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General Info about New Zealand |
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Currency
New Zealand currency is New Zealand dollars ($) and Cents, based on the decimal system with 100 cents to the NZ Dollar.
Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2
Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100
Language
New Zealand has two official languages, English and Maori. English is the predominant language spoken, and everyone will understand it. Maori is used predominately for rituals, and in Maori communities.
Climate
New Zealand experiences four seasons with moderate rainfall throughout the year. Being an island, it enjoys a very smooth temperate weather with only about 10 degrees difference between winter and summer. During the summer (December - February), temperatures vary from 16 - 25°C in the North Island and 13 - 22°C in the South Island. During autumn, the North Island normally expects a temperature between 13 - 19°C, while the South Island can range from 7 - 17°C.
The coolest months are between July and August, when the skies are often overcast. The North Island temperatures are slightly higher, from 8 - 13°C, as compared to the South's 2 - 10°C.
The best weather the country experiences is undoubtedly during spring, when both North and South Islands enjoy mild temperatures, 11 - 17°C, with the South being slightly colder.
Time Zone
New Zealand is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Daylight Saving commences at 2.00am on the 1st Sunday in October, when clocks are moved one hour forward, and ends at 2.00am on the 3rd Sunday in March, when the clocks are switched one hour back.
Opening Hours
Offices and Businesses: Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm
Shopping Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9am to 5pm
Thursday and Friday 9am to 9pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Electricity
New Zealand operates on alternating current (AC) 230 volts, 50hertz mains supply. Hotels and Motels usually provide 110volt AC sockets (20 volts) for electric shavers only. Australian style three blade plugs are used in New Zealand.
Goods and Services Tax
Goods and services in New Zealand are subject to 12.5% goods and services tax, commonly known as GST. Overseas visitors cannot claim back GST, however some stores sell goods to overseas visitors exclusive of GST provided proof of onward or return tickets is shown.
Visa Requirements
Australian citizens and current residents don’t need entry visas or work permits, they may stay indefinitely, if they have no criminal convictions.
Citizens and residents of the UK don’t need a visa, and are issued a visitor permit on arrival, which is valid for three months.
Citizens of the following countries don’t need a visa, and are issued an extendable visitor permit on arrival, which is valid for three months.
Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Czech Rep, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Kiribati, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tuvalu, UAE, Uruguay, USA.
Citizens of all other countries are required to hold a visa to enter the country. These are available from any NZ embassy and are usually valid for three months. Visitors must be able to show the following in order to qualify for a visa.
A valid passport that will not expire for the duration of your stay.
Sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay. This is set at NZ$1000 per month of intended stay, or NZ$400 if your accommodation has been prepaid.
An onward ticket to a country where you have right of entry.
Work permits of up to three years will be issued if applied for in your home country. The permit will only be issued if no New Zealand jobseeker can do the job you have been offered. If the work permit is applied for while in New Zealand, the expiration date of the permit will be the expiration date of your visitor permit.
Citizens of Canada, Japan and the UK aged between 18 and 30, can apply for a Working Holiday Permit before they arrive in New Zealand. This permits them to work, in a temporary position, while traveling around the country. It is valid for 12 months.
Tourist Offices
Auckland Travel and Information Centre
287 Queen Street
Auckland City
Phone: 09 979-2333
Monday to Sunday 9am - 5.00pm
Auckland International Airport Information Centre
Arrivals lounge
Open 7 days for all arriving International flights
Phone: 09 275 6467
Exiting customs, the visitor centre is on the left hand side, next to the Bank
Wellington Visitor Center
101 Wakefield Street, Wellington
Phone: 04 802-4860
The Christchurch & Canterbury Visitor Center
corner Oxford Terrace and Worcester Street, Christchurch
(will soon re-locate to Cathedral Square)
Phone: 03 379-9629
The Queenstown Travel & Visitor Center
In the Clocktower Center, corner Shotover and Camp Streets, Queenstown
Phone: 03 442-4100
Telephones
Public telephones are commonplace, though some only take phone cards. Phone cards are available at Visitor Information Centers, newsagents, convenience stores, service stations, and other outlets.
New Zealand International Access Code is 64.
Area Codes: 09 Northland/Bay of Islands/Auckland.
07 Coromandel/Bay of Plenty/Top half of National Parks.
06 Hawkes Bay/Gisborne/Bottom half of National Parks.
04 Wellington/Wairarapa .
03 The whole South Island.
Post Office
New Zealand has many post offices, with at least one in almost all towns, open 9am to 5pm (Monday to Friday). Some agents are open on the weekends, though postal service only operates during the week.
Tipping
Many New Zealanders regard tipping as a foreign custom, although it is becoming more common. If you receive extraordinary service, a tip should be given, 5% to 10% of the bill is what is expected.
Public Holidays
It is worth noting what the public holidays are before you travel to a country as the majority of businesses, banks and shops usually shut for the day. In New Zealand they take place on January 1st, February 6th, Good Friday, Easter Monday, April 25th, June 4th, October 22nd and December 25th and 26th. It is a good idea to check the particular area too as certain towns and cities also shut down during special events.
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