At a Glance
Capital
Wellington
Local Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
Local Time
GMT + 12
Official Language
English and New Zealand Sign Language
Visa Information
Power
New Zealand’s electricity supply runs at 230/240 volts, and they use angled two or three-pin plugs (the same as Australia and parts of Asia). Most hotels provide 110-volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only.
Local Weather
While the far north has subtropical weather during summer and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10°C (14°F) in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures. The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south. January and February are the warmest months, and July is the coldest month of the year.
Tourism Website
Health Information
Vaccinations
Recommended vaccinations for New Zealand
Health Tips
Health tips for New Zealand travel
Family Services
Babysitting Services
Baby Gear Rentals
Transportation
Car Seat Laws
Under New Zealand law, all children under seven years of age must use an approved child restraint appropriate for their age and size. Children aged seven must be secured in restraint if one is available in the vehicle.
Driving
In New Zealand, all drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their license or permit at all times when driving. You will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country. Driving is on the left side of the road. The common legal age to rent a car in New Zealand is 21 years.
Car Services and Ferries
The main cities have plenty of taxis and even small towns may have a local service. The best way to explore NZ in depth is to have your own wheels. It’s easy to hire cars and campervans, though it’s worth noting that fuel costs can be eye-watering. More information on transportation in New Zealand can be found here.
Airlines in New Zealand
The country’s major domestic carrier, Air New Zealand, has an aerial network covering most of the country, often operating under the Air New Zealand Link moniker on less-popular routes. Australia-based Jetstar also flies between main urban areas. Between them, these two airlines carry the vast majority of domestic passengers in NZ.
Emergency Services
Police
111
Fire Department
111
Ambulance
111
Other Things To Know
Tipping Customs
Restaurant workers do not work only for tips in New Zealand, so do not feel obliged to leave a tip when paying your check. If the service was excellent, leaving a 10% gratuity is more than generous and your waiter or waitress will certainly appreciate it. Tipping taxi drivers in New Zealand is not a common practice.
Important Holidays
Safety Issues
New Zealand is a very safe country to visit. However, and unfortunately, theft from tourists is a relatively common occurrence. Most theft happens from break-ins from parked vehicles. If you are parking your vehicle, especially in a remote area, hide your important belongings (such as cash and travel documents) well.
Families Love Travel is not liable for any injuries and/or damages to persons or property occurring as a result of your vacations influenced by the suggestions on this website. We are not responsible for any information given on this website, such as recommendations for babysitting services, car rentals, or accommodations. All content provided is for informational and review purposes only. The information we provide is meant to make it easier for families to travel together and nothing more. Try the suggestions at your own risk.
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