Social ConventionsShould a visitor be invited to a formal Maori occasion, the
hongi (pressing of noses) is common. Casual dress is widely acceptable. New Zealanders are generally very relaxed and hospitable. Stiff formality is rarely appreciated and, after introductions, first names are generally used. Smoking is restricted where indicated. It is banned in pubs and restaurants.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Air New Zealand (NZ) (website:
www.airnz.co.nz).
Departure TaxUp to NZ$25 (depending
on airport); children aged under 11 are generally exempt, but age range varies according to airport. Transit passengers are generally exempt for 24 hours, but again this is dependent on airport.
Main AirportsAuckland (AKL) (website:
www.auckland-airport.co.nz) is 22.5km (14 miles) south of the city (journey time – 40 minutes).
To/from the airport: Airbus runs an efficient service between the international terminal and the city center.
Rideline operates (journey time – 1 hour) between the city center and the airport. Take buses 363, 364, 374 or 375. In addition to regular taxis, there is a shuttle taxi service which operates 24 hours.
Heletranz has a helicopter service from Auckland’s North Shore and city to the airport (journey time - 12 minutes). An inter-terminal bus operates daily.
Facilities: Duty-free shopping, banks/bureaux de change, post office, restaurants and cafes, car hire and baggage facilities/left luggage. There is a wide selection of hotels near the airport.
Christchurch (CHC) (website:
www.christchurch-airport.co.nz) is 10km (6 miles) northwest of the city (journey time – 20 minutes).
To/from the airport: Buses operate all day between the city center and the airport (journey time - 40 minutes). A door-to-door shuttle service operates. A journey into the city center by taxi takes approximately 20 minutes.
Facilities: Currency exchange, ATM, mobile phone rental and bank. Good hotels are within 10km (6 miles).
Wellington (WLG) (website:
www.wellington-airport.co.nz) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (journey time – 30 minutes).
To/from the airport: Stagecoach Flyer operates a bus service to the city center every 30 minutes. The shuttle service operates on demand (maximum 10 persons). Taxis are available from outside the terminal.
Facilities: Duty-free, bar, restaurant, ATM and currency exchange.
Queenstown International Airport (ZQN)
(website:
www.queenstownairport.co.nz).
To/from the airport: A taxi into the town center takes 10 minutes. Shuttle buses are available (a discount is available for more than one passenger) and the journey lasts 15 minutes. A bus takes passengers into town and will also pick up from some hotels (journey time - 20 minutes).
Facilities: Duty-free, currency exchange and baggage storage.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Lyttelton, Opua, Picton and
Wellington. They are served by international
shipping lines sailing from the USA and from Europe.
A few
cruise ships visit New Zealand, but there are no regular passenger ship services. For further details, contact
Tourism New Zealand (see
General Info).
OverviewThe following items may be imported into New Zealand by persons of 17 years of age and over without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a mixture of all three weighing no more than 250g; 4.5l of wine or beer; 1.125l or 40oz of spirits or liqueurs; goods to a total value of NZ$700.Because of the importance of agriculture and horticulture to the New Zealand economy, it is illegal to import most foodstuffs (meat, meat products, honey, fruit and dairy). Take care when importing wood products, such as golf clubs, shoes and items made from animal skin. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The import of the following items is also prohibited: firearms and weapons (unless a special permit is obtained from the New Zealand police); ivory in any form; tortoise or turtle shell jewelry and ornaments; medicines using musk, rhinoceros or tiger derivatives; carvings or anything made from whalebone or bone from any other marine animals; cat skins or coats and certain drugs (eg diuretics, depressants, stimulants, heart drugs, tranquillisers, sleeping pills) unless covered by a doctor’s prescription.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirAir New Zealand (NZ) and
Qantas operate domestic flights between the major airports (see
Travel – International section). Several smaller airlines, including
Air Nelson,
Eagle Air and
Mount Cook Airlines, are wholly owned by
Air New Zealand and have been grouped together as
Air New Zealand Link. They serve many of the 27 other airports throughout the two islands.
Getting Around by WaterThe North and South Islands are linked by modern ferries operating between Wellington and Picton, carrying passengers and vehicles across Cook Strait. The
Interislander (travel time – three hours) and
The Lynx (travel time - two hours 15 minutes) make several daily crossings with long-distance train connections from Wellington and Picton railway stations (website:
www.interislander.co.nz); Reservations on all ferry services are highly recommended, particularly for visitors taking their vehicles. Information can be obtained from Tourism New Zealand (see
Top Things To Do)
or via the Toll New Zealand reservation line; see the
Rail section for further details.
Getting Around by RailToll New Zealand (formerly
Tranz Rail Ltd)
operates a reliable rail service with many routes of great scenic attraction.
Tranz Scenic operates eight scenic long-distance trains. The
Overlander runs between Auckland and Wellington (daytime and overnight) with good views of forests, gorges and volcanic peaks. The
Transcoastal runs between Christchurch and Picton along the east coast between the snow-capped Kaikoura Mountains and past the Kaikoura coast, which is famous for whale-watching. The
TranzAlpine runs between Christchurch and Greymouth through spectacular landscapes of gorges and river valleys and across the snow-capped Southern Alps. There are buffet cars on all trains, but there are no sleeping cars on overnight services. All services are one-class travel only. For further information, contact
Toll New Zealand (tel: (4) 498 3000; website:
www.tollnz.co.nz); or
Tranz Scenic (tel: (4) 495 0775
or (0800) 277 482 (toll free in New Zealand); website:
www.tranzscenic.co.nz).
Rail PassesTravelpass New Zealand offersa 2-in-1, 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 travel pass. The 2-in-1 pass offersunlimited coach travel and one ferry journey. The 3-in-1 pass offersunlimited coach travel, one ferry journey and one train journey. The4-in-1 pass offers unlimited coach travel, one ferry journey, one trainjourney and one domestic flight.
InterCity coaches,
Tranz Scenic trains and
Interislanderferry services across Cook Strait are available with the pass. It isissued for periods between five and 15 days; extra days cost NZ$50each. The pass can be bought outside New Zealand from any InterCityCoachlines office, Toll New Zealand travel center or accredited travelagency.
The
Scenic Rail Pass is available for seven days or one month and includes a journey on the
Interislander ferry. A seven-day pass costs NZ$299, a one-month pass costs NZ$499. For further information, contact Tourism New Zealand (see
Top Things To Do).
The
Kiwi Experience is a coach transport network for backpackers and independent travelers.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left.
Coach:
InterCity Coachlines (website:
www.intercitycoach.co.nz) operates scheduled services throughout the country. Coach passes are available.
Newmans Coach Lines (website:
www.newmanscoach.co.nz) operates services in both islands. It is advisable to make reservations for seats.
Bus: There are regional bus networks which serve most parts of the country and are on the whole friendly and cheaper than the larger companies.
Taxi: There are metered taxis throughout the country.
Car hire: Major international firms and local firms have offices at airports and most major cities and towns. It is recommended to hire vehicles from members of the
New Zealand Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association.
Regulations:
The minimum age for driving a rented car is 21. The legal speed limit is 100kph (60mph) on the open road and 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas. Distances are indicated in kilometers. Both driver and passengers are legally required to wear seat belts at all times. For further information, contact
The New Zealand Automobile Association (tel: (9) 966 8800
or (800) 500 222 (toll free in New Zealand); website:
www.aa.co.nz).
Documentation: All international driving licenses are recognized by New Zealand. And, although not compulsory, an International Driving Permit is recommended. Motor insurance is not a legal requirement in New Zealand because New Zealand law has removed the right of accident victims to sue a third party in the event of an accident. For further information, contact Tourism New Zealand (see
Top Things To Do).
Getting Around Towns and CitiesGood local bus services are provided in the main towns; there are also trolley buses in Wellington. Both Auckland and Wellington have zonal fares with pre-purchase tickets and day passes.
Rideline (website:
www.rideline.co.nz) houses all the bus, train and ferry information about traveling around Auckland. Positively Wellington Tourism (website:
www.wellingtonnz.com) has information about getting around.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from
Wellington to other major cities/towns in New Zealand:
| | Air | Road | Rail |
| Auckland | 1.00 | 9.00 | 10.00 |
| N. Plymouth | 1.00 | 8.30 | - |
| Christchurch | 0.45 | *7.20 | *5.20 |
| Dunedin | 1.20 | *12.20 | - |
NoteNote*Plus ferry crossing of three hours.
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