There are endless adventures awaiting you in New Zealand! Located in the South Pacific, New Zealand is an island known for magnificent landscapes, coastlines, Maori culture, and more. Take the plunge and bungy jump at the world’s first commercial bungy jumping site, channel your inner Lord of the Rings fan at Hobbiton, or immerse yourself in the city life of Auckland or Wellington.
Here are some tips to get you ready for your trip to New Zealand, and help you make the most of your adventure.
What do I need to know about New Zealand?
Formal name: New Zealand (or Aotearoa in Maori, which means “the land of the long white cloud”)
Capital: Wellington
President: Constitutional Monarch overseen by Queen Elizabeth II, with Governor-General Patsy Reddy
Religion: Predominantly Christian
Time zone: New Zealand Standard Time, UTC +12 (18 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
What do I need to know about the culture?
Language: There are 3 official languages in the country: English, Maori, and NZ sign language.
Etiquette: New Zealanders (or Kiwis) can be somewhat reserved until they develop a relationship with a person, but greetings are casual and usually include a handshake or smile. Smiling is big in New Zealand, it indicates that it is a pleasure to meet someone!
What about health and safety?
Safety: As of this post, the U.S. State Department has listed New Zealand as Level 1. This means you should exercise normal precautions when traveling to the country. As with all travel, always be aware of your surroundings and follow the advice of the State Department for all international travel.
Health: Make sure to be up-to-date on all routine vaccinations. Though not required to enter New Zealand, the CDC recommends travelers should consider receiving Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines. As always, consult your Doctor a least one month prior to traveling about vaccines you may need. While traveling in New Zealand, it is safe to drink the water.
Weather: The temperature is moderate and varies across regions, so pack layers and pack specific to where you will be traveling. Summer in the United States is winter for New Zealanders, and winter months for Americans are summer months for Kiwis.
Food: New Zealand cuisine is largely driven by local ingredients and seasonal variations. Popular dishes are often traditional Mairo dishes. Hangi, a traditional meat and vegetable dish, is usually associated with special occasions since it takes all day to prepare. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Hokey Pokey ice cream, made up of plain vanilla ice cream with caramelized honeycomb.
How do I use my phone in New Zealand?
International calling: The emergency number is 111 for police, ambulance, and fire. Contact your cell phone provider for service options while traveling in another country.
To call a number in the United States, dial 00 to exit New Zealand then 1 for the United States, area code and phone number. (Example: 00-1-[800-555-555])
WiFi: Free WiFi in New Zealand is very limited. Hotspots are predominantly found in urban areas and are not common in small towns or rural regions — don’t expect to be streaming anything major while in the country.
Adaptors: When traveling abroad, it is always best to get a universal adapter. You’ll find the outlets are similar to those in the UK and Australia.
What do I need to get in, out, and around New Zealand?
Passport and Visa: Your passport needs to be valid on entry and for 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from New Zealand.
As of October 1, 2019 all U.S. citizens are required to have a NZeTA. It can take up to 72 hours to process, so plan ahead! If your NZeTA is denied, you must apply for a visa.
As of July 1, 2019 U.S. citizens traveling for tourism, student programs, or short-term business are required to pay an IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy). This levy is assessed when a person applies for the NZeTA and costs $35/person. Learn more about the NZeTA and IVL here.
Money: New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar. Be sure to carry some NZD with you. Credit cards are widely accepted and you can check in with your bank to make sure your card will be valid while traveling.
Transportation: Public transit exists in many of the urban cities, and bus transit is the main form. Auckland and Wellington have also have rail systems.
When driving a car, remember that cars drive on the left-hand side and drivers are seated on the right! Roads can be narrow, windy, and hilly, so be cautious and add in extra travel time.
Customs: Customs can be stricter than other countries when arriving and leaving New Zealand. The country has strict biosecurity laws to prevent unwanted pests and diseases. All food items must be declared on your passenger arrival card. Generally, you cannot bring in fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, or fish. Commercially prepared and packaged food or unopened food is allowed as long as it is declared on your customs form.
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