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New Zealand Tours & Travel | Traveling to New Zealand

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Traveling To New Zealand

Passport and visa requirements

U.S. citizens visiting New Zealand must carry a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of the scheduled departure from New Zealand. Citizens of many countries, including the U.S, are not required to obtain a Visitor's Visa if planning to be in New Zealand for less than ninety days.
For more information see www.passportexpress.com or www.nzembassy.com.

Immunizations

No vaccinations are required when visiting New Zealand, and the risk of contracting a communicable disease while there is no greater than if you stayed home. It is always advisable when traveling abroad to have routine vaccinations up to date such as influenza, chickenpox, polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) according to the schedule recommended by your physician or a travel medicine clinic.
The Centers for Disease Control provides immunization information for travelers. www.cdc.gov

Customs

Entry During the flight to New Zealand, a flight attendant distributes a New Zealand passenger arrival card to all passengers. At Passport Control, travelers are asked to show the completed form along with their passport and proof that of sufficient funds to travel in the country (either $1,000 per visitor per month or $400 per person per month with evidence of accommodations). Travelers planning to use a credit card as the primary means of obtaining cash during the visit should bring a current credit card statement as evidence of sufficient funds.
Exit All travelers, aged 12 and over, departing from Auckland (excluding transit passengers in Auckland less than 24 hours) pay a departure tax of $25, payable in cash or by major credit card. From Wellington, the departure tax is $25 for travelers 12 and over and $10 for those between 2 and 11.

Exchanging currency

In cities, ATM machines are widely available at banks, currency exchange kiosks and major shopping areas. To withdraw cash using an international credit card or ATM card, the card must have a four-digit encoded PIN, so it's best to check with your bank before departure. All major credit cards are accepted in New Zealand and Travelers Checks are accepted at banks, hotels and some stores. A system of "Swedish Rounding" increases or decreases the cost of retail purchases by a few cents as a result of New Zealand's discontinuation of certain coins. A 12.5% goods and services tax (GST) applies to all purchases, exempt only on major items shipped home. Banks are open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

Using electricity

Electricity throughout New Zealand runs on 230/240 volts (50 hertz). Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. All other equipment and appliances require an adapter/converter. Power outlets only accept flat three two-pin plugs. For video cameras, we suggest packing an extra set of charged batteries.

New Zealand Weather

The northern areas of New Zealand are subtropical, and the south is temperate. You'll find December through February the warmest months, and June through August, the coldest. Summer temperatures range between 68 and 86F, and winter temperatures range from 50 to 59F. Weather can change quickly and unexpectedly.

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