Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New ZealandNew ZealandTravel guide
- Wellington
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Hamilton
- Napier
New Zealand, also called Aotearoa, has mountains, lakes, beaches, fiords and active volcanic areas. Its two main islands offer outdoor adventures, unique birds and opportunities to learn about Māori culture.
Why go
Explore mountains, lakes, beaches and volcanic landscapes.
Learn about Māori history and present-day life.
Look for unique native birds, including kiwi and kākāpō.
Try bungy jumping or jet-boating.
Take a scenic train journey through mountains or along the coast.
Best time to go: Summer is December to February, with average daytime highs of 17–25°C. Winter is June to August, and snow can close mountain roads; weather can change quickly in any season.
Getting there
By air
- Nearly all visitors arrive by plane. Auckland Airport is the main international entry point.
- Christchurch is the main secondary entry point. Wellington and Queenstown mainly have international services from eastern Australia.
- If you connect to a domestic flight after arriving, collect your checked bags and pass through customs and checks for restricted plants, animals and other goods. Then drop your bags again, even if they are labelled for your final destination.
By sea
- Cruise ships regularly visit between October and April.
- Most cruises depart from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane in Australia.
Customs
- Declare controlled medicines, medicines not prescribed to you and supplies of more than three months.
- Declare restricted or prohibited goods, including weapons and endangered plants or wildlife. Importing or possessing most recreational drugs, including cannabis, is illegal.
- Declare spirits above three bottles, with each bottle no larger than 1,125 mL. Also declare wine and beer above 4.5 litres.
Getting around
Domestic flights
You can book by telephone or through a travel agent, as well as online. You need photo identification to travel. Air New Zealand has the widest domestic network. Jetstar serves Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Wellington. Check-in is usually at least 30 minutes before departure, or 60 minutes when connecting to an international flight. Jetstar strictly enforces its check-in closing times. Flights can be expensive, but may cost less than driving or taking a train, especially between the two main islands.
Car or campervan
Drive on the left. A regular two-wheel-drive car can reach most sights, and a car is almost essential outside Auckland and Wellington. Drivers aged 18 or over can use a current full home-country licence for up to 12 months. Carry it with an approved English translation if it is not in English. Everyone must wear a seat belt, and children need an approved child restraint until their seventh birthday. Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal. Most roads between cities have one lane in each direction and limited places to overtake. If traffic builds up behind you, pull over somewhere safe to let it pass. Speed limits are generally 50 km/h in towns and 100 km/h in rural areas and on motorways. Some motorways allow 110 km/h, while towing vehicles have a maximum of 90 km/h. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, or zero for drivers under 20. Police roadside breath tests are common. Some fuel stations operate around the clock. Unstaffed stations usually require a debit or credit card with a personal identification number and rarely accept cash.
Trains
Auckland and Wellington have local commuter trains. Long-distance trains are mainly for sightseeing. Services are limited and slow, and driving is usually faster. The Northern Explorer connects Auckland and Wellington. The Coastal Pacific links Christchurch and Picton via Kaikoura from October to April. The TranzAlpine runs between Christchurch and Greymouth through mountain scenery. Dunedin Railways offers sightseeing trips through the Taieiri Gorge. All long-distance trains have a dining car. The booking website may show cheaper fares only to people accessing it from New Zealand. You may find these fares by booking by phone or after arrival.
Airport buses, shuttles and taxis
Auckland and Christchurch airports have scheduled airport buses. Queenstown and Wellington airports also have scheduled airport buses. Regional airports generally have only shuttles available on request and taxis.
What to see and do
Southern Alps
These mountains form a major barrier across the South Island and create striking differences in rainfall between east and west.
Arthur's Pass National Park
Explore mountain scenery here. Some TranzAlpine passengers stop for four hours before taking the return train.
Taieiri Gorge
Sightseeing trains from Dunedin travel through this scenic gorge.
Native wildlife
New Zealand has flightless birds found nowhere else, including kiwi and kākāpō.
Jet-boating
New Zealand is the original home of jet-boating through shallow gorges.
Bungy jumping
This adventure activity also began in New Zealand.
Food and drink
Cafés
Cafés serve food ranging from muffins to full meals. New Zealand has a strong café culture.
Māori boil-up
This is a soup made with vegetables and pork bones.
Local fast food
Local chains include Burger Fuel, Burger Wisconsin and Hell Pizza.
Chinese food
Western-style Chinese takeaways are common in towns and neighbourhoods. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch also have authentic Chinese food.
Special diets
Many cafés and restaurants cater for vegetarians, gluten-free diets and single allergies. Vegan, halal and kosher options are harder to find outside major cities.
Cooking your own meals
Supermarkets and convenience stores are widespread in populated areas. Many motels have small kitchens with cooking equipment.
Money
New Zealand dollar (NZD), written as NZ$ or $. One dollar equals 100 cents.
- Foreign currencies are rarely accepted. Where they are accepted, the exchange rate may be poor.
- Cash payments are rounded to the nearest 10 cents because there is no smaller coin.
- Restaurant prices generally include service and taxes. A clearly advertised extra charge may apply on public holidays.
- Pak'nSave generally has lower supermarket prices but a smaller choice of brands. Compare prices at other supermarkets if you are on a budget.
Tipping: Tipping is not customary; a smile and thank you are usually enough. People sometimes tip for exceptional restaurant service or round up a taxi fare.
Typical costs
- These are source prices from October 2020, rather than current quotes.
- A 600 g loaf of bread: NZ$1.30.
- Two litres of milk: NZ$3.60.
- Apples: NZ$3.30 per kilogram.
- Potatoes: NZ$2.20 per kilogram.
- Beef mince: NZ$16.40 per kilogram.
- One portion of fish and chips: NZ$7.40.
- A Big Mac: NZ$6.60.
Language
- English is the main language.
- Māori, also called te reo Māori, is an official language.
- New Zealand Sign Language is an official language used by the Deaf community.
- Aotearoa
- A name for New Zealand, often translated as 'land of the long white cloud'.
- Kiwi
- A native bird and a name New Zealanders use for themselves.
- Dinner or tea
- The evening meal.
- Morning tea or afternoon tea
- A snack break between meals.
Staying safe
- Ambulance, fire, police, coastguard and rescue; sending a text requires prior police registration111
- Emergency calls from mobile phones112
- Non-emergency traffic reports from mobile phones*555
- Non-emergency police105
- Non-emergency police when calling from overseas+64 4 910-5105
- Emergency fax for Deaf people0800 16 16 10
- Emergency textphone for Deaf people0800 161 616
- Keep valuables out of sight, lock your vehicle and secure your accommodation. Theft and burglary can also happen in rural areas.
- Avoid rowdy bars and large groups of drunk people late at night, especially in city centres.
- Weather can change suddenly, even in summer. Be prepared for rain and changing temperatures.
- Snow can close mountain passes and high roads in winter.
Local customs
Do
- Respect Māori culture, which is an important part of national life and identity.
- Learn how to pronounce Māori place names; the letters 'wh' are pronounced like 'f' in 'father'.
- Say 'in the North Island' or 'in the South Island' when referring to the two main islands.
- Dispose of camping waste properly and leave places as you found them.
Don't
- Do not confuse Māori culture with Aboriginal Australian cultures; they are not related.
- Avoid loud or drunken jokes about New Zealand or its sports teams.
- Do not assume that camping is allowed wherever there is no 'No Camping' sign.
Staying healthy
- Sunlight has very high levels of ultraviolet radiation, which can damage skin. Wear a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Winter smog can affect South Island towns and cities, especially Alexandra, Christchurch and Timaru. Take care if you have asthma or other breathing problems.
- City tap water is safe to drink. Boil water from rural streams before drinking it to protect against Giardia, a parasite that can cause illness.
- The source recommends keeping whooping cough and measles vaccinations up to date. A flu vaccination may also be useful for winter travel.
Where to stay
- Accommodation ranges from campsites and shared hostel rooms to luxury hotels in major cities.
- Motels are common near the approaches to towns, and most have small kitchens. Winter heating and insulation vary.
- Bed and breakfasts, homestays and farmstays let you get local tips from hosts. Māori homestays and stays at marae, Māori community meeting places, are also available.
- Hostels are available around the country, including Haka House and independent properties.
Trips to New Zealand
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Outdoor adventures in New Zealand
New Zealand has mountain walks, sea kayaking, surfing beaches, ski areas and wildlife watching. Visitors can explore volcanic landscapes, forests and fiords, or try activities such as caving and bungy jumping. Weather can change quickly, even in summer.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
TrekAbel Tasman National Park
Explore the national park on the named coastal walking track.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
- Boil water from rural streams before drinking it.
Abel Tasman Marine Reserve sea kayaking
KayakingAbel Tasman Marine Reserve
Explore the marine reserve by sea kayak.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat.
Milford Sound sea kayaking
KayakingFiordland National Park, South Island
Explore Milford Sound by sea kayak.
- The water is cold.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
Tongariro National Park hiking
HikeNorth Island
Visit Tongariro National Park for hiking among its volcanic landscapes.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park hiking
HikeSouth Island
Visit Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park to explore its hiking opportunities.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
- Snow can close mountain passes and high roads in winter.
Queenstown–Wanaka, Canterbury and Mount Ruapehu skiing
SkiingSouth Island and North Island
Use ski areas around Queenstown and Wanaka, in the Canterbury foothills, or on Mount Ruapehu.
- Snow can close mountain passes and high roads in winter.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
Kaikoura whale watching
Wildlifenear Kaikoura
Go whale watching in Kaikoura.
Queenstown, Auckland and Taupo bungy jumping
More to do
Try bungy jumping in Queenstown, Auckland or Taupo.
Waitomo, Nelson, West Coast and Te Anau caving
CaveNorth Island and South Island
Visit Waitomo, Nelson, the South Island West Coast or Te Anau for caving.
Coromandel Peninsula beaches and hiking
HikeCoromandel Peninsula, North Islandnear Auckland
Visit the peninsula, described as 90 minutes from Auckland, for beaches and hiking.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
Frigate Wellington wreck diving
Scuba divingWellington coastnear Wellington
Dive the frigate Wellington wreck, a few kilometres around the coast from Wellington International Airport.
Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park
CyclingWellingtonnear Wellington
Ride the park's mountain bike tracks through native vegetation.
Waitakere Ranges and Auckland west coast beaches
BeacheWest Aucklandnear Auckland
Summer for lifeguard patrols at several beaches; Muriwai gannets can be seen year-round.Use your own transport. The west coast beaches are about a 40-minute drive from central Auckland via West Auckland, on narrow, winding roads.
- Unpredictable currents can pull swimmers away from shore. Swim only between lifeguards' flags.
- There is little shade.
Auckland North Shore and Tamaki Drive beaches
BeacheAucklandnear Auckland
Most North Shore beaches are accessible by bus. Visit Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St Heliers along Tamaki Drive. Reach Ladies Bay by a five-minute walk down from the cliff-top road.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat.
Christchurch Adventure Park mountain biking and ziplining
CyclingCracroft, Christchurchnear Christchurch
Go to 225 Worsleys Road. Take the chairlift up and ride down, or use the uphill trail. Bike and gear rentals, lessons and skills clinics are available.
Summit Road and Crater Rim Walkway
HikePort Hillsnear Christchurch
Drive or cycle Summit Road, or take a bus and walk. The road and Crater Rim Walkway follow the crest of the Port Hills.
- Part of Summit Road is closed to driving because of earthquake damage.
- Some walking paths cross working farms.
Sign of Walkway
HikePort Hillsnear Christchurch
Walk from Sign of the Takahe on Dyers Pass Road through Victoria Park to Sign of the Kiwi. Continue along Summit Road to Sign of the Bellbird.
Bridle Path Walk
HikeHeathcote–Lytteltonnear Christchurch
About 1.5 hours one wayTake the number 28 bus to Heathcote, then walk to Lyttelton. Another option is to take the gondola to Mount Cavendish and walk down.
- The walk is steep.
Awaroa–Godley Head Loop Track
HikeGodley Headnear Christchurch
About 3 hoursStart the loop at Taylors Mistake car park.
Antigua Boatsheds canoeing and Avon punting
More to doAvon Rivernear Christchurch
Hire a canoe, rowboat or paddle boat at Antigua Boatsheds, 2 Cambridge Terrace. For a boat ride led by a boatsman, take a punt from the same location. A Worcester Bridge departure is available in summer.
- Cost: Canoe hire $12/hour; rowboat or paddle boat $25/half-hour. Punting: adult $42, child aged 5–15 $30, family $129.
Orana Wildlife Park
WildlifeMcLeans Island Roadnear Christchurch
Visit the park about 10 minutes' drive west of Christchurch Airport. It opens daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM.
- Cost: Adult $34.50; child $9.50.
- Lion Encounter participants must be taller than 1.4 metres.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Wildlife60 Hussey Roadnear Christchurch
Visit the reserve off Gardiners Road. It opens daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, with kiwi viewing from 11 AM.
- Cost: Adult $16; child $8.
St Clair and Dunedin beaches
SurfingDunedin coastnear Dunedin
Summer for the St Clair surf school and lifeguard patrols.Use St Clair's summer surf school, which rents wetsuits and boards. Other beaches a short drive from the city include Aramoana, Long Beach, Warrington, Tunnel Beach, Brighton and Sandfly Bay.
- The ocean is cold; wear a wetsuit.
- St Clair, St Kilda, Warrington and Brighton have lifeguards from about midday on summer weekends and daily at the height of summer.
Waimarama, Ocean and Waipatiki beaches
BeacheHawke's Baynear Napier
Summer for Waimarama and Ocean Beach.Drive 35–45 minutes south of Napier to Waimarama or Ocean Beach. Waipatiki Beach is about 40 minutes north by car.
Cape Kidnappers gannet colony
WildlifeSouthern Hawke Baynear Napier
Seasonal; the birds migrate, but exact months are not given.Join a local tractor-towed trailer tour from Te Awanga. Bookings and information are available from the information centre.
Airports, metros and trains in New Zealand
Airports with scheduled flights
- AKLAuckland International AirportAucklandMain international airport
- CHCChristchurch International AirportChristchurchMain international airport
- ZQNQueenstown AirportQueenstownMain international airport
- WLGWellington International AirportWellingtonMain international airport
Trains
- Rail network
- 4,128 km
- Electrified
- 506 km
People and safety in New Zealand
Religion
No single faith is a majority. Mixed.
- No religion49%
- Christian37%
- Other3%
- Hindu3%
- Muslim1%
- Buddhist1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal and protected
- Same-sex couples can marry.
- Laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #9 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
47% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 61 of 198 countries can visit New Zealand easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required2
- eTA required59
- eVisa8
- Visa required127
- Admission restricted2
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Europe36 of 46 countries
- Asia15 of 50 countries
- Americas7 of 35 countries
- Oceania1 of 13 countries
- Africa2 of 54 countries
Questions
Which territories belong to New Zealand?
Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.
Do I need a separate visa for New Zealand's territories?
Often yes. Territories such as Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau can have their own entry rules, so check each one before you travel.
When is summer in New Zealand?
Summer is December to February, with average daytime highs of 17–25°C. Weather can change quickly even in summer.
Can I book domestic flights without using the internet?
Yes. You can book by telephone or through a travel agent, and you need photo identification to travel.
Do I need a car?
Public transport is usable in Auckland and Wellington. A car is almost essential elsewhere, although domestic flights and limited scenic trains are available.
Can I pay with foreign money?
Foreign currencies are rarely accepted, and the exchange rate may be poor where they are accepted. The local currency is the New Zealand dollar.
Should I leave a tip?
Tipping is not customary. A smile and thank you are usually enough, although some people tip for exceptional service.
Is tap water safe to drink?
Tap water is safe in all cities. Water from rural streams should be boiled before drinking.
Will I be able to communicate in English?
Yes. English is the main language, spoken by 96–98% of the population.
Can I find vegetarian or gluten-free food?
Many cafés and restaurants cater for vegetarians, gluten-free diets and single allergies. Vegan and religious dietary options are harder to find outside major cities.
Reviewed by @snuck