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Two small islands, North Island and South Island make up the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ as its early Polynesian settlers called it.
New Zealand as it is more commonly known is characterized by its history and spectacular scenery. Majestic mountains overlook forested hills and bright green pastures dotted with the ever present sheep for which New Zealand is renowned.
The capital Auckland, on North Island, is famed for its art, fashion, theatre and music. |
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Rotorua, in the centre of North Island is the heart of Maori culture where ageless traditions are passed on generation to generation. Geothermal springs are common and nearby Lake Taupo is a mecca for those avid anglers intent on catching that elusive record-breaking trout
Fjords more commonly found in the Northern Hemisphere are located on South Island, which also boasts a year-round alpine lake resort for the adventure seekers.
MAIN CITIES Back to top
Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch
Queenstown |
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WEATHER Back to top
The weather is changeable throughout the year. The North Island has mild winters and warm and humid summers, the South Island has lower temperatures with cold winters and extensive snowfields and glaciers. Snow falls on all the mountains in winter. The west coast receives the most rain. Summer months are from November to April.
Auckland |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Rainfall (mm) |
44 |
117 |
87 |
130 |
130 |
119 |
137 |
141 |
93 |
110 |
85 |
95 |
Rainfall (inches) |
1.7 |
4.6 |
3.4 |
5.1 |
5.1 |
4.7 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
3.7 |
4.4 |
3.3 |
3.8 |
Min Temp (°C) |
17 |
17 |
16 |
13 |
11 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
13 |
14 |
Max Temp (°C) |
23 |
23 |
22 |
19 |
17 |
14 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
21 |
Min Temp (°F) |
63 |
63 |
61 |
55 |
52 |
48 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
52 |
55 |
57 |
Max Temp (°F) |
73 |
73 |
72 |
66 |
63 |
57 |
55 |
57 |
61 |
63 |
66 |
70 |
Wellington |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Rainfall (mm) |
79 |
80 |
85 |
98 |
121 |
124 |
139 |
121 |
99 |
105 |
88 |
90 |
Rainfall (inches) |
3.1 |
3.1 |
3.4 |
3.9 |
4.8 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
4.8 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
Min Temp (°C) |
13 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
Max Temp (°C) |
21 |
21 |
19 |
17 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
Min Temp (°F) |
55 |
55 |
54 |
52 |
46 |
45 |
43 |
43 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
54 |
Max Temp (°F) |
70 |
70 |
66 |
63 |
57 |
55 |
54 |
54 |
57 |
61 |
63 |
66 |
Christchurch |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Rainfall (mm) |
56 |
43 |
48 |
48 |
66 |
66 |
69 |
48 |
46 |
43 |
48 |
56 |
Rainfall (inches) |
2.2 |
1.7 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
2.6 |
2.6 |
2.6 |
1.9 |
1.8 |
1.7 |
1.9 |
2.2 |
Min Temp (°C) |
12 |
12 |
10 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
8 |
11 |
Max Temp (°C) |
21 |
21 |
19 |
17 |
13 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
14 |
17 |
19 |
21 |
Min Temp (°F) |
54 |
54 |
50 |
45 |
39 |
36 |
36 |
36 |
39 |
45 |
46 |
52 |
Max Temp (°F) |
70 |
70 |
66 |
63 |
55 |
52 |
50 |
52 |
57 |
63 |
66 |
70 |
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GOOD TO KNOW Back to top
Time: Local time is GMT +12 (GMT +13 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March).
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.
Approximate Currency Exchange Rates |
NZD 1.00 = |
USD 0.61 |
GBP 0.33 |
CAD 0.69 |
AUD 0.82 |
ZAR 4.36 |
EUR 0.48 |
NZD 1.00 |
Note: These rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only. Please go to our Currency Converter for the latest rates. |
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Language: The official languages are English and Maori, but English is the everyday language most widely spoken.
Passport/Visa Note: Visitors must be in possession of a return ticket, documents for onward travel, and proof of sufficient funds. Visitors must hold per month of stay NZ$400, if holding evidence of pre-paid accommodation. In other cases, visitors must hold NZ$1,000 per month of stay.
Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to New Zealand. A reciprocal health agreement exists with the UK, which entitles nationals, with proof of residence, to free emergency hospital treatment, 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 and service charges are not applied to bills.
Safety: New Zealand has a reputation as one of the safest destinations in the world; however sensible precautions against petty theft are still advised. |
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Customs: Quarantine procedures mean that strict bio-security regulations are in place at immigration points into the country. It is illegal to import most foodstuffs, and care should be taken when importing wood products, golf clubs and shoes (may have soil and dirt attached), and items made from animal skin (e.g. crocodile handbags). The immigration arrivals card has full details.
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 codes are also required. 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)
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CONTACT US
Please complete the Australasia Enquiry Form and we'll come back to you with ideas and costs for a wonderful holiday in New Zealand.
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