Citizens of the EU and numerous other countries do not need a visa to enter the country as a tourist for a period of three months; a passport is sufficient. Before entering the country, however, an entry form has to be filled out. B. is distributed in the aircraft before landing. It is important to ensure that it is filled in correctly, as incorrect information can result in considerable penalties.
Tourists are only allowed to enter the country if a return ticket and sufficient financial means are available to finance a stay.
Local currency, foreign exchange regulations
Local currency
The national currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar (NZD).
1 New Zealand dollar (NZD) = 100 cents.
Local currency import and export
It is allowed to import or export up to 10,000 New Zealand dollars without a declaration. Larger amounts must be registered. Information about their origin may have to be provided.
Entry and exit fee
In many countries, a fee must be paid when leaving the country. The fee for leaving New Zealand is: NZ $ 25. As of October 2019, NZ $ 35 will be charged upon entry.
Goods and Customs Regulations
Customs regulations
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties. Furthermore, the import of the following items is prohibited:
Unprocessed hides, animal hair, etc.
living or dead animals such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds
any kind of insect etc. Ä.
On shoes, e.g. B. on mountain or hiking boots carried along, no residues of earth must adhere. For example, a man over 70 who immigrated to New Zealand at a young age and wanted to bring a potty of soil to New Zealand from his former homeland was sentenced to three years in prison.
Country-specific goods, souvenirs
KeteBraided baskets made from Flax.
Greenstone CarvingsJade carvings in traditional Maori patterns such as fish hooks, tikis or whale fins. The stones are now mass-produced. When buying, you should make sure that the stone does not come from Asia and has not been machined.The greenstone comes from the South Island. They are found in some river beds on the west coast.
Bone CarvingsThe bone carvings were traditionally made from whale bones. Today they are mostly carved from cattle bones.
Manukau oilThe oil of the Mankau tree is good against inflammation, skin wounds and other things.
Manukau honey
SpirulinaThe extract from algae is particularly popular with vegetarians in their diet.
New Zealand wine
Opossum knitwearLately, the fibers of the opossum fur have been spun together with sheep’s wool, from which knitwear such as gloves, scarves, sweaters and other items are made.
Outdoor clothingIn New Zealand you can buy good and inexpensive outdoor clothing.
Maori handicrafts and artsOriginal Maori handicrafts and arts are best bought in the Toiiho galleries. Anyone who would like to find out more in advance can do so at www.toiiho.com.
How do you get to New Zealand?
Most visitors to the country, with the few exceptions of those who arrive in the country by cruise ship or private yacht, will arrive by air. Since New Zealand is on the other side of the earth when viewed from Europe, you can either fly west over the USA or east over Asia.
Depending on the route, the flight time of the trip takes between 24 and 30 hours. The shortest route is through Korea. It is therefore advisable to plan a stopover. You have to change aircraft in any case. As a stop-over city you have a myriad of cities to choose from, depending on the airline you choose. Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Seoul, Sydney are examples here. If you are on the road for a longer period or can buy a youth or student ticket, you should also consider an around-the-world ticket.
Travel in the country
Flight connections
In Wellington and Auckland on the North Island there are international airports with connections to almost every country in the world. Other international airports, often of more regional importance, are located in Hamilton (North Island), Rotorua (North Island), Christchurch (South Island) or Dunedin (South Island). Because of the poor overall transport infrastructure, domestic air traffic plays a major role. As a result, New Zealand has many other domestic airports. There are also numerous small field airfields for private pilots. Flying with private planes is very dangerous because of dangerous winds, numerous mountains, often low-lying clouds and torrential rain. The airline Air New Zealand was approved by the government of the country in 2001 with the stake of around 1 billion.
The official transport network in New Zealand cannot be described as optimal due to the small population:
Bus
Buses play an important role in overland transport alongside the plane. Those who do not have their own car are practically only dependent on buses. There is therefore an extensive bus network with very comfortable buses. Due to the road conditions, bus journeys over longer distances are very tedious. There are many bus companies that cater to the needs of tourists such as B. Kiwiexperience. These also take you to regions that cannot be reached with the regular bus network.
Railroad
The railway network, with a narrow-gauge rail network, is very limited and the connections are usually very time-consuming. There is only one passenger rail connection on the North Island, from Auckland to Wellington, which takes around 11 hours for the 700 km route. The train runs once a day. In the north of the South Island there is another connection from the ferry location Picton via Kaikoura by the sea to Christchurch and from there with another train on a particularly scenic route to Greymouth on the west coast. But these connections, of which there are a few more, are almost only of interest to tourists. As serious traffic connections, the railway lines are of little importance. According to the government’s plans, that should change.
Ferry connections
One of the most important ferry connections is between the North and South Islands across the Cook Strait. It runs from Wellington on the North Island to the small ferry port Pitcon on the South Island. The journey takes about four hours.
Streets
The major connecting roads are well developed and their standard corresponds to German country roads. But since the roads follow the landscape, they are usually very winding and often lead through numerous places. There are overtaking lanes at irregular intervals so that slow moving trucks can be overtaken safely there. In this way, at most, an average speed of 60-70 km per hour can be achieved. So takes z. B. the approx. 350 km long distance from New Plymouth to Auckland around five hours. However, many small roads are gravel and require all-terrain vehicles. Roads that correspond to the German autobahns are only found in the vicinity of the larger cities. Such a road from Auckland to the south is only about 30 km long.
Rental cars
All major rental car providers such as Sixt, Avis, Hertz and others are represented in New Zealand, but there are also small regional providers in almost all towns and cities who usually offer good rental cars at lower prices than the big ones.
There is a large number of RV rental companies in the country, which is a good alternative to a regular rental car. Those who stay longer in the country should consider buying an old car that they will sell again when they leave.
Traffic rules
New Zealand is driving on the left. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information provided here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in the country concerned.
Maximum speeds
In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.
Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h
Country roads: There is a speed limit of 100 km/h on country roads
Motorways: There is a speed limit of 100 km/h on motorways
Special rules for
turning rules ! Left turners must give way to oncoming right turns!
Seat belts are compulsory.
Blood
alcohol limit There is a blood alcohol limit of 0.8 per mille for drivers of motor vehicles.
Cyclists
In New Zealand, helmets are compulsory for cyclists.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, New Zealand’s international license plate is:
NZ
Tourist office
Tourism New Zealand
Level 22, Vodafone House
157 Lambton Quay, Wellington
PO Box 95, Wellington
Tel: 0064 – 4 – 462 8000
www.tourismnewzealand.com
Travel medicine, risks
Infectious Diseases
With one exception, there are no diseases in New Zealand that do not also occur in Germany or in all of Europe. This exception is the occurrence of amoebic meningitis. However, there is almost only a possibility of infection when bathing in the country’s hot springs. When bathing in these springs, the water must not come into contact with the oral and nasal mucous membranes or the eyes. Submerging or even swallowing the water must therefore be avoided in any case.
Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in the country.
Health system
New Zealand’s health system is of a fairly high standard. But for very special therapies, e.g. B. in the case of a number of cancer diseases, autoimmune diseases or organ transplants, the country’s resources are still insufficient, so that in these cases those affected have to be flown to Australia. But good care for accidental injuries or the usual infectious diseases is guaranteed in any case.
safety instructions
Valuables in the car
You shouldn’t leave any valuables in the car! This is especially true in the area around Rotorua and the Tongarino National Park. This is indicated by signs in the parking lots!
Sharks
There are sharks in New Zealand, including great white sharks, although this is often portrayed differently. However, New Zealand has so far been largely spared from shark accidents like those in Australia. If you are unsure, you should ask the locals.
As a rule, one should remember: Wherever there are seals, there are usually sharks.
Incidentally, shark has always been on the menu of the Maoris.
UV radiation
Anyone traveling in New Zealand should be aware that they are moving in an area below the ozone hole and in an atmosphere that is particularly low in dirt particles. The radiation to which you are exposed is correspondingly high, even when the sky is cloudy.
The frequently blowing fresh wind unfortunately often lets the radiation be forgotten. In midsummer, the UV index is 11 on the North Island and 10-11 on the South Island.
The sun is particularly intense between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. During this time you should either dress covered, look for shade or use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 25 or more!
Pedestrians
As a pedestrian you should always be aware that you are in a country in which the driver has the right of way and that enforces this against pedestrians!
Sea currents
If you go swimming on the often very lonely beaches, you should be aware that there can be strong currents and undercurrents, especially on the west coast, which can be life-threatening even for good swimmers!
New Zealand: Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of New Zealand embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of New Zealand in Germany
The New Zealand embassy is located on the fourth floor of the office and commercial building “Atrium Friedrichstrasse, Berlin” at Friedrichstrasse 60 – corner of Leipzigerstrasse in the Berlin-Mitte district. Not far away is the underground station “Stadtmitte” for lines U2 and U6. With a little luck, you can find a parking space in the nearby Kronenstrasse.
Embassy in Berlin
Friedrichstr. 60 (Atrium)
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 2062 10
Email: nzembber@infoem.org
www.nzembassy.com/germany
Consulate General in Hamburg
Domstrasse 19 (Zurich House)
20095 Hamburg
Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 4425550
Email: hamburg@nzte.govt.nz
German representations in New Zealand
Embassy in Wellington
Hobson Street 90-92
Thorndon 6011, Wellington
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
Tel: 0064 – (0) 4 473 60 63
Fax: 0064 – (0) 4 473 60 69
Email: info@wellington.diplo.de
www.wellington. diplo.de In
addition to New Zealand, the German embassy in Wellington is also responsible for:
American Samoa
Cook Islands
Fiji Islands
Kiribati
Niue
Pitcairn
Samoa
Tonga
Tokelau
Tuvalu
German consulates in New Zealand
Region
Contact
North and South Auckla
Consulate in Auckland at41 Shortland StreetPrivate Bag 92093
Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Tel: 0064 – (0) 9 – 357 8718
Email: German.Consulate@heskethhenry.co.nz
Nelson-Marlborough, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago, Southla
Consulate in Christchurch5 Wairarapa Terrace
8014 Christchurch
Tel: 0064 – (0) 3 – 355 7014
Email: theogiesen@ix.net.nz
Austrian representations in New Zealand
Embassy
Austria does not have an embassy of its own in New Zealand, but is represented by 3 consulates. The embassy in Canberra, Australia is responsible.
Embassy in Canberra
12 Talbot Street
Forrest, ACT 2603
PO Box 3375
Manuka, ACT 2603
Tel: 0061 – 2 – 6295 1533
Email: canberra-ob@bmaa.gv.at
www.aussenministerium.at/canberra
www.austria.org.au
In addition to Australia, the Austrian embassy in Canberra is also responsible for:
Fiji Islands
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Samoa
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Consulates in New Zealand
Region
Contact
Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson
Austrian Honorary Consulate General in Wellington75 Ghuznee Street, Level 4,
WellingtonPO Box 9395
Wellington
Tel: 0064 – (0) 4 – 384 1402
Email: austria@vodafone.co.nz
Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty
Austrian Honorary Consulate in Auckland22a William Pickering Drive
North Harbor, 0753 Auckland
Tel: 0064 – (0) 9 – 476 0994
Email: austrianconsulate_auckland@xtra.co.nz
Tasman, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Offshore Islands
Austrian Honorary Consulate in Christchurch19, Joyce Crescent
Ilam, 8041 Christchurch
Tel: 0064-21 440 164
Email: austrianconsulate.christchurch@xtra.co.nz
Representations of New Zealand in Austria
Embassy
New Zealand does not have an embassy of its own in Austria, but is only represented by a consulate. The embassy in Berlin is responsible.
Honorary Consul-General of New Zealand in Vienna
Salesianergasse 15/3
1030 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 318 8505
Email: p.sunley@aon.at
Swiss representations in New Zealand
Embassy in Wellington
10 Customhouse Quay, Level 12
6140 Wellington
PO Box 25004
6146 Wellington
Tel: 0064 – (0) 4 – 472 1593
Email: wel.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
http://www.eda.admin.ch/ wellington In
addition to New Zealand, the Swiss embassy embassy in Wellingtion is also responsible for:
Cook Islands
Fiji Islands
Niue
Samoa
Tonga
Tokelau
Auckland Consulate
100 Bush Road, Unit 5, Building 2
Rosdale, North Shore 0632
PO Box 302239
North Harbor, North Shore 0751
Tel: 0064 – (0) 9 – 366 0403
Representations of New Zealand in Switzerland
Embassy
New Zealand does not have an embassy of its own in Switzerland, but is only represented by a consulate. The embassy in Berlin is responsible.
