Welcome to New Zeland
 

General Information

Capital: Wellington.
Time: GMT + 12 (GMT + 13 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March). Chatham Island: GMT + 12.45 (GMT + 13.45 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March) .
Tel. Code: 00 64.
Official Language: English is the common and everyday language, but other languages are also spoken, including Maori, which is New Zealand’s second official language (spoken by the indigenous Maori people who constitute approximately 15 per cent of the population).
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of NZ$2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Most hotels provide 110-volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only.
Religion: 60 per cent Christian: Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Methodist are all represented.

Climate
Climate: Subtropical in the North and temperate in the South. The North has no extremes of heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the South, with snow in the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions in summer; the West, particularly in the South Island, has more rain.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are worn in the North Island most of the year and in summer in the South Island. Medium weights are worn during winter in the South Island. Rainwear is advisable throughout the year, and essential if visiting the South Island’s rainforest areas.

Airports

Auckland (AKL): is 22.5km (14 miles) south of the city (travel time - 40 minutes). Airbus runs an efficient service between the international terminal to the city centre. These operate from 0600 until the last flight and cost NZ$15/single and NZ$22/return (student and child discounted fares are available). Eastern Service Buses operate from 0700-1800 and cost NZ$4 (travel time - approximately 60 minutes). In addition to regular taxis there is a shuttle taxi service which operates 24 hours, the fare is NZ$20-30 depending on the number of passengers. Airport facilities include duty-free shopping, banks/bureaux de change, post office, restaurants and cafes, car hire and baggage facilities/left luggage. There is a wide selection of hotels near the airport.

Christchurch (CHC) : is 10km (6 miles) northwest of the city (travel time - 20 minutes). Prices vary from the standard buses which cost NZ$2.70 to the more luxurious limousines, which cost around NZ$20. There are good facilities at the airport and hotels within 10km (6 miles).

Wellington (WLG) : is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time - 30 minutes). Stagecoach Flyer operates a bus service to the city centre every 30 minutes (fare NZ$4.50). The shuttle service operates on demand (maximum 10 persons) and costs NZ$10-12 accordingly.

Departure tax: Up to NZ$25 (depending on airport) plus NZ$5 security tax; children aged under 12 are exempt (except at Wellington where only passengers under two years of age are exempt and passengers aged two to 11 pay NZ$10). Transit passengers are exempt for 24 hours

Travel Times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Wellington to other major cities/towns in New Zealand.
 

Note: *Plus ferry crossing of 3 hours. **Plus 2.30 hours by road.

Passport/Visa
Passport
Passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended period of stay required by all. Some governments are not recognised by New Zealand and citizens in doubt should check with the New Zealand Immigration Service.
Visas are required by all except:
(a) countries referred to in the chart above, including US nationals from American Samoa, Swains Island and nationals of New Zealand Associated Territories (Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau) for stays of up to three months, although transit visas are required for nationals of the following only holding one-way tickets: Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tonga and Vanuatu;
(b)1. nationals of the UK and other British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the UK for visits of up to six months may be granted a visitors permit on arrival;
(c)2 . nationals of EU countries (except nationals of the UK) for visits of up to three months (Portuguese nationals must have right of residence in Portugal), except nationals of Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovak Republic and Poland, who do require a visa;
(d)3 . nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong (SAR or British Nationals Overseas passports), Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA (including nationals from American Samoa and Swains Island) and Vatican City for stays of up to three months;
(e)4 . nationals of Australia who hold a current Australian resident return visa or nationals of New Zealand with a residence permit;
(f) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours, providing they hold onward or return documentation and are not leaving the airport (some nationals passing through New Zealand always require a transit visa, even when not leaving the transit lounge of the airport; enquire at the New Zealand Immigration Service for details);
(g) nationals travelling on a UN laissez-passer for visits of up to three months.