FAQ New Zealand Tourism related questions

Where can I find more general Information about New Zealand?
I want to move to New Zealand, where can I find NZ Immigration information?
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
How do I get to New Zealand?
When is the best time of the Year to visit New Zealand?
Is it crowded in New Zealand?
Do I need to protect my skin against the Sun in New Zealand?
What side of the Road do you drive on in New Zealand?
What is the open road speed limit in New Zealand?
How do I get to the South Island?
What Clothes should I bring?
What do typical everyday items cost in New Zealand?
How long does it take to fly to New Zealand from my country?
What time Zone is New Zealand in?
Is it safe to drink tap water in New Zealand?

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Where can I find General Information about New Zealand? (top)
For more general Information about NZ, visit The Kiwi Site.

How do I get to New Zealand? (top)
By Air or By Sea. Traveling by air is the most effective and common way. Many airlines fly into New Zealand including Air New Zealand, Qantas, United, KAL, Malaysian and more. Most International flights(65%) arrive in Auckland with the rest flying into Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin.

When is the best time of the Year to visit New Zealand? (top)
Well, it depends on the whether you are a snow bunny or a sun - bunny. If you are looking to visit during the warmer months, then between October and April would be the best time to visit. The hottest months of the year are December, January and February. If that seems strange to you, it is because New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere - the seasons are all completely the opposite from the northern hemisphere. If you are coming to snow-ski, then mid-July to mid- September is the best time to do so.

Is it crowded in New Zealand? (top)
No, quite the opposite. One thing you will notice when you arrive is how few people there are in the countryside - particularly in the South Island. New Zealand's Population is ditributed quite unevenly. The North Island has a population of 2.8 million and the South Island has just over 900,000 people.

Do I need to protect my skin against the Sun in New Zealand? (top)
You bet. New Zealand Sun is among the most dangerous and intense in the world. On a clear summers day, you can expect your skin to burn after just 12 minutes in the sun without protection. Sunglasses, a hat and Sun Screen lotion (SPF factor of at least 15) is essential.

What side of the Road do you drive on in New Zealand? (top)
The left side.

What is the open road speed limit in New Zealand? (top)
100 km/hr (60 m/hr)

How do I get to the South Island? (top)
If you plan to fly directly to Christchurch it is only possible from the west. e.g. From Australia, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Japan (check each airline's web site to find out whether they fly to Christchurch direct) Other wise, if you are coming from the east (ie. the states), you will have to board a domestic flight from Auckland to Christchurch. If you are travelling through the North Island first, then you must likely entry point to the South Island will be via a ferry (boat) from Wellington which arrives in Picton.

What Clothes should I bring? (top)
Be prepared for lot's of wind. New Zealand is a very windy place. It's situated in the "roaring 40's" latitude, which is dominated by strong (mostly westerly) winds. So, bring a windbreaker. Bring a jersey (sweater), because the winds can be cool and sometimes very chilly-even during the Summer. Take an umbrella with you even when the sun is shining because the weather is very changeable.

What do typical everyday items cost in New Zealand? (top)
Here is a list of a few items to help you (please keep in mind that these prices are general and vary depending on the location and are quoted in NZ dollars)

Enter these prices into the currency converter below to compare.

Loaf of bread	$1.30
Litre of Milk	$1.70
300 mls of Beer	$3.00
Cinema (Movie) ticket	$12.00
Photo developing (24 photos)	$14.00
Can of Coca Cola	$1.20
Big Mac Burger	$3.00
1 Litre(0.3 gallons) of Unleaded Petrol	$1.04

What time Zone is New Zealand in? (top)
New Zealand is the first country to see the new day. Therefore, in January, if it's 8am Wednesday (in New Zealand), it will be 4 am in Singapore, 8pm Tuesday in Vienna, 7 pm Tuesday in London, 3pm Tuesday in New York and 12 pm Tuesday in Los Angeles. If you fly from Los Angeles to New Zealand, it will take you over a day and a half to get there - not because your plane is incredibly slow, but because you will cross the International Date Line taking you a day ahead. Conversely, if you fly from New Zealand to Los Angeles, chances are you'll arrive at your destination before you took off. Confused? Just think about it for a while.

How long does it take to fly to New Zealand from my country? (top)
Auckland to Los Angeles takes around 14 hours. Singapore to Auckland takes about 9 hours. London to NZ takes at least 24 hours. Sydney to Christchurch takes around 3 and a half hours.

Is it safe to drink tap water in New Zealand? (top)
Tap water in New Zealand is generally safe to drink. However, when hiking through popular walkways and parks, it's best to take water purifier pills or boil your water before drinking just to be on the safe side.

Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand? (top)
Citizens of some countries which have visa waiver agreements with New Zealand do not need to apply for a Visitor Visa if they plan to visit New Zealand for 3 months or less. To find out whether your country is one of them, click here. To find a New Zealand embassy near you, click here.

I want to move to New Zealand, where can I find NZ Immigration info? (top)
For information on moving to New Zealand, go to the New Zealand Immigration web site. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Frequently Asked Questions about visiting New Zealand