New Zealand

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Overview

New Zealand is a unique land of breathtaking scenery with craggy coastlines, sweeping golden beaches, verdant forests, snow-capped alpine mountains, gurgling volcanic pools, flashing fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes, all beneath a brilliant blue sky.

New Zealand is spread over three relatively small islands with modern and efficient transport, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. The plant and animal life are also excellent offering opportunities to see the varied birdlife (including kiwis), seals, dolphins and whales.

Enjoy the chance to explore two of the richest New World wine regions on the planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on moody beaches, tramp through the national parks or over alpine passes.

The country is also perfect for every kind of outdoor activity and not surprisingly, some of the world's most cutting-edge adventure activities originated in New Zealand. Try bungee jumping, caving or white-water rafting. If that is not your bag, immerse yourself in culture in the museums and galleries of New Zealand's main cities - Auckland, Christchurch and the capital Wellington.

New Zealand was first settled at least 1,000 years ago by the Polynesian Maori, a well ordered tribal society led by hereditary chiefs and a powerful priesthood. The first European arrival was Dutchman Abel Tasman in 1642, although it was not until the voyages of Captain James Cook, in 1769 and 1779, that the islands were charted and explored.

Area
270,534 sq km (104,454 sq miles).
Population
4 million (Statistics New Zealand 2004).
Population Density
14.8 per sq km.
Capital
Wellington. Population: 423,765 (2003). Auckland, with a population of 1.3 million (2005), is the largest urban area in the country.
Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1907.
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% of the population).
Religion
60% Christian: Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Methodist are all represented.
Time
New Zealand: GMT + 12 (GMT + 13 from the first Sunday in October to the third Sunday in March).
Chatham Island: GMT + 12.75 (GMT + 13.75 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March).
Social Conventions
Should a visitor be invited to a formal Maori occasion, the hongi (pressing of noses) is common. Casual dress is widely acceptable. New Zealanders are generally very relaxed and hospitable. Stiff formality is rarely appreciated and, after introductions, first names are generally used. Smoking is restricted where indicated. It is banned in pubs and restaurants.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Most hotels provide 110-volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Helen Clark since 1999.
Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II since 1952, represented locally by Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright since 2001.

Culture

Food and Drink
New Zealand has a reputation as a leading producer of meat and dairy produce with lamb, beef and pork on most menus. Venison is also widely available. Locally produced vegetables, such as kumara (a sweet potato), are good. There is also a wide range of fish available, including snapper, grouper and John Dory. Seasonal delicacies such as whitebait, oysters, crayfish, scallops and game birds are recommended. New Zealand is also establishing a reputation for French-type cheeses: bleu de Bresse, brie, camembert and montagne bleu.

Things to know: Many picnic areas with barbecue facilities are provided at roadside sites. Restaurants are usually informal except for very exclusive ones. Waiter service is normal, but self-service and fast-food chains are also available. Some restaurants invite the customer to 'BYO' (bring your own liquor). Bars have counter service and public bars are very informal. Lounge bars and 'house bars' (for hotel guests only) are sometimes more formal and occasionally have table service. There is some variation in licensing hours in major cities and some hotel bars open Sunday, providing a meal is eaten. In most hotels and taverns, licensing hours are 1100-2300 except Sunday.

National specialities:
o Kumara (native sweet potato) in Auckland.
o Feijoa (local fruit) and golden-fleshed Zespri Gold kiwi fruit from the Bay of Plenty.
o Battered fish and chips from Gisbourne.
o Pavlova (a large roundcake with a meringue base topped with cream and fruit) from Taranaki.
o Salmon and mussels from Marlborough.

National drinks:
New Zealand boasts world-class domestic wines and beers, some of which have won international awards. A wide range of domestic and imported wines, spirits and beers is available from hotel bars, 'liquor stores' and wine shops.
o Merlot (Auckland and Wairarapa), Chardonnay (Bay of Plenty, Gisbourne, Wairarapa and Canterbury), Pinot Gris and Noir (Auckland, Wairarapa, Marlborough and Central Otago), Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough and Wairarapa).
o New Zealand draught beer and lager.

Legal drinking age: The minimum drinking age in a bar is 18.

Tipping: Service charges and taxes are not added to hotel or restaurant bills. Tips are not expected.

Nightlife
New Zealand has an active and varied entertainment industry. Theatres offer good entertainment ranging from drama, comedy and musicals to pop concerts and shows. Concert tickets can be booked online (website: www.ticketek.com). In large cities, there are often professional performers or guest artists from overseas. Visitors should check 'What's On' in local papers. There are also cinemas and a small selection of nightclubs in larger cities.

Shopping
Special purchases include distinctive jewellery made from New Zealand greenstone (a kind of jade) and from the beautiful translucent paua shell. Maori arts and crafts are reflected in a number of items such as the carved greenstone tiki (a unique Maori charm) and intricate woodcarvings often inlaid with paua shell. Other items of note include woollen goods, travel rugs, lambswool rugs, leather and skin products.

Shopping hours: All shops and businesses are open Mon-Sat 0900-1700, as a minimum; there are local variations but many stores and most malls are also open Sun 1000-1300. In resorts, most shops are also open in the evenings.
Environment

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. Mediumweights are worn during winter in the South Island. Rainwear is advisable throughout the year, and essential if visiting the South Island's rainforest areas.
New Zealand is 1,930km (1,200 miles) southeast of Australia and consists of two major islands, the North Island (116,031 sq km/44,800 sq miles) and the South Island (153,540 sq km/59,283 sq miles), which are separated by Cook Strait. Stewart Island (1,750 sq km/676 sq miles) is located immediately south of the South Island, and the Chatham Islands lie 800km (500 miles) to the east of Christchurch. Going from north to south, temperatures decrease. Compared to its huge neighbour Australia, New Zealand's three islands make up a country that is relatively small (about 20% more land mass than the British Isles).Two-thirds of the country is mountainous, a region of swift-flowing rivers, deep alpine lakes and dense subtropical forest. The country's largest city, Auckland, is situated on the peninsula that forms the northern part of the North Island. The southern part of the North Island is characterised by fertile coastal plains rising up to volcanic peaks. Around Rotorua, 240km (149 miles) south of Auckland, there is thermal activity in the form of geysers, pools of boiling mud, springs of hot mineral water, silica terraces, coloured craters and hissing fumaroles, which make Rotorua a world-famous tourist attraction. The South Island is larger, although only about one-third of the population lives there. The Southern Alps extend the whole length of the island, culminating in Mount Cook, the country's highest peak. In the same region are the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers.There are also four Associated Territories: The Cook Islands, about 3,500km (2,175 miles) northeast of New Zealand; Niue, 920km (570 miles) west of the Cook Islands (area 260 sq km/100 sq miles); Tokelau, three atolls about 960km (600 miles) northwest of Niue (area 12 sq km/4 sq miles); and the Ross Dependency, which consists of over 700,000 sq km (270,270 sq miles) of the Antarctic.Note: Cook Islands and Niue have separate individual sections in the World Travel Guide.

Money

Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZD; symbol: 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 and 10 cents.
Note: In November 2006, the New Zealand Reserve Bank introduced new, smaller 50, 20 and 10 cent coins. The 5 cent coin has been phased out. Old coins can only be exchanged at the Reserve Bank.
Currency Exchange
Exchange facilities are widely available throughout New Zealand.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.
Traveller's Cheques
Can be exchanged at official rates at trading banks, large hotels and some shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Australian Dollars.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1630.

Duty Free
The following items may be imported into New Zealand by persons of 17 years of age and over without incurring customs duty:
o 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a mixture of all three weighing no more than 250g.
o 4.5l of wine or beer.
o 1.125l or 40oz of spirits or liqueurs.
o Goods to a total value of NZ$700.

Prohibited Imports
Because of the importance of agriculture and horticulture to the New Zealand economy, it is illegal to import most foodstuffs (meat, meat products, honey, fruit and dairy). Take care when importing wood products, such as golf clubs, shoes and items made from animal skin. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The import of the following items is also prohibited: firearms and weapons (unless a special permit is obtained from the New Zealand police); ivory in any form; tortoise or turtle shell jewellery and ornaments; medicines using musk, rhinoceros or tiger derivatives; carvings or anything made from whalebone or bone from any other marine animals; cat skins or coats and certain drugs (eg diuretics, depressants, stimulants, heart drugs, tranquillisers, sleeping pills) unless covered by a doctor's prescription.

Traveller's Guide

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended period of stay required.
Visas
Not required for stays of up to three months, except 1. nationals of Bulgaria and Romania who do need a visa. Nationals of the UK may stay for up to six months and nationals of Australia may stay indefinitely.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visitor: Eur;65 (for nationals of Bulgaria who must apply at the immigration office in The Hague, The Netherlands); £45 (for nationals of Romania who must apply at the immigration office in London, UK). Transit: Eur;70 (for nationals of Bulgaria who must apply at the immigration office in The Hague, The Netherlands); £50 (for nationals of Romania who must apply at the immigration office in London, UK).
Validity
Visitor: up to a total maximum of nine months in an 18 month period. Transit: up to 24 hours.
Applications to:
Local New Zealand Immigration Service (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Dependent on local office - contact for details.

Contact Addresses

New Zealand High Commission in the UK
2nd Floor, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TQ, UK
Tel: (020) 7930 8422.
Website: www.nzembassy.com/uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

New Zealand Immigration Service in the UK
Mezzanine Floor, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TE, UK
Tel: 0906 910 0100 (visa information and immigration service; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website: www.immigration.govt.nz
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1545.

Tourism New Zealand in the UK
Level 7, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TQ, UK
Tel: (020) 7930 1662 or 0906 910 0100 (immigration).
Website: www.newzealand.com

New Zealand Embassy in the USA
37 Observatory Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 328 4800.
Website: www.nzemb.org

Tourism New Zealand in the USA
501 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Tel: (310) 395 7480 or 1 866 639 9325.
Website: www.newzealand.com or www.tourisminfo.govt.nz
Health Care
Medical facilities, both public and private, are of a high standard. Telephone numbers for doctors and hospitals are listed at the front of the white pages of local telephone directories. Should you need drugs or pharmaceutical supplies outside normal shopping hours, refer to 'Urgent Pharmacies' in the local telephone directory for the location of the nearest pharmacy or check with your hotel. Many hotels have doctors on call.

Long-staying visitors with a valid permit to stay for two or more years are entitled to health care services on the same basis as New Zealand citizens. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK, which entitles short-term British visitors to publicly funded health treatment. They will receive free treatment as a hospital inpatient, but must pay some charges for any services provided by outpatients and private doctors.

Comprehensive medical insurance is strongly recommended before travelling to cover any additional charges. If you intend to participate in adventure activities, such as bungee jumping or white water rafting, you should ensure that your travel insurance covers these types of activities.

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