(Last updated: 20 Jan 2011)

Visas

Visas are not required for Australian passport holders. Useful information can be found on the New Zealand Immigration Service website.

Climate

Average temperatures range from 8^oC in July to 17^oC in January. Peak summertime temperatures can reach the 30's in many inland and eastern regions. The warmest months in New Zealand are January and February with July the coldest.

For weather details in New Zealand, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

New Zealand’s largest and busiest airport is the Auckland International Airport. An average cab ride from the airport to Auckland’s CBD will take approximately 30 minutes at around NZ$40. Several hire car companies can also be found at New Zealand's airports.

Ground transport

The variety and standard of public transport varies between cities and provinces. Most cities and towns have public bus services and all offer taxis and rental car services. A smaller number have train services. Air links exist between all the main cities and towns.

For the business traveller, taxis, rental cars and air travel are recommended for convenience reasons.

Some travel related contacts for New Zealand:

• taxis, buses, etc - NZ Telecom Yellow pages
• air - Air New Zealand, Qantas
• rail and ferry - Tranzrail Travel

Hotels

Pre-booking travel and accommodation, especially between major centres is advisable (eg. Auckland to Wellington). Austrade Auckland is able to book accommodation for its clients on travel at discounted government rates, which could save up to NZ$100-200 per night, including package deals.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to New Zealand. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

New Zealand is an agricultural nation and therefore biosecurity (quarantine and border control of products coming into the country in shipments or with travellers) is critically important, with all visitors’ luggage now checked by X-ray, and sniffer dogs used at international airports.

It is very important to check before bringing food or other potentially hazardous items into New Zealand. For more quarantine information, visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry website.

Health

Australian passport holders are covered for health services in New Zealand (excluding dental and GP visits) through a reciprocal health care agreement between Australian and New Zealand governments. However, full travel insurance is recommended.

Sanitation standards are equivalent to Australia. The quality of town water supplies are excellent and tap water is safe to drink.

In an emergency, dial 111 anywhere in New Zealand from any phone without charge.

Tipping

Tipping for services is optional and is generally not expected.

Time zones and time differences

New Zealand is two hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time. New Zealand starts daylight saving (one hour) in early October and finishes in early March. Some differences might occur during non-conforming times of daylight savings, for example, where New Zealand is three hours ahead of Queensland.

To find out the current time in Wellington, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

New Zealand's country code is 64.

For calls to New Zealand from Australia dial: 0011 + 64 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from New Zealand to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Businesses are usually open between 8.30am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Some businesses may be open on Saturday until mid-afternoon.

Shops are open between 9.00am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday and Saturday (hours vary). Supermarkets are open later, with some shopping centres open late night on Thursday or Friday evenings (until 9.00pm). Most malls and supermarkets are also open on Sunday, and several of the large supermarket chains in major towns are open 24 hours.

Cafes and restaurants are plentiful in the main cities and open until late.

Public holidays

January 1/2 – New Year's Holiday
February 6 – Waitangi Day
April 25 – ANZAC Day
June 5 – Queen's Birthday
October 23 – Labour Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – Boxing Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD), which has a floating exchange rate.

Electricity and water

New Zealand’s power supply is 240 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 3, 4 wires, as in Australia, with the same plug configurations.

Dining

Restaurants and food vendors are abundant throughout New Zealand and offer a wide range of food at reasonable prices. For restaurant guides and reviews, visit Dineout and Auckland and Wellington Restaurants.