Preparing Your Trip to New Zealand
New Zealand is a huge world of adventure that will never leave you, even if you have already left it. This exotic country is characterized by a mild climate and a large amount of precipitation. This country is ideal for tourists who do not tolerate the summer heat and tenderly love nature.
The local nature is rich in green hills dotted with sheep, snow-capped mountains, stunning lakes. But the main asset of the country is the local culture of the Maori people. Traditions still play an important role in their lives and amaze tourists with their uniqueness.
Make sure to buy the local currency in advance.
New Zealand has its national currency. The New Zealand dollar is slightly cheaper than the US dollar. In most European countries, it is not sold. US dollars, as well as the currencies of key Asian countries, are freely exchanged in any bank in New Zealand.
Where can a tourist stay?
Travelers who fly to the edge of the world for hiking and trekking rarely choose to stay in five-star hotels.
It is impossible to put a tent where you want – offenders are punished by local law. But there are well-developed camping sites – territories where you can stop by car, check-in a tent or a house, and use common facilities: kitchen, showers, toilet, and laundry.
Campgrounds are very convenient when the route involves constant movement: I spent the night, had breakfast, loaded my things back into the car, and drove on to the next attractions. It is better to book and pay for accommodation 5-6 months before the trip-especially if you are traveling in high season.
Don’t even think about bringing your food to New Zealand!
Food is something that should not be taken to New Zealand. The total ban applies to vegetables and fruits — with them you can bring rare diseases to the territory of the country and displace local species. If the banned person is seen at the baggage inspection, they will be fined 400 New Zealand dollars.
Protect your skin from excessive sunburn.
New Zealand is a country of high solar activity. Even in late autumn, when the temperature outside is +15-18 degrees, on a cloudless and sunny day, you can burn out in a couple of hours. Skin cancer is one of the most common diseases here.
Consider the time difference.
In New Zealand, the clock is moved twice a year: on the first Sunday in April, 1 hour back, and on the last Sunday in September, 1 hour forward. Timely acclimatization of the body of tourists is relatively difficult here: it takes from 2 to 7 days to rebuild the body for an unusual time of sleep and travel.
In New Zealand, the Internet is quite expensive and unstable.
Slow online communication is among the key causes of concern for the local population 🙂 You need to know about this and be prepared for it. Especially if you plan to book hotels or cars “on the road”.
Study the schedule of New Zealand shops, companies, and government services.
In New Zealand, business hours are usually from 7 am to 4-5 pm. After 5 pm, you need to be prepared for the fact that there will be difficulties with currency exchange, lunch in a cafe, buying groceries or refueling a car, and even with checking into a local (non-network, international) hotel or hostel (if you plan to arrive after 20 hours – it is better to inform about this in advance).
On national or religious holidays in New Zealand, EVERYTHING is closed: on Queen’s Day or Easter, for example, it is legally prohibited to work.
What types of New Zealand visas are available?
As in most other countries, New Zealand visas are classified into several types:
Guest visa. Allows you to come to the country to visit friends or relatives, to take training courses (up to 3 months). Duration of stay – up to 9 months.
Weaver visitor. Allows you to travel around the country for 3 months. To get it, it is enough to have tickets in both directions and a sufficient amount of money in the account.
Student visa. It is issued to students for a period of up to 4 years. At the same time, it allows you to earn extra money.
Residence permit. Grants the right to reside and work in New Zealand.
Transit visa. Allows you to make a connecting flight at airports in New Zealand.
Medical visa. It is necessary for those tourists who plan to undergo treatment in New Zealand.
A few years ago, the rules for obtaining a tourist and transit visa were simplified – NZeTA appeared.
NZeTA is the key to fast and comfortable travel to New Zealand.
A few years ago, the New Zealand government introduced an electronic permit system to encourage tourism. From October 1, 2019, all tourists, including citizens of countries on the visa-free list, residents of Australia, cruise ship passengers, as well as transit passengers, will be required to have an electronic entry permit (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization, or NZeTA).
Unlike a visa, processing an NZeTA does not require a long wait. Processing of an application for an electronic pass can take a maximum of 72 hours, although there have been cases when the response to the request came within 10 minutes. You can apply on Natvisa by paying a small visa fee.
Who is suitable for NZeTA?
People visiting from a visa-free country – that is, a country whose passport holders are not required to obtain a visa before arriving in New Zealand
Tourists traveling on a passport from a transit country without a visa, and who will be transiting through the transit lounge of Auckland International Airport on their way to another country.
What do you need to register for NZeTA?
To obtain the NZeTA, you will need the following documents:
- A foreign passport valid for at least another 3 months after leaving New Zealand,
- Credit or debit card,
- Email address.
A traveler applying for NZeTA should not have a criminal record or deportation from the territory of other states.
Persons who may be considered a threat to the safety, public order, or public interest of New Zealand include persons who have committed sexual offenses or are associated with organized criminal groups.
New Zealand seems far away and hard to reach, but in fact, it is not difficult to organize an exciting trip there. The main thing is to book flights, cars, and accommodation in advance, as well as to familiarize yourself with all local prohibitions and laws.
