Travel essentials

Finding out about the weather, entry requirments, currency and customs of the country you intend to visit is a crucial part of planning your holiday. This is even more important when it comes to New Zealand, as many people make the assumption that it is part of and identical to Australia. This misconception could not be further from the truth. For example, travellers do not need a visa to visit New Zealand and it does not contain any crocodiles, poisonous spiders or venomous snakes. Below is all the information you will need when visiting this unique destination!

Entry requirements

Unlike visitors to neighbouring Australia, holidaymakers in New Zealand do not require a visa. Travellers from some countries can stay up to 3 months without requiring a visa, whereas British citizens can stay up to six months without one.

Vaccinations

Visitors will be pleased to hear that there are no necessary vaccinations for travel to New Zealand as it is practically disease free. It is for this reason that there are strict customs regulations regarding travellers carrying foreign animal, plant and food products.

Currency

The exchange rate to the New Zealand dollar from the British pound, US dollar, Euro or the Yen is constantly favourable, meaning that your money goes a lot further in New Zealand. The average exchange is 1 New Zealand dollar = 0.38 British pence. Exchange rates should, however, be checked at the time of travel. Notes are printed in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 dollars.

Getting to New Zealand and travel within

The flight from London to Auckland takes approximately 21 and a half hours. Fourteen international airlines now fly to New Zealand's major airports in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, making it more accessible than ever before. A stopover is recommended for your flight to New Zealand to help alleviate the dangers of deep-vein thrombosis from long haul flights, and the effects of fatigue and exhaustion from jetlag.

Once you have arrived in New Zealand, travel between the two islands couldn't be easier. There are over 450 domestic flights a day to 26 destinations throughout the country. The Interislander ferry links the north and south islands across Cook Strait - a journey described as 'one of the world's most scenic ferry journeys'. A scenic cruise takes 3 hours, but the fast ferry jets across in just 135 minutes.

Climate

New Zealand is an ideal holiday destination all-year-round - the only difference between summer and winter is about 10 degrees celcius. Its season are the reverse of those in the UK, so Sping is between September and November, Summer from December to February, Autumn from March to May, and winter from June to August. Most of New Zealand experiences approximately 2,000 hours of sunshine each year, and snow rarely falls outside the moutainous areas, although it has been known to occassionally snow in the east and south of the South Island.

Health Care

New Zealand and Australia have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK meaning that emergency hospital treatment is free. All other health services may prove very expensive, so it advisable to take out adequate travel insurance to cover yourself in the event of illness or injury.

Customs Allowance

As with most countries, there are restrictions on the quantities of goods that you can take home from New Zealand. The limit for tobacco products is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams. You are allowed 4.5 litres of liquor, a quanitity of perfume reasonable for personal use and any other goods up to a value of NZ$700.

Taxes

New Zealand operates a Goods and Service Tax (GST) on all goods purchased and services sold in the country. Most product prices include this tax, and the present rate is 12.5%. Overseas visitors cannot claim back the GST that they have paid, but some shops may sell goods GST free upon production of travel documents to prove you are not a resident.