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New Zealand

General Information

Capital City:
Wellington
Population:
4.40 million
Language:
English, Maori
Electricity:
230V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
64
Driving:
Driving is on the left. International Driving Permit or UK licence required which is valid for 1 year
Currency:
New Zealand Dollar (NZD 1 = 100 Cents)

Business Hours

Bank:
0900-1630 Mon-Fri
Office:
0900-1700 Mon-Fri
Shops:
0900-1730 (some local arrangements & Sun opening)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year 06 Feb : Waitangi Day 06 Apr : Good Friday 09 Apr : Easter Monday 25 Apr : ANZAC Day 04 Jun : Queen's Birthday 22 Oct : Labour Day 25 Dec : Christmas Day 26 Dec : Boxing Day Note: If these dates fall on a Sat/Sun, another day may be given in lieu. Provinces may also observe respective anniversary days as a public holiday.

Business and social hints

General:
Business is conducted in English, not many executives speak a second language. Smoking is no longer permitted in any public place. On social occasions be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:
Service charges are not applied, tips are not necessary
Clothing:
Light to mediumweights for summer, mediumweights with topcoat for winter. Warmer attire advised for mountainous areas. Rainwear required all year round
Emergency Services:
Police, Fire & Ambulance: 111

Climate

Maritime climate with changeable weather throughout the year. The far north of North Island has an almost subtropical climate with mild winters and warm humid summers, the rest of the island is slightly cooler. South Island has somewhat lower temperatures throughout the year and is therefore more temperate. The New Zealand Alps are snow covered throughout the year and there are extensive snowfields and glaciers

Auckland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 23 23 22 19 17 14 13 14 16 17 19 21
Minimum Temperature °C 16 16 15 13 11 9 8 8 9 11 12 14
Average Humidity (mornings) % 71 72 74 78 80 83 84 80 76 74 71 70
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 62 61 65 69 70 73 74 70 68 66 64 64
Average Rainfall 79 94 81 97 127 137 145 117 102 102 89 79

Christchurch

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 21 21 19 17 13 11 10 11 14 17 19 21
Minimum Temperature °C 12 12 10 7 4 2 2 2 4 7 8 11
Average Humidity (mornings) % 65 71 75 82 85 87 87 81 72 63 64 67
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 59 60 69 71 69 72 76 66 69 60 64 60
Average Rainfall 56 43 48 48 66 66 69 48 46 43 48 56

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 17 years of age or older: a) 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco or a combination of these products up to a max weight of 250gr b) 4.5 lit of wine or beer and one 1125ml bottle of spirit c) Goods up to a total combined value of NZD 700
Contraband:
Drugs or narcotics. Foods, plants or parts of plants (alive or dead), animals (alive or dead) or their products, biological specimens. Equipment used with animals, camping equipment, golf clubs and used bicycles needs to be declared for Agricultural purposes. Firearms and weapons are strictly controlled and require a Police permit. Weapons such as flick knives, swordsticks and knuckledusters are prohibited. Objectionable publications, videos, CD Roms etc. Products covered by the CITES agreement for endangered, threatened, or exploited species

Health

A reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom exists for medical treatment including public hospital inpatient treatment where payment will be required. Free dental treatment for the under 16's. In order to obtain treatment a UK passport will be required. Further details are available from www.dh.gov.uk.

Compulsary Vaccinations
None.
Recommended Immunisations
None required, however for those travelling to New Zealand frequently or intending to spend extended time there, Hepatitis B should be considered.
Risks
None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to New Zealand. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the period of intended stay. Exempt: 1) Nationals of Australian & New Zealand may enter with passports/passport replacing documents valid on arrival. 2) Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for at least 1 month beyond the period of intended stay for: a) Nationals of Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China (Peoples Rep), Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland (Rep of), Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (South), Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Fed, Samoa, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City & Vietnam. 3) Passports containing New Zealand Resident Visas with valid travel conditions, New Zealand Permanent Resident Visas, New Zealand Returning Residence Visas, endorsements indicating New Zealand citizenship or Australian Resident return visas must be valid on arrival.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of New Zealand. 2) Nationals of Australia. 3) Holders of valid Re-entry Permit (Resident Return Visa) 4) Holders of the following valid re-entry visas: a) Permanent Residents Visas b) Resident Visas with travel conditions and Returning Residence Visas. c) Holders of endorsements indicating New Zealand citizenship. 5) For stays up to 6 months to Holders of British passports provided holding: a) Passport endorsed "British Citizen" b) Passport contains a Certificate of Entitlement to the right of abode issued by the United Kingdom. c) In addition to their passport, alternative documentary evidence to establish right of abode in the UK. e.g a letter or certificate from British Authorities, permanent residence papers or a Birth Certificate which confirms place of birth is the UK. 6) For stays up to 3 months by: a) Holders of British passports endorsed "British National (Overseas)" b) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep of), Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, Uruguay, USA & Vatican City. c) Nationals of Portugal providing the holder has the right to enter Portugal for permanent residence d) Holders of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports providing the passport contains an ID number on the biographical page. e) Nationals of Kuwait EXCEPT if holding "Article 17" passports.

Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the New Zealand High Commission.

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Immigration New Zealand Mezzanine Floor, New Zealand House 80 Haymarket London, SW1Y 4TE tel: 09069 100 100* fax:+44 20 7973 0370 e-mail: aboutnz@newzealandhc.org.uk website: www.immigration.govt.nz hours: 1000-1545 (Mon-Fri) * calls cost �1 per minute

Airports

  • Auckland International
  • Christchurch International
  • Wellington International

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