NEW ZEALAND

Lee's Travel has created this travel guide which lets you experience some of New Zealands most beautiful destinations with a knowledgeable guide. Use it to plan your holiday and to make your trip an amazing experience.

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Contents

General Information ........................................... 03
Weather Conditions .......................................... 07
People and Culture ........................................... 09
Currency .......................................................... 10
Things to know ................................................. 11
Visas and Passport .......................................... 15
Customs Regulations ........................................ 16

General Information

New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty, glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant forest reserves, long, deserted beaches and a variety of fauna, such as the kiwi, endemic to its shores.

Any number of vigorous outdoor activities - hiking, skiing, rafting and, of course, that perennial favourite, bungy jumping - await the adventurous.

You can swim with dolphins, gambol with newborn lambs, whalewatch or fish for fattened trout in the many streams. The people, bound in a culture that melds European with Maori ancestry, are resourceful, helpful and overwhelmingly friendly. The extraordinary place names - try Te Awamutu, Whangamomona or Paekakariki for tongue-trippers - are resonant and, with a modicum of practice, easy to pronounce. Because it's such a compact place, travel within New Zealand - whether by plane, bus, rail, car or campervan - is affordable and efficient.
Accommodation too is cheap and varied. And the culinary promise of venison, fresh seafood, sublime ice cream and award-winning wines should more than whet the appetite.

New Zealand has a diverse and multicultural society with those of European extraction accounting for approximately 80% of the population. Approximately 10% of the population is Maori, 3% Polynesian and the balance is made up of a wonderful variety of ethnic peoples. Dutch, South Africans, Chinese, Indians are just a few who have settled in New Zealand over the years

Auckland is the largest city, (and is the world's largest Polynesian city) with a population of over 1 million people, Wellington is the second largest with approximately 300,000 citizens. Christchurch is the largest of the South Island cities with a population of 300,000.1996 statistics indicate that the North Islands population was 2.71 million, while the South Islands was 899,000.

Recent surveys suggest that the population of Auckland will continue to outstrip the rest of the country and growth over the next decade is expected to be in excess of 37%. This growth is in part at the expense of other centres, but while there is a drift of population from the South Island to North Island the largest factor is immigration from overseas. As a comparison it is anticipated that Southland, our southern most province will see a decline in population of over 6%., while the South Islands population will grow only 5.8% over the period.

Square Miles: 266,171 sq km (102,374 sq miles)

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia

Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E

Map references: Oceania

Weather Conditions

New Zealand is in the same hemisphere as South Africa and Australia, having a temperate climate with moderate, year-round rainfall and in the North Island especially, an absence of extreme temperatures. The country enjoys a pleasant and generally stable climate.

The country is long and narrow, stretching a distance of 1600 kilometres in a North to South direction and being no more than 450 kilometres wide, at its widest

point. The North and South Islands have a combined area of approximately 268,000 square kilometres. The sea moderates the climate bringing mild temperatures and a reliable climate throughout the year. The country is close to the International dateline and it is claimed that Gisborne, on the East Coast of the North Island is the first place in the world to see the light of each new day. October through to April are the warmest months and May to September are the coolest. A typical summers day in the North will range in temperature between 21 and 28 degrees centigrade (72 and 86 Fahrenheit), while a mid-winters day will rarely fall below 11 or 12 degrees centigrade.

Snow is generally not seen at sea level, though there is an abundance of snow during winter in the South Island high country and in the mountain ranges in the North Island. Both the North and South Islands have ample winter ski fields, with the South Island renowned for the majesty of its mountains and beauty of its woodlands, lakes and rivers. Nelson, at the top of the South Island is the sunniest city in the country, however most of the country enjoys over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

People and Culture

Language: English is the common and everyday language, but other languages are also spoken, including Maori, which is New Zealand's second official language (spoken by approximately 10% of the population).

Religion: 60% Christian: Anglican, Presbytarian, Roman Catholic and Methodist are all represented.

Currency

New Zealand Dollars (NZ$). Current exchange rate is approximately £1GBP =NZ$2.97. Please check with your bank for current exchange rates. Travellers cheques and most major international credit cards are accepted.

Things to know

Population: 3,800,000
Capital: Wellington

Vaccinations: Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within six days prior to arrival. You do not need any other health certificate to enter New Zealand.

Sun Protection: Required in the summer months, especially if visiting the North Island.

Clothing: Lightweight clothes are suitable for travellers to the North Island, but warmer clothing is recommended for South Island visitors.
In keeping with New Zealand's relaxed lifestyle, dress is informal on most occasions. A jacket is recommended only for those intending to visit a better restaurant or evening show. A waterproof jacket and umbrella is advisable.

Shop and Bank Hours: Many businesses and all banks operate only Monday to Friday. Banking hours are 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and are closed on public holidays. Increasingly, stores in major cities are extending their hours through to Saturday and Sunday. Those stores catering largely to visitors are open every day, often with extended hours. Most petrol stations are open every day.

GST: All goods and services purchased in new Zealand are subject to 12.5% Goods and Services tax. This is usually included in the price, although some hotels and restaurants may quote prices excluding GST.

Tipping: New Zealanders do not depend on tips for their income and tips are not expected for normal service, however you may wish to show your appreciation for extra special attention.

Time Zones: GMT + 12 (GMT + 11 from the last week in March to the first week in October)

Electricity: Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 240 volts via a slant pin outlet. Hotels often provide a 110 volt socket for electric shavers only. For all other equipment, an adaptor and a converter are necessary.

Driving Laws: New Zealand road rules follow international standards. New Zealand drives on the left side of the road (the same as in the UK and Japan, and opposite to the USA and Europe).

Medical and Emergency Facilities: Medical and emergency services are available but not free to visitors. Please arrange for insurance coverage before your departure. Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended.

Communication:
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 64. Outgoing international code: 00. Most public phones take cards purchased from bookstalls; some also accept credit cards, but very few still accept coins.

Fax: Most hotels provide facilities.
Post: Post offices are open 0900-1700 Monday to Friday. Airmail to Western Europe takes four to five days.
Press: The English-language daily newspapers with the highest circulation include New Zealand Herald, The Press, Evening Post and The Dominion.

BBC World Service: MHz 15.36 11.96 9.740 7.145
Voice of America: MHz 17.73 15.18 11.87 9.525

National Holidays: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty)

Visas and Passport

All visitors require a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after their intended departure. A visa is not required for most visitors travelling to New Zealand for a stay of less than 3 months. You should check with your local New Zealand embassy or consulate for the latest information.

Customs Regulations

New Zealand is very sensitive about what products are allowed to enter. You are NOT ALLOWED to bring: Animals (even pets) or animal materials; plants; 'foodstuffs;' firearms (without a permit); and bone or ivory products. For specific questions contact your local New Zealand Embassy or Consulate. You ARE ALLOWED to bring, in addition to your personal effects: Additional goods valued up to $700 NZD (this means no unauthorized importing) And if you are over 17 years old: 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 250mg of tobacco (or an equivalent mixture) 4.5 liters of wine or beer (= six 750ml bottles) AND one 1,125ml (about 2-1/2 pints) of spirits or liqueur

Thank You

We hope this travel guide will be helpful on your holiday

Lee's Travel