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new zealand:
general info
· travel advisories
· getting there
· getting around
when to go
· fast facts
· history
· maps
· photos
· itinerary
· distances
hostels
· tours
· slang & lingo
· cost of living
· customs & duty
· visas
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· tramping
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· safety
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Here's some basic information for you when it comes to travel to New Zealand...
CAPITAL
Wellington
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
English and Maori
EMERGENCIES
Dial 111
FLAG
MONEY
New Zealand's currency is dollars and cents. There are $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes and 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c, $1 and $2 coins.
A Goods and Services Tax is charged at 12.5 percent on almost all items and services and is included in the price quoted except for where
it is clearly marked. GST exemption is available on more expensive items bought at shops bearing the "Duty-Free" sticker which are
to be sent or taken out of the country.
TIME
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to start the new day - Pitt Island gets the first sunrise each year. NZ
is 12 hours ahead of GMT - so at noon in New Zealand, it's 10am in Sydney, midnight in London, 7pm the previous day in New York,
and 4pm the previous day in Los Angeles. In the summer NZ observes daylight savings time, setting clocks forward an hour on the last Sunday in
October and; clocks are wound back in the first Sunday of the following March.
BUSINESS HOURS
Office hours are generally from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Most government offices are open from around 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday
to Friday. Shops are usually open from 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. Some shops also offer late night
shopping on Thursday or Friday and will stay open until 9pm.
NEWSPAPERS
With the exception of the New Zealand Herald, New Zealand has no national daily newspaper, although Wellington's
Dominion Post and Christchurch's The Press both come close. International publications are available in all large city centres.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is 230V AC, 50 Hz, as in Australia, Asia and most of Europe; Australian-type three-blade plugs are used. Appliances designed
for DC supply or different voltages need a transformer.
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
New Zealand uses the metric system of measurements. Distances are in kilometres, petrol is bought in litres, and food is
weighed in kilos.
SEASONS
The north of NZ is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February with the oldest June, July and August.
In the summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30C and in winter 10-15C. For more information on when to visit NZ,
click here...
PASSPORTS & VISAS
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid
for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the
country. You do not need a visa or permit to visit NZ if you are
an NZ citizen or Resident Permit holder, an Australian citizen travelling
on an Australian passport, or a citizen of a country which has a
visa waiver agreement
with New Zealand. Currently travellers from more than 50 countries
do not require a Visitor's Visa for stays less than 3 months. British
citizens and other British passport holders may be allowed to stay
for up to 6 months. For more information on NZ visas, click here...
POST RESTANTE
Auckland - Wellesley St Post Shop, Bledislow St.
Wellington - Wellington Railway Post Shop, Bunny St.
Christchurch - Cathedral Sq. Post Shop, Cathedral Sq.
Dunedin - Dunedin Metro Post Shop, 283 Princess St.
DEPARTURE TAX
There's a $25 departure tax on all international flights out of New Zealand, payable at the airport.
DID YOU KNOW?
It was the first country with votes for women and worker's pensions and now pursues a bi-cultural approach to its
race relations.
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