About NZ
New Zealand's awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind.
New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. And the great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other!
Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping - you're beginning to get the picture of Auckland. Auckland's blend of islands and different cultures, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world.
Pukekohe (pu-key-ko-he), New Zealand.
Surrounded by a patchwork of market gardens this thriving rural centre is on the calendar for many local and international motor-racing events. Pukekohe also hosts a number of sporting events including rugby and horse racing.
You can enjoy great shopping and varied dining in a relaxed country atmosphere. The compact shopping centre comprises family businesses and boutique shops.
Pukekohe is the centre for a thriving arts community with regular exhibitions, festivals and live theatre. The annual Agricultural show held in February is popular with visitors and locals and each Saturday morning the A& P showgrounds is buzzing with a livestock sale.
Telling the Time
New Zealand is a three and a half hour flight from Eastern Australia. From the West Coast of the United States, a direct flight to New Zealand takes about 12 hours. From other places on the Pacific Rim, such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo, flights take around 10 hours.
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand uses ‘daylight saving', with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight saving begins on the fourth Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of the following April, when clocks are put back to GMT+12.
Visa/passport Information
Ensuring you have the appropriate Passports and Visas before leaving home is the key to a trouble free entry into New Zealand.
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.
Visa Exemptions
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:
A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
If you are a citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand
Visa Waivers.
Visa Waivers
Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a Visitor's Visa for stays less than three months. You do require:
A passport that is valid for at least three months after your departure from New Zealand
An onward or return ticket to a country that you have permission to enter
Sufficient money to support yourself during your stay - approximately NZ$1000 per month per person
British citizens and other British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the UK may be allowed to stay for up to six months. Visitor's Visa Applications
If your country is not on the visa waiver list or you wish to stay longer than three months you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa. You can download application forms from the New Zealand Immigration Service website, or contact your nearest New Zealand Embassy.
Currency & Exchange
New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2; notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report.
Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.
All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travellers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.
Exchange Rates
You can calculate the value of your currency in NZ Dollars using the newzealand.com currency converter on this page - http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/key-facts/key-facts-money-matters.cfm.
The rate you are offered in your home country is likely to differ slightly.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand http://www.rbnz.govt.nz provides a monthly online summary of the New Zealand Dollar's average value against the US Dollar, the Pound, the Australian Dollar, the Yen and the Euro.
Banking
Banks are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls.
International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. Check with your bank before leaving home.
Goods and Services Tax
All goods and services are subject to a 12.5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.
How Much Will it Cost?
Here is a general guide of what you can expect to pay in New Zealand for a few common items:
| A hotel breakfast | NZ$10- $25 |
| Dinner (3-course, no wine) | NZ$20 - $50 |
| Lunch snack/sandwich | NZ$5 - $10 |
| Cafe lunch | NZ$10 - $15.00 |
| A postcard stamp to anywhere abroad | NZ$1.50 |
| Big Mac Hamburger | NZ$3.95 |
| Cappuccino | NZ$2.50 - $3 |
| Kodak Film, 36 exposures | NZ$7.95 |
Tipping and Service Charges
New Zealanders do not expect tips for normal service - even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for extra special service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.
Car Rentals
There are many car rental company's to choose from. Check out any of the websites below and they will be able to give you a great deal for car rentals for three months. (the links below will take you to their site)
www.avis.co.nz
www.arfrentalcars.co.nz
www.budget.co.nz
www.hertz.co.nz
www.thrifty.co.nz
