Good to know

Internet & wifi

Wifi and internet is widely available in all cities, restaurants, bars and hotels. However, internet coverage is very limited once you are heading into nature. If you want to stay connected, you will have to purchase a Sim card for your device.

Sim cards in New Zealand are fairly expensive in general, and it is worth shopping around to find out which provider offers the best data plan for you. Options are Vodafone, NZ Travel SIM, 2degrees or Spark, all offering several different data plans. Sim cards can either be purchased in stores or via the company’s websites.

Getting around

Options to get to and from downtown Wellington to the airport include public busses, shuttles, taxis and app-based pick up services.

Metlink is responsible for all public transport services within Welllington and the surrounding region. Transport options with Metlink include public busses, rail service and a vast ferry transport network, connecting the city with the Hutt Valley, Porirua, the Kāpiti Coast and the Wairarapa.

The best way to discover New Zealand is by car or camper (also known as motorhomes in NZ). Car and camper rental companies are conveniently located at or near most airports.

Bus travel is a convenient and cost-effective way to discover NZ for visitors who don’t want to drive themselves. A wide range of bus companies connect all cities with each other throughout the country.

For visitors with a limited amount of time, flying within NZ is easy and affordable. The country hosts many international and domestic airports, making it convenient to get to or near your desired destination quickly.

The North and South islands are connected by regular ferry connections, with the ferry ride taking 3.5 hours. The route is served by Interislander and Bluebridge.

New Zealand offers some absolutely spectacular rail journeys, including the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific and TanzAlpine routes among others

Money

Credit card payments can be done everywhere in New Zealand, be it at restaurants, public transport or shops. ATM’s are common anywhere in New Zealand in case cash is needed. New Zealand’s currency is the New Zealand Dollar.

Safety

New Zealand in general is a safe country for visitors to travel. However, some precaution and common sense is advised. As everywhere, single woman should be cautious at night and avoid dark streets and isolated places.

Medical & healthcare

Medical facilities in New Zealand are good, but please be aware that evacuations in case of an emergency in a remote area, especially in mountainous regions, can be lengthy and difficult due to the terrain.
It is recommended to obtain a travel health insurance before traveling to New Zealand to cover any eventual costs.

Visas & immigration

Most nationalities do not require visas for visiting New Zealand. Foreign nationals who require a visa to enter New Zealand must apply and obtain it in advance at a New Zealand embassy. If you are not sure about the requirements for your country, please visit the official New Zealand immigration website. The link can be found on the New Zealand country page under Immigration & Transport.

Passports and travel documents must be valid for more than three months beyond the intended visiting period. All visitors need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) in advance. The process is simple, fast and costs a small fee. ETA’s are valid for 5 years. You can apply for the ETA on New Zealand’s official immigration website.

In order to enter New Zealand, visitors need to show proof of a double Covid-19 vaccination, as well as a negative PCR Test not older than 72 hours when entering. Please note that requirements might change overnight, and it is recommended to visit the official immigration website for updates before travelling to New Zealand.

Tourist information

Travolution360 tries its best to cover as much as possible, but it is always worth to stop and visit a tourist information, as they have spezialized knowledge of the area and can often point out places and events that are not well known to a broader audience. And, of course, engage yourself in conversations with fellow travellers, as the best information is by word of mouth.