What language is spoken in NZ?
English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand. New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and you may hear many other languages spoken, including Maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.

Will I need a visa?
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.

Visa Exemptions
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:
• A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
• An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
• An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
• A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand.

Visa Waivers
Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a Visitor's Visa for stays less than three months.

You do require:
• A passport that is valid for at least three months after your
  planned departure from New Zealand
• An onward or return ticket to a country that you have permission to enter
• Sufficient money to support yourself during your stay
  - approximately NZ$1000 per month per person

Your travel agent, airline or nearest New Zealand Embassy will also be able to advise you if you require a visa. British citizens and other British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the UK may be allowed to stay in New Zealand for up to six months.

What is New Zealand’s unit of currency?
New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2; notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.
All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travellers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.

Banking
Banks are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls.

International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. Check with your bank before leaving home.

Smoking

Please note, due to New Zealand's smokefree laws, you are not permitted to smoke indoors in most places. This includes workplaces, restaurants and bars.

Goods and Services Tax
All goods and services are subject to a 12.5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.

How Much Will it Cost?
Here is a general guide of what you can expect to pay in New Zealand for a few common items:
Approx
A hotel breakfast NZ$10 - $25
Dinner (3-course, no wine) NZ$20 - $50
Lunch snack/sandwich NZ$5 - $10
Cafe lunch NZ$10 - $15.00
A postcard stamp to anywhere abroad NZ$1.50
Big Mac Hamburger NZ$3.95
Cappuccino NZ$2.50 - $3
Kodak Film, 36 exposures NZ$7.95

Tipping and Service Charges
New Zealanders do not expect tips for normal service - even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for extra special service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.

What is the exchange rate between my country’s currency and the NZ dollar?
Click here for an international currency converter. Please note rates may vary slightly in your home country or here in New Zealand.

Is there somewhere I can change or get money at the airport?
Automatic teller machines are located in the main terminal, one next to the Travelex counter on level 1, another on level 0 between the baggage belts.

Foreign exchange services are also available from Travelex. The transaction fee for up to NZD $500 is $5.00. For all amounts over NZD $500 the fee is 1% of the total. Travellers’ cheques and most major currencies are available at Travelex. Remember to leave yourself extra time at the airport to conduct your transactions. The Travelex counter is open during all international flight times.

How do I get from the airport to the James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel?

Taxi
Taxi stands are located directly outside the ground floor entrance of the terminal. There are two taxi ranks one dedicated rank for Wellington Combined Taxis, and the other rank for all taxis, provided the driver has a licence to operate at Wellington airport.

Wellington airport is 15 minutes drive from the city centre. A taxi fare should cost around NZ$20-30.The most reliable companies are Wellington Combined Taxis and Corporate Cabs.

Shuttle
There are door to door shuttle vans - the stop is located on the ground floor immediately outside the terminal (southern end of building). There are several shuttle companies providing door-to-door transport services and the fare into the city should cost around NZ$12-14.

Airport Bus
There is an airport bus called the Stagecoach Flyer which will bring you into the city. The bus stop is located on the ground level, at the southern end of the terminal. Look out for the bright orange signs as you come out of the terminal. The bus stops at various suburbs on the way into Wellington and then at all normal bus stops through the city centre. Ask the driver to stop you at the Lambton Quay stop nearest to the James Cook Arcade which provides lift access to the hotel.
The bus departs from airport to the city on Mon-Fri approximately every 30 minutes, from 7.20am to 8.20pm, Sat, Sun and public holidays – approximately every hour, from 7.50am to 9.50am. Every 30 minutes from 9.50am to 6.50pm. Every hour from 6.50pm to 8.50pm.
The fare from the airport to the city is NZ$4.50 for adults and $2.50 for children.

Rental Car
Four rental car companies are represented at Wellington airport. These are Avis, Budget Rent A Car, Hertz and Thrifty Car Rentals. Their booths are located on the ground floor of the main terminal building.

What will the weather be like when I am in Wellington?
Wellington (and New Zealand as a whole) has a moderate climate. During March and April in Wellington you can expect average temperatures between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius and rainfall of between 90-100 millimetres per month.
Here are some other statistics on Wellington’s weather:

Sunshine hours:
More than 2035 hours per year.
Sunniest main centre in 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2002
Temperature:
• Mean daily maximum in summer (January) 20.3 C 69F
• Mean daily minimum in summer 13.4 C 56F
• Mean daily maximum in winter (July) 11.3 C 52F
• Mean daily minimum in winter 6.2C 43F
• Annual rainfall mean 1249mm
(Source: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research)

Do I need any vaccinations?
No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.

When are the public holidays in New Zealand?
New Years Day: 1 January
Day after New Years Day: 2 January
Wellington Anniversary Day: 3rd Monday in January
Waitangi Day: 6 February
Good Friday: 25 March (for 2004)
Easter Monday: 28 March (for 2004)
ANZAC Day: 25 April
Queen's Birthday: 1st Monday in June
Labour Day: 4th Monday in October
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December

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