Travellers' overview

Visa requirements

UK passport holders are entitled to a 3-month stay in New Zealand without a visa. However, if you want to stay longer or you want to work or study during your visit, you may need to arrange a visa in advance.

Full info on visas for New Zealand

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Getting there

International airports: Auckland, Christchurch
Land borders: Damp.

More information on RTW tickets >>

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Ideas & things to do

The best thing about New Zealand is that, despite the sheer number of attractions, sights and activities on offer, it's still a very small country - less than five million residents in total! Between the North and South Islands, we're convinced you'll find plenty of stuff to keep you occupied for months - there's just so much to do here! To give you a hand, we've narrowed down some of the main attractions for you, to make things easier when you get round to visiting Middle Earth.

Regardless of what floats your boat, whether it's hiking, climbing, zorbing, wine-tasting, flower-arranging, dolphin-spotting, white-water rafting, shopping or just kicking back and enjoying the culture of another country, New Zealand will inspire you more than you ever thought possible.

Some top things to see in New Zealand

- Milford Sound, Fiordland
- Tongariro National Park, North Island
- Queenstown, adrenalin capital of the world!
- The Agrodome and Zorb site, Rotorua
- The Cadbury factory and Speights Brewery, Dunedin
- The wildlife of the Otago Peninsula, South Island
- The Tranz-Alpine train, South Island
- Abel Tasman National Park, South Island
- Lake Taupo, North Island
- The Bay of Islands, North Island
- The Remarkables mountain range, South Island
- Whales and dolphins at Kaikoura, South Island
- The Sky Tower of Auckland, North Island
- Wellington, North Island
- Loads, loads more...

Browse by island >>

Browse by town or city >>
(Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown etc...)

Browse by attraction >>
(Waitomo Caves, the Tongariro Crossing etc...)

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What's on, where & when

Events in New Zealand

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Climate advice

New Zealand is a mountainous country, surrounded by ocean. The ocean environment provides a mild climate with few extremes with a prevailing westerly wind. The mountains together with the westerlies create marked climatic differences especially in rainfall and temperature. Mean annual temperatures range from 15 Celsius north of Auckland where bananas and other tropical fruit can be grown. In the regions below Christchurch in the South island the mean Temperature is 10 Celsius.

The west coast of the South Island experiences heavy rainfall throughout the year and this provides an ideal environment for the growth of dense rainforests. The summer season is during the months December - February. The winter season is during the months June - August. Winter is the wettest season in the North Island and spring on the west coast of the South Island. Travellers should be prepared with clothing suitable for all weather conditions which can occur during any season.

During summer, T shirts and shorts and sun hat are sufficient; however it is advisable to carry a windproof jacket and thermal underwear in case the conditions change especially in the mountain ranges at altitudes which are higher than 1,200 metres above sea level.

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Getting around

Transport information for New Zealand >>

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Recommended routes

View recommended routes for New Zealand

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Etiquette and stuff

New Zealand is populated with two main cultures, Maori and European. Europeans are locally referred to as Pakeha, the Maori word for white person. Both these cultures have combined to form the New Zealand Culture. The Maori population have large communities which focus on the Marae and Iwi (village and tribe). When visiting New Zealand it is an extremely rewarding experience to participate in activities based on a Marae. There are important protocols to follow during a marae visit. Visitors are welcomed onto the marae in a ceremony called a Powhiri.

The formalities of a Powhiri are as follows. Visitors assemble outside the Marae entrance; a woman from the marae sings a chant to invite you in. Women enter first followed by the men. Seating will be provided and the men take the front seats. From this point women are not permitted to speak openly. A male elder of the Tribe will introduce himself; explain about the marae and its history and his ancestors. After he has spoken, members of his tribe will stand and assemble behind him and sing a wiata (song) to give support to the words he has spoken.

A senior male member of the visitor’s party will be invited to speak. His speech will include details about where he and his party originate from and his genealogy. He will also pay respect to the ancestors from the tribe, and the people living there today. He will also pay respect to the Marae buildings and land. After he has spoken it is expected that other visitors will stand behind him and sing a wiata to support his speech. Following this a member of the visitor’s party will place on the ground between them and the hosts, a koha (gift) which will be received by the hosts.

The visitors will then be asked to come forward, form a line and walk past the hosts who will also be in line. As each person walks past the hosts he will be greeted with a 'hongi' and a few words. A hongi is the touching of noses and forehead. This symbolises a meeting of minds and the sharing of life breath. Woman generally do not hongi, instead a kiss on the cheek is offered. To conclude the ceremony the guests are invited to share a meal with the hosts. This concludes the ceremony and now both visitors and hosts become one people for the duration of the hui (meeting).

Note: this ceremony is spoken in the Maori language and therefore the visitors should enlist the assistance of a male who speaks Maori to accept the welcome.

Finally, when in New Zealand make sure you don't sit on tables as this is extremely offensive to Maoris although no-one (including Maoris) seems to know why.

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Help and assistance

British High Commission
44 Hill Street
Wellington 1


Mailing Address:
P O Box 1812
Wellington


Tel: (64) (4) 924 2888

Fax: (64) (4) 924 2810

Click here >> for the High Commission’s website

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Ideas of cost

As a very rough guide, you’ll get by on less than £20 a day if you stay in hostels, drink water, cook pasta and make your own fun. Double this if you plan to eat out, party hard and jump off things. Most backpackers end up somewhere between the two.

More on budgeting for New Zealand

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Nightlife & going out

Every city has nightclubs; smaller towns will have a pub (public house) where alcohol is served. Police do not allow people to drink alcohol then drive and severe penalties are in place (this includes bicycles). To avoid being prosecuted for drinking and driving, walk or hire a taxi for transport.

To drink legally in premises licensed to sell alcohol you must carry a photo identity to prove you are aged 18 or older. A New Zealand Pub Card, current passport or photo driver’s licence are the only accepted identity cards. It is against the law for the owners of licensed premises to serve intoxicated people. (The New Zealand law is not clear as to what defines intoxication).

During winter the ski fields and associated accommodations provide exciting daytime and evening events for visitors to those areas. Queenstown in the South Island and Taupo, Thames, Tauranga and Rotorua in the North Island abound with nightclubs and activities specifically designed to create a friendly party atmosphere for tourists.

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Staying healthy

There are no vaccinations required for travellers and the same rules for food and drink apply as in the UK. Just avoid drinking untreated water when you're out hiking, especially on the North Island. Use your common sense and you're laughing.

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Staying in touch

Internet access is readily available in New Zealand. Internet cafes and most backpackers’ have computers available for their guests; minimal charges may apply.

Cell phones are also commonplace in New Zealand; choose either a prepay or monthly contract. The two main service providers are Vodafone and NZ Telecom. Off the main highways and in remote areas service coverage may be out of range.

Telecom NZ operates a landline service throughout New Zealand. Public telephones are available in larger towns and cities; payment is made using coins or pre-pay phone cards. Cards for landline or mobile cell phones can be purchased from supermarkets and service stations (Petrol/fuel stations)

Towns and cities have a good postal service which includes post offices and public mail boxes. You can arrange for mail to be redirected to a post office of your choice when travelling. A letter will be delivered anywhere in New Zealand within 3 days, sooner if fast post is used.