TRAVEL TIPS

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  Electronic Travel Authority

  To enter New Zealand your passport has to be valid for three months beyond the planned date of departure from New Zealand.

https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/ 

Complete about a month before you travel.

https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/ 

Everyone needs to complete a New Zealand Traveler Declaration. You can start your Declaration at any time that suits you but the earliest you submit it is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. This is free so don’t use a website that charges a fee. 

Climate

New Zealand's climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with extreme alpine conditions in the mountainous areas and mild temperatures in the coastal regions. It is not uncommon to experience “four seasons in one day”.

As New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, it has opposite seasons to the northern half of the world. The warmest months are January and February (summer: Dec-Mar) with July being the coldest month in winter (Jun-Aug). In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC (70-90°F) and in winter between 10-15ºC (50-60°F).

New Zealand Time Zones

New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer, New Zealand uses 'Daylight Saving', with clocks put forward one hour to GMT +13.  Daylight saving begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of the following April, when clocks are put back to GMT+12.

Clothing Requirements/Dress Code

Whilst in New Zealand, it is important to carry clothing to suit any condition – from sun to rain and hail to snow.  Layering your clothing is a good option as frosty mornings often turn into warm, sunny days and thermal clothing and a water/windproof jacket are always recommended.  The dress code is informal and relaxed on most occasions.  Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and bars and men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities and luxury lodges.

Recommended clothing items:

· (November - March)

Swimming gear, sun hat, sunglasses, light cotton clothing, short pants and skirts, a good sunscreen (SPF 30+) and sandals or flip-flops.

· (April - October)

Warm woollen clothing, rain jacket, warm gloves, hats and scarves, long pants and thermal undergarments.

· Footwear

Sturdy walking shoes and tidy dress shoes.

Weather

New Zealand is a land of extremes and its weather can be highly unpredictable.  Be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature especially if you're going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.

Sun Protection

Due to New Zealand's high level of ultraviolet radiation it is highly advisable to wear sun protection such as sunglasses and/or a sun hat and to apply sunscreen (SPF 30+) even when the day is overcast and cloudy.

Currency

New Zealand's unit of currency is the dollar (NZ$) divided into 100 cents.  Denominations are; coins: 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2 and notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.  Due to the discontinuation of 1c, 2c and 5c pieces, purchases made in New Zealand are subject to "rounding" of amounts either up or down.  Most retailers have adopted the ‘Swedish Rounding System’ whereby prices ending in 1 to 4 cents will be rounded down and prices ending in 6 to 9 cents will be rounded up. It is at the retailer’s discretion how they handle prices ending in 5 cents.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Goods and Services Tax is currently 15%.  This tax is usually included in the advertised/displayed price.  Visitors cannot claim back GST on departure from New Zealand, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.

Tipping Guidelines/Service Charges and Public Holiday Surcharges

Tipping in New Zealand is not obligatory or expected.  It is still seen as a genuine thank you for good or exceptional service and is at the discretion of the visitor.

Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not generally add service charges to their bills however some businesses do add a surcharge on public holidays.  Businesses that do apply a surcharge are required to alert their potential customers by means of a prominently displayed sign before they order or make a decision to purchase.

Tips for good service guidelines:

· Restaurants; a tip of about 10% is generally seen as a just reward for good service with 15% for exceptional service.

· Luggage Porters NZ$2-3.00 per piece.

· Coach drivers and guides receive for touring (not transfers) around the NZ$5.00 per person per day, however tips should not be given for average or below average service/driving or commentary.

· Private drivers for transfers should be only tipped for excellent service (around NZ$10-20 total). The same applies for touring with a Driver/Guide, with tips for excellent service being anywhere from NZ$40-100 depending on the level of service.

· Small group touring should be only tipped for excellent service (around NZ$20 per person).

Banking

Banks open Monday to Friday (except public holidays), 9:30am to 4:30pm and those located in shopping malls are also open on Saturdays and Sundays (approx. 10:00am to 4:00pm).  Automatic teller machines (ATM’s) operate on a card/PIN number system.  Cash can be withdrawn 24 hours a day.  Use of EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) is common.  All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely, followed by American Express and Diners Club.

Business Hours

Offices and businesses operate Monday-Friday, 8.30am to 5:00pm; some tourist agencies and airlines have longer hours.  Petrol (gas) stations often open 24 hours, stocking food items, toiletries and newspapers.  General shops are usually open 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, with a late shopping night (to 9:00pm) on either Thursday or Friday.  Many supermarkets, grocery stores, some large retail chains, shopping malls and markets also operate on Saturdays and Sundays; large supermarkets are often open 24 hours.  Local convenience stores, called dairies, usually open 7:00am-7:00pm daily.

Electricity Supply

New Zealand's AC electricity supply operates at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz and uses angled two or three pin plugs (the same as Australia). Most hotels and motels also provide 110 volt, 20 watt AC sockets for electric razors only.  For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option.

Emergencies

Dial 111 for emergency or urgent police, fire or ambulance services.  For non-emergency calls, dial 105 for assistance.

Foreign Currency

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into or taken out of New Zealand.  However, every person who carries more than or the equivalent of NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks which are found at International Airports and most city centres.

Health Services and Health Insurance

New Zealand’s public and private medical health facilities provide a high standard of treatment and care.  Doctors and other medical services are listed in the front of the telephone directory.  In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured.  Instead ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation), New Zealand's accident compensation scheme, helps pay for your care by paying towards the cost of your treatment and helping in your recovery while you remain in New Zealand. However, please note: 

· ACC only covers treatment and rehabilitation in New Zealand, and usually you must pay part of the cost yourself.

· ACC does not pay any additional costs resulting from an accident, for example delayed or curtailed travel costs, travel home, treatment at home and loss of income in your home country.

· We strongly advise you to arrange your own health insurance. 

Pharmaceuticals and Medicines

These are available from chemists during normal shopping hours.  Most cities have urgent dispensaries open outside these hours, listed in the front of the telephone book under ‘Hospitals’.  Chemists also sell cosmetics, insect repellent and sun protections.  A Doctor’s Certificate for Customs is advisable if visitors plan to bring pharmaceuticals into the country.  Many drugs sold over the counter in overseas countries are often not available without a prescription in New Zealand.

Population

Today, of the 5 million New Zealanders (informally known as Kiwis), approximately 69% are of European descent, 14.6% are indigenous Māori, 9.2% are Asian and 6.9% are non-Māori Pacific Islanders.

Postal Services

Stamps can be bought from supermarkets, bookstores, grocery shops and specialist Post Shops.  The main forms of postal carriage are Standard Post and Fast Post.  Standard Post is delivered the following day across town and within two to three working days nationwide; Fast Post, which is also the designation for international airmail letters originating in New Zealand, is delivered the following day between major towns and cities nationwide.

Telephones

Public pay phones are rare these days.  A New Zealand sim card for your cell phone can be bought from electronic stores and cell phone stores such as Spark, Vodafone, 2 Degrees, Noel Leemings and Harvey Norman.  It’s easiest if you purchase one on arrival at the airport.

Food and Fuel

During your travels you will need to purchase food items and fuel.  Fuel costs are approximately:

· Diesel NZ$2.40-2.80 per litre

· 91 Octane NZ$2.60-3.00 per litre

· 95 Octane NZ$2.80-3.20 per litre

Fuel costs in New Zealand vary between locations and petrol stations and they change often.  The above mentioned prices are indicative prices only.  Please check with your rental car company, the correct type of fuel that you need to purchase for your vehicle. 

Most locations in New Zealand will have a range of supermarkets, bakeries and cafes/restaurants.  For a quick lunch, bakeries provide sandwiches, pies etc. for approximately NZ$4.50 per item whereas a sit down lunch in a café will cost approximately NZ$18-25 per person.

Dinner options include fast food (Pizza, Fish and Chips etc.) and restaurants.  Fast food will cost approximately NZ$10-15 per person whereas restaurants will cost NZ$30-50 per person. 

There is plenty of choice when it comes to eating in New Zealand.  There are Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Turkish restaurants (just to name a few options) as well as traditional New Zealand food options.  A more modern favourite is fusion cuisine which is a combination of European and Asian influence.  Dietary requirements such as vegetarians and gluten free are catered for in most places. 

Vaccinations

For current information on Covid-19 vaccination requirements to enter New Zealand, please refer to the NZ Covid-19 Government page https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/international-travel-and-transit/proof-of-vaccination-for-travel-to-new-zealand.  No other vaccinations are currently required to enter New Zealand.

Water Supply

Tap (faucet) water is safe to drink.  City water is chlorinated; most water is fluoridated.  It is best not to drink water from lakes, ponds or rivers without first boiling, chemically treating or filtering it.Share how you got hooked on travel.

  To enter French Polynesia

Your passport must be valid for 180 days beyond your return date.Share your favorite places to visit.

The UAE has come a long way from its desert wilderness to a sophisticated destination highly sought after by business and leisure travellers from all over the world.

 What to Pack and Prepare

(...and those you shouldn’t bring)

Passports, tickets, visas (if you need one)–make sure you have them all. Check for your bookings and confirmation vouchers. We organise these vouchers in one welcome kit, which will be handed to you upon your arrival. Purchase of suitable travel insurance coverage is

highly recommended, such as medical, repatriation, etc. When it comes to medical records, there are no mandatory vaccination requirements unless you have recently transited from a cholera-infected area. Please check for vaccination requirements at the time of booking.

Cash & Credit cards

The monetary unit of the UAE is the Dirham (AED). Exchange rate is pegged to the US$1 = AED3.66. Money changers and offsite branches of local banks can be

found at the airport, shopping malls and  commercial areas.  For credit cards, Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are widely accepted.

Modest Clothing

The UAE is an Islamic country and clothing should be modest. Light cotton garments are ideal during the hot and humid summer months. In the winter months, light sweaters are suitable. Beachwear is acceptable only at beach clubs, hotels and public beaches. During the day, the dress code is fairly casual. 

Exclusive restaurants and clubs may expect guests to dress more formally during the evening. Keep shirts or any type of clothing with offensive pictures or slogans in your closet. Decency laws are

strictly followed in the UAE.

Power Plug Adapters

We use British style square, three-pin sockets across the country. The standard voltage is 220/240 volts at 50 Hz.

Sunny Day Essentials

Remember to bring your sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and any other gear that will protect you from the sun. The UAE’s desert, beaches and leisure parks are just too hard to resist, so you better come prepared for all the fun under the sun.

The people of the UAE are warm and welcoming. Considering that the country’s population comes from more than 200

nationalities, cultural diversity and tolerance are embraced. Nevertheless, the UAE is an Islamic country that is governed by the Sharia law and everyone is strongly advised to be familiar with and abide by local laws. Customs, traditions

and cultural sensibilities are highly valued. Respect, in all aspects, is key. Be in the know and observe proper decorum. Otherwise, guests may find themselves facing serious penalties for doing something that may not be illegal in their country. Here are some important notes to remember:

1. Public display of affection is frowned upon, and may get you in trouble. In all public places, holding hands may be tolerated but kissing and petting are not permitted.

2. Swearing and making indecent gestures are not OK. Be mindful of your language and actions in expressing  yourself. Offensive behavior may get one fined or imprisoned.

3. Think before you click: Don’t take pictures of others without permission.

The sights of the UAE are picture-perfect; but there are people who are sensitive towards having their photographs taken.  Do not take and share on social media photos of people without their consent. Taking photos of aircraft and restricted areas like military buildings, palaces and courts is not permitted.

4. Dress modestly. Shorts and skirts need to be of appropriate length so as not to indecently expose parts of the body. Ladies, watch your

necklines. Cross-dressing is not allowed as well as wearing shirts with obscene graphics or slogans.

5. Respect religion of every kind. Religious practices are highly respected in the UAE. Blasphemy

and sacrilege of any form is considered deeply offensive.

THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN

With Islam being the official religion of the country, the

month of Ramadan is deemed the holiest. This is a period

when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Eating, drinking

and smoking in public areas during daylight hours is strictly

prohibited. Exceptions are granted only to small children and

expecting mothers. Quite recently, fast food outlets located

in several shopping malls have been allowed to operate and

serve food within an enclosed food court area during. Hence,

eating and drinking beyond the enclosed area during the

fasting hours is strictly prohibited.

The Holy Month of Ramadan commences as per the moon

sighting by Islamic scholars. While the month and date of

its observance may vary each year, its duration is for a

maximum of 30 days.

Fixed public holidays:

New Year’s Day (1 January)

Martyrs’ Day (30 November)

National Day (2 December)

Public holidays that are based on moon

sighting by Islamic scholars:

Islamic New Year

Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday

Accession Day

Eid Al-Fitr & Eid Al-Adha