Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO NEW ZEALAND

CAPITAL

Wellington

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

English, Māori & New Zealand Sign Language

RELIGION

Religion in New Zealand encompasses a wide range of groups and beliefs. Christianity is the most common religion with almost half (48 percent) of the population at the 2013 New Zealand census declaring an affiliation. Around six percent of the population affiliated with non-Christian religions, with Hinduism being the largest at over two percent, while 42 percent of New Zealanders stated they had no religion in the most recent census and 4 percent made no declaration.

New Zealand has no state religion or established church, although Anglicanism is required to be the religion of the Monarch of New Zealand (who is described as “Defender of The Faith”).

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

ELECTRICITY

New Zealand’s electricity supply operates at 230 volts, 50 hertz. Plugs and outlets are identical to Australia’s – two flat pins forming an inverted-V shape, with a single vertical flat pin below for earth. DO NOT attempt to insert an American two-pin plug into a New Zealand socket by bending the pins – not only will you damage the plug; the voltages and frequencies are different.

Most hotels provide 110-volt, 20-watt AC sockets in their bathroom for electric razors.

If you are planning to come to New Zealand and you intend on bringing your own appliances such as a shaver or hairdryer, it is advised you purchase a Universal 3 flat pin power plug adapter prior to coming. If you do decide to purchase one, then make sure to select one that has the earth pin.

Currency information:

The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). It is easily exchangeable with all other major currencies, and it is accepted throughout the country. The currency, affectionately referred to as the Kiwi, trades under the symbol NZD or NZ$.

100 cents = 1 Dollar

Coins: 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar, 2 dollars

Notes: 5 dollars, 10 dollars, 20 dollars 50 dollars, 100 dollars

Credit cards:

Bring your credit and charge cards – they are widely accepted throughout New Zealand. Those commonly used include American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard and Bankcard. Visa and MasterCard are more likely to be accepted by general merchants than American Express or Diners Club. All cards are accepted at major hotels and shops. Debit cards are not as widely accepted as credit cards, especially in smaller rural communities.

ATM:

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards from major banks will work for cash withdrawal as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. Check with your bank before leaving home. Relevant bank charges apply.

When you use a debit (ATM) card for cash overseas, your bank adds some combination of a per-withdrawal fee up to $5, and most banks add a conversion fee up to 3%, or maybe both. By contrast, when you use travelers’ cheques or currency, you generally lose anywhere from 5% to 10% in various conversion fees and charges.

Banking hours:

All banks operate between the hours of 9am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. A lot of the banks have branches open in the weekends. It is best to refer to their bank websites for locations and opening times.

Currency restriction:

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report.

Currency exchange:

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.

By way of information, you certainly have an opportunity to save yourself money on currency exchanges using the many available ATM machines. Most currency exchanges give unfavorable rates and then add a fee or commission to the transaction (you will usually see them “buying” currency for 3 – 6% less than it is worth and “selling” you NZ Dollars for 3 – 6% more than they are worth, then adding a fee of $2 – $10). For those who use, say Bank of America, you can use WestPac Bank ATMs with no ATM fees or charges and a fair exchange rate (with no fees or commissions). There is also a fair amount of Citi ATMs there and in Australia. Two other benefits: you will be travelling with less cash, and you can take out only the amount of money you actually need – preventing you from being stuck holding a bunch of NZ Dollars or getting a poor exchange back at the end of your trip.

CLOTHING

“Four seasons in a day” is used to describe the climate in New Zealand. The sea and mountains make a significant impact on the quick changing weather. Settlements on the coast experience mild temperatures, moderate rainfall and sunshine.

Not only can the weather change rapidly, but the climate also varies throughout the country. Where the north is generally mild and humid, the further south you go, the colder it gets. The south also gets the first hit of Antarctic blasts. Just the diverse landscapes of alpine mountain ranges, rainforest and golden sand beaches demonstrates the variety of conditions New Zealand gets.

A word of warning: New Zealand has one of the highest UV ratings in the world. Even on cloudy days you can get sunburn. Sunscreen is a must!

Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and nightspots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities.

In summer, a light jacket or sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler, or you visit the high country. You can expect some rain, so include a light waterproof jacket or coat. Pack warm winter clothing if visiting between May and September. Layer your clothing.

COMMUNICATION & EMAIL

Telephone

In New Zealand, the number to call if you need Fire, Police or an ambulance in an emergency is 111.

Calling 111 is free. You can call this number from a mobile phone, even if you have no credit left.

If you wish to report things that have already happened, but do not need urgent Police assistance - 105

New Zealand uses regional two-digit area codes for long-distance calls, which can be made from any payphone. If you’re making a local call (i.e. to someone else in the same town), you don’t need to dial the area code. But if you’re dialing within a region (even if it’s to a nearby town with the same area code), you do have to dial the area code.

To make international calls from NZ (which is possible on payphones), you need to dial the international access code 00, then the country code and the area code (without the initial ‘0’). So, for a London number, for example, you’d dial 00-44-20, then the number. If dialing NZ from overseas, the country code is 64, followed by the appropriate area code minus the initial ‘0’.

Mobile Phones:

European phones should work on NZ’s network, but most American or Japanese phones will not. It’s straightforward to buy a local SIM card and prepaid account at outlets in airports and large towns (provided your mobile is unlocked).

Most NZ mobile phone numbers begin with the prefix 021, 022 or 027. Mobile phone coverage is good in cities and towns and most parts of the North Island but can be patchy away from urban centres on the South Island.

If you want to bring your own phone and use a prepaid service with a local SIM card (rather than pay for expensive global roaming on your home network), Vodafone (www.vodafone.co.nz) is a practical option. Any Vodafone shop (in most major towns) will set you up with a NZ Travel SIM and a phone number (from around $30; valid for 30, 60 or 90 days). Top-ups can be purchased at newsagents, post offices and petrol stations all over the country. Phone Hire New Zealand (www.phonehirenz.com) rents out mobiles, modems, and GPS systems (from $3/10/7 per day).

Pay Phones:

Local calls from payphones cost $1 for the first 15 minutes, and $0.20 per minute thereafter, though coin-operated payphones are scarce (and if you do find one, chances are the coin slot will be gummed up); you’ll generally need a phonecard. Calls to mobile phones attract higher rates.

Internet:

Getting online in NZ is easy in all but remote locales. Expect abundant wi-fi in cafes and accommodation in big towns and cities, but thrifty download limits elsewhere.

Wi-fi ~ You’ll be able to find wi-fi access around the country, from hotel rooms to pub beer gardens to hostel dorms. Usually, you have to be a guest or customer to log in; you’ll be issued with an access code. Sometimes it’s free, sometimes there’s a charge, often there’s a limit on time or data.

Hotspots ~ The country’s main telecommunications company is Spark New Zealand (www.spark.co.nz), which has more than 1000 wireless hotspots around the country. You can purchase prepaid access cards or a prepaid number from the login page at any wireless hotspot using your credit card. See Spark’s website for hotspot listings.

Equipment & ISPs ~ If you’ve brought your tablet or laptop, consider buying a prepay USB modem (aka a ‘dongle’) with a local SIM card: both Spark and Vodafone (www.vodafone.co.nz) sell these from around $50.

Internet Cafes

There are fewer internet cafes around these days than there were five years ago, but you’ll still find them in the bigger cities (frequented more by gamers than tourists). Access costs anywhere from $3 to $6 per hour.

Similarly, most hostels and holiday parks have done away with actual computers in favour of wi-fi. Most hotels, motels, B&Bs and holiday parks also offer wi-fi, sometimes for free, but usually for a small charge.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

The terrain consists of mountains and large plains. New Zealand’s two main islands are the North Island and the South Island which are separated by Cook Straight. The North Island is warmer than the South.

For general touring, the warmer months of December to March are usually the best months but they are also the busiest. The New Zealand schools’ summer holidays, from about December 20 to the end of January, are in this time period. Pre-booking of transport and accommodation is suggested. Crowds can be avoided by travelling in October and November, or March and April.

The northern part of the North Island can be enjoyed year-round. It does not snow, and the temperature rarely drops below 10°C (50°F).

Good months to travel: October to April for general touring; June to September for winter sports.

We have divided the weather into two regions, North and South.

1. North. (Includes North Island and the northern part of South Island.)

December to February: Summer. Generally sunny, dry and warm with average daily maximum of 21°C (70°F). Best months for beach weather are January and February, the warmest months.

March to May: Autumn. Mild with light rain. Winds are calm in autumn.

June to August: Winter. Mild, 14°C (58°F) but rainy. Most rain falls in winter and is distributed evenly throughout the North Island and the northern part of the South Island. An exception is the volcanoes of the North Island. They are wetter on their western sides because moisture-laden winds blow from the west. Snow falls in the plateau area around Tongariro National Park but is extremely rare in the far north.

September to November: Spring. Mild with light rain. Spring is the windy season. Starting in November, temperatures begin to climb by a few degrees.

2. South. (Includes most of the South Island.)

December to February: Summer. Mild, 20°C (68°F). Prevailing westerly winds drop their moisture on the western side of the Southern Alps. Rainfall is heavy. After losing their moisture, the winds become hot and dry as they blow down the eastern slopes. The winds melt snow and warm the Canterbury Plains, the driest part of the country, near Christchurch. This warming effect can last for a few hours or a day or so. January and February are the warmest months.

March to May: Autumn. Mild. Rain, especially on the western side of the Southern Alps. Winds are at their calmest in autumn. March is usually warm while April is the beginning of the cooler season.

June to August: Winter. Cold in the mountains. Mild at lower altitudes. Rainy on the western slopes of the Southern Alps. Snow falls on the peaks of the Alps and sometimes at sea level, especially in the far south. Westerly winds, after they have dropped their moisture on the western slopes of the Alps, rise over the peaks and descend the eastern slopes as warm, dry winds, melting snow in the process and raising temperatures on the plains for a few hours or a day or so.

September to November: Spring. Mild and rainy, especially on the windward (western) slopes of the Alps. These are the windiest months. November is the start of the warmer months that run to February.

General weather information applicable to North, and South:

Rain: The North Island and the northern part of the South Island receive most of their rain in winter (June to August) but all months have rain mixed with fine sunny weather. The west coast of the South Island has heavy rains all year, about twenty times the amount that falls on the eastern side of the island. The eastern side has showers with intermittent sunny periods.

Winds: Winds throughout the year blow west to east, sometimes lightly but also strongly. They are stronger in winter, June to August. These are moisture-laden warm winds. Winds also blow from the south, from Antarctica, which bring cold weather. Winds can bring fast changes to weather conditions on any given day.

Temperatures: Because of the moderating influence of the surrounding ocean, there are no extreme fluctuations of temperature. The North Island is a few degrees warmer than the South.

Auckland, North Island, New Zealand: Altitude 26m (85ft)

 

 

Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand: Altitude 10m (32ft)

 

 

Wellington, North Island, New Zealand: Altitude 127m (415ft)

 

 

MEAL COSTS

Food                                                                                            Cost

Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal of similar)        -NZ$12.00

500 gr (1 lb) of boneless chicken breast                                      -NZ$8.00

1 liter (1 qt) of whole fat milk                                                    -NZ$2.09

12 eggs, large                                                                          -NZ$7.00

FOOD & DRINKS

Specialities:

• Pavlova – This cake is made of whipped egg whites that are baked to make a meringue type on the outside and a soft middle. It is topped with whipped cream and sliced fruit.
• Lolly cake – This is a common New Zealand favorite with lollies. Lollies are fruit puffs that resemble slightly chewy and firm marshmallows.
• New Zealand meat pie – This is a meat pie. It has minced meat with gravy, mushrooms, cheese and onions.
• Afghan biscuit – This is a traditional biscuit that is made of butter, flour, cocoa powder and cornflakes. It is covered with chocolate icing and walnuts.
• Lamington – This is a kind of sponge cake that is covered in a layer of chocolate icing and coconut. It is sometimes served as halves with cream or raspberry jam.
• Anzac biscuits – These are hard plain biscuits that are mostly made from oatmeal and held together with golden syrup.
• Kumara – These are also called sweet potatoes. They are often scalloped, roasted, fried and boiled. When served with pork or lamb and baked in their skin, they are especially flavorful.
• Fish and chips – This is a common dish in New Zealand that is made of fish and served with chipped potatoes that are deep fried.
• Roasted leg of lamb and vegetables – Very popular dish in New Zealand.
• Colonial goose – This is roasted lamb or mutton. A lamb leg has the bone removed and filled with dried apricots, breadcrumbs, honey, parsley and onion. The leg is soa.

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE

New Zealand has been described as having a “true” merit-based tipping culture.

It is generally uncommon for locals (resident Kiwis) to tip except for very exceptional service.

It is not customary and not required, however, for exceptional service (particularly with Concierges or in restaurants and cafes) a tip is always appreciated. The amount is at the discretion of the tipper and would generally be in the range of 10% according to the value of the meal/services. Hospitality and service staff in New Zealand are often students or part-time workers and even professionals are not paid well comparative to other countries. Wait staff in cafes/restaurants etc. do get paid a higher hourly rate than their North American counterparts.

It may be appropriate to leave an envelope with the manager to be shared amongst the staff if it is too difficult to pick one individual!

This would – if you really want to give a tip, probably be the best way to do things, as the locals do not tip, and most would prefer it was not adopted as a general custom – in New Zealand, you pay for the meal, you should not have to pay the staff as well!

On statutory holidays it is becoming common for restaurants, cafes etc. to charge an additional service fee of normally around 10-15%. This is to cover the additional cost of employing staff on these days. This is in addition to the prices on the menu and signs will normally be posted stating that they will be charging this additional fee. However, this is NOT a tip/service charge that gets passed on to staff. It is an additional charge imposed by the owners to cover the increased wage rates they have to pay to staff on public holidays by law.

Hairdressers and food-delivery staff are not customarily tipped. Taxi drivers aren’t generally tipped but they do appreciate it if you round the fare up to the nearest dollar, so they don’t have to look for change. Occasionally, they round it DOWN, for the same reason!

Tipping can be a rather touchy subject, as New Zealanders tend not to like the idea of it – it’s like being charged twice over for your dinner, which is seen as unfair.

Here are some guidelines that you may find helpful:

Service                                                                                    Tipping amount per/person

1 - Drivers per/ day                                                                     U$D 05.00 per person

2 - Guides per/day                                                                     U$D 08.00 – 10.00 per person

3 - Bellmen at hotels per/check in or check out                                U$D 01.00 per person

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Your home country health plan may only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable.