Tips and Tricks
Care for Aotearoa (New Zealand)
Aotearoa New Zealand is a Taonga (Treasure).
Whether you live in this land or are visiting, we ask you to make a promise to look after it for future generations. In Aotearoa, we feel a special connection with the natural world. Tangata Whenua (People of this land) see nature as something intrinsically intertwined with human life. Every mountain, every river, every tree has a story. Guardians such as Ranginui (Sky), Papatūānuku (Earth), Tāne Mahuta (Forest) and Tangaroa (Oceans) look over these lands and waters.
We ask that you:
- Care for land, sea and nature, treading lightly and leaving no trace.
- Travel safely, showing care and consideration for all.
- Respect the culture and local communities, travelling with an open heart and mind.
- Be guardians, be protectors.
The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to this place, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Weather in New Zealand
New Zealand experiences four distinctive seasons, officially these are:
Autumn: March, April and May
Winter: June, July and August
Spring: September, October and November
However, the weather can be variable and does not always follow traditional seasonal expectations – summer, for instance, can be both very hot and very cold.
Seasonal Temperatures and Conditions?
Summer: Expect an average high of 25 C (76 F) in the north to around 22 C (72 F) in the south.
Average lows (evening time) are 13 C (55 F) in the north to 12 C (54 F) in the south.
Autumn: Expect an average high of 20 C (68 F) in the north to around 17 C (63 F) in the south.
Average lows (evening time) are 11 C (52 F) in the north to 7 C (45 F) in the south.
Winter: Expect an average high of 15 C (59 F) in the north to around 10 C (50 F) in the south.
Average lows (evening time) are 6 C (43 F) in the north to 2 C (35 F) in the south.
Spring: Expect an average high of 18 C (65 F) in the north to around 16 C (61 F) in the south.
Average lows (evening time) are 9 C (48 F) in the north to 7 C (45 F) in the south.
Currency and Payment in NZ
New Zealand’s unit of currency is the dollar (NZD$).
All major credit cards are accepted in New Zealand, with Visa and Mastercard the most widely used. Many retailers in main centres also have Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.
Note:Travellers’ cheques are no longer accepted.
American Express and Diners Cards are not accepted in many places.
Tipping and Service Charges
Tipping in New Zealand is not obligatory, even in restaurants and bars.
However, tipping for good service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
All goods and services in New Zealand are subject to a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 15%, which is included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, but if a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.
Currency Exchange
You can exchange foreign currency for New Zealand currency at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are in international airports and most city centres.
New Zealand currency is available in:
- Coins with values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2.
- Notes with values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
Check the current currency rate with this currency converter.
Bringing cash into New Zealand
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.
Banking
Banks opening hours in New Zealand vary, but branches are generally open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are available at bank branches, along main shopping streets and in malls.
International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded.
Don't forget to check with your bank before leaving home.
Staying Connected
You’re probably planning to travel around New Zealand with your smartphone, tablet or laptop – or all three.
If you want to stay connected to the internet and phone services in New Zealand with your overseas phone, you will need to purchase a SIM card from one of the main local phone companies to access the network here.
It’s also recommended that you purchase a pre-paid plan. This will give you a mix of data, calling and texting throughout your trip.
Pre-paid data and mobile packs start from around NZ$15.00 per month, depending on how much data you require. Some companies also offer weekly options.
The main phone companies in New Zealand are:
- 2degrees
- Skinny
- Spark
- OneNZ
You’ll need to take your mobile device(s) into a branch when you first arrive to purchase your pack. Use the branch locator on the website to find the most convenient location for you.
If you’re looking to use a combination of devices to connect to the internet, it is most cost-effective to set up your phone as a wireless hotspot that your other devices can run off as well.
The company you choose will advise you on what will work best for your needs.
New Zealand has good internet and mobile coverage in all its main centres and surrounding towns, but you may find mobile coverage is not available in some rural and wilderness areas.
Power points/plugs and voltage in New Zealand
New Zealand uses Type I plugs. This is the same as in Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Type I plugs have three flat pins, with two angled to form an inverted ‘v’ at the top and one running straight down underneath.
The voltage in New Zealand is 230/240 volts (50Hz). If you’re bringing appliances or chargers from countries where the voltage is lower, such as the USA, Canada or Japan, check that your appliance states clearly that it is safe for use up to 240 volts.
If not, you will also need a voltage converter/transformer. If you plug a lower voltage appliance into New Zealand’s highest voltage supply, the item could be damaged.
Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) in bathrooms for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option.
Important numbers to know
Emergency number for police, fire and ambulance in New Zealand is dial 111. Calls are free. Don’t hesitate to dial it if you feel unsafe or threatened
If you need to contact the police for a non-urgent matter, dial 105.
New Zealand has a Visitor Safety text message service that is available free to mobile phones using network services from One.nz, Spark or 2degrees. You can send text updates about where you are and your planned travel movements to 7233 [SAFE]. These texts are not monitored but are kept on a central database that police can access if necessary. Police and the New Zealand tourism industry encourage you to use this service as another way of recording your movements and plans while in New Zealand
Accidents and Health Insurance
We strongly advise you to arrange your own travel and health insurance for your time in New Zealand. New Zealand's public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service, but it is important to note these services are not free to visitors, except as a result of an accident.
If you are injured in an accident while visiting New Zealand, your care will be paid for in part by New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation. In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured. Instead, ACC helps to pay for your care, which includes paying towards the cost of your treatment and assisting in your recovery while you remain in New Zealand.
You will still need your own travel and medical insurance because ACC does not cover everything:
- ACC does not cover illness, nor does it cover injuries while in transit to or from New Zealand (such as getting on or off a boat or plane)
- ACC only covers treatment and rehabilitation in New Zealand and usually, you must pay part of the cost yourself
- ACC does not pay any additional costs resulting from an accident, for example, delayed or curtailed travel costs, travel home, treatment at home and loss of income in your home country