Getting There
New Zealand's three international airports are at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Which one to fly into is indicated when you create your itinerary on this site. Flying times are approximately 3 hours from Australia, 10 hours from Singapore, and 12 hours from the west coast of the United States. Every person arriving in New Zealand must complete the arrival card handed out on the aircraft.

Safety & Insurance
New Zealand is one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. However, you are advised to observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions as you would in any other country or at home. We recommend you invest in comprehensive travel insurance before departing.

Departure Tax
A tax of NZ$22 - NZ$25 has to be paid at the airport when you leave New Zealand. Please note that this tax is not included in your ticket price.

Prohibited Items
You should not bring the following items into New Zealand:

• Firearms and weapons, unless a permit is obtained from New Zealand Police on arrival at the airport, this includes sporting firearms
• Class A drugs
• Certain drugs (e.g. diuretics, depressants, stimulants, heart drugs, tranquillisers, sleeping pills), unless in their original bottle with a doctor's prescription
• 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

Duty Free Goods
Visitors to New Zealand may purchase duty-free goods, which are not subject to local taxes, from airport duty free shops on arrival and departure. Duty-free stores in downtown Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will deliver purchases to aircraft departure lounges.
Apart from your own personal effects and as long as you are over 17 years of age, you are allowed the following duty-free concessions:

• 200 cigarettes, or 250 grams of tobacco, or 50 cigars, or a mixture of all three weighing no more than 250 grams
• 4.5 litres of wine or beer (six 750 milliletres bottles) and one 1125 milliletres bottle of spirits, liqueur or other beverages
• Goods up to a total of NZ$700 are free of duty and tax, but goods in excess of this may attract both duty and tax

Driving
Self-driving holidays are one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy New Zealand's landscape. Many of our roads are scenic and traffic is low when compared to international standards.
You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Currency
New Zealand’s unit of currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZ$). Foreign currency can be easily exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres. All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travellers Cheques are accepted at banks, hotels and some stores.

Language
English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand. New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and you may hear many other languages spoken, including Maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.

Shopping & Sightseeing
Most travel packages to New Zealand offer sightseeing exclusively and within a combination. It is better to be a part of the latter to access the shopping districts in every city of New Zealand, without the hassle of organizing the move yourself. There is nothing you don’t get here. Everything in every European market is available in New Zealand. From apparel to footwear and accessories and canned foods – New Zealand shopping malls flaunt it all. If you want something exclusive to take back home, the best is what what your camera captures – the long-faced Maoris, the low skies, the picturesque mountains in the distance and the reefs.

Local Transportation
Local transportation is not so expensive and if you tie up with your hotel or travel agent in advance, then you will find a placard announcing your arrival and ready transportation. If not, there is absolutely no need to be apprehensive. New Zealanders have a reputation of being unassuming and absolutely trust-worthy and you can bank on these characteristics and the hospitality of the locals to see you safely to your hotel.

Entertainment
New Zealand entertainment options are diverse and exciting. We enjoy a variety of both distinctively kiwi and international food, and many of our wines have earned international recognition. Nightlife is popular in New Zealand and concerts or shows are often available in most major cities.