New Zealand

General Information
	Area: 270,534 sq km (102,374 sq miles). Population: 3,819,800 (1998). Population Density: 14.0 per sq km. Capital: Wellington. Population: 412,600(1996, including Kapiti). Auckland, with a population of 1,073,000 (1996, including Pukekohe), is the largest urban area in the country. Geography: New Zealand is 1930km (1200 miles) southeast of Australia and consists of two major islands, the North Island (114,470 sq km/44,197 sq miles) and the South Island (150,660 sq km/58,170 sq miles), which are separated by Cook Strait. Stewart Island (1750 sq km/676 sq miles) is located immediately south of the South Island, and the Chatham Islands lie 800km (500 miles) to the east of Christchurch. Going from north to south temperatures decrease. Compared to its huge neighbour Australia, New Zealand's three islands make up a country that is relatively small (about 20% more land mass than the British Isles). Two-thirds of the country is mountainous, a region of swift-flowing rivers, deep alpine lakes and dense subtropical forest. The country's largest city, Auckland, is situated on the peninsula that forms the northern part of North Island. The southern part of North Island is characterised by fertile coastal plains rising up to volcanic peaks. Around Rotorua, 240km (149 miles) south of Auckland, there is thermal activity in the form of geysers, pools of boiling mud, springs of hot mineral water, silica terraces, coloured craters and hissing fumaroles which make Rotorua a world-famous tourist attraction. The South Island is larger, although only about one-third of the population live there. The Southern Alps extend the whole length of the island, culminating in Mount Cook, the country's highest peak. In the same region are the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. There are also four Associated Territories: The Cook Islands, about 3500km (2175 miles) northeast of New Zealand; Niue, 920km (570 miles) west of the Cook Islands (area 260 sq km/100 sq miles); Tokelau, three atolls about 960km (600 miles) northwest of Niue (area 12 sq km/4 sq miles) and the Ross Dependency, which consists of over 700,000 sq km (270,270 sq miles) of the Antarctic. Note: Cook Islands and Niue have separate individual sections in the World Travel Guide. GOVERNNENT: Constitutional monarchy since 1907. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II since 1952, represented locally by Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister Helen Clark since 1999. 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 the indigenous Maori people who constitute approximately 15% of the population). Religion: 60% Christian: Anglican, Presbytarian, Roman Catholic and Methodist are all represented. Time: New Zealand: GMT + 12 (GMT + 13 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March). Chatham Island: GMT + 12.45 (GMT + 13.45 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March). Electricity: 230/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Most hotels provide 110-volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. Communications: 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. Mobile telephone: Extensive AMPs network operated by Telecom New Zealand (website: www.telecom.co.nz), Vodafone New Zealand (website: www.vodafone.co.nz) and smaller GSM 900 network. Handsests can be bought or hired from the main network provider Vodafone New Zealand. There are also mobile telephone shops at Auckland and Christchurch airports. Fax: Most hotels provide facilities. Internet/E-mail: ISPs include Kiwilink (website: www.kiwilink.co.nz). There are cybercafés in the city and smaller town central business districts. Travellers may access the internet at many hotels and youth hostels. Postal: Post offices are open Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Airmail to Western Europe takes four to five days and to the USA three to ten days. Press: The English-language daily newspapers with the highest circulation include New Zealand Herald, The Press, Evening Post and The Dominion.
Travel
	AIR: New Zealand's national airline is Air New Zealand (NZ). Approximate flight times: From Auckland to Los Angeles is 12 hours, to New York is 18 hours, to Singapore is 10 hours 30 minutes, and to Sydney is 3 hours 30 minutes. From Auckland to London is 26 hours, from Wellington is 29 hours and from Christchurch is 28 hours 30 minutes. International airports: Auckland (AKL) (website: www.auckland-airport.co.nz) is 22.5km (14 miles) south of the city (travel time - 40 minutes). Airbus run an efficient service between the international terminal to the city centre. These operate from 0530-2030 and costs NZD13. Eastern Service Buses operate from 0700-1800 and costs NZD4, this journey lasts approx. 60 minutes. In addition to regular taxis there is a shuttle Taxi Service which operates 24 hours, the fare is NZD14-24 depending on the number of passengers. Airport facilities include duty free shopping, banks/bureaux de change (0600-0000 in domestic and international terminals), Post Office (0630-1930), restaurants and cafes, car hire as well as baggage facilities/left luggage (0500-0200). 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 (travel time - 20 minutes). Prices vary from the standard buses which cost NZD2.5 to the more luxurious Limousines, which cost around NZD20. There are good facilities at the airport and hotels within 10km. Wellington (WLG) (website: www.wellington-airport.co.nz) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time - 30 minutes). Stagecoach Flyer operates a bus service to the city centre every 30 minutes (fare NZD4.50). The shuttle service operates on demand (max. 10 persons) and costs NZD8-10 accordingly. Departure tax: Up to NZ$25 (depending on airport); children aged under 12 are exempt. Children aged between 2-11 leaving from Wellington pay NZ$10. Transit passengers are exempt for 24 hours. SEA: The principal ports are Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Picton and Opua, which 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.
Entry
	Passport Visa Return Ticket Required Australian  Yes  No  No British  Yes  1  Yes Canadian  Yes  No  Yes Japanese  Yes  No  Yes Other EU  Yes  2  Yes USA  Yes  No  Yes
	PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended period of stay required by all. Some governments are not recognised by New Zealand and citizens in doubt should check with the New Zealand Immigration Service (see address section). VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) countries referred to in the chart above, including US nationals from American Samoa, Swains Island and nationals of New Zealand Associated Territories (Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue) for up to 3 months, although transit visas are required for the following nationals only holding one way tickets: Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tokelau and Tonga; (b) 1. nationals of the UK and other British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the UK for visits of up to 6 months providing they hold a passport valid for 6 months beyond departure date and onward or return tickets; (c) 2. nationals of EU countries for visits up to 3 months, but Portuguese nationals must have right of residence in Portugal; (d) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China (Peoples Republic provided holding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Denmark, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region or British Nationals Overseas passports), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (Rep. of), Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City and Zimbabwe for visits of up to 3 months; (e) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours, providing they hold onward or return documentation and are not leaving the airport (some nationals passing through New Zealand always require a transit visa, even when not leaving the transit lounge of the airport; enquire at the New Zealand Immigration Service for details). Note: All nationals listed above must have sufficient funds to cover the duration of stay. This may be NZ$1000 for each person for every month or NZ$400 if the accommodation is already paid for. Additional Visa Information: http://www.emb.com/nzemb
Misc. Info.
	CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: New Zealand’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from New Zealand of certain items, including firearms and agricultural products. Handguns may not be brought into the country, and a permit for other firearms must be obtained from the New Zealand police immediately after arrival. Tourists have also faced police inquiries as a result of importing or brandishing toy weapons. The Ministry of Agriculture of New Zealand has stringent requirements for the entry of food and agricultural products. Travelers are required to declare any items that come under agricultural quarantine restrictions as stated on the customs form at the port of entry. Heavy fines have been levied against those attempting to bring in undeclared prohibited items. For more information, contact the New Zealand Customs Service at http://www.customs.govt.nz and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at http://www.maf.govt.nz. CRIME INFORMATION: Crime in New Zealand is comparatively low but has increased in recent years. The most prevalent crime is theft or attempted theft from cars, camper vans and hostels. To help protect against theft, do not leave passports or other valuable documents in unattended vehicles. Violent crime against tourists is unusual. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Quality medical care is widely available, but waiting lists exist for certain types of treatment. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provisions for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital of doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning New Zealand is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance: Safety of Public Transportation: Good Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good All traffic travels on the left in New Zealand, and many roads are only two lanes. Drivers should exercise extra caution if accustomed to driving on the right. Cars turning left must yield to oncoming cars turning in the same direction. This is especially important to remember on two-lane roads. Proceed carefully through intersections and be wary of drivers who may run yellow and red lights. Drivers should use caution to avoid animals when driving in rural areas. Pedestrians are advised to look carefully in all directions before crossing a street or roadway, and to use crosswalks. Traffic always yields to the right and pedestrians do not have the right of way except at crosswalks. For specific information concerning the operation and rental of motor vehicles, contact the New Zealand Tourism Board via the Internet at http://www.purenz.com/ or the Land Transport Safety Authority at http://www.ltsa.govt.nz.

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