Welcome to New Zealand!
Once you have organized your tour, purchased your air tickets, and obtained your New Zealand visitor visa, all that remains is to pack your bags. What should you consider?
First of all, familiarize yourself with the list of prohibited items. Then you will find the following information about the country useful:
Time. New Zealand is among the first countries on the planet to greet the new day. From the beginning of October to the end of April, the time difference with London is 13 hours. From the beginning of May to the end of September - 11 hours. That is, in December in Auckland it will be 11:00 PM when it is 10 AM in Greenwich.
Electricity. Sockets in the country differ from European and US ones. A three-pin adapter is required. It can be purchased at the airport or any store in New Zealand.
Money. The local currency is the New Zealand dollar. The approximate ratio to its American counterpart is USD 0.6 = NZD 1.00 (of course, the exchange rate is constantly fluctuates). Only the national currency is in circulation in the country, and you can pay for goods and services in USD or EUR only in duty-free shops, so you will have to exchange cash or withdraw it from an ATM. But it is best to pay for purchases with a bank card. This can be done everywhere, only the smallest shops do not accept international payment systems Visa or Mastercard.
Weather. New Zealanders say: "If you don't like our weather, wait 15 minutes." And it really works! Whatever the weather, it will change in 15 minutes. In general, in summer (from November to February) it is hot on both islands - up to +30-35 C, but almost always with a pleasant breeze. Be sure to wear hats and apply sunscreen.
In winter, the weather on the North and South Islands is very different. When the grass is green in the north and the sun warms the air up to +15 C during the day, there may be snow on the South Island and the temperature drops below zero. Pack your bags with this in mind.
Clothes to take to New Zealand:
For a day in good weather:
everything you would take for a summer day in the Northern Hemisphere of the middle lane, that is, T-shirts, shorts, be sure to wear hats.
sneakers, two pairs for a change
swimsuits (in any season for thermal springs)
shoes for "wet" excursions, something that can be worn for kayaking, for example
For a day in bad weather:
windbreaker, preferably waterproof
light sweater
a change of jeans in case of rain, or better yet, quick-drying sports pants
shirts or turtlenecks with long sleeves
For the evening:
pants, jeans
sweater
T-shirts
For fjords and for the sea (in spring, winter and autumn):
it is advisable to take a warm jacket from the wind
from a strong wind, you can take a hat with you. You may only need it once, but it weighs little, so it won't hurt.
For winter trips:
warm jacket (you should not carry a fur coat)
warm shoes
hat and gloves
We do not recommend taking evening dresses or jackets, this form of clothing is accepted only in 5 * restaurants, of which there are very few in New Zealand. They are mainly concentrated in Auckland or Queenstown. We also do not recommend high-heeled shoes - there is nowhere to wear them. The most important thing is to take comfortable and light shoes with you and another pair for a change, in case of rain. The dress code in New Zealand is casual. The further south you go, the more relaxed people are. We walk in flip-flops or barefoot on the street and in shops. The dress code along the entire route is sporty and comfortable. We do not recommend taking umbrellas, unless they are foldable and small, but usually there is a strong wind everywhere, so it is best to take raincoats.
Shops. The choice of goods in New Zealand is limited. Good shoes and clothes can only be found in expensive boutiques, cheap things are not as refined and high-quality as in Europe or USA. It will take a lot of time to choose, and expectations of good shopping will not be met. Fashion in New Zealand is specific, different from other parts of the world, especially Europe, so it will take a lot of time to find a good thing. Worth visiting shops can only be found in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and sometimes in Queenstown. You will be pleased with the presence of a large number of souvenirs and products for tourists.
What to bring from New Zealand? The most "New Zealand souvenirs" are wool products, including sheepskins, jewelry made of jade (Greenstone) or Paua mother-of-pearl shell, healing Manuka honey, as well as honey tinctures, wines, Maori wood products, chocolate with pieces of kiwi fruit, toys in the form of a kiwi bird.
Opening hours of shops and banks. Shops are usually open from 9 am to 5 pm. Some supermarkets extend their opening hours until 10 pm and in rare cases until 12 am. Many bars and restaurants close at midnight, some continue to operate until 2 am and very few (mainly in Queenstown) - at 4 am. Their opening hours are regulated by the laws. Banks are open from 08:30 - 09:00 AM to 4:00 - 5:00 PM, but ATMs work around the clock.
Pharmacies. Very few medicines can be bought without a prescription. If you need any particular medicines, it is better to take your own from home. Otherwise, to get a prescription, you must visit a New Zealand GP who does not work on weekends. Pharmacies operate in the same mode as shops, but in large cities there are round-the-clock pharmacies.
Tips. It is not necessary to give them, but in restaurants they will be gratefully accepted, although the waiters do not expect them.
Transport. If you have not ordered the services of a guide-driver, then to move around the city we recommend using taxi services (Uber is the best option). The bus system works great in Auckland and Wellington. In Christchurch, buses run at long intervals and are often late. Intercity bus services are provided by InterCity.
If you rent a car in New Zealand and drive yourself, be sure to bring your international license or have your driver's license translated into English. The translation must be certified by a licensed translator.
Mobile communication and Internet. We recommend that you use the Airalo service or similar and install an e-sim at home in advance, buy a New Zealand tariff by selecting the required number of gigabytes, and activate it after arriving in New Zealand. To do this, your phone must support e-sim cards.
As for the free wi-fi zone, you will find them in hotels, cafes and restaurants, tour operator offices.
To call New Zealand, dial +64 + city code + phone number.
Emergency number 111. If you suddenly forget it, dial 911 - this phone also works, especially for foreigners.
Safety. New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world. We have low crime and traffic accident rates. However, do not neglect the basic safety rules:
Be sure to get health insurance before your trip.
Buckle up in the car. This will help not only save your money when meeting with the police, but most importantly save your life in case of an accident.
Be mindful about hikes. Plan them carefully in advance with a guide or on your own, choosing the optimal level of physical activity.
If you are planning extreme activities, make sure that you have no medical contraindications: cardiovascular diseases or diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
We wish you a pleasant and safe journey!
What to take with you to New Zealand
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