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The Basics
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Oblique flat blade plugs are standard.
Money: Local currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD), divided into 100
cents. Most businesses accept MasterCard and Visa, and while Diners
Club and American Express are also widely accepted in the main
tourist centres, they might have limited acceptance elsewhere.
Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks,
bureaux de change and some hotels. ATMs can be found in all towns
and cities.
Currency Exchange Rates |
| NZ$1.00 = |
US$ 0.79 | £ 0.52 | C$ 0.81 | A$ 0.77 | R 6.71 | € 0.63 | NZ$ 1.00 |
Note: These rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Language: The official languages in New Zealand are English and Maori.
Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least one
month beyond the period of intended stay in New Zealand. No visa is
required, for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens holding a passport endorsed British Citizen, or
a passport containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of
Abode issued by the United Kingdom (and accompanied by documents
that further establish their right of abode in the UK), do not
require a visa to enter New Zealand for a stay of up to six months.
British citizens with passports endorsed British National
(Overseas) may stay for up to three months without a visa. In all
other cases, a visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at
least one month beyond the period of intended stay in New Zealand.
No visa is required, for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon
their arrival in New Zealand. No visa is required.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at
least one month beyond the period of intended stay in New Zealand.
No visa is required, for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least
one month beyond the period of intended stay in New Zealand. No
visa is required, for stays of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note: All foreign passengers to New Zealand must hold return/onward
tickets, the necessary travel documentation for their next
destination, and proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses
while in the country (usually NZD 1,000 per month, or NZD 400 if
accommodation has been prepaid). Note that all visitors must obtain
a permit to enter Tokelau from the Tokelau Apia Liason Office in
Apia, at least two weeks prior to travel. NOTE: It is highly
recommended that your passport has at least six months validity
remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel
destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to
those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Travel Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to New Zealand.
New Zealand's accident compensation scheme (ACC) covers emergency
treatment for visitors, but health insurance is recommended to
cover any additional charges and for those not entitled to free
emergency treatment. Those intending to participate in adventure
activities, such as bungee jumping, white water rafting, etc should
ensure that their travel insurance covers these types of
activities.
Tipping: Gratuities are not expected in New Zealand and service charges
are not applied to bills, but it is acceptable to tip at your
discretion.
Safety Information: New Zealand has a reputation as one of the safest destinations
in the world, however sensible precautions against petty theft are
still advised.
Local Customs: Quarantine procedures mean that strict bio-security regulations
are in place at immigration points into New Zealand. It is illegal
to import most foodstuffs, and care should be taken when importing
wood products, golf clubs and shoes (which may have soil and dirt
attached), and items made from animal skin. The immigration
arrivals card has full details.
Business: Ranked an unbelievable 3rd in the World Bank's Ease of Doing
Business rankings, those looking to do business in New Zealand are
sure to find that the corporate atmosphere of the country is
well-suited to their ambitions. The business culture of New Zealand
conforms to a typically British model - being formal, reserved, and
conservative. However, New Zealand's corporate culture
distinguishes itself from the metropole with its characteristically
Antipodean warmth and friendliness, creating a relaxed, yet
professional atmosphere, in which rewarding personal relationships
may be developed among associates.
The general approach to management in New Zealand is
hierarchical, with decisions being made by senior-level executives
- though ideas, input and collaboration, from all members of the
organisation, are also highly valued in the New Zealand workplace.
Business etiquette in New Zealand will be familiar to those who've
worked in western corporate environments before. Use titles, until
instructed not to do so, and maintain eye contact when speaking to
your associates. New Zealand businessmen tend to favour
forthrightness, honesty and hard work over self-aggrandisement and
empty promises - they will be far more interested in what you
actually do, than what you merely say you can
do.
Business meetings should be scheduled at least a week in
advance, and then confirmed a few days before they are due to take
place. When raising an idea or responding to someone else's,
present your point directly, and back it up with facts and figures
- while a relaxed, human-orientated atmosphere is prized in the New
Zealand workplace, business decisions remain unemotional, and
motivated by the business' best interests. The dress code for
business in New Zealand is difficult to pin down, though you should
always appear well-groomed and presentable. For a first meeting,
men should stick to a dark suit, worn with a tie; and women, should
wear a smart dress/business suit/pants suit, and limited
accessories. The official language of business in New Zealand is
English, and business hours are generally from 8.30am (or 9am) to
5pm, Monday to Friday; and 9am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.
Communications: The international access code for New Zealand is +64. The
outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0061 for Australia). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)9 for
Auckland and (0)4 for the Wellington region. Vodafone offers GSM
900 coverage in and around the main cities and popular holiday
areas. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty Free: Travellers to New Zealand over 17 years do not have to pay duty
on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, or a proportionate
mix of these; 1.125 litres or 1 litre spirits or liqueurs, and 4.5
litres wine, port or sherry, or 4.5 litres beer. Goods exceeding
the allowances must be declared. Personal effects not dutiable
include items such as jewellery, binoculars, portable radios,
prams, camping equipment, cameras and video cameras. Prohibited
items include concealed firearms, foodstuffs, animals, plants and
plant products. It is forbidden to export Greenstone, Maori
antiquities and Paua shells (unless they are products manufactured
from such shells). Prescription medications need to be accompanied
by a doctor's letter and the original prescription, they should not
amount to more than three months worth of the medication. Food,
plants, animals (alive or dead), equipment used with animals,
biological specimens and equipment such as used camping gear, used
bicycles and golf clubs all need to be declared in the Customs
Biosecurity/Quarantine section.
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