian citizens can stay indefinitely.

Other nationalities need to obtain a visitor visa in advance from a New Zealand embassy, costing the local equivalent of NZ$140 and usually valid for three months. Visas are issued by Immigration New Zealand ( w immigration.govt.nz ). for advice on working visas.

Websites and contact details for all NZ embassies and consulates abroad can be found at w nzembassy.com .

Quarantine and customs

In a country all too familiar with the damage that can be caused by introduced plants and animals, New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF; w mpi.govt.nz ) takes a hard line. On arrival you’ll be asked to declare any food , plants or parts of plants, animals (dead or alive), equipment used with animals, wooden products (including musical instruments), camping gear, golf clubs, bicycles, biological specimens and hiking boots. Outdoor equipment and walking boots will be taken away, inspected and perhaps cleaned then returned shortly thereafter. After a long flight it can seem a bit of a pain, but such precautions are important and there are huge fines for non-compliance. Be sure to dispose of any fresh fruit, vegetables and meat in the bins provided or you’re liable for an instant $400 fine (even for that orange you forgot about in the bottom of your bag). Processed foods are usually allowed through, but must be declared.

Visitors aged 18 and over are entitled to a duty-free allowance ( w customs.govt.nz ) of 200 cigarettes (or 250 grams of tobacco, or 50 cigars), 4.5 litres of wine or beer, three 1125ml bottles of spirits, and up to $700 worth of goods. There are export restrictions on wildlife, plants, antiquities and works of art.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in New Zealand in 1986 and the age of consent was set at 16 (the same as for heterosexuals). It is illegal to discriminate against gays and people with HIV or AIDS, and New Zealand makes no limitation on people with HIV or AIDS entering the country.

Though there remains an undercurrent of redneck intolerance, particularly in rural areas, it generally stays well below the surface, and New Zealand is a broadly gay-friendly place. The mainstream acceptance is such that the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia composer, Gareth Farr, also performs as drag queen Lilith LaCroix. This tolerant attitude has conspired to de-ghettoize the gay community; even in Auckland and Wellington , the only cities with genuinely vibrant gay scenes, there aren’t any predominantly gay areas and most venues have a mixed clientele. Auckland’s scene is generally the largest and most lively, but the intimate nature of Wellington makes it more accessible and welcoming. Christchurch, Nelson and Queenstown also have small gay scenes.

Major events on the gay calendar include the Vinegar Hill Summer Camp ( w vinegarhill.co.nz), held 5km north of the small town of Hunterville, in the middle of the North Island, from Boxing Day to just after New Year. It’s a very laidback affair, with a couple of hundred gay men and women camping out, mixing and partying. There’s no charge (except around $5 for camping) and no hot water, but a large river runs through the grounds and everyone has a great time.

The best source of on-the-ground information is the fortnightly gay newspaper Express ( w expresstoday.co.nz ), available free in gay-friendly cafés and venues and almost any decent bookshop.

Gay travel websites

w gaynewzealand.com A virtual tour of the country with a gay and lesbian slant.

w gaynz.net.nz Useful site with direct access to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender information including the Pink Pages, covering what’s on in the gay community and a calendar of events all over the country.

w gaytravel.net.nz A gay online accommodation and travel reservation service.

w rainbowtourism.com An excellent resource for gay and lesbian travellers in both NZ and Oz, listing accommodation, events, clubs and tours.

w samesextravel.com Lists gay and lesbian owned and operated accommodation throughout NZ and Oz.

w purpleroofs.com Comprehensive listing for gay-owned and gay-friendly accommodation in NZ and beyond.

New Zealand is relatively free of serious health hazards and the most common pitfall is simply underestimating the power of nature. No vaccinations are required to enter the country, but you should make sure you have adequate health cover in your travel insurance, especially if you plan to take on the great outdoors.

New Zealand has a good health service that’s reasonably cheap by world standards. All visitors are covered by the accident compensation scheme, under which you can claim some medical and hospital expenses in the event of an accident, but without full cover in your travel insurance you could still face a hefty bill. For more minor ailments, you can visit a doctor for a consultation (from around $60) and, armed with a prescription, buy any required medication at a pharmacy at a reasonable price.

Sun, surf and earthquakes

Visitors to New Zealand frequently get caught out by the intensity of the sun , its damaging ultraviolet rays easily penetrating the thin ozone layer and reducing burn times to as little as ten minutes in spring and summer. Stay out of the sun (or keep covered up) as much as possible between 11am and 3pm, and always slap on plenty of sunblock. Re-apply every few hours as well as after swimming, and keep a check on any moles on your body: if you notice any changes, during or after your trip, see a doctor right away.

The sea is a more immediate killer and even strong swimmers should read our surf warning (see Swim between the flags).

New Zealand is regularly shaken by earthquakes , but, although Christchurch experienced major quakes in 2010 and 2011, most are minor and it is generally not something to worry about. If the worst happens, the best advice is to stand in a doorway or crouch under a table. If caught in the open, try to get inside; failing that, keep your distance from trees and rocky outcrops to reduce the chances of being injured by falling branches or debris.

Wildlife hazards

New Zealand’s wildlife is amazingly benign. There are no snakes, scorpions or other nasties, and only a few venomous spiders , all rarely seen. No one has died from an encounter with a spider for many years, but if you get a serious reaction from a bite be sure to see a doctor or head to the nearest hospital, where antivenin will be available.

Shark attacks are also rare; you’re more likely to be carried away by a strong tide than a great white, though it still pays to be sensible and obey any local warnings when swimming.

A far bigger problem is the country’s mosquitoes and sandflies , although they’re generally free of life-threatening diseases. The West Coast of the South Island in the summer is the worst place for these irritating insects, though they appear to a lesser degree in many other places across the country. A liberal application of repellent helps keep them at bay; for a natural deterrent, try lavender oil.

At the microscopic level, giardia inhabits many rivers and lakes, and infection results from drinking contaminated water, with symptoms appearing several weeks later: a bloated stomach, cramps, explosive diarrhoea and wind. The Department of Conservation advises you to purify drinking water by using iodine-based solutions or tablets (regular chlorine-based tablets aren’t effective against giardia), by fast-boiling water for at least seven minutes or by using a giardia-rated filter (obtainable from any outdoors or camping shop).

The relatively rare amoebic meningitis is another waterborne hazard, this time contracted from hot pools. Commercial pools are almost always safe, but in natural pools surrounded by earth you should avoid contamination by keeping your head above water. The amoeba enters the body via the nose or ears, lodges in the brain, and weeks later causes severe headaches, stiffness of the neck, hypersensitivity to light, and eventually coma. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Commission ( w acc.co.nz ) provides limited medical treatment for visitors injured while in New Zealand, but is no substitute for having comprehensive travel insurance to cover against theft, loss and illness or injury.

Before paying for a new policy, it’s worth checking whether you are already covered: some home insurance policies may cover your possessions when overseas, and many private medical schemes include cover when abroad. Students will often find that their student health coverage extends during the vacations and for one term beyond the date of last enrollment.

After exhausting the possibilities above, you might want to contact a specialist travel insurance company, or consider the travel insurance deal we offer. Most of them exclude so-called dangerous activities unless an extra premium is paid. In New Zealand this can mean scuba diving, bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, windsurfing, surfing, skiing and snowboarding, and even tramping under some policies.

Many policies can exclude coverage you don’t need. If you do take medical coverage, ascertain whether benefits will be paid as treatment proceeds or only after return home, and if there’s a 24-hour medical emergency number. When securing baggage cover , make sure that the per-article limit will cover your most valuable possession. If you need to make a claim, you’ll need to keep receipts for medicines and medical treatment, and in the event you have anything stolen, you must obtain an official statement from the police.

Internet access is abundant and fairly cheap though seldom blindingly fast. You’ll find coin-operated machines at most visitor centres , backpacker hostels, motels and campsites, generally charging around $6 an hour. Most are set up with card readers, headsets and webcams, and often loaded with Skype and iTunes. At more expensive accommodation there’ll often be a free-use computer, and laptop connections may be available.

There’s often better functionality and lower prices at the abundant internet cafés lining city streets, which typically charge $3–6 per hour. Libraries typically have internet access – some offer this service free, while others charge.

Wi-fi access is increasingly widespread. In addition to internet cafés , many holiday parks, hostels, motels and hotels have hotspots accessible using your credit card or by buying access from reception. Rates vary considerably: an hour might cost $10 but you can often get a full 24-hour day for under $25. Swankier B&Bs and lodges will usually have free wi-fi in all rooms. Organizations such as Zenbu ( w zenbu.net.nz ) allow you to store your purchased time for future use. Note that in New Zealand, there’s often a kilobyte cap, so make sure your device isn’t using up your kilobytes in automatic updates.

For unlimited Wi-Fi on the go whilst travelling New Zealand, buy a Skyroam Solis , which works in 130+ countries at one flat daily rate, paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. You can connect up to five devices at once. Prices start from as little as €5 a day.

Stamps, postcards, envelopes, packing materials and a lot more can be bought at post offices (a.k.a. PostShops ), which are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm, plus Saturday 9 or 10am to noon or 1pm in some large towns and cities. Red and silver post boxes are found outside post offices and on street corners, and mail is collected daily.

Parcels are quite expensive to send overseas as everything goes by air and the economy service only saves fifteen percent for a considerably delayed delivery.

One post office in each major town operates a Poste Restante (or General Delivery ) service where you can receive mail; we’ve listed the major ones in town accounts. Most hostels and hotels will keep mail for you, preferably marked with your expected date of arrival.

Specialist outlets should have a reasonable stock of maps of New Zealand. Road atlases are widely available in bookshops and service stations; the most detailed are those produced by Kiwi Pathfinder, which indicate numerous points of interest and the type of road surface. Also look out for A Driving Guide to Scenic New Zealand ($40) with handy angled projections giving a real sense of the lay of the land. Many car- and van-rental places have GPS navigation systems , usually for an additional $5–15 a day.

With a road atlas and our city plans you can’t go far wrong on the roads, but more detailed maps may be required for tramping. All the major walks are covered by the Park Map series, complete with photos (around $19 from DOC offices and bookshops in NZ), while the larger-scale 1:50,000 Topo50 and 1:250,000 Topo250 (downloadable at w linz.govt.nz and sold in i-SITEs, book and outdoors shops and DOC offices) cover the whole country.

The Kiwi dollar is divided into 100 cents. There are $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 notes made of a sturdy plastic material, and coins in denominations of $2, $1 (both gold in colour), 50¢, 20¢ and 10¢. Grocery prices are given to the nearest cent, but the final bill is rounded up or down to the nearest ten cents. All prices quoted in the guide are in New Zealand dollars.

Cards, cheques and ATMs

For purchases, visitors generally rely on credit cards , particularly Visa and MasterCard, which are widely accepted, though many hostels, campsites and homestays will only accept cash. American Express and Diners Club are far less useful. You’ll also find credit cards handy for advance booking of accommodation and trips, and with the appropriate PIN you can obtain cash advances through 24-hour ATMs found almost everywhere. Debit cards are also useful for purchases and ATM cash withdrawals.

The major banks – ASB, ANZ, BNZ, Kiwibank (found in post offices), National Bank and Westpac – have branches in towns of any size and are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, with some city branches opening on Saturday mornings (until around 12.30pm). The big cities and tourist centres also have bureaux de change , which are typically open from 8am to 8pm daily.

Especially if you are working in New Zealand you may want to open a bank account . A New Zealand EFTPOS (debit) card can be used just about anywhere for purchases or obtaining cash. An account can usually be set up within a day; remember to take your passport.

New Zealand’s larger cities and tourist centres are increasingly open all hours, with cafés, bars and supermarkets open till very late, and shops open long hours every day. Once you get into rural areas, things change rapidly, and core shopping hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5.30pm, Sat 9am–noon) apply, though tourist-orientated shops stay open daily until 8pm.

An ever-increasing number of supermarkets open 24/7 and small “dairies” (corner shops or convenience stores) also keep long hours and open on Sundays. Museums and sights usually open around 9am, although small-town museums often open only in the afternoons and/or only on specific days.

Given the near-ubiquity of mobile phones, and the prominence of Skype (or similar services) for international calling, most people don’t have much need of public payphones , though they are still fairly widespread across New Zealand. Coin-operated phones are now rare, but all payphones accept major credit cards, account-based phonecards and slot-in disposable PhoneCards sold at post offices, newsagents, dairies, petrol stations, i-SITEs and supermarkets.

New Zealand landline numbers have only five area codes. The North Island is divided into four codes, while the South Island makes do with just one ( t 03); all numbers in the guide are given with their code. Even within the same area, you may have to dial the code if you’re calling another town some distance away. Mobile numbers start with t 021, t 022, t 027 or t 029, and you’ll come across freephone numbers which are all t 0800 or t 0508. Numbers prefixed t 0900 are premium-rated and cannot be called from payphones.

Important phone numbers

National directory assistance 018

International directory assistance 0172

Police, ambulance and fire brigade (no charge) 111

International dialling codes

To call New Zealand from overseas, dial the international access code (00 from the UK, 011 from the US and Canada, 0011 from Australia, 09 from South Africa) followed by 64, the area code minus its initial zero, and then the number.

To dial out of New Zealand, it’s

t 00, followed by the country code, then the area code (without the initial zero if there is one) and the number.

Phonecards and calling cards

For long-distance and international calling you are best off with pre-paid account-based phonecards that can be used on any phone. There are numerous such cards around offering highly competitive rates, but be wary of the very cheap ones: they are often internet-based and the voice quality can be poor and delayed. Be warned, though, that public payphones have an additional per-minute charge for account-based phonecards, so try to use them from private phones whenever possible.

Mobile phones

New Zealand has three mobile providers: Telecom ( w telecom.co.nz ), Vodafone ( w vodafone.co.nz ) and 2degrees ( w 2degreesmobile.co.nz ). All have excellent reception in populated areas but sporadic coverage in remoter spots.

If you’re thinking of bringing your phone from home, check with your service to see if your phone will roam in New Zealand and check roaming costs, which can be excessive. Providing your phone is unlocked, you can also buy a New Zealand SIM card and pre-pay.

New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is twelve hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, but, from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April, Daylight Saving puts the clocks one hour further forward. Throughout the summer, when it is 8pm in New Zealand, it’s 6pm in Sydney, 7am in London, 2am in New York, and 11pm the day before in Los Angeles.

New Zealand follows Britain’s lead with dates , and 1/4/2013 means April 1 not January 4.

Don’t forget that the southern hemisphere seasons are reversed: summer is officially December 1 to February 28 (or 29), and winter is June 1 to August 31.

New Zealand promotes itself enthusiastically abroad through Tourism New Zealand , and its extensive website w newzealand.com .

Many information centres, as well as some cafés, bars and hostels, keep a supply of free newspapers and magazines oriented towards backpackers – they’re usually filled with promotional copy, but are informative nonetheless. TNT ( w tntdownunder.com) is about the best.

Every town of any size has an official i-SITE visitor centre , staffed by helpful and knowledgeable personnel and sometimes offering some form of video presentation on the area. Apart from dishing out local maps and leaflets, they offer a free booking service for accommodation, trips and activities, and onward travel, but only for businesses registered with them. Some (usually small) businesses choose not to register and may still be worth seeking out; we’ve mentioned them where relevant. In the more popular tourist areas, you’ll also come across places representing themselves as independent information centres that usually follow a hidden agenda (ie commission), typically promoting a number of allied adventure companies. While these can be excellent, it’s worth remembering that their advice may not be impartial.

Other useful resources are Department of Conservation (DOC; w doc.govt.nz ) offices and field centres, usually sited close to wilderness areas and popular tramping tracks, and sometimes serving as the local visitor centre as well. These are highly informative and well geared to trampers’ needs, with local weather forecasts, intentions forms and maps as well as historic and environmental displays and audiovisual exhibitions. The website contains loads of detail on the environment and the latest conservation issues plus details of national parks and Great Walks.

Overall, New Zealand is disabled-traveller friendly. Many public buildings, galleries and museums are accessible , and many tour operators will make a special effort to help you participate in all manner of activities, such as swimming with dolphins or seals. However, restaurants and local public transport generally make few concessions.

Planning a trip

A good starting point is Tourism New Zealand’s w newzealand.com which has a “People with Special Needs” section containing several useful links. There are also organized tours and holidays specifically for people with disabilities.

Independent travellers should advise travel agencies, insurance companies and travel companions of limitations. Reading your travel insurance small print carefully to make sure that people with a pre-existing medical condition aren’t excluded could save you a fortune. Your travel agent can help make your journey simpler: airline or bus companies can better cater to your needs if they are expecting you. A medical certificate of your fitness to travel, provided by your doctor, is also extremely useful; some airlines or insurance companies may insist on it.

New accommodation must have at least one room designed for disabled access, and many pre-existing places have converted rooms, including most YHA hostels, some motels, campsites and larger hotels. Older buildings, homestays and B&Bs are the least likely to lend themselves to such conversions.

For listings, visit w accomobility.co.nz , which has a searchable database of places that have signed up for the service.

Few airlines, trains, ferries and buses allow complete independence. Air New Zealand provides aisle wheelchairs on international (but not domestic) flights, and the rear toilet cubicles are wider than the others to facilitate access; for more details search for “Special Assistance” on its website. Other domestic airlines have poorer facilities. Interislander Cook Strait ferries have reasonable access for disabled travellers, including help while boarding, if needed, and adapted toilets. If given advance warning, trains will provide attendants to get passengers in wheelchairs or sight-impaired travellers on board, but moving around the train in a standard wheelchair is impossible and there are no specially adapted toilets; the problems with long-distance buses are much the same.

In cities there are some taxis specifically adapted for wheelchairs, but these must be pre-booked; otherwise taxi drivers obligingly hoist wheelchairs into the boot and their occupant onto a seat.

Contacts in New Zealand

Access Tourism NZ w accesstourismnz.org.nz. Informative advocacy site.

Disability Resource Centre 14 Erson Ave, Royal Oak, Auckland t 09 625 8069, w disabilityresource.org.nz . General resource centre.

DPA Level 4/173–175 Victoria St, Wellington, NZ t 04 801 9100, w dpa.org.nz . Disability advocacy organization with useful links.

Enable New Zealand t 0800 362 253, w enable.co.nz . Organization assisting people with disabilities, though not specifically focused on travellers.

Kiwi men have fairly progressive attitudes towards women, and travelling in New Zealand doesn’t present any particular problems.

In the unlikely event of trouble, contact w rapecrisis.org.nz . For support, Women’s Centres around the country are listed on the Ministry of Women’s Affairs website at w mwa.govt.nz/where-go-help . You might also consider partly organizing your holiday through Women Travel New Zealand ( w womentravel.co.nz ), which offers information, links to retreats, women-oriented tour operators and its newsletter. Auckland’s Women’s Bookshop ( w womensbookshop.co.nz ) is a handy resource and hosts literary events.

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101 New Zealand travel FAQs: A guide for first-time visitors

New Zealand is a bucket list destination for many but planning a trip to the bottom of the world is a big task.  It’s for this very reason that having access to a great set of top New Zealand travel tips is essential!

As Kiwi born and bred, we’re excited to bring you this conclusive set of New Zealand travel tips – absolutely everything you need to know when booking your trip down to Aotearoa.

Whether you’re visiting the sub-tropical far North, venturing right down to the deep South, or exploring somewhere in between, this guide will help you plan your travels.

It will help you understand what makes New Zealand tick and set you up with all of the information that you need to make informed decisions about your visit to the greatest country on Earth.

And as it’s written by a local with extensive tourism experience, you can rest assured that we’ve thought of practically everything!

You might want to know…

• When is the best time to travel to New Zealand ?
• What’s the best way to travel around the country ?
• Do I need a visa to enter New Zealand ?
• How expensive is it there?
• What spots are unmissable?
• What foods should I try ?

So many questions!

This guide will answer those questions and many, many more.

We’re here to help you organise a once-in-a-lifetime visit to a country that you’ll want to return to time and time again.

Haere mai .  Welcome to our one-stop-shop when it comes to all things kiwi…

Short on time? Read this important information before visiting New Zealand.

As this is a big post, you may like to use the following table of contents box to skip to specific content. Or grab a cuppa and take your time reading through the whole thing… the choice is yours.

Table of contents

Where is New Zealand?

New Zealand is made up of two main islands (the North Island and South Island), one smaller island (Stewart Island) and a series of much smaller islands spread all around the country.

Located in the South Pacific, New Zealand is part of Oceania/Australasia. 

We’re in the same part of the world as Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

Everything you need to know to plan your NZ adventure

Visa/nzeta requirements & pre-departure checks.

• Check the validity of your passport. If your country had an embassy or consulate that issues passports, your passport must have 1+ month of validity after the date you plan to leave NZ. Other countries need 6+ months, beyond the expected date of departure from NZ. If you live in New Zealand permanently, your passport only needs to be valid to get you in.
• Before departing, it is essential you understand your entry requirements. If you need to apply for something, do so with plenty of time. No NZeTA required: New Zealand citizens/residents and Australian citizens do not typically need to prepare anything ahead of their visit (like a visa, NZeTA or IVL). NZeTA required: Many travellers can avoid applying for a visa, instead arranging a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). This includes Australian permanent residents, and travellers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Singapore (plus many more). Apply through the official NZeTA website only – be cautious of third-party sites online trying to sell NZeTAs. In total, it should cost approximately NZD50 per person, including your International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Visa required: If you are not eligible to travel without a visa or with an NZeTA, you will need to apply for a visa. Allow plenty of time to ensure you meet your visa requirements before travelling. Learn more about NZeTAs, the IVL and NZ visa requirements .
• Ensure you have travel insurance . Though this is not a legal requirement, in our opinion, it is a must-have when travelling to New Zealand. This will cover you for unexpected delays, accidental loss and medical care, among other things.
• Download our travel checklist and check everything off before you depart.

DISCLAIMER: This entry information is provided in an informal way, designed to help you understand the process of travelling to Aotearoa.

In New Zealand, official immigration advice must be provided by a licensed immigration adviser , unless the person/company is exempt.

We suggest you get an overview here and then confirm details with an official source.

Getting around NEw Zealand

• Most international flights land in Auckland, though some also fly to Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown . From there, it is possible to get a domestic flight to airports all around New Zealand .
• A range of transport options are available in NZ. Many choose to drive themselves in a rental car or campervan , partially because intercity public transport is not as frequent as many other places. Rental cars , campervan hire , Intercity buses, hop-on hop-off tourist buses , group tours (like Haka Tours ), day tours, and domestic flights are the most common ways to travel. Compare each method of transport to decide what is best for you.
• If you plan to drive, you can use your normal driver’s licence as long as it was issued in English and is current.
• If your driver’s licence is written in a language other than English, you will need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) before leaving your home country. Apply at your local transport authority.
• The minimum age to rent a car in New Zealand is 18, but most companies require drivers to be 25+. You must have a full driver’s licence to rent a car in New Zealand. Restricted and learner licences are not allowed.

Driving tips

• We drive on the left-hand side of the road in New Zealand. If you’re used to driving on the right, you’ll notice the driver and passenger side are reversed here. The driver always sits closest to the centre lane.
• Most people are surprised by how easy it is to adjust to driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. To make this easier, we suggest driving when others are out and about – that way you can follow their lead. Most accidents happen here on the open road when there are no other cars to follow. Be extra cautious when driving outside of cities and remember, as the driver, you should always be close to the centre line.
• Speed limits around New Zealand vary. Most urban towns have a limit of 50km/h, with most open-road and highway driving being limited to 100km/h. Some are less, and others allow for speeds of 110km/h.
• Fines are issued for going over the speed limit. Your licence can be taken off you if you exceed the speed limit by 40km/h.
• There is a tolerance on the speed limit. Speed cameras will generally let you go 10km/h above the posted speed limit before issuing a ticket. On long weekends (and around schools), this is reduced to 4km/h above the speed limit. There is no official tolerance used by road police, but in our experience, they allow some grace. However, the best way to avoid a ticket is to stick to the signposted speed limit.
• If driving on a multi-lane road, keep to the left unless passing. This allows faster cars to overtake safety.
• If you notice traffic queuing up behind you on the open road, pull to the left when it is safe to do so, to let others pass.
• If you’re driving slowly around windy roads, do not speed up on a passing lane. Instead, let others pass you.
• The road code varies slightly from country to country. Read this official guide to driving in New Zealand to brush up on our road rules.
• Check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner to see if any roads along your route are temporarily closed.
• We have three toll roads in NZ – all are in the North Island. If you travel along one, you will need to make a small payment online following your journey.

Preparing for your trip: Planning your route & making bookings

• Though some prefer to travel freely without a firm route or advance bookings, we strongly recommend securing bookings in the peak season, around public holidays and near/in the school holidays. Regardless of the time of year, we recommend booking activities and accommodations in advance if you want to be sure you won’t miss out.
• Use the search feature on this website and browse our map to find travel information, recommendations, reviews and itineraries. We put a lot of effort into helping you plan amazing trips for free.
• Download a copy of our ebooks to make planning your route, activities, accommodations and eateries a breeze. These guides will literally shave weeks off your planning time!
• Book a private Zoom consultation with me (Sarah, the founder of NZTT). I can help create you a personalised itinerary, designed just for you. I can also answer any questions you have, ensuring you’re ready for your trip.
• Sign up for our free email newsletter and get the best of New Zealand sent straight to your inbox.
• Ensure you’ve joined our free Facebook group . With over 50,000 members, it’s a wealth of knowledge and sharing! Be inspired by others and ask questions about your upcoming trip.
• Secure your activities, tours, rental car and more using your NZTT discounts and save some serious money!
• Support our work by booking other activities and accommodation through us. By using our links, we get a small payment at no cost to you or the operator, allowing us to create more content (like this post!). If you use Booking.com , GetYourGuide , Viator , Klook , or BookMe , we really appreciate your support.
• Read accommodation listings carefully. Hotels and motels come with everything you need for a comfortable stay but some baches (holiday homes) and private accommodations do not include sheets and towels (or may charge extra for them). These accommodations can be booked through Airbnb, Bookabach, VRBO and sometimes Booking.com , so keep an eye out.

Customs and biosecurity when entering and leaving NZ

• You are required to complete an arrival card when you enter New Zealand. It is important that you complete this honestly and openly. If in doubt, declare what you are carrying. If you are allowed the items, the customs officer will let you keep them (even if you’ve declared them). It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
• As a general rule, fresh food and foods that are likely to carry pests or diseases are not allowed into New Zealand. Surprisingly, our border restrictions are not as strict as many people imagine – if you want to bring food that is commercially prepared and packaged, you’ll generally be able to carry it in without issue. Read more about what you need to declare and the food items you can/cannot bring in .
• Most personal medications are allowed into New Zealand. Be sure to declare what you are carrying (even if you know it’s allowed), transport it in its original packaging and have your prescription handy. It also pays to know the maximum amount you can carry. Learn more about bringing medications into NZ before you travel.
• Biosecurity is strict when entering New Zealand but not when you go to leave. You can take most things with you when you leave NZ, but need to be aware of the requirements of the next country you plan to enter.

• We use New Zealand dollars in New Zealand.
• Currencies from other countries are not accepted (that includes AUD and USD), but it is possible to exchange foreign currencies at currency exchange stores (found in airports and in larger cities).
• Credit/debit cards are widely accepted. It’s only when you’re in a smaller store (like a dairy/convenience store, where credit cards are sometimes not accepted).
• Preloaded currency cards are also a popular choice. We recommend Wise thanks to its low fees. Even better, if you load currency when exchange rates are good, you’ll benefit there too. And if you use our code , transfers will be totally free initially! Be sure to order your card well before leaving home.
• Paywave is commonly used, but there is sometimes an extra fee for doing so. Because some stores don’t accept Paywave, we still suggest carrying a physical card (and not just relying on electronic cards stored on your phone).
• You generally won’t be charged a surcharge for using a credit card – smaller stores might though (and this is becoming more common). They have to disclose this before you make your purchase, so you can use a different means of payment if you prefer.
• Even if you plan to use your credit/debit card as you travel in NZ, we suggest getting out a few hundred dollars in local currency for those times cards are not accepted. ATM withdrawals are often cheaper than currency converters.
• Remember, every time you swipe your overseas card, you’ll likely be charged a currency conversion fee and a bank charge. Though credit cards are widely accepted in New Zealand, and they’re very easy to use, it is sometimes cheaper to withdraw the maximum allowed amount in cash from an ATM once you arrive in NZ.
• Ensure your credit/debit card has a pin number preloaded before departing (our pins are four digits).
• If your card does not have a pin number, you’ll need to sign for purchases. This can be a problem in quieter towns where petrol stations are unmanned (as those machines only accept cards with pin numbers). To avoid issues if you don’t have a pin number preloaded (which really only seems to be an issue for some US visitors), we recommend refuelling in larger towns where an attendant is able to check your signature. Or, purchase a prepaid Prezzy Card or MTA gift card to use as you travel around.
• Tipping is genuinely not required. However, it is becoming more common in large cities when you experience good service. Don’t feel obliged though – the choice is yours.
• Our prices include tax. The advertised price is exactly what you’ll pay.

Public holidays & school holidays

• Public holidays are generally quieter in big cities (like Auckland and Wellington ) as locals head away on holiday. This means the roads around the country are often busier than usual. Try to travel outside of peak times if you can – get up nice and early, or drive late at night, for example.
• The school year is broken into quarters, with school holidays in between. School holidays are a busier (and often more expensive) time to travel right across the country. Check the school holiday and public holiday dates before planning your trip – try to avoid them if you can.
• Shops sometimes close on public holidays. Most shops will be closed on Christmas Day (25 December), Good Friday, Easter Sunday and ANZAC Day (25 April, until 1.00 pm), including supermarkets and malls. Pharmacies, souvenir shops, petrol stations, small grocery shops/dairies, and eateries are generally an exception to this rule – they are allowed to be open year around.
• Alcohol cannot be sold on the restricted trading days mentioned above. The one exception to this rule is bars, cafes and restaurants, as long as you purchase a meal with your drink.

When to travel to New Zealand

• The best time to travel to NZ depends on what you want to see/do and how many other travellers you want to see on the road. Whatever season you travel in, expect the weather to change quickly due to our geography. March, April & May : Autumn/fall generally has settled weather, though temperatures begin to drop. Some trees drop their leaves, turning the countryside a brilliant shade of orange first. Crowds lessen after a busy summer. This can be a great time to travel. June, July & August : Winter is our coldest season, but most of the country still has fairly mild weather. Skiing and hot pools are popular holiday activities, and outside of mountain resort towns, tourism is relatively quiet. September, October & November : Spring brings warmer weather, though bouts of rain are still to be expected. As the season goes on, expect to see lambs in the fields and beautiful floral displays in gardens. December, January & February : Summer is peak season across the country – particularly mid-December until early February when school holidays are in full swing. The weather is generally warm and sunny, though as always, in NZ, it can be changeable, and many people enjoy outdoor activities and camping.

What to pack

• Because the weather is so changeable, we recommend packing layers (especially outside of summer). This will allow you to add another thin layer, or remove one as the weather changes throughout the day.
• Read our packing list to ensure you don’t leave anything behind.
• Be sure to include power converters and adapters if required. Learn more about what you might need and/or purchase a travel adaptor or converter .
• Remember, you can purchase practically everything in New Zealand, so don’t panic if you forget something.

Mobile Phones & Wifi

• Most international service providers provide mobile roaming for mobile phones in New Zealand. If you plan on using your normal phone number and provider, you might need to turn global roaming on before leaving home. Check with your phone company first.
• If you’re wanting cheaper calls, messages and data in NZ, we suggest getting a local sim. A number of mobile providers sell cheap prepaid or pay-as-you-go plans. We recommend Skinny – they use the Spark network (which is one of the more expensive companies), whilst offering some of the best prices. Plus, you won’t be locked into a contract – just stop paying or cancel your plan when you’re done. Get your free Skinny data here!
• Many businesses offer complimentary WiFi as you’re travelling around. It’s often pretty slow, but can be helpful if you don’t have data on your mobile.
• Practically all accommodation providers also offer free unlimited WiFi for the duration of your stay.

Helpful apps to download

• Preload the New Zealand map to Google Maps on your phone using the instructions for Apple or Android . This will allow you to navigate without using data.
• Gaspy compares the price of petrol at different stations so you can ensure you’re getting the best deal.
• If you plan on freedom camping , download CamperMate Australia & NZ and Rankers Camping NZ to find the best places to park up for the night.
• Download supermarket apps – New World and Countdown . Both will give you discounts in-store and the Countdown app will also award you vouchers if you spend enough.
• If you want to easily split payments when travelling with friends, we recommend Splitwise . It makes this job so easy!
• Load TripIt onto your phone to automatically collate all your booking information into an easy-to-follow itinerary.
• XE helps you quickly convert between NZD and your home currency.
• If you’re an animal lover, be sure to download Merlin Bird ID (and preload the NZ map) to help identify the birds you see in Aotearoa .
• Download AllTrails if you enjoy walking/hiking/tramping.

• Shops are generally open from 9 am – 5.30 pm, Monday to Saturday.
• Supermarkets and large stores (like Kmart and hardware stores) are often open longer.
• Many malls have a late night on Thursday or Friday when they are open until 9 pm.
• On Sundays shops in smaller towns are often closed and malls tend to run reduced hours (10 am – 5 pm).
• Single-use plastic bags are banned in New Zealand. At the supermarket, most people use reusable shopping bags (which are affordable and available for purchase at the checkout counter) or paper bags (again, purchased in-store). Other shops (like clothing and homeware stores) have plastic bags made from a thicker material – there is sometimes a small charge if you would like one of these.
• If you smoke or vape, it’s important to know cigarettes and vapes are only available for purchase by people 18 and over. Like alcohol (which also requires purchasers to be 18+), a passport is the only form of international ID accepted.

Eating and drinking in nz

• Tap water is safe to drink in New Zealand – and it generally tastes great! Grab yourself an insulated drink bottle and refill it as you travel around.
• If you ask nicely, cafes will generally refill your water bottle for you if you run short partway through the day. There’s really no need to purchase bottled water.
• Supermarkets are the most affordable option for purchasing food. Mini-marts (like Four Square) are also good options in smaller towns. These grocery stores sell precooked meals, chilled salads, cooked chickens and more. Perfect if you’d like an affordable dinner without having to cook.
• Where possible, buy snacks and drinks from the supermarket and save dairies, petrol stations and cafes for treats and top-up purchases.
• Need a quick meal on the go? We have most of the big US takeaway restaurants including McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s and recently even Carl’s Jr., Texas Chicken and Taco Bell. We also have some great fish and chip shops, along with Thai, Indian, roasts and a range of cultural cuisines.
• Bakeries and lunch bars are found right across the country. These are great places to go for an affordable morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea. While here, be sure to try our world-famous meat pies !
• Restaurant bookings are recommended in small towns (like Tekapo ) and busy tourist centres (like Queenstown ).
• Make use of First Table to get 50% off restaurant dining. The only catch? You’ll need to book the first or last table of the service. It’s a great way to save money at a wide range of restaurants.
• Vegan, vegetarian and gluten/dairy/nut-free meals are pretty easy to find, particularly in larger cities . If you’re planning to stock up at the supermarket, you’ll find the bigger stores in bigger cities carry the widest range of specialty ingredients – stock up in places like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch .
• We have some unique and delicious local cuisines including hāngī, fresh seafood, meat pies, Southland cheese rolls, pavlova, lolly cake and so much more. Be sure to try these Kiwi favourites while in NZ.
• If you plan to drink or purchase alcohol, you must be 18 years of age or older. People under 18 can only drink alcohol with their parents. If you look under 25, you will likely be asked for identification . Carry your passport with you as other forms of international ID are not accepted.
• Alcohol sales are limited in New Zealand. On-licence venues (like bars and restaurants) and clubs cannot sell alcohol outside of 8 am – 4 am. Off-licences (like bottle shops, supermarkets and grocery stores) cannot sell alcohol outside of 7 am – 11 pm. Many local councils have stricter rules though, so check in your local area.
• Spirits and hard alcohol is not available at the supermarket – expect wines, beers and ciders only there. If you’d like spirits or liquors, head to a bottle store, bar, restaurant or club.
• Our drink-driving limits are relatively low. The alcohol for drivers 20 years and over is 250 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol per litre of breath and the blood alcohol limit is 50 milligrams (mg) per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood. This means most people can have a drink and drive safely, but for some, even that will be too much. It is best to be cautious – if you plan on drinking, consider booking an Uber or walking. If under 20, the alcohol limit for drivers is zero.

Medical care

• If you are injured while on holiday in New Zealand, you will be covered by ACC . This means your treatment will be free or subsidised.
• ACC does not cover illness, injuries getting to/from New Zealand, injuries in cruise ships or care when you return home.
• If you need medical treatment while in New Zealand, you can go to an accident and emergency (A&E) clinic, a general practitioner, or the emergency department in a public hospital. ACC may cover some or all of the cost, or you may have to pay for it yourself (it’s then that travel insurance comes in handy).
• Pharmacies and chemists are found right around the country. They dispense a range of over-the-counter medications.
• Some, like painkillers, can be purchased from supermarkets too.

Keeping safe

• In an emergency phone 111 for the police, ambulance or fire service. This is a free call on your mobile phone. If you need to speak to the police about a non-emergency situation, phone 105.
• If heading into the bush, or on a back-country tramp, we suggest hiring a PLB . Or, at the very least, share details of where you intend to be and when you’ll be returning with a trusted loved one.
• New Zealand is positioned on the Pacific Ring of Fire. As such, it is more prone to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. In the unlikely event of a Civil Defense emergency, an emergency mobile alert will be broadcast to all capable phones from cell towers. Follow the instructions provided, and if you are unsure, ask in our Facebook group or call emergency services on 111. If it will make you more comfortable, you can also read about how to react in an earthquake , flood , landslide , severe storm , snowstorm , tsunami and volcanic eruption . Try not to worry, however. Most New Zealanders will never experience these events. Don’t let the thought of a natural disaster ruin your holiday or stop you from visiting!
• Be careful when swimming in New Zealand. Only fairly confident swimmers should swim at surf beaches – and always between the flags with lifeguards on duty. If you want to swim at an unpatrolled surf beach, ensure you know what a rip current looks like and be sure to avoid them.
• If swimming in waterholes or rivers, check the depth and that the area is clear of logs before jumping in. Also check currents in rivers.
• The sun in New Zealand is very strong. Use a high SPF sunscreen , wear a hat, and where possible stay out of the sun during the middle of the day and early afternoon in the summertime.
• For your comfort, carry insect repellent, particularly when around lakes/rivers and when outside around sundown in the summertime. We recommend Bushman repellent which is available from many pharmacies in NZ. The West Coast of the South Island is particularly bad for sandflies, and though they aren’t an issue for most people, their bites are itchy. If it’s not too hot, wearing long sleeves and pants helps keep them away.
• Though New Zealand is a safe country compared to most, it’s still important to be aware of your personal safety. Avoid walking alone at night and be aware of your surroundings. Hitch-hiking is not recommended.
• Avoid leaving valuables in your car. If you need to, ensure they are hidden from view. Some travellers purchase a dark-coloured sheet to cover the back seat or boot/trunk.

Communicating in New Zealand

Te reo māori.

The Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand; they were here long before New Zealand was settled by Pākehā and their culture and language is seen and heard throughout the country today.

As you travel New Zealand, you may notice place names that look unfamiliar to you and hear words that you don’t recognise – chances are, those will be te reo Māori words.

Did you know? Te = ‘the’. Reo = ‘language’.  So te reo Māori literally means ‘ the Māori language ‘.

Te reo uses the same letters as English (though some letters aren’t used). 

There are five vowels (the same as in English), which are grouped together with consonants or other vowels.

Vowels have either a long or a short sound.  If you see a line over the top of a letter (known as a macron), that’s your signal to extend the vowel sound.

Te Reo Māori Pronunciation Tips

The five te reo vowels are pronounced differently to the English language.

Each of the vowels are pronounced as follows:

Short vowels

A  as in aloud E  as in entry I  as in eat O  as in ordinary U  as in to

Long vowels

A  as in car E  as in led I  as in peep O  as in pork U  as in loot

The Māori consonants are pronounced as you would in English with very few exceptions.

The ‘ng’ digraph is pronounced as it sounds in the English word ‘singer’.

The ‘wh’ digraph originally sounded like the ‘wh’ in ‘whisper’, but in most dialects has evolved to be more like the English ‘f’ sound .

– Victoria University Wellington

When reading words aloud, you’ll notice that sounds are grouped together.  This video does an excellent job of explaining how that sounds.

Basic Te Reo Māori Words Worth Learning

The following are words you may hear as you travel around.  You may even like to try speaking some te reo Māori yourself whilst in NZ!

• kia ora – a casual hello/thank you
• tēnā koe – hello or thank you to one person
• tēnā koutou – hello or thank you to a group (3+)
• haere mai – welcome
• āe – yes
• kāo – no
• haere rā – goodbye (said to someone who is leaving)
• e noho rā – goodbye (said to someone who is staying)

If you’re looking to further up-skill your use of te reo, our list of te reo Māori words and these instructions about how to count in Māori , are great starting points. 

This te reo Māori dictionary is a great help when it comes to translation and pronunciation too.

Pro Tip:  In New Zealand it is culturally offensive to sit on a table; this is because of the Māori customs observed here.  To show respect, make sure that you keep your bottom away from any tables.

Phrases That Are Uniquely Kiwi (and a wee bit Aussie)

Alongside our te reo words, we have a bunch of words and phrases that are distinctively from New Zealand. 

You might hear the following words whilst travelling the country…

New Zealand is an incredibly diverse country.

It is culturally rich, absolutely stunning, and best of all, safe for travellers and locals alike.

With friendly locals, a fantastic range of activities (both paid and free) and heaps of adventure, we reckon it’s a must-see part of the world.

Whether you’re planning a short trip or a long one, we hope the New Zealand travel tips in this post help make your job easier. 

If there’s anything else we can help with, please ask in our Facebook group – we’d love to hear from you.

Happy travels, bro!

Other questions travellers frequently ask

Driving in New Zealand is not difficult; we have similar road rules and mannerisms to many other western countries, including Australia, the United States and the UK.  In New Zealand, we drive on the left-hand side of the road at all times and have speed limits that range from 50km/h to 110km/h.  If you are driving slowly on the open road, it is wise to pull over to let faster traffic pass.  When travelling on the motorway (highway), keep to the left unless passing.  Finally, we use  roundabouts  frequently in New Zealand so it’s worth learning about how to use them safely and efficiently – as a general rule though, you give way to your right.

New Zealand can be an expensive place to visit.  Prices in Aotearoa are generally comparable to European countries like France and Italy.  To keep costs down, you’re able to purchase groceries from supermarkets and drink tap water – it’s just as good as expensive bottled water!

There is no one best time to visit New Zealand but if you want settled weather whilst avoiding crowds, February and March are our favourite months.

New Zealand is one of the best places in the world so unsurprisingly, it is definitely with the trip!  It is also a long way from much of the rest of the world though.  When planning a visit to Aotearoa, we suggest allowing enough time to really enjoy your visit – it takes longer to get from A to B than you might expect.

We recommend a  minimum of 2 weeks  (or 14 days) if you plan on enjoying the highlights of the North and South Island.  To see more than just the highlights, we recommend a total of 4 weeks+; New Zealand really shines when you have the time to sit back, relax and really enjoy it. However, if you have less time it’s still worth visiting – just limit the number of places you plan to visit.

New Zealand is not generally dangerous, for tourists or locals.  We have low levels of violence but still recommend you observe normal caution when walking alone at night or hitchhiking.  Unfortunately, we have comparatively high levels of theft, especially from cars.  To safeguard yourself, be sure to tuck any personal items out of view, or even better, take them with you during the day.

Founder of one of Aotearoa's most popular and helpful Facebook travel planning groups, Sarah shares reliable information and discounts around New Zealand. As an experienced tour guide, travel writer and airline reservations consultant, she enjoys bringing you the best of New Zealand.

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Bay of Islands

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When people learn I’m from New Zealand , I often hear that it’s at the top of their bucket list — or, if they’ve been, that it’s their favorite country in the world.  I may be biased, but I am not surprised. The stunning natural beauty, thriving culinary scene, and unique outdoor activities would charm even the most seasoned traveler.

Everywhere you look, there’s a picture-perfect backdrop filled with greenery and crystal-clear waters. And although it has a lot of untouched land, it boasts the same highlights you would find in any major global city, with art galleries, shopping districts, nightlife, and luxury hotels. Plus, it’s politically stable and very safe, which are increasingly appealing traits.

Geographically, the country is divided into two islands with distinct characteristics: the North Island is full of beaches and is home to the main cities, and the South Island is an alpine wonderland, defined by majestic mountain landscapes, rugged coasts, and world-class ski slopes. There has been a lot of development over the past few years, and travelers have more places to eat, stay, and play than ever before.  Below, see Travel + Leisure ’s essential guide to making the most of this magical South Pacific destination, according to a local.

Angelina Pilarinos/Travel + Leisure

North Island

The North Island is lined with beautiful beaches and islands surrounding the narrow coasts. It’s also where the capital, Wellington, is located, along with the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, Auckland , which is an essential destination on any New Zealand itinerary (and the gateway for most international flights). As Annie Dundas, head of the visitor economy for Auckland Unlimited notes, Auckland is “an urban oasis — the perfect fusion of a busy, modern city that looks out to mesmerizing landscapes and islands — all within easy reach and laden with wineries and leisurely places for long lunches.” It is worth spending at least four days in Auckland, but the North Island has many unique areas to explore, and below, we’ve charted the key destinations to prioritize.

Things to Do

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is a popular day trip for locals and is accessible by boat, ferry, or helicopter from downtown Auckland. It’s filled with boutique wineries, restaurants, and beautiful beaches, and is especially popular in the summer months, when music festivals and jazz concerts are hosted in sprawling vineyards. There’s also a contemporary art sculpture trail, Sculpture on the Gulf , hosted each summer, enticing many Aucklanders across the harbor for a cultured day out. Pop over for the day, tour the wineries, get a scoop of ice cream at Island Gelato Company , and wander around the artisan boutiques. If you’d like to spend the night, there are high-end rentals available on Waiheke Unlimited and Vrbo , or for a hotel, go for Delamore Lodge .

Visit the Auckland Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery

For a close-up view of New Zealand’s culture and history, visit the stately Auckland Museum , where you’ll find a collection of national artifacts along with a rotation of exhibitions. It’s set at the top of the city’s main park and is within walking distance of Auckland CBD, where the Auckland Art Gallery is located. Here you’ll find some of the country’s most valuable artworks along with various international collections. Both are worthwhile attractions that can be ticked off in half a day.

Explore Commercial Bay and Britomart

Downtown Auckland has been transformed over the past decade and has become the city’s most vibrant shopping and dining hub. It’s bustling from day to night and is especially packed on Friday nights for after-work drinks and dinner. You can find some of the city’s best restaurants and cocktail bars within a small vicinity, and it’s a fashion mecca, with storefronts from major brands and local fashion designers (be sure to check out Karen Walker , Kate Sylvester , and Zambesi ).

Courtesy of Park Hyatt Auckland

Park Hyatt Auckland

Since opening in 2020, the Park Hyatt has become the crème de la crème of the Auckland hotel scene. It has a prime location, excellent views, amenities, restaurants, and spacious rooms with freestanding bathtubs and terraces overlooking the Viaduct Harbor — ideal for room service with some atmosphere. It’s within walking distance of the best bars, restaurants, and shops, but it feels like a serene enclave where you can manage to get a good night’s sleep, despite being right by the action.

The Hotel Britomart

As the name suggests, this chic hotel is located right in the heart of Britomart, surrounded by some of Auckland’s best shopping and dining. Rooms are sleek and modern yet very small, so are suitable for solo travelers and couples. If you’re seeking something more spacious, the suites are some of the finest in the city (with price tags to match). And the restaurant, Kingi, is also excellent. 

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbor

Located between the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter, the Sofitel has long been a go-to for celebrities and diplomats visiting New Zealand. It boasts the high standards that you would expect from the French hotel brand, with a fine-dining restaurant, elegant interiors, and an impressive spa and wellness center. 

Restaurants

For a fun atmosphere and Italian-inspired fare, head to Bivacco in the Viaduct. The menu has sharable classics like pizza, antipasto, pasta, and oysters, and on any given day, you’ll find yourself surrounded by well-heeled locals socializing over bottles of rosé and cocktails. 

Soul is a restaurant that has stood the test of time, and for over 20 years, it has been a go-to venue for some of the city’s most stylish soirees. Like Bivacco, it’s also a lively spot in the heart of the Viaduct, where people go for the food as well as the scene. After dinner, there’s a dance floor that attracts a mature crowd, and on the menus you’ll find fresh seafood and bistro classics alongside an extensive wine and Champagne list.

While it’s not the newest or the sceniest place, Prego has been a solid option along Ponsonby Road for years and is just as popular with families as it is for birthday celebrations and dinners preceding big nights out at the bars along the strip. Go for the pizza or the chicken saltimbocca — everything on the menu is great as are the cocktails. Always a reliable destination for a good atmosphere and delicious food.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Known locally as Te Papa , the country’s largest museum is an essential on any Wellington itinerary. It contains over 800,000 artworks and objects, and it has a rotation of exhibitions including dinosaur skeletons and ancient artifacts that you would expect to find at the American Museum of Natural History. It’s an interesting experience for children and adults alike.

Ride the Wellington Cable Car

For panoramic views of the city, jump on the historic Wellington Cable Car , which boards in the heart of the Lambton Quay shopping district and travels up the hillside of Kelburn. Here you will find a scenic lookout, botanic gardens, and the Cable Car Museum . 

Wander Hannahs Laneway 

Also known as Leeds Street, Hannah’s Laneway is a foodie’s paradise, lined with street food vendors, contemporary art, and cool cafes. You can pick up a variety of distinctly "Kiwi" specialties, from black forest toast to pies and creamy hot chocolates. Just be sure to skip breakfast so you have room to sample everything.

QT Wellington

This centrally located hotel could be equated to the likes of The Standard and Edition Hotels, with quirky, ultramodern design and a lively food and beverage scene.  It’s right across from the Te Papa Museum in the center of town and is popular with both business and leisure travelers. There are 65 hotel rooms with either city or harbor views, and it also has 98 apartments. 

Wharekauhau Country Estate

Although it’s a 90-minute drive from Wellington, this luxury lodge is a popular stop on any Wellington itinerary. It’s set on a 5,000-acre estate overlooking the coast and has welcomed the royal family and many international diplomats visiting the capital. Everything is designed so that you don’t need to leave: food is included and sourced from the farm, it has a spa and fitness center, and a variety of outdoor activities from ATV quad biking to tennis. 

You will need to book a month in advance to secure a table at this intimate prix-fixe restaurant. The menu is seasonal and it changes every day, so there’s always something new. A typical night might feature lamb manti, panfried snapper, and crisp meringue — delicious renditions of local New Zealand cuisine.

Located on the nightlife-centric Cuba Street, Loretta is a place to enjoy crowd-pleasing classics in a fun environment.  It’s renowned for its sourdough pizzas and vanilla cheesecakes and is a great place to go with friends before a night out or for brunch on a Sunday. 

Ortega Fish Shack

This nautical-themed restaurant has some of the best seafood around, from Yellowtail Kingfish ceviche to smoked Moki rillettes and green lipped mussels. It’s a charming and eclectic place that perfectly represents the hip, creative vibe of Wellington. 

Sculptureum

Sculptureum is a lovely and cultured place to spend an afternoon, with six art galleries, three sculpture gardens, a vineyard, and a restaurant appropriately named Rothko. Whether you’re staying in the area or doing a day trip up from Auckland, it’s an essential for contemporary art lovers and is especially great to visit in the summer months.

Matakana Village Farmers Market

Every weekend, Matakana Village comes alive with rustic markets featuring a variety of artisan food stands and fresh local produce. You’ll find delicious local cheese, honey, baked goods, chocolate, and award-winning flat whites.  It’s set up right next to the boutiques in the charming village, where you’ll find everything from quaint homeware stores to shoe shops, and there’s also a cinema and a restaurant within the main village complex.

Omaha Beach

The Rodney District has some of the most stunning beaches on the North Island, and one of the most popular among them is Omaha — a white sand beach that attracts swimmers, surfers, and families setting up for the day. It’s only a 10-minute drive from Matakana Village, and it has ample parking, a café, a boutique with swim essentials, and a playground. For bigger waves, surfers head to Tawharanui Beach , which is also located within the Matakana region. 

Takatu Lodge

This gorgeous boutique lodge is located on a serene hilltop overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. It has only four suites with luxurious furnishings, underfloor heating, and views overlooking the gardens and the vineyards. Meals are provided in the dining spaces and tailored to guests’ preferences. Also, picnics are on offer for those wanting to set up at the nearby beaches for the day. 

Courtesy of Brick Bay

Brick Bay is a similar concept to Sculptureum, with a restaurant, wine tastings, and a contemporary sculpture trail positioned around a pond and throughout a native bush. It’s been around for a long time and is very popular with both locals and Aucklanders, so it’s worth booking in advance, even if it’s just to sample their wine varietals over a cheese platter after the lunchtime rush. 

Cruise the Islands

The Bay of Islands has 144 subtropical islands, and there are many ways to explore them, be it by chartering a yacht, going on a scheduled group boat tour, hiring a kayak, or embarking of a snorkeling expedition. You can see an abundance of enchanting sea life, too, including dolphins, penguins, and whales. 

Visit the Waitangi Treaty grounds

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is New Zealand’s most important historic site, where the country’s founding document was signed back in 1840. Today, it contains two museums with interactive displays, guided tours to learn about the country’s history, and traditional Maori cultural performances that are staged in the meeting house. 

Kauri Cliffs

Kauri Cliffs was recently added to the Rosewood portfolio, which is testament to its high standards. It’s one of New Zealand’s most iconic luxury lodges, with a golf course that is ranked 37th on Golf Digest ’s Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in the World, an excellent restaurant, and a fabulous spa nestled into a tranquil forest full of native birdlife. 

Eagle’s Nest

Positioned on a private 75-acre peninsula overlooking the Bay of Islands, Eagle’s Nest is one of New Zealand’s most luxurious boutique retreats. It is an intimate enclave, with only five villas that are beautifully designed. One thing to note is that there is no restaurant, however breakfast provisions are provided and there are on-call chefs available for private dining. 

Duke of Marlborough

The Duke of Marlborough is New Zealand’s first pub, and since opening in 1827 (before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed nearby), it has undergone various reincarnations. Visit today and you’ll find a refined version of a classic pub, with décor that feels fresh while honoring its history. Menus feature locally sourced, seasonal fare with popular items like paua risotto, clam fritters, pork belly, and of course, a solid burger.  

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

South Island

The South Island is renowned for its spectacular natural scenery from the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman to the fiords and mountains in the Southern Alps. The vibe is generally more casual, and it’s where many of the country’s best adventure activities can be experienced. In Wanaka and Queenstown , you’ll find pristine ski slopes, dramatic mountain landscapes, and an array of sprawling wineries. It’s also home to many of New Zealand’s Great Walks and multi-day hikes. There are many beautiful places to explore, and as Sarah Handley, Tourism New Zealand's general manager for the Americas and Europe notes, “New Zealand's connection to the U.S. has never been stronger, and Americans can now fly non-stop to Christchurch, in the South Island, with United's direct service from SFO [starting Dec. 8].”

Americans can now fly non-stop to Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island, with United Airlines' direct service from San Francisco (SFO) starting Dec. 8.

Over the Top Helicopter Tour

For a true bucket list experience, take a helicopter ride and tour through the Southern Alps and the Milford Sound.  It’s the most magical way to see everything, and experience areas that are usually inaccessible, like the secluded Madagascar Beach and snow-capped, sky-high peaks. The "eurocopters" are state of the art, with maximum visibility from any vantage point.  They can be booked privately or as part of scheduled group tours. 

JensenChua/Getty Images

TSS Earnslaw Cruise

Renowned as "the Lady of the Lake," the Earnslaw is a 110-year-old steamboat that tours Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown down to Glenorchy. It’s one of the best ways to observe the natural grandeur of the Remarkables and Cecil Peak and is a particularly popular activity for families. The cruise itself take 90 minutes, but there are various experiences that can be added on arrival at Walter Peak High Country Farm, including horse treks, cycling, or barbecues. 

Arrowtown is a historic gold-mining town that looks like a village out of a fairy tale. Everything has been lovingly preserved and it is lined with quaint artisan boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants. It’s only a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, and on the way, you could stop at Millbrook Resort for a round of golf or a spa session (just outside of the main village). Be sure to stop at The Remarkable Sweet Shop for the crème brulee fudge.  

Eichardt’s Private Hotel

Eichardt’s an iconic Queenstown establishment and one of the most beloved boutique hotels in the country. It has an exceptional cocktail bar, restaurant, and a spa, along with a $20,000-per-night penthouse located above the Louis Vuitton boutique next door. The location could not be better, positioned right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the center of the action. Inside the rooms, the interiors are ultra-luxurious and suited to the alpine theme of the town — think crackling fireplaces, marble bathrooms with underfloor heating, and plush beds with fur throws. 

Matakauri Lodge

Matakauri Lodge is another property that was recently added to Rosewood’s portfolio (along with Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers in the Hawkes Bay) and is a key destination on New Zealand’s luxury circuit, hosting the British royal family and many celebrities over the years. The intimate lakeside retreat has only 13 spacious accommodations and it boasts stunning views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. Cocktail hour is a social affair, and the food and wine offerings are world class.

The Carlin is new, but it’s already garnered international acclaim, winning Best New Hotel at the Boutique Hotel Awards in 2022. It’s a place that would have "Palace" distinction if it were in France, with ultra-luxe amenities that surpass the typical five-star standard. Guests have access to private jets and Michelin-star dining, and it is home to the largest penthouse in the Southern Hemisphere.

Located just a 15-minute drive from the city center, Amisfield is the most popular winery and restaurant in the region and is an essential daytime excursion for any Queenstown itinerary. Wine tastings are available, and there are excellent Pinot Noirs produced on site. But to make the most of it, do an al fresco lunch in the beautifully manicured courtyard and take in the views of the postcard-worthy mountains.

Botswana Butchery

This lively lakefront bistro is one to book in advance, particularly if you’re visiting on a weekend. It has a charming atmosphere and some of the best representations of hearty New Zealand cuisine sourced from the surrounding farms and waters. It also has an excellent wine list with varietals from vineyards in the area.

You will need to time your visit to Fergburger well, as the lines can often exceed an hour in the evenings, but it has the best burgers in Queenstown (and anywhere, really) and is worth factoring in. There is a long menu of options to suit everyone including vegetarian options, beef, lamb, pork, fish, chicken, and also breakfast burgers. The same operators also opened Fergbaker next door where you can pick up a classic meat pie — both delicious options, especially on a cold and snowy day.

Blanket Bay

Glenorchy is very remote, and what to do, where to stay, and where to dine all fall under the same category if you want to do it well. The place to go? Blanket Bay, where apocalypse-weary billionaires are known to escape. It is one of the country’s finest luxury lodges and is the best way to experience all the area has to offer, with an excellent restaurant, bar, spa and wellness center, and a variety of outdoor activities from horse riding to heliskiing and jet boating. Accommodations are split between rooms in the main house and luxuriously decorated standalone villas.

Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

Located in the Mt. Cook National Park, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve has some of the clearest and darkest skies for star-spotting. It was the first Dark Sky Reserve to be established in New Zealand, and is a magical way to experience the country’s untouched natural beauty by night. 

Explore the City’s Art Galleries

Christchurch has a thriving art scene and many galleries in the central city that are worth checking out. The main ones to prioritize are the Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCa) , Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu , and the Christchurch Art Centre . 

The Mayfair

Since opening in 2022, The Mayfair has been a welcome addition to the city’s luxury hotel scene. It’s a boutique hotel with minimal, contemporary décor, and sophisticated dining options from high tea to an all-day café and cocktail bar and bistro. The central location makes it popular for both leisure and business travelers. 

The Observatory Hotel

The Observatory is a chic, design-forward boutique hotel that also opened in Christchurch in 2022.  It has rich interiors that give the sense of eternal night, with vivid colors and ambient lighting. Rooms are very photogenic, and there are multiple dining options from the Drawing Room to all-day eatery Bunsen, and more casual options within the broader complex, from food trucks to sushi and dumplings.

Inati is a stylish fine dining establishment helmed by the former head chef of Gordon Ramsay’s The Warrington. If there’s one place to book in advance in Christchurch, this is it. The menu is filled with sharing plates and is divided into earth, land, and sea categories. Guests can park up at elegant stools overlooking the open kitchen and observe their food being artfully crafted. 

If you want to experience the great outdoors (which is the primary drawcard), the best time to visit is over the summer, between December and the beginning of April. During this period, temperatures are balmy and you’re more likely to encounter solid blocks of sunshine. It’s also when the cities come alive, with many music festivals and cultural events, and is the best time to explore the beaches, wineries, and stunning walking tracks. That said, New Zealand is a great place to visit year-round, and it is also a world-renowned ski destination with ski resorts throughout the North and South Island. If you’re looking to ski, the months to consider would be between June and October, when the fields are open. 

Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

The best way to get to New Zealand is to fly into Auckland Airport, which is the country’s primary gateway. Air New Zealand has multiple routes available, including a direct flight from New York City, which takes 17 hours but is surprisingly manageable, given it flies overnight (and the airline is renowned for its excellent cuisine and high standard overall). United Airlines is launching a direct flight from San Francisco's SFO in December, and Qantas also has a route from New York to Auckland. 

Once you arrive at the airport, there are taxis and rideshare services available, including Uber, but given everything is quite spread out, it is definitely worth renting a car. That will allow you to easily explore all of the different areas (some of which don’t have regular public transport options available). Driving is also a great way to visit some of the more remote beaches and destinations off the beaten path. If you’re planning on staying in the city centers, there are buses available, trains (albeit with limited routes), and ferries. 

New Zealand Travel Guide

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

New Zealand Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 1, 2024

Backpacking through New Zealand is one of the most popular activities in the world, with thousands of people making their way there on their round-the-world trip (backpackers sweep up those working holiday visas!).

Whether you’re a backpacker, budget traveler, or want to splurge a bit more, New Zealand won’t let you down. I’ve loved all my visits to New Zealand. The people are friendly, the country is beyond beautiful, the wine is cheap, the people are friendly, and you meet a lot of travelers. It’s one of the best countries in the world. I’ve never heard anyone not love their time in the country. You will leave here wanting to come back.

And, fortunately, as the land of backpackers, budget travel in New Zealand is easy to do if you know a few tips and tricks on how to save money. It won’t be dirt cheap, but it doesn’t have to break the bank either.

Use this New Zealand travel guide to plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this incredible destination.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on New Zealand

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in new zealand.

1. Explore Fiordland

Fiordland National Park , located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, is home to Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound. You can walk the forest trail along the sandy Milford shore for perfect views of Mitre Peak, or take the Chasm Walk on the Cleddau River to get close to powerful waterfalls. The are also several multi-day hikes here, including the 4-5 day Milford Track, as well as all kinds of scenic flights and cruises. A wilderness cruise of Doubtful Sound costs 199 NZD.

2. Heli-hike Franz Josef Glacier

Heli-hiking this glacier is amazing. With a heli-hike, you take a scenic helicopter flight over the glacier and then land in remote areas where you can explore on foot. Although the 2-3 hour hike is grueling, many tour providers also throw in a complimentary soak in the Hot Pools at the end. Expect to pay around 485 NZD for a heli-hike. It’s not cheap, but I personally thought it was completely worth the cost. You can also just do a scenic flight with Glacier Helicopters for 360 NZD.

3. Relax in the Bay of Islands

North of Auckland, this area has some of the best opportunities for dolphin and whale watching, relaxing on the beach, swimming, boating, and eating seafood. The area is very low-key and is a popular summer and weekend getaway destination for Aucklanders. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, one of the most important historical sites in the country, is also located here. It’s where the British and Maori signed what is considered the founding document of modern New Zealand. Today, there are two interactive and interesting museums here as well as Maori cultural performances you can attend.

4. See the Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Explore these incredible caves in sheer darkness with nothing but the glow of glowworms to guide your way. It’s an exciting activity as you float down rivers and jump over waterfalls and watch the “starry sky” in the cave. You can also tube and abseil (rappel) through the caves, too. Expect to pay around 55 NZD for the classic 45-minute cave tour and 265 for five-hour tours with abseiling. You can save money overall by purchasing combo tickets (if you want to visit multiple caves or do various tours), or by going on weekdays when you get 20% off.

5. Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Other things to see and do in new zealand, 1. try bungy jumping.

A.J. Hackett, a Kiwi, popularized the modern activity of bungy jumping when he (illegally) jumped off the Eiffel Tower in 1987. Today, bungy jumping is hugely popular around the world, but especially in its country of origin. Any adrenaline seeker worth their salt will do the 134-meter (440-foot) Nevis Bungy Jump outside of Queenstown. If that’s too high, there are smaller ones in Auckland and Queenstown. The price of adventure isn’t cheap, however, with a single jump at Nevis costing 275 NZD.

2. Go skydiving

Another popular adventure activity in New Zealand is skydiving. The best place for this is over Lake Taupo . It provides a stunning backdrop as you plunge to Earth from high above. Taupo Tandem Skydiving offers jumps from 12,000-18,000 feet starting at 279 NZD. You can also take a full-day course to learn how to skydive on your own for 499 NZD. Franz Josef and Lake Wanaka are also popular spots for skydiving as well.

3. Visit Abel Tasman National Park

Located on the South Island, this national park looks like something you’d find in Asia, with its turquoise blue water, dense jungles, and warm temperatures. There are many multi-day hiking trails and beautiful sea kayaking throughout the park. It’s also home to one of the 9 Great Walks of New Zealand, the 60-kilometer (37-mile) Abel Tasman Coastal Wal. Entry is free, though you need to pay 16-24 NZD for a campsite if you plan on staying overnight. Huts are also available for 26-52 NZD per night. Accommodation prices vary depending on the time of year. You can also take a scenic cruise around the park with Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles for 79 NZD.

4. Hang out in Wellington

I found New Zealand’s capital to be the most “artsy” city in New Zealand. There’s great architecture, character, fantastic nightlife, restaurants, and cultural activities. Tour the Beehive (where Parliament meets), ride the cable car for epic views over the city, visit the award-winning Wellington Museum and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, or learn how to make movie-quality armor at Weta Workshop (the special effects studio behind Lord of the Rings , District 9 , Avatar , and many others). You can also leave the city for a wine tour of the Martinborough wine region (149 NZD). There are so many cultural activities to do here so don’t be like other travelers and rush through — it’s worth a few days!

5. Go dolphin and whale watching

Whether you go from the Bay of Islands, Auckland, or somewhere on the South Island, the country is within the migratory route for many of these creatures and you’re bound to see lots of them no matter when you go (though October-March is the best time). Sperm whales, orcas, and humpback whales all call the region home. Boat tours last around 4 hours and cost 135-160 NZD per person.

6. Hit the slopes

During the winter months, the South Island (especially the area around Queenstown and Wanaka) has snow-covered mountains that offer some of the best skiing in the southern hemisphere. Prices vary depending on where you go, how you get there, what equipment you rent, and how long you go for, but expect to pay around 105-140 NZD for a lift pass.

7. Unwind in Rotorua

Located on the North Island, Rotorua is famous for its Maori cultural shows and for its sulfur smell (which comes from the geothermal activity in the area). All around the city are sulfur mud pits that give the city a unique odor. But the upside is that there are a ton of thermal spas in the area to relax in! Also, don’t miss the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute which has all kinds of traditional Maori arts and crafts.

8. Get outdoors in Kaikoura

This is a coastal town several miles north of Christchurch . It is set on a peninsula, which makes it an awesome place to enjoy the mountain scenery while searching for whales and dolphins. Whale Watch Kaikoura is the best company to go whale-watching with here. They are a Maori-owned tour company that guarantees you see at least one whale on your trip (otherwise they refund you 80% of the cost). Additionally, there is an interesting museum, a handful of historical sights, and the Maori Leap limestone cave to see while you’re here.

9. Explore Wellington Botanic Gardens

Of all the beautiful gardens throughout the country, this is perhaps the most popular. There is a vast native forest, an international plant collection, a rose garden, and a landscaped area — complete with a duck pond, sculptures, a playground, and a cafe. Created in 1868, the park spans a massive 25 hectares (60 acres) and makes for a great place to stroll or relax with a book. Admission is free.

10. Ride the Christchurch gondola

If you are in Christchurch, take the gondola ride up Mount Vaendish. The ride is 10 minutes and offers the best views of the city. There is a restaurant at the top if you want to grab a bite to eat while you enjoy the scenery too. Most people walk back down (you can also walk up if you don’t mind the exercise; it takes around 45 minutes). Tickets are 35 NZD (round trip). Wellington and Queenstown also have gondolas for views over these cities as well.

11. Enjoy Queenstown

The action capital of the country, Queenstown is one of the most fun cities I’ve ever visited. There are a lot of outdoor activities and sports (bungy jumping is the most popular) to do in the area, amazing restaurants, and the best nightlife in New Zealand. Everyone who comes ends up staying longer than planned. Don’t skip Fergburger either — they have the best burgers in the country!

12. Watch a Maori cultural show

The Maori are the indigenous people who came to New Zealand from Polynesia in the 14th century. Getting to know Maori culture is important to understanding life in this country. Maori make up about 16% of the country’s population and you’ll see Maori symbols and words throughout the country as you travel. See a Maori cultural show while you are here to get a better understanding of their culture and history. The most popular shows are in Rotorua and cost 150-245 NZD per person (most are 3-4 hours and include a meal).

13. Explore Milford Sound

Milford Sound is such an amazing fjord it deserves its own mention. Located in Fiordland, Milford Sound is best known for the towering Mitre Peak and its surrounding rainforest environments. Waterfalls like Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls cascade down the mountainsides, and the fjord itself is home to seal and penguin colonies. You can often see pods of dolphins frolicking in the waters too. Explore by boat, and check out the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory to see rare black coral and other underwater life. Cruises start from 59 NZD.

14. Visit Wanaka

Wanaka is a ski and summer resort town on New Zealand’s South Island, set on Wanaka Lake and framed by snowcapped mountains. From here you can explore the Southern Alps’ Mount Aspiring National Park, with its many glaciers, beech forests, and alpine lakes. Wanaka Lake itself is perfect for boating enthusiasts, including jet boaters, sailors, and kayakers. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, you’ll want to check out the Treble Cone and Cardrona ski resorts nearby. For some quirky fun, go to Puzzling World just outside town. It’s an outdoor maze and sculpture gallery that’s good for a laugh!

15. Travel to Hobbiton

Journey to Middle Earth with a visit to the Hobbiton movie set featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. This is easily one of New Zealand’s most famous activities, so you can expect crowds. To see Hobbiton, you’ll have to take a tour. It starts with a drive through the owner’s 505-hectare (1,250-acre) sheep farm with some epic views over the Kaimai Ranges. From here, you can explore Bag End, wander around the hobbit holes, and visit the Green Dragon Inn. If you’re a LOTR fan, you can’t pass this up. Tours start at 89 NZD.

16. Visit Stewart Island

Stewart Island is located 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of the South Island. Over 85% of the island is National Park (Rakiura National Park to be exact), and most people come here for hiking and birdwatching. The island has just 28 kilometers (17 miles) of road, but 280 kilometers (175 miles) of walking tracks suited to short walks, day hikes, and multi-day excursions. Walk the three-day Rakiura Track for the full experience of Stewart Island’s natural beauty. Offshore, on Ulva Island, you’ll find a predator-free bird sanctuary with dozens of native species. Getting to Stewart Island means you’ll need to take a ferry or flight. Ferries take one hour and cost 89 NZD while flights from Invercargill take 15 minutes and cost 230 NZD return.

17. Relax on a scenic rail journey

New Zealand’s challenging landscapes demanded some remarkable feats of early railway engineers. While their rail network isn’t vast, thanks to their skill and determination, there are some incredible rail journeys on offer. Travel through remote national parks, along beautiful coastlines, and over rugged volcanic landscapes. The routes are the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, and TranzAlpine. I took the TransAlpine and loved every minute of it. You pass rivers, mountains, cross gorges, and vibrant green farmland. It was the highlight of my trip to New Zealand and one of the most peaceful experiences I had. I can’t recommend it enough. Tickets vary between 169-219 NZD (one-way) depending on the route and how far you go.

18. Take one of the Great Walks

New Zealand has thousands of miles of hiking trails but sitting above them all are the ten Great Walks that journey through the country’s most magnificent places and iconic locations. On the North Island, the Lake Waikaremoana Track takes 3-4 days, leading you through prehistoric rainforests and beautiful wildlife areas. The famous Tongariro Northern Circuit is a challenging 3-4 day excursion where you’ll see active volcanoes, emerald lakes, and epic waterfalls. The South Island has its own unique routes, as well, including the Milford Track, which winds its way through the fjords of Milford Sound. Keep in mind that due to their popularity, Great Walks must be booked in advance (and they can sometimes fill up months ahead of time).

19. Explore wine country

New Zealand’s wine regions extend 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) from sub-tropical Northland down to Central Otago, home to the world’s most southerly vineyards. Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough, and Central Otago are signature New Zealand wine regions and home to a number of different vineyards. Smaller wine-producing areas include Auckland, Gisborne, and Waipara. If you’re keen on seeing the best of what Kiwi vineyards have to offer, check out the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail — a wine-tasting adventure through the heart of New Zealand’s grape-growing regions. If you don’t have your own vehicle, there are plenty of bus (and even bicycle) tours available. Half-day small group wine tours generally cost 120-170 NZD, while full-day tours start at 200 NZD.

20. Visit Mount Cook National Park

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home to some of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers. Here you’ll find sky-scraping peaks, sweeping glaciers, and permanent snowfields. Although it encompasses 23 peaks over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) high, this park is very accessible. State Highway 80 leads to Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, which is situated beside the scenic Lake Pukaki. Far from city lights, the stargazing here is magnificent — Aoraki Mount Cook National Park forms the majority of New Zealand’s only International Dark Sky Reserve. Mountaineers regard the area to be the best climbing region in Australasia, while less skilled adventurers will find plenty of enjoyable hikes with stunning views of the area. Admission is free.

  For more information on specific destinations in the country, check out these guides:

• Auckland Travel Guide
• Bay of Islands Travel Guide
• Christchurch Travel Guide
• Franz Josef Travel Guide
• Nelson Travel Guide
• Queenstown Travel Guide
• Rotorua Travel Guide
• Taupo Travel Guide
• Waitomo Travel Guide
• Wanaka Travel Guide
• Wellington Travel Guide

New Zealand Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostel dorms cost between 25-40 NZD per night for a bed in a dorm with 4-8 beds. Private rooms begin at 75 NZD though most are closer to 100 NZD. Free Wi-Fi is common, though very few hostels include free breakfast. Most hostels have self-catering facilities, so be sure to check before you book if having a kitchen is a priority.

Budget hotels begin around 75 NZD per night. You can often find cheaper hotels and motels, however, they are usually far from the city center or don’t include a private bathroom.

Airbnb is widely available with private rooms starting around 65-85 NZD per night and entire homes/apartments costing at least 120-150 NZD per night. Expect to pay double if you don’t book in advance.

There are also a ton of campgrounds throughout the country with rates starting at around 15 NZD per night. Most Department of Conversation campsites need to be booked in advance online (in the summer they fill up months in advance). Couchsurfing is huge here, too.

Food – New Zealand cuisine consists mostly of seafood, fish and chips, meat pies, and specialties like Maori hangi (meat and vegetables cooked underground). Expect to indulge in things like roast lamb, muscles, scallops, oysters, and snapper. However, the country is overall very veg-friendly, and vegans and vegetarians will find plant-based dishes on restaurant menus throughout the country.

A meal at an inexpensive restaurant serving typical cuisine costs around 20-25 NZD while a nice meal with a drink costs about 50-60 NZD.

A fast-food combo meal (think McDonald’s) costs around 14 NZD. Chinese, Thai, and Indian can be found for 15-20 NZD while takeaway pizzas cost around 10-15 NZD. A takeaway meal of fish and chips is 10-15 NZD.

For drinks, a beer costs 9-10 NZD, a glass of wine is 12-15 NZD, a cocktail is 13-18 NZD, a latte/cappuccino costs 5 NZD, and bottled water is around 3 NZD.

If you choose to cook your food, plan to spend around 60-80 NZD per week on basic foodstuffs like rice, pasta, vegetables, and some meat or fish. PaknSave, mainly located in big cities, is typically the cheapest supermarket.

Backpacking New Zealand Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, prepare to spend at least 75-85 NZD per day. On this budget, you can stay in a hostel dorm, take public transportation to get around, limit your drinking, do free hikes, visit the odd paid site (like museums), and cook your own meals. You’ll need to budget more if you plan to do bigger activities like bungy jumping. You can also lower this by Couchsurfing, camping, and cutting out drinking altogether.

For a more mid-range budget, expect to spend around 150-225 NZD per day. On this budget, you can stay in a private room in a hostel or Airbnb, take the occasional taxi or Uber to get around, do some larger activities like bungy jumping or whale watching, eat out for most meals at casual restaurants, and enjoy a few drinks.

A “luxury” budget of around 315-395 NZD per day or more gets you a hotel, any activities you want, wine tours, delicious meals out, and the best the country has to offer. You can also rent a car or take a scenic train journey. This is just the ground floor for luxury — the sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in NZD.

New Zealand Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Costs in New Zealand can skyrocket quickly if you aren’t careful. Eating out here is expensive and all those adventure activities can really add up. In New Zealand, you have to pick and choose your battles. That said there’s a ton of ways to save here and it’s very easy to travel here on a budget without impacting your experience. Here are ways you can save money in New Zealand:

• Learn to cook – I know this is going to sound crazy but: the food scene in New Zealand isn’t that mind-blowing. Yes, there are nice cafes, some hip gastronomy, and really delicious meals but nothing blew my mind. There’s good food but there’s not great food. At least not great enough when you are trying to save money. If you want to really save, cook your own food. When it comes to buying groceries, the cheaper supermarkets are Pakn’Save or Countdown.
• Choose wisely – Tours cost a lot of money in New Zealand. A few of these are enough to bust any budget and send you home before you had planned. Pick the ones you really want to do and save the rest for another trip.
• Hit happy hour – The backpacker bars have cheap happy hours. Hit them up and drink for cheap.
• WWOOF it – WWOOFing is a great way to work for your accommodation and food. In return for working on a farm or B&B, you get free room and board. It’s a popular activity with travelers because it lets you stay in a place cheaper and longer. You can do it for a few days or a few months. Keep in mind that most farms require you to have some experience, as too many inexperienced workers have caused trouble in the past.
• Get a temporary job – If you’re running low on money and still have plenty of time left in New Zealand, check Backpackerboard.co.nz for temporary paying gigs.
• Clean in exchange for your room – Many hostels let you trade a few hours of cleaning and making beds for free accommodation. Ask when you check in if this is possible — it might just save you some money!
• Ride share – Ride shares are a popular transportation option for travelers looking to lower costs — all you need to do is chip in for gas. You can find rides on websites like Craigslist and CarpoolWorld. Additionally, you’ll see people asking for rides on hostel bulletin boards.
• Transport vehicles – Campervan and car relocation services will provide you with a free vehicle and gas if you drive it from one destination to another for them. This can be a great way to save a lot of money if you’re flexible with timing. Check Transfercar.co.nz to see what’s available.
• Stay with a local – While there are not a ton of Couchsurfing options available in the country, there are hosts in all of the major cities. If you don’t mind sleeping on a couch or floor, this is a great way to save some money and meet locals who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Hitchhike – Hitchhiking is easy in New Zealand and it’s one of the main ways to get around. There are plenty of people who will pick you up. Additionally, you can just ask around at any hostel and find a ride. Everyone is doing the same circuit. I got from Wanaka to Queenstown to Fiordland that way. Check out HitchWiki for tips.
• Take a free walking tour – There are a few free walking tours in New Zealand, such as Auckland Free Walking Tour  in Auckland, that offer visitors insights into each city. If you want to get beneath the surface of New Zealand then walking tours are a great place to start. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Get a campervan – Campervans litter New Zealand, especially on the nature-heavy South Island where people hike and camp because they serve as accommodation and transportation all wrapped up in one. For budget-conscious travelers, that’s a win. Be sure to download the awesome Campermates app, which lets you find nearby campsites, gas stations, and dump stations.
• Find cheap activities – The bookme.co.nz website provides last-minute discounts on activities (and pub crawls) throughout the country. Most of the activities are last minute, but if you’re flexible in when you want to do things, you can save up to 60% off attractions! I can’t recommend it enough.
• Skip the backpacker buses – While fun, buses like the Kiwi Experience, Stray, or Haka are expensive so it’s best to avoid them if you are on a tight budget. If your budget isn’t so tight and you do want to check them out, be sure to sign up for their mailing lists. There is always a sale on them.
• Enjoy nature – Remember that nature is free! New Zealand, home to the great walks of the world, has tons of free outdoor activities. While the adventure sports, wine tours, glacier treks, and boat cruises can eat into your budget, there are plenty of free hiking trails and walks to keep you busy!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water in New Zealand is safe to drink so bring a water bottle with you to save money. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can always be sure your water is clean and safe!

Where to Stay in New Zealand

The hostel scene in the country has vastly improved since I first came here in 2010. There’s much more variety and higher quality now. Here are some of my suggested places to stay:

• Haka Lodge (Auckland)
• Waiheke Backpackers Hostel (Auckland)
• Nomads (Queenstown)
• Haka Lodge (Queenstown)
• Kiwi Paka (Waitomo)
• Urbanz (Christchurch)
• Trek Global (Wellington)
• Mountain View Backpackers (Wanaka)

How to Get Around New Zealand

Public transportation – Most towns and cities in New Zealand have buses, and Auckland and Wellington both have rail services. One-way fares start around 2-3 NZD and increase depending on what zone you’re traveling to (most cities and towns in New Zealand are sprawling). Check to see if there are transit cards available. For example, Wellington has a Snapper card which will save you nearly half your fare, and the same goes for Auckland’s AT HOP card.

Backpacker bus – One of the most popular ways travelers get across New Zealand is by backpacker bus. These buses offer a hop-on/hop-off service that allows travelers both the flexibility to go at their own pace and the convenience of having activities and accommodation organized for them. New Zealand has two major hop-on/hop-off buses:

• The Kiwi Experience
• Stray Travel

Kiwi Experience tours range from 2-28 days and cost between 85-1,499 NZD while Stray Tours range from 8-18 days and cost between 2,140-4,999 NZD.

Trains – New Zealand has three train lines: Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, and TranzAlpine. These are scenic train rides complete with viewing platforms, audio commentary, information packets, and big windows for taking photos. However, they’re not the most convenient for getting around as they have quite limited schedules. They are meant to be scenic rides than transportation. Tickets range from 99-219 NZD depending on the route.

Buses – Buses are the best and cheapest way to get around New Zealand. Buses stop in every town, and there are frequent departures from even the smallest cities. Visit InterCity for fares and routes. The earlier you book in advance, the cheaper your ticket will be. Avoid last-minute bookings if possible.

Flying – Flying in New Zealand isn’t that cheap, as there are only two companies that dominate the entire market: Air New Zealand and Jetstar — and on most routes, it’s just Air New Zealand. While you can find some cheap fares on shorter routes or by booking a few months in advance, unless you are really pressed for time or traveling from island to island, I’d skip flying.

One-way routes from Auckland to Queenstown cost 60-130 NZD (a two-hour flight), Queenstown to Christchurch is usually 50-140 NZD (a one-hour flight), and Auckland to Christchurch from 45-125 NZD (a 1.5-hour flight).

Campervans and Car Rentals – This is a popular way to travel in New Zealand, especially on the nature-heavy South Island, where people hike and camp. There are five main rental agencies:

• Travellers Autobarn
• Wicked Campers

Daily rates change depending on where you pick the vehicle up, if you are dropping it off at a different place, how long you are renting it for, how far in advance you book, and when you book. (Going during the high season? Prices seem to double!). Check out this post for more information and price comparisons .

When to Go to New Zealand

New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning when most North Americans are dealing with snow and freezing temperatures, Kiwis are enjoying their beaches. Overall, the climate here is temperate. Summer is from December-February and is the most popular time to visit. Kiwis also take their holidays during this time, so things get busy! Days are long and sunny, nights are mild. The average daytime temperature is 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Fall is from March-May and it’s one of the best times to visit. The crowds have dispersed, prices are lower, and the weather is pleasant. Some areas still have very warm temperatures, like Auckland.

Winter is from June-August, and it’s a great time to visit if you’re into snow sports. Queenstown and the Central Plateau are winter playgrounds during this time, but especially in June and July! Temperatures on the South Island can drop as low as 0°C (30°F).

Spring (September-November) is also a nice time to visit, especially on the South Island. In short, there’s really no bad time to visit, depending on the sort of things you’d like to do.

That said, since New Zealand is so expensive, the shoulder season is one of the best times to visit if you’re on a budget.

How to Stay Safe in New Zealand

New Zealand is a safe place to backpack and travel around. Violent crime and petty theft are both incredibly rare here. That said, it never hurts to always keep your valuables safe and secure just in case. Don’t leave valuables in your car or van overnight as break ins sometimes do happen.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

You can read about common travel scams to avoid here but there aren’t many in New Zealand though. People here are generally friendly and nice. In all my years traveling here, I’ve never felt unsafe.

If you’re doing any hiking or other adventure sports, always check the weather in advance and bring water and sunscreen.

As earthquakes and tsunamis do occur in New Zealand, consider downloading the Hazard App from the Red Cross. It has all kinds of advice and tips for natural disasters and also sends out warnings and notifications should a disaster occur.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 111 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

New Zealand Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• EatWith – This website allows you to eat home cooked meal with locals. Locals post listings for dinner parties and specialty meals that you can sign up for. There is a fee (everyone sets their own price) but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend.
• bookme.co.nz – You’ll get some really good last minute deals and discounts on this website! Just select what area you’re traveling in, and see what activities are on sale.
• treatme.co.nz – The locals use this website to find discount hotels, restaurants, and tours. You can save up to 50% off things like catamaran sailing lessons or three-course dinners.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

New Zealand Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on New Zealand travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Christchurch

Where to Stay in Christchurch: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hotels in Auckland

The Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

Where to Stay in Auckland: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hostels in Queenstown

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New Zealand Travel Guide

Welcome to the “Adventure Capital of the World”! In New Zealand, you can go caving, hiking, skydiving, skiing, climbing, bungy jumping, jet boating, swimming with dolphins, and camping… just to name a few of the heart-pumping activities you’ll find! Everywhere you look, there’s jaw-dropping landscapes and adventures to be had. Welcome to the real Middle Earth.

If you are planning a trip to New Zealand, this travel guide has everything you need to know. Plus, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page, and you’ll see all of our New Zealand articles!

But first, don’t miss your chance to download our perfect 30-day New Zealand road trip itinerary !

New Zealand Travel Guide Contents

Important Info    |    Best Time to Visit    |    Things to Do    |    What to Eat    |    Typical Budget

Travel Tips    |    What to Pack    |    New Zealand Articles    |    Book Now

Important Information about New Zealand

Visas/Documentation Needed to Enter New Zealand: Okay, so they don’t exactly call it a “visa”, but as of October 1st, 2019 you need to pay enter New Zealand. Please apply on the New Zealand Government website or using their free mobile app . The two fees you need to pay before entering NZ are below. You can take care of both of these fees by following the link we provided.

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA): cost $9 NZD on the official app or $12 NZD on a browser.

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL): Costs $35 NZD for each person entering New Zealand. The fees will be put toward conservation of New Zealand’s land and nature as well as tourism infrastructure. Citizens of Australia and some South Pacific Islands are exempt.

New Zealand at a Glance: What’s not to love about New Zealand? It has white snow capped mountains, creaking glaciers, silent lakes, thunderous waves, black sandy beaches and smoking volcanoes – almost everything that makes a picturesque paradise.

Currency in New Zealand: New Zealand Dollar | 2022 Conversion Rate: 1 NZD = $0.58 USD

Tipping in New Zealand: While tipping is common in other parts of the world, it isn’t so much in New Zealand. You don’t need to leave a tip in restaurants but if you feel the service was excellent, a 10% gratuity is sufficient. For taxi drivers, you can simply leave your change as it is not common practice to tip taxi drivers. In hotels, tipping $1-$2 per bag and $1-$5 for maid/room service is seen as a nice gesture. Tipping tour guides are more common since their services are mainly for tourists. While tipping is not necessary, you can tip your guide a few dollars if you feel that they did an excellent job.

Language & Helpful Phrases: English… but Kiwi English . What do we mean? Well, here are a few Kiwi phrases that will help you get around New Zealand:

Kia ora: This is the Māori word for “welcome”, and you will hear it everywhere!

Sweet as: Pretty cool, sweet, or a nicer way to “sweet as F#@%!”

Togs: Swimsuit

Dairy: Corner store, typically serves milkshakes

Jandals: Flip flops/sandals

Tramping: Hiking (longer hikes when you plan to stay overnight)

Religion and Culture: The Maori people and different European heritages have greatly influenced the religion and culture of New Zealand. Nowadays, the country has a multicultural society with all sorts of religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Traditional Maori religion.

Transportation around New Zealand: The main form of public transportation in New Zealand is via bus. The main cities, Auckland and Wellington, have suburban rail systems and ferries. The best way to get around is to rent your own campervan , which gives you a ton more freedom.

Psst! Read up on the things to know before traveling to New Zealand . 

Most popular places to visit in New Zealand:

Fiordland – This is one of the most scenic spots in the country. It offers incredible hikes, cruises on amazing fjords, and beautiful waterfalls. The biggest attraction here is the Milford Sound.

Tongariro National Park – Tongariro is New Zealand’s first national park and is well known for its extremes and surprises. You will find here active volcanoes, untamed forests, herb fields, tranquil lakes, desert-like plateaus, and one of the most epic hikes we’ve every been on.

Queenstown – For people looking for some adventure and adrenaline, Queenstown is paradise. With the surrounding Southern Alps and blue Lake Wakatipu, this place is a picture perfect spot.

Auckland – As the largest city in the country, Auckland has fun and quirky neighborhoods and many things to do.

Wellington – The country’s capital city has a growing craft beer scene, a lively nightlife, and lots of pretty sights. Known as being the southernmost capital city, this hipster hotspot makes a good stop on your New Zealand itinerary.

Coromandel Peninsula – For water sports, sailing, and fishing. You can also go scuba diving in this gorgeous region. And there are plenty of things to do inland too, like the Pinnacles Hut hike and incredible waterfalls to chase!

Other popular spots include:

Waiheke Island

Christchurch

Glacier Country

Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Abel Tasman National Park

Franz Josef Glacier

Marlborough wine region

Wondering how to fit all this into one trip? We’ve got you covered! We’ve created the perfect customizable New Zealand Itinerary for a one-month road trip.

Best Time To Visit New Zealand

Climate in new zealand.

Since New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are a bit different than what Americans and Europeans are used to. While it’s snowing in the United States, it’s summer in New Zealand.

Summer: December to February (Peak Season)

Fall: March to May

Winter: June to August

Spring: September to November

Peak season for tourists is summer. It is the busiest time of the year and the most crowded so expect that prices are a little bit higher than other months.

Times to avoid traveling in New Zealand

There’s no bad time to go to New Zealand. But if you don’t like the snow and the cold, avoid visiting in the winter. Also, try to avoid New Zealand during early January. Most of the locals go for a vacation. A lot of cafes and restaurants are shut down.

Still can’t decide when to travel? We’ve broken down the very best times to visit New Zealand so the hard work is done for you!

Major Festivals in New Zealand

Pasifika Cultural Festival, March: Have a fantastic weekend filled with dance, arts, food and music at Auckland’s Pasifika Festival.

Auckland Lantern Festival, February/March: This is a popular event where lanterns lit up the Albert Park. Don’t miss the live music, delicious Chinese cuisine, fireworks, dance, and martial arts.

Parihaka Peace Festival, January: If you want to listen to the top Kiwi Music performers, Parihaka Peace Festival is just for you. Coupled with arts, crafts, food, and a film festival, this is a must-visit festival in New Zealand.

*These festivals follow the Lunar calendar, so the exact dates vary each year

Top Things to Do in New Zealand

Learn about maori culture.

Around 700 years ago, the Māori people discovered and settled in New Zealand. The Māori culture has been a great influence on what New Zealand is today. You can find local Māori guides who will show you how their culture is surviving in modern times. In the town of Rotorua, there are living Māori villages, cultural dinners and dances you can attend.

Go Kayaking

With the amazing wildlife and stunning scenery, kayaking in New Zealand is a mind-blowing experience. You can try paddling in islands around the North Island or through the Fiordland.

Try Tramping

There’s no such thing as trekking for New Zealanders. With the snow-capped mountain peaks, lakes, craters and beautiful fjordlands, New Zealanders go tramping. You can even hike to mountain huts, spend the night and return in the morning. We rounded up the best New Zealand hikes to put our your adventure bucket list. 

Explore in a Campervan

Experience the greatest sense of freedom by driving along with everything you need. There are so many hidden spots in New Zealand that can be only seen with renting a campervan . It’s definitely the best way to see the country and we have all the info you need to plan your campervan trip in New Zealand .

Visit Middle Earth

If you’re a Lord of the Rings movie fan, New Zealand is probably in your top destination for the Matamatato rolling hills. See the idyllic Hobbiton movie set and explore the 44 Hobbit holes.

Swim with dolphins

With Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura , you’ll have the opportunity to swim with these wild animals ethically, making it one of the best places to swim with dolphins in the world.

There’s so much more…  There are so many more incredible  things to do in New Zealand , we had to create an entire article about it. We’ve rounded up the top adventures, sights to see and culinary experiences so you can create your own New Zealand bucket list.

Best Food to Eat in New Zealand

New Zealand is not only famous for its stunning views but also for its delicious cuisines. As a country with thousands of kilometers of coastline, it’s not surprising that one of the most served dishes are seafood. If you’re planning a food trip in New Zealand, here are some of our favorites:

Hangi: Hangi is a traditional Maori dish that involves slow-cooked vegetables and meat in an underground oven. It is often served more often at special occasions.

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream: Who doesn’t want ice cream? New Zealand’s Hokey Pokey ice cream take the delight further with it’s caramelized honeycomb. Yum!

Crayfish: Everything seafood is delicious and Kiwi’s favorite crayfish or lobster is a must try in New Zealand!

Kina: Ever tried eating sea urchins? You should! It’s a foodie delight that New Zealanders love.

Jaffas: Here’s another sweet candy for your sweet tooths! Jaffas are chocolate balls coated with sugar. It also has an orange flavor to it. You would think the combination’s weird but its definitely heavenly!

Kiwi Burger: Burger lovers unite! The Kiwi burger is a weird and genius dish. It has fried egg and beetroot included in a typical burger. Try it once and you’ll be hooked!

Insider Tip: Happy Cow is a great resource for finding vegetarian and vegan restaurants all around the country!

Typical Budget for New Zealand

New Zealand is paradise to most travelers for its amazing sights and delicious food, but it all comes at a cost.

Good to know: Food and drinks are expensive. If you want to save some money, plan to cook your own food in your campervan . PAKn’Save and New World are good grocery stores to stock up and are in most big towns. And check out our campervan recipes for some meal ideas!

How Much to Budget in New Zealand Per Day

Budget traveler: If you are on a tight budget and watch your spending closely, $60 – $90 could be a sufficient budget. Psst! We have an entire article devoted to budget tips for traveling in New Zealand !

Mid-range traveler: If you want to have a few splurges and stay in nicer accommodation, plan to budget $100 – $150 per day per person.

Luxury traveler: It won’t be hard to blow through $200 per person each day if you’re renting a top of the line campervan and packing your itinerary with tours like bungey jumping and scenic helicopter flights.

Dorm bed = $15-$25

Camping = $0-$20

Campervan Rental = $75-450 per day

Budget room = $45-$65

Mid-range = $90-$125

Luxury hotel = $135+

Fast food = $5-$20

Mid-range restaurant = $8-$40

Fancy restaurant = $50+

Local beer = $5-$8

Skydive = $230-300

Bungy Jump = $150-200

Whitewater Rafting = $68-100

Glacier Hiking = $265-320

Bus Fare = $25-$40

Ferry from North to South Island = $55

Domestic Flights = $80-$165

Train = $68-$150

Responsible Travel Tips in New Zealand

We are passionate about sharing tips anyone can use to travel more responsibly . Here are some easy ways you can travel better in New Zealand.

1. Respect the environment

New Zealanders love recycling. If you don’t recycle properly, you can get fines! When going to beaches, read the signs with the do’s and dont’s so you’ll know what you can and can’t do. Also, avoid buying bottled water. Instead, have a reusable water bottle.

Related Article: Eco-friendly Travel Gear Packing List

2. Bring all your trash with you

If you’re going camping, make sure you tidy up after you’re all done. Have a handy trash bag where you can put all of your garbage during the trip.

3. Shop local

Support local artisans to help keep the traditional Māori crafts alive. Check out the Jade carvings in the West Coast, they are stunning!

Related Article: 36 Responsible Travel Tips for anywhere in the world.

What to Pack for New Zealand

The weather in New Zealand changes drastically from season to season and from the South to the North Islands. Be sure to pack appropriately for the region, season and activities you’ll be doing. You can download this 7-page packing list for free. Just give us your email and we’ll send it straight to you inbox.

Here are some New Zealand-specific items we’d recommend packing:

bug repellant (solids are the way to go, because sandflies really suck)

reef safe sunscreen

insulated water bottle

t-shirts, a nice top, and long sleeved shirt

rain and windproof jacket

reusable straw & reusable bag ( say no to single-use plastic! )

jeans, and hiking trousers

sweater and jacket for the mountains

thermal underwear and socks

Chaco sandals (we’d recommend these instead of hiking boots as they are less bulky and are good for walking through water)

sneakers and some flats

travel towel and toiletries

New Zealand Travel Articles

Find all sorts of information to help you plan the perfect New Zealand trip. From budget tips to things to do, we have it all!

South Island New Zealand Itinerary: Epic 2-Week Road Trip

We’ve done all the trip planning for you and put together the best 2-week itinerary for South Island New Zealand you’ll find! It’s packed full of incredible sights and heart-thumping adventures, plus insider tips and advice.

25 Things to Do in Wellington That You Can’t Miss

New Zealand’s capital city is vastly underrated and well-worth a spot on your itinerary. Whether you have a few hours or a few days to explore, we’re sharing all the fun things to do in Wellington that you won’t want to miss!

Planning a Campervan Trip in New Zealand: Ultimate Guide

This comprehensive guide has literally everything you need to know about planning a campervan trip to New Zealand; from how much it costs, to how to shower while living in a campervan, to the magic trick you need to know to find campsites. Any questions you have about renting a...

Car Rental in New Zealand: ESSENTIAL Guide + Tips

New Zealand is spectacular but incredibly remote, both in terms of getting there and getting around once there. That’s exactly why getting a rental car in New Zealand is such a good idea! This guide details everything you need to know before you hit the road.

How to Plan the Perfect New Zealand Itinerary

With miles of jaw-dropping landscapes and experiences, it can be hard to decide how to plan for a trip to New Zealand. We're walking you through how to put together the perfect New Zealand itinerary based on our travels.

45 Exciting Things to Do in New Zealand on Your First Visit

Whether it is your first time visiting or you're a Kiwi looking to explore your own (amazing!) country, there are endless things to do in New Zealand. We’ve rounded up the top adrenaline rushes, foods to try, epic hikes and cultural experiences, so you can create your very own New...

9 Easy Camping Meals (that are healthy & delicious!)

Cooking healthy and delicious meals while traveling in a campervan is easier than you think! We’ve rounded up our favorite healthy camping meals and are sharing the step-by-step recipes so you can see just how easy they are, even if you have a tiny kitchen to work with. Bonus: All...

Queenstown to Milford Sound: Perfect Road Trip + Must-See Stops

A road trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound is one of the best ways to experience the rugged wilderness and stunning scenery of Fiordlands National Park in New Zealand. This guide will help you plan your route and choose the best stops to make along the way.

Best Milford Sound Cruise + Tips for Planning your Visit 

Surrounded by the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park, visiting Milford Sound in New Zealand is a must! Specifically, a Milford Sound cruise allows you to experience this incredible landscape in a unique way. Read on for what to expect and which cruises are best.

Milford Sound, New Zealand: Things to Do + Essential Tips

One of many highlights of the South Island, Milford Sound New Zealand is at the top of many bucket lists. We put together this ultimate guide with everything you’ll need to know when planning a visit including when to go, where to stay, things to do, and essential tips.

54 Things to Know Before Traveling in New Zealand

In this article we’re sharing some helpful New Zealand travel tips we wish we would have known before our trip. Plus, some fun facts about New Zealand that’ll give you a deeper understanding about its history, people and culture.

North Island New Zealand: 2-Week Itinerary

From Auckland to Wellington, and everything in between, we’ve created a perfect New Zealand North Island itinerary. Follow this route, and you’ll explore the biggest highlights, plus some off the beaten path adventures! This North Island New Zealand road trip covers everything you need to know!

Best New Zealand Campsites: Ultimate Guide + Free Map

With so much jaw-dropping country to explore, a lot goes into planning a New Zealand camping trip. With the help of fellow travel bloggers, we rounded up the best New Zealand campsites, plus everything you need to know to plan an epic trip.

New Zealand Travel on a Budget: 19 Money-Saving Tips

Let’s be real: traveling in New Zealand is not cheap. But even though it’s notorious expensive, you can still travel to NZ on a budget. We’re breaking down common expenses like food, transportation, and accommodation, so you know exactly how much it costs to go to New Zealand. Plus we’re...

Best Campervan Rental in New Zealand: Ultimate Guide

There are so many campervan rentals in New Zealand, choosing one can feel overwhelming. We’re breaking down all the important things you need to look for to find the best campervan hire for your New Zealand road trip. We’re even sharing exactly which companies we recommend.

16 Wild Things To Do in West Coast New Zealand

New Zealand's West Coast is packed with adventure! From glaciers and snow snow capped mountains to rainforests and palm-lined beaches, there are so many things to do and see on the West Coast of New Zealand.

Routeburn Track: Hiking Guide + Local Tips

The Routeburn Track is one of the most diverse and beautiful hiking trails in New Zealand. As one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, it is important you are properly prepared before hitting the trail. In this article you’ll learn how to book your hike, important packing tips, and other essential...

20 Incredible New Zealand Hikes + Local Tips

Hiking in New Zealand was one of the major highlights of our trip, and we think it will be one of your best memories, too. This article is packed with some of the most incredible New Zealand hikes, plus lots of tips and advice (from a local!) so you’ll be...

31 Fun Things to Do in Auckland, New Zealand

Seaside, multicultural, and full of greenspace, Auckland is a top destination on New Zealand’s North Island. We’ve rounded up all the fun things to do in Auckland, New Zealand, plus everything you need to know to help you plan an unforgettable trip!

Best Time to Visit New Zealand: When to Go & When to Avoid!

Trying to figure out the best time to visit New Zealand can be a bit overwhelming. We’re going over the pros and cons of all four seasons in New Zealand to help you decide which is the best time of year to visit for your specific travel style.

Tongariro Crossing: Guide to New Zealand’s Best Day Hike

Vivid crater lakes, dramatic valleys, and snow-capped peaks await you along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Known as the “World’s Greatest Day Hike”, this trail was a highlight during our trip to New Zealand, and this guide will cover everything you need to do it!

22 Best New Zealand Foods to Try (& what to skip!)

Pulling from both British and South Pacific influences, New Zealand cuisine is interesting and relies heavily on locally-sourced ingredients. From Hāngi, which is a type of cooking integral to the indigenous Māori people, to the country's famed seafood, we’ve rounded up the best New Zealand foods to try (and skip!).

20 Coolest Airbnbs in Auckland, New Zealand

From rural retreats nestled in the jungle and sunny beach cottages to apartments in the bustling city center, there’s an impressive selection of unique Airbnbs in Auckland for every type of traveler. We gathered up the most noteworthy to help you plan your stay!

35 Adventurous Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is often referred to as the “adventure capital of New Zealand,” and for good reason! There are so many fun things to do in Queenstown — from adrenaline-pumping activities to low-key excursions for all ages. This article is packed with activities, tips and things to know to plan an...

New Zealand Working Holiday Visa: Everything You Need to Know!

Considering doing a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand? This article will answer all your questions about life in NZ, cost of living, how to find housing, and advice from someone who has been there before. This guide also walks you through the necessary steps to apply for a New...

Swimming with Dolphins in New Zealand: Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter

While traveling in New Zealand, we were happy to find Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, which is a company that gives guests the opportunity to swim with these wild animals ethically and responsibly, making it one of the best places to swim with dolphins in the world.

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RUC FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES:  People with an EV or plug-in hybrid will start paying RUC from 1 April

SCAM ALERTS:   Report a phishing scam  or  learn about the latest phishing scams

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Find travel times, incident and roadworks information, and regional traffic updates on the Journey Planner.

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Check state highways

Use our map to find live updates and webcams of traffic conditions in your region.

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New Zealand

Latest update.

Exercise normal safety precautions in New Zealand.

New Zealand (PDF 764.52 KB)

Pacific (PDF 1.22 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

Call 111 or contact the nearest police station.

Call 105 or go online for Police non-emergencies.

Advice levels

• Crime rates are similar to those in Australia. Thieves often target vehicles. Don't leave valuables in your car or campervan.
• Earthquakes are a constant risk. Large, damaging quakes can happen at any time. Know what to do during and after an earthquake.
• All of New Zealand's coastline is at risk of a tsunami. Know the tsunami warning signs and move to high ground immediately. Don't wait for official alerts.
• New Zealand has several active volcanoes. Volcanic alert levels may rise quickly. You may be ordered to evacuate at short notice. Stay informed and follow the advice of local authorities. 
• Weather conditions can change quickly. Severe weather could leave you stranded or injured, especially in an isolated area. If you're climbing, hiking or in a remote area, register your trip with the Department of Conservation. Carry a personal locator beacon.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.

Medical facilities and services are of a similar standard to those in Australia.

• New Zealand and Australia have a reciprocal healthcare agreement. This lets Australians access public medical facilities and care. However, there are some things it doesn't cover. Ensure you get comprehensive travel insurance.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties may include fines and prison sentences, including for small amounts.
• Carry approved identification if you want to purchase alcohol or enter licensed premises. Approved ID includes your passport, a New Zealand driver's licence, an existing Hospitality NZ 18+ Card, or a Kiwi Access Card. An Australian driver's licence is not an approved form of ID under the NZ Sale and Supply of Alcohol Regulations.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

You must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration Form (NZTD) before passport control on arrival. You need to answer questions about your trip and what you’re bringing into the country. You can complete it  online  or by using the NZTD app, there's no cost. 

• Most Australian citizens don't need a visa to enter unless you have a criminal record or if you've been deported from any country. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You can contact the nearest New Zealand embassy or consulate for the latest details.
• Before you travel, check Immigration New Zealand's website for current entry restrictions and requirements.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the High Commission’s social media accounts

For consular help, contact the  Australian High Commission in Wellington , or the Australian Consulate-General in Auckland.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Petty crime.

Crime rates in New Zealand are similar to those in Australia.

Thieves often target valuables left in cars and campervans.

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk. 

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards.

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Civil unrest and political tension

Demonstrations and protests.

Protests are generally peaceful. However, public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Follow the advice of local authorities.

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

• New Zealand police
• New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Climate and natural disasters

New Zealand experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including:

• earthquakes
• volcanic activity
• flash flooding

To protect yourself in a natural disaster:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in contact with friends and family

Monitor local media and other sources, including:

• Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management
• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• GetReady website  (New Zealand government)

Earthquakes

Earthquakes  are a constant risk in New Zealand.

Most quakes are too small or deep in the earth to feel. However, about 150 to 200 quakes are big enough to feel each year.

Large, damaging earthquakes have occurred and could happen again at any time. Aftershocks can continue for days or weeks.

When an earthquake happens, you're advised to drop, cover and hold. If an earthquake is long or strong, and you're near the coast or large body of water, you should go to higher ground immediately.

If you're indoors during an earthquake:

• move no more than a few steps to a heavy, solid object you can get underneath, and hold onto it
• don't try to run outside
• stay indoors until the shaking stops
• stay away from windows, chimneys, and shelves with heavy objects

If you're in bed:

• hold onto the bed and stay where you are
• protect your head and body with a pillow and blankets

If you're outdoors:

• move to the nearest clear spot
• keep away from buildings, trees, and power lines
• drop to the ground

If you're in a car:

• drive to a clear place away from buildings, trees, and power lines
• stay in the car with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops

If you're in a lift:

• stop at the nearest floor and get out

After the earthquake finishes:

• be aware of possible tsunami risks (see below)
• prepare for travel delays
• reconfirm your travel arrangements
• check your accommodation with travel agents and tour operators

Because of the region's earthquake risk, tsunamis could happen.

All of New Zealand's coastline is at risk of a tsunami. New Zealand is a member of the Pacific Tsunami Warning System.

The National Emergency Management Agency manages the National Tsunami Advisory and Warning Plan and issues tsunami alerts on its website. These are also broadcast by New Zealand media.

A tsunami could arrive within minutes. There may not be time for an official warning.

Move immediately to high ground, or as far inland as possible, if you're near the coast and you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings.

Walk or bike if possible because of potential road congestion.

New Zealand's active volcanoes can erupt at any time. Volcanic alert levels may rise quickly. You may be ordered to evacuate at short notice.

If there's volcanic activity:

• follow the instructions and advice of local authorities
• follow evacuation orders
• take official warnings seriously

If you plan to visit active volcanoes or surrounding areas:

• monitor the  GeoNet  website
• get local advice first

Visit  GeoNet  for information about volcanic activity at:

• Mt Tongariro
• White Island
• other active volcanic sites

Severe weather

Weather conditions can change quickly. Severe weather can occur.

Creeks and rivers can experience  flash flooding  after heavy rains.

Rapid weather changes could leave you stranded or injured, particularly if you're in a remote area.

Monitor weather conditions, forecasts and warnings from  Metservice .

Take extra care if you're climbing, hiking or in a remote area.

Parts of New Zealand experience  bushfires  in hot, dry conditions.

If there's a bushfire, follow local advice.

Adventure activities

Most people enjoy adventure activities safely in New Zealand. However, these activities carry risks.

Several serious accidents involving Australians and other travellers have occurred. People have died.

Some operators have been found to be negligent.

Safety standards can differ both between individual operators, and from standards in Australia.

If you plan to do an adventure activity:

• be aware of the risks of individual or group activities
• check the safety standards of operators
• check to see if operators meet industry standards

Safety risks can increase in severe weather and remote areas.

Before you do any adventure activities :

• make sure your  travel insurance  covers your planned activities
• understand what your travel and other insurance doesn't cover
• only book with operators with appropriate safety equipment and practices
• always use the safety equipment, even if others don't

If you're trekking or travelling in a remote area:

• get updates on local weather from the  Department of Conservation
• check conditions with the local DOC visitor centre
• register your trip with a DOC visitor centre
• tell your family and friends your plans
• carry a personal locator beacon
• avoid creeks and rivers after heavy rains

You can hire personal locator beacons throughout New Zealand.

When you return from a hike, check in with:

• the DOC visitor centre
• your family and friends
• anyone else who knew your plans
• AdventureSmart
• Mountain Safety Council

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. 

Your policy must cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away (including if stopovers on the way to your destination are covered) 

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you need counselling services in New Zealand, contact:

• Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or free text HELP (4357)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
• Healthline – 0800 611 116
• Samaritans – 0800 726 666
• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in New Zealand. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use
• New Zealand Customs Service
• Medicare Australia

Health risks

Health risks are broadly similar to those in Australia.

Medical care

Medical facilities, reciprocal health care.

New Zealand and Australia have a  reciprocal health care agreement . This lets Australians access public medical facilities and care.

It doesn't:

• include ongoing treatment of existing health conditions
• cover extra accommodation costs or flights for family members
• cover flights to Australia
• replace the need for travel insurance.

To access services under the agreement:

• show your current Australian passport or evidence of permanent residency
• show your valid Medicare card.
• New Zealand Ministry of Health
• Reciprocal health care agreement (Services Australia)

Accident Compensation Corporation

If you're injured in an accident, the  Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)  covers the costs of hospital treatment.

The cover provided by ACC:

• offers injury cover on a 'no-fault' basis — this means accident victims don’t have a legal right to sue a third party
• ends once you've left New Zealand
• doesn't replace your need for  travel insurance .

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for possessing and using drugs may include fines and prison sentences.

• Carrying or using drugs

Alcohol laws

You'll need photo ID to buy alcohol or enter licensed premises.

You can't use your Australian driver's licence.

Approved IDs include:

• current passport
• current New Zealand driver's licence
• Kiwi Access Card
• Approved ID

Quarantine regulations

New Zealand has strict biosecurity rules.

If you don't declare items for quarantine, you'll get an instant fine.

If you make a false statement, you'll face heavy fines and prison sentences.

Customs requirements 

When you arrive, customs officers may check electronic devices they suspect are being used in criminal activity. Devices may include:

• mobile phones
• portable tablets
• hard drives
• digital cameras

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

New Zealand recognises dual nationality.

If you're an Australian-New Zealand dual citizen, use your  Australian passport  to enter and leave Australia.

• Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. Contact  NZ Immigration  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules. If you don't meet the conditions, the Australian Government can't help you.

Visa conditions 

Most Australian citizens don’t need a visa to enter unless you have a criminal record or if you've been deported from any country.

Australian permanent residents need to apply online for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to enter New Zealand. Australian citizens are exempt from this rule.

For more information refer to the NZ Government Immigration website .

If you've been:

• convicted of any crimes, or
• deported from any country

Contact a  New Zealand Visa Application Centre  for advice well before you travel.

New Zealand Visa Application Centre

Level 6 66 Hunter Street Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: +61 2 8278 4529 or 1800 388 718 Website:  www.immigration.govt.nz Email:  [email protected]

Border measures

If you are a New Zealand visa or NZeTA holder you still need to complete an NZTD.

For more information see the  NZTD website . 

Maritime border

New Zealand's maritime border is open to all vessels, including foreign flagged vessels, cruise ships, recreational vessels (such as yachts and small craft) and specialist vessels used in research and exploration. 

For more information see the  New Zealand Customs Service – Travelling to New Zealand webpage . 

• Travelling to New Zealand  (New Zealand Government)
• Information for visa holders  (New Zealand Immigration)

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

New Zealand Immigration requires you to have 3 months of validity on your passport after the date you plan to leave. If you're planning to travel to another destination after leaving New Zealand, you may need more than 3 months validity on your passport after your departure date.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

• NZ Immigration

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. 

New Zealand Immigration recognises gender 'X' on passports. If in doubt, contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

More information: 

• LGBTI travellers

The local currency is the New Zealand Dollar ($NZ).

Declare all amounts over $NZ10,000 or equivalent on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

ATM availability is similar to Australia.

You can use debit or credit cards in most places as you would in Australia.

Contact your bank to let them know you'll use your cards overseas.

Local travel

Driving permit.

You can drive for up to 12 months with your Australian driver's licence.

After that, you'll need to get a local licence.

• Driver licences

Road travel

Ice, snow, fog, high winds and roaming animals can cause hazardous conditions. Heavy rain can cause landslides across roads.

Outside major cities, there aren't many motorways. Overtaking opportunities are limited.

Prepare for longer travel times than in Australia.

Railway crossings don't always have barriers, particularly in country areas.

If you're driving in mountain areas or to ski fields, be aware that roads:

• are often narrow and unpaved
• may not have safety barriers
• may require you to use snow chains
• may only be accessible by 4WD

It’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, but there is an exemption for 111 calls in genuine emergencies. Hands-free devices and 2-way radio are permitted.

If you plan to drive in New Zealand:

• learn the  local road rules  before driving
• be careful if there's ice, snow, fog or high winds
• check for road closures and warnings with the  New Zealand Transport Agency
• equip yourself for current and possible weather conditions
• Driving or riding
• Driving in New Zealand

Motorcycles

Make sure your travel insurance covers using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis and rideshares are generally reliable. The standards are similar to Australia.

The  New Zealand Transport Authority  regulates taxis and rideshare apps.

Public transport

Buses, trains and ferries operate throughout New Zealand. State-run services are also regulated by the New Zealand Transport Authority.

Take care of your belongings on public transport.

• Transport and getting around safely

Several international cruise lines stopover in New Zealand. 

• Going on a cruise

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  New Zealand's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australian High Commission, Wellington

72-76 Hobson Street Thorndon Wellington, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 473 6411 Fax: +64 4 498 7103 Website:  newzealand.highcommission.gov.au Facebook:  Australia in New Zealand Twitter:  @AusHCNZ

Australian Consulate-General

Level 7, HSBC Tower  186-194 Quay Street Auckland City, New Zealand

Phone: +64 9 921 8800 Fax: +64 9 921 8820

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

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Discover our kiwi gems, book your accommodation, eight awesome autumn adventures.

With sunny days, cool nights and photogenic foliage, Autumn is possibly the best time of year to travel in New Zealand. We've put together some suggestions to make the most of the season. Read the story . . . 

10 free things to do in the North Island

Looking for free activities to flesh out your summer travel plans? Here are nine secret spots and Kiwi Gems around the North Island to add to your wish list. Plus, we’ve got much more to discover in each region to help you keep exploring. Read the story . . . 

Adventure South NZ

New zealand must-do's, 7 free things to do in the south island.

Keen to explore the South Island this summer? Here are seven great secret spots that are all free to visit, including short nature walks to historic lighthouses, river crossings by punt, caves, coasts and cycle trails. Plus make sure you check out our extended lists of other free things to do in the South Island.  Read the story . . . 

Thrifty Car Rental

Explore group, maui, britz and mighty campervans, hertz car rental.

New Zealand travel guide Travelling & tourist information

New Zealand travel guide

Travelling & tourist information.

Welcome to Tourleader New Zealand!

German speakers: Tourleader Neuseeland

After 13 years and over 1 million page views we are working on this new smartphone friendly version of Tourleader New Zealand in a completely new online travel guide format , and we're busy adding back all the content from our old website!

Our goal with Tourleader New Zealand is to provide travellers with the best options for a trip and the best reading material during their stay.

New Zealand is so big that it would take years of continuous travel to find all the highlights, there are many things that you simply won’t have time for. Instead of spending your time in the car travelling from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga, what do you want to focus on, what will be YOUR highlights?

It is always worth the extra effort to learn about New Zealand both before and while you travel, to try to really understand how it ticks and put things into new perspectives. You will enjoy better discussions with locals and travellers, have more to talk about back home and there will certainly be lots of opportunities to apply your new knowledge.

The content of the website and much more can be taken downloaded as an ebook ( 'Travel in New Zealand' ), we have also published a Maori language course and an ebook about New Zealand animals .

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In New Zealand, Experiencing the Miracle of Flight Anew

The country's domestic airlines play a crucial role in connectivity. But for the casual flier, even the journey is captivating.

By Natasha Frost

The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to get it by email. This week’s issue is written by Natasha Frost, a reporter based in Melbourne.

The other week, approximately 32 years into my career as a seasoned flier, I experienced air travel as if for the very first time — the flight of angels, of billionaires, of dreams. (It was still in coach class.)

On a recent reporting trip in New Zealand, I arranged to spend the weekend visiting an old friend who now lives near Havelock, a town of around 600 people at the top of the country’s South Island, about 50 miles due west of Wellington, where I was traveling from.

With the Cook Strait between New Zealand’s North and South Islands in the way, the easiest option was to take a domestic flight — one of hundreds that zip across the country every day.

Flying domestically in New Zealand is only marginally more rigorous than boarding a bus. If you don’t have baggage to check in, you may walk through the airport doors half an hour before your flight departs. No one will check your ID at any point, and you don’t even need to show your boarding pass to pass through security, which usually takes a minute or two, with no limits on liquids. In some smaller airports, there is no security at all.

To get to Havelock, I booked a seat on a flight run not by Air New Zealand, the national airline, but by Sounds Air, one of the country’s far smaller “regional carriers,” of which there are around half a dozen.

Departing Sounds Air from Wellington, you bypass security screenings altogether. Your ticket to ride is little more than a reusable piece of green laminated paper that reads “Boarding Pass to Blenheim.” Checking in a bag? They sling it into the back of the nine-seat plane. And don’t bother going to the carousel on arrival. It’ll be handed to you as you get off.

The lack of rigmarole is entirely intentional, with some frequent fliers purchasing 10-trip tickets for regular hops across the strait, said Andrew Crawford, the airline’s chief executive.

“That is our point of difference,” he said. “This is what people like.”

The airline was founded in 1986, with a single nine-seater Cessna Caravan ferrying people to the Marlborough Sounds. It now has 10 planes — the largest of their crafts seats 12 — and carries about 120,000 people a year, mostly on routes where there is no alternative, other than the road.

Some passengers are commuters. Others are tourists. And then there are those who live in rural areas and require specialist medical attention in larger cities. “If you’re going for cancer treatment or day surgery, stuff like that,” he said. “That’s a big part of our business.”

These small airlines play a crucial role in helping New Zealanders get around a country that has an extremely limited rail network, and where many people live far from essential services.

But it was the flight itself that captivated me.

Under normal circumstances, elbow-to-elbow with strangers, the majesty of flying is somewhat displaced by the discomfort of being inside a pressurized metal tube, and you easily forget that you are thousands of feet in the air. (Some people prefer to forget that.)

But at roughly 6,500 feet, low and slow enough to see wind turbines and craggy hills unfold before us, as if flying in a dream, the miracle of flight seemed uncommonly … miraculous.

The wind whistled past the cabin, and I could see into the cockpit, over the shoulder of the solo pilot and out the windscreen. As we came into land through the vineyards that the region is known for, the grapes were almost visible on the vine. It wasn’t hard to imagine myself as some early aviatrix, and I struggled to keep a grin off my face.

All in all, I told my waiting host, it was an experience exactly halfway between riding in a minivan and traveling on a private jet.

Here are the week’s stories.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia Wanted to Catch Chinese Spies. Is This Really Whom It Had in Mind? The first case tried under Australia’s foreign interference laws has raised tough questions about the breadth of the regulations.

A Museum’s Feminist Artwork Excluded Men. So One Man Took It to Court. Gender-based discrimination is central to the women-only art installation, in Australia, but one visitor claims it is also illegal.

Two Aboriginal Artists Urge Viewers to See the Universe Differently. Naminapu Maymuru-White and Daniel Boyd grew up hundreds of miles and a generation apart. Yet they share a goal: reframing the way we see the universe.

A Reporter With a Fear of Snakes Joins a Snake Catcher. To write about the increase in snake encounters in Australia, a journalist had to get hands-on with the slithering reptiles.

Around the Times

What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living. Researchers are documenting a phenomenon that seems to help the dying, as well as those they leave behind.

A ‘Perfect Monolith’ Appears in Wales. A resident said he discovered the shiny, silver object on a prominent hill during his daily walk.

Piety and Profanity: The Raunchy Christians Are Here. In the Trump era, a surprising number of evangelicals are rejecting modesty and turning toward the risqué.

22 of the Funniest Novels Since ‘Catch-22.’ Because we could all use a laugh.

Are you enjoying our Australia bureau dispatches? Tell us what you think at [email protected] .

Like this email? Forward it to your friends (they could use a little fresh perspective, right?) and let them know they can sign up here .

Enjoying the Australia Letter? Sign up here or forward to a friend.

For more Australia coverage and discussion, start your day with your local Morning Briefing and join us in our Facebook group .

Natasha Frost writes The Times’s weekday newsletter The Europe Morning Briefing and reports on Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. She is based in Melbourne, Australia. More about Natasha Frost