Language: The official languages are English and Maori.
Currency: Local currency is the
New Zealand Dollar (NZD), divided into 100 cents. Most businesses accept
MasterCard and Visa, and while
Diners Club and
American Express are also widely accepted in the main tourist centers, they might have limited acceptance elsewhere. Travelers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some hotels. ATMs can be found in all towns and cities.
Time: Local time is GMT +12 (GMT +13 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March).
Electricity: Electrical current
is 230 volts, 50Hz. Oblique flat blade plugs are standard.
Communications: The international access code for New Zealand is +64. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0061 for
Australia). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)9 for
Auckland and (0)4 for the
Wellington region.
Vodafone offers GSM 900 coverage in and around the main cities and popular holiday areas. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty Free: Travelers to New Zealand over 17 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, or a proportionate mix of these; 1.125 liters or 1 liter spirits or liqueurs, and 4.5 liters wine, port or sherry, or 4.5 liters beer. Goods exceeding the allowances must be declared. Personal effects not dutiable include items such as jewelry, binoculars, portable radios, prams, camping equipment, cameras and video cameras. Prohibited items include concealed firearms, foodstuffs, animals, plants and plant products. It is forbidden to export Greenstone, Maori antiquities and Paua shells (unless they are products manufactured from such shells).
Tourist OfficeTourism New Zealand, Wellington: +64 (0)4 917 5400 or www.newzealand.com/travel
EmergencyEmergencies: 111
Embassies
New Zealand Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 328 4800.
New
Zealand High Commission,
London, United Kingdom (also responsible for
Ireland): +44 (0)20 7930 8422.
New Zealand High Commission,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 238 5991.
New Zealand High Commission,
Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6270 4211.
New Zealand High Commission,
Pretoria,
South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 8656.
United States Embassy, Wellington: +64 (0)4 462 6000.
British High Commission, Wellington: +64 (0)4 924 2888.
Canadian High Commission, Wellington: +64 (0)4 473 9577.
Australian High Commission, Wellington: +64 (0)4 473 6411.
Honorary
Consulate of New Zealand, Wellington: +64 (0)4 234 8006.
Honorary Consul General of Ireland, Auckland: +64 (0)9 977 2252.
