Travel Tips

Money

New Zealand is a relatively safe place to carry reasonable amounts of cash, and currency is easy to exchange. Otherwise, most travellers will find major credit cards are commonly accepted in most places.

Currency

New Zealand Dollar - $ NZD

New Zealand's banknotes all feature eminent people from the country's history and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars.

The New Zealand dollar is made up of 100 cents - there are coins in denominations of 10 cents (copper coloured), 20 and 50 cents (both silver coloured) and 1 and 2 dollars (gold coloured). They all feature various emblems, flora and fauna - the kiwi adorns the one dollar coin.

Changing Your Money

The currencies of Australia, the UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Japan are all easily changed in New Zealand. Moneychangers (bureaux de change) can be found in most major tourist areas and airports. You'll have no trouble with the major travellers cheques and credit cards are commonly accepted. Banks will give cash advances on Visa and MasterCard, but for American Express card transactions you must go to an American Express office. Most ATMs offer access to overseas savings accounts via networks such as Cirrus, Maestro and Plus.

Money Tips

It's possible to travel economically in New Zealand. Budget travellers can expect to get by on less than US$40.00 a day if camping or staying in hostels and self-catering. Motor camps and motels all have kitchens for guests' use, so staying in these also gives you the option of doing your own cooking. One of the main reasons people come to New Zealand is to participate in the activities the country is known for. Some cost nothing - tramping, swimming, birdwatching - but as so many enjoyable activities are expensive, they can end up being a major part of your travel budget. If you stay in hotels, eat at restaurants and spend money on rafting, bungy jumping and the like, be prepared to outlay about US$100.00 a day.

Sample Price Guide

Glass of local tap beer

$3.80 NZD

Litre of petrol

$2.00 NZD

Small bottle of water

$2.50 NZD

Small bottle of beer

$3.50 NZD

Souvenir T-shirt

$20.00 NZD

Meat pie

$3.00 NZD

Cup of coffee

$3.50 NZD

Movie ticket

$15.00 NZD

Motel / hotel double

$100.00 NZD

Tipping

Tipping is becoming more widespread in New Zealand, principally in the major centres where there's been more foreign influence. However, it's certainly not expected in any restaurant. You should tip 5-10% of the bill in a restaurant (not in a simple café) if you feel you have received exceptional service.

Time differences

New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). As a rule of thumb we’re usually about 12 hours ahead of the UK. 

In summer New Zealand uses ‘daylight saving’, with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. 

Daylight saving begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the third Sunday of the following March, when clocks are put back to GMT+12. We do this so that we can enjoy more of the summer sun into the evening – brilliant!

To find out the exact time in New Zealand click here now.

Public holidays

Shops are closed on Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day and ANZAC Day until 1pm.

• Christmas Day and Boxing Day: 25th and 26th December
• New Year: 1st - 2nd January
• Waitangi Day: 6th February
• Good Friday and Easter Monday: 21st March and 24th March
• ANZAC Day: 25th April
• Queen's Birthday: 2nd June
• Labour Day: 27th October

Safety

New Zealand is one of the safest travel destinations in the world, with a low crime rate, few endemic diseases and an excellent healthcare and accident compensation system. However we still recommend you observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions as you would in any other country, or at home:

• Invest in travel insurance before leaving home
• Avoid walking in isolated, unlit areas at night
• Carry a basic first-aid kit for use in emergencies
• Report any theft and crime to the police immediately. In an emergency Fire, Police, Ambulance, Search & Rescue can all be reached by dialing 111 from any phone, including mobile phones.