Kia Ora ! Welcome to New Zealand
also known as Aotearoa, the "Land Beneath the Long
White Cloud" ! You could come to New Zealand for
a hundred holidays and have a totally different
experience each time. This will weave a spell on
you and leave you enchanted. This is New Zealand.
New Zealand is a South Pacific country with spectacularly
beautiful landscape, located midway between the
Equator and the South Pole, and is approximately
1600 kilometres east of Australia. The island of
New Zealand split off from Gondwanaland approx.
50 million years ago and has since been vigorously
shaped by earth's mantle. New Zealand was first
discovered about 1000 years ago by the great Polynesian
navigator Kupe who sailed here from his homeland
Hawaiki. He named the islands Aotearoa, Land of
the Long White Cloud. Kupe returned to Hawaiki and
left instruction on how to get here. In the legend,
the South Island was Kupe's canoe. Stewart Island
was its anchor and the North Island was the enormous
fish caught by Kupe. About 400 years later Maori
arrived back in Aotearoa with seven great canoes
and began to populate the North Island. The Dutchman
Abel Tasman landed in 1642, charted part of the
coastline and named it Staten land, believing it
was part of the Australian continent. When his mistake
was discovered the country was renamed Nieuw Zeeland.
New Zealand is made up of two main islands, the
North Island and the South Island, and numerous
smaller offshore islands. The total area is 268,680
sq. km (103,740 sq. miles. The coastline is 15,135
km (9,405 miles). It is the largest nation closest
to the International dateline. Comparable in size
and / or shape to Great Britain, Colorado and Japan,
New Zealand has a population of only 4 million -
making it one of the world's least crowded countries.
English and Maori are the official languages, although
English is the common language of everyday use.
It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation
and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill
seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with
relatively small seasonal variation makes it a year-round
holiday destination.
New Zealand is more than a holiday destination;
it's a state of mind. The nation enjoys image as
a clean and green land with magnificent mountains
and waterways, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines,
deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests. There
is much more to New Zealand than its natural beauty,
this country is also a dynamic 21st century society
with sophisticated cities, diverse economy and a
vibrant arts and cultural life.
"If Oscars were awarded for location, New Zealand
would scoop the lot," says Clive Irving
of Conde Naste Traveller. From Hollywood to Bollywood
New Zealand landscape is hauntingly evoked in over
150 feature films like Lord of the Rings, The Last
Samurai, Perfect Strangers, Whale Rider, The Piano,
Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Heaven, Vigil, Rain, Heavenly
Creatures, Willow, The Rescue, The Returning etc.
to name a few. Hollywood blockbuster "Vertical Limit" was made in New Zealand. TV series Hercules and
Xena were also made here.
Getting to New Zealand
New Zealand is a 3.5 hour flight from Eastern Australia,
a non-stop overnight flight from the United States,
and around 10 hours flight from most places on the
Pacific Rim, like Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Passports and Visas
Arrivals and Departures
New Zealand Visitor Information
Road Information and Climate
Health, Medical and Insurance
Health, Medical and Insurance
General Insurance and Safety
New Zealand is one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. However, you are advised to observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions as you would in any other country or at home. We recommend you invest in comprehensive travel insurance before departing.
Health and Medical Insurance
New Zealand is a country without snakes or dangerous wild animals, making it safe for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. New Zealand's public and private medical / hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service but it is important to note these services are not free, except as a result of an accident. We strongly advise you to arrange your own health insurance.
Visitors bringing in a quantity of medication are advised to have a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with Customs. Doctor's prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in New Zealand.
No vaccinations are needed to enter New Zealand.
Accident Compensation Scheme
Visitors to New Zealand are covered under the local Accident Compensation Scheme for personal injury by accident. Benefits include some medical and hospital expenses, but do not include loss of earnings outside New Zealand. We therefore recommend your travel insurance policy also covers accidents.
Accident Advice for Visitors
A 24 Hour private service called Accident Info Services can advise visitors to New Zealand on how best to access New Zealand's health system should they have an accident or need medical attention for an illness. Telephone +649 529-0488. No prior arrangements need to be made. For free information on the service once you are in New Zealand, telephone 0800 263-345.
Safety Precautions
Although there are no snakes or dangerous wild animals in New Zealand, you should be aware of the following:
- Bites and Stings - There is no dangerous wildlife; no snakes, and only two poisonous spiders, the katipo and the white tailed spider. Bites are serious but rarely fatal.
- Variable Weather - Weather conditions in New Zealand alpine areas can change rapidly. Be prepared for cold wet weather if you plan to walk in our National Parks, whatever the time of year.
- Sunburn - New Zealand's clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe or North America, so be prepared to wear hats and sun block if you plan to be out in the sun for more than 15-20 minutes.
Health Services
Public and private health facilities have a high standard of treatment and care. Larger hotels and motels often have a local doctor on call; otherwise, doctors and other medical services are listed in the front of the telephone directory.
Pharmaceuticals and Medicines
Available from chemists during normal shopping hours. Most cities have urgent dispensaries open outside these hours, listed in the front of the telephone book under Hospitals. Chemists also sell cosmetics and insect and sun protections. A certificate for Customs is advised if visitors plan to bring pharmaceuticals into the country. Many drugs sold over the counter in other countries are often not available without a prescription.
Provisions for Travellers with Special Needs
It is best to check availability prior to arrival, or to contact the nearest Disability Resource Centre (phone numbers given below) which will have a list of the accessible facilities and services in your chosen destination. Some major carriers have excellent provision for people with disabilities, but all prefer advance notice of your access needs so they may prepare in advance.
If you are an overseas tourist and propose to acquire and use a car for your stay Mobility Parking Permits are available from branches of New Zealand CCS, which are in all the main centres. Addresses are on their website www.ccs.org.nz. Some documentation may be required to verify your disability (medical certificate etc). These permits also allow parking in other time-limited parking areas for an extra period that varies with each local parking authority. These concessions do not apply in privately owned parking facilities.
Under New Zealand law, guide and hearing dogs may accompany you anywhere there is public access. Tourists from the UK, Australia, Sweden, Singapore, Ireland, Hawaii and Norway do not have quarantine restrictions on service dogs. Animals from other countries must complete up to six months preparation in the country of origin before arriving in New Zealand. Further information can be obtained from Disability Resource Centres. Enable New Zealand, National Office : Ph: 0-6-952 0011 Email: info@enable.co.nz
