Travelling to New Zealand

Travelling to New Zealand is easy. For practical information and travel advice before you leave, click here.

Before travelling to a country, you need to know the basic facts. New Zealand is a small country, similar in size to Great Britain or Japan. With a population of just over 4 million people it is gloriously uncrowded. Learn more about New Zealand here. 

 

Passports & Visas

When you arrive, you'll need to ensure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date, and if required, have a valid New Zealand visa.

You do not need a visa to visit New Zealand if you are:

• A New Zealand or Australian citizen or resident, or
• A UK citizen and/or passport holder (you can stay up to six months), or
• A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months)

If you don't meet the criteria above, then you will need to apply for a Visitor Visa by clicking here. 

 

Biosecurity

In order to protect New Zealand and its environment, certain items are not allowed to be brought into the country, have restrictions for entry, or must be declared if they are deemed to present a biosecurity risk. These include food, plants, animal products and outdoor recreational equipment. You may risk a fine if you fail to comply. 

www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/arriving-in-new-zealand/items-to-declare

 

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required to visit New Zealand.

 

Climate

The weather varies throughout New Zealand by region and by season. Click here to learn more about New Zealand's climate. 

 

Currency & costs

The currency used is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). 

 

Internet & phone coverage

Staying connected in New Zealand is easy with a little forward planning. Check out further information here.

 

Electricity

New Zealand's electricity supply runs at 230/240 volts, and uses angled two or three pin plugs (the same as Australia and parts of Asia).

Time zone

New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) -  www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-zealand-time-zones

 

Smartphone app

The free Essential New Zealand travel app from Tourism New Zealand is available from the App Store and Google Play. Access up-to-date information about hundreds of selected travel experiences while you're in New Zealand without the need for an internet connection. 

 

Qualmark

Whether you are looking for places to stay, things to do or ways to get around, Qualmark – New Zealand tourism's official quality assurance organisation – provides a trusted guide to quality travel experiences. When you see the Qualmark, it means that those businesses have been independently assessed against a set of national quality standards.

Find out more about Qualmark here.

 

i-SITE New Zealand

i-SITE is New Zealand's official visitor information network. There are currently 80 i-SITE locations found throughout New Zealand where you can speak to a travel expert for local knowledge and bookings throughout New Zealand.