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DESTINATION GUIDE: NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand

Kia Ora, welcome to New Zealand (Aotearoa)!

The land of white-capped peaks, swathes of green, vibrant culture and exceptional cuisine, a visit to the islands of New Zealand is every adventurer’s dream.

Primarily known for its deep-rooted cultural practices, exceptional skiing, breath-taking Fjords and movie sets such as Hobbiton, New Zealand is the perfect place to visit for solo travellers, couples, families and elderly groups, offering a wide range of tourist opportunities to suit every interest.

Whether you’re looking to visit for a short trip or a long trip, experience the country via cruise, road trip or flight, learn more about New Zealand and the packages we offer below.

POPULATION: 5.2 million

PRIMARY LANGUAGE: English

PRIMARY CURRENCY: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Visit the New Zealand government website for more information.

Climate

Broken up into the North Island and the South Island, New Zealand experiences two distinct climate types depending on which island you visit:

The North Island experiences a mainly warm, subtropical climate, boasting beautiful beaches, ancient rainforests, surging waterfalls and geothermal experiences unlike anywhere else in the world. It’s better to visit the north island if you want to enjoy the beaches, culture and many hiking trails.

The South Island is comparatively much cooler, experiencing cooler, more temperate climates in areas lower to Sea Level and alpine conditions in the popular Alpine Regions. The South Island is better for those who want to indulge in more Adventure Activities including Skiing, White Water Rafting or challenging Hikes.

Capital Cities

New Zealand is one unified state made up of two islands, with one Capital City – Wellington. Located right on the bottom tip of the North Island, Wellington is one of New Zealand’s major commercial centres, and the third largest city in New Zealand.

As a tourist destination, Wellington has a lot to offer – boasting a harbour with cruise terminal, cable car, planetarium and more, visitors to the Windy City can spend the day exploring the region via bike, on foot or via car, before visiting one of the many local eateries to enjoy local cuisine.

Outside of Wellington, New Zealand also has several other key cities including Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and Queenstown, with over 3 million tourists visiting the locations each year.

GET INSPIRED

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PLAN YOUR TRIP

Discover our range of holiday packages for your next adventure!

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Home to incredible birdlife, bubbling geothermal guizers, mountainous snow regions and beautiful beaches, a trip to New Zealand has plenty to offer everyone. While the country is generally laid-back, if you want to make the most of your trip, there are a few pieces of insider knowledge you should know:

Hire a Car – New Zealand is a fairly large island, with cities and towns that are fairly spread out. While there is some Public Transport and Shuttle Busses available to and from key locations, if you want to explore further than a short distance from where you’re staying, it’s best to hire a car.
Explore Māori Culture – It’s unique to New Zealand and New Zealand’s culture, history and heritage is, to this day, still deeply rooted in Māori traditions. We recommend taking the time to visit a Māori village, sample traditional hangi food or learn some arts and crafts from the local people.
Pack for all weather – New Zealand’s weather can be wild and somewhat unpredictable, so it pays to pack a jacket and sunscreen no matter what time you visit to make sure you’re covered for any scenario.
Bring Hiking Shoes – Even if you don’t plan on going hiking, New Zealand is covered in short and long hiking trails that lead to some of the most beautiful and untouched areas in the country. New Zealand also has plenty of great riverside and beachside walking paths that are well worth exploring if you want to avoid hills!
Don’t worry about tipping – Prices in New Zealand already include the relevant service charges, so while you can tip if you feel the service was exceptional, it’s not necessary.

FAQ’s

When is the best season to visit New Zealand?

The best time to visit New Zealand depends on what you want to do while you’re over there. December to March are the best times to visit if you want to enjoy the outdoor activities available, go on a road trip or explore Hobbiton and other tourist places. If you want to hit the slopes in Queenstown, we recommend visiting between July to September to ensure you get good snow.

Where are the best places to visit in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a country of rugged landscapes, vibrant culture and unforgettable adventure. The best places to visit depend on what you want to do – we recommend visiting Queenstown for skiing, Fiordland National Park for waterfalls and wildlife, Rotorua for cultural experiences and Bay of Islands for beautiful beaches and walks.

If you’re not sure where to visit or how to make the most of your trip, get in touch with our Travel Agents.

Where should I visit to ski New Zealand?

New Zealand is lucky enough to boast a handful of incredible ski resorts perfect for snow enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. On the bottom end of the South Island and a short drive from Queenstown, the Remarkables and Coronet Peak are by far the most popular ski resorts to visit, however if you’re after somewhere that’s slightly less crowded, we also recommend Cardrona.

What documents do I need to enter New Zealand?

Before you visit New Zealand, it’s important you ensure you have the right documentation and visa (if required) to enter the country. Anyone entering New Zealand is required to hold a valid passport, and you may require an NZeTA – We recommend checking with New Zealand Immigration or our Travel Agents to ensure you get the right information.

Is New Zealand safe to visit?

New Zealand is a safe place to visit for singles, couples, families and elderly travellers alike. We always recommend caution and remaining vigilant while travelling overseas, however no specific safety measures are required, and Kiwi’s will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Is English spoken in New Zealand?

The official languages of New Zealand are English and Māori, and you should have no issues communicating while visiting the country.

Is New Zealand expensive?

New Zealand is typically classified as a more expensive country to visit, as you’re more likely to require domestic flights or a car rental to get around. Tourist activities are also often more expensive in New Zealand. However, budget accommodation is still available, and we recommend speaking to our Travel Agents about tailoring a trip to New Zealand that maximises your budget.