Travel Information and Key Facts of New Zealand www.eske-style.co.nz

Visitor Information

Getting to know the little things before travelling to your destination is a key for a successful holiday experience.
Eske Style hopes that the information on this Key Facts about New Zealand page helps you.

Airports Disability Access Driving in New Zealand Electricity Estimated Flight Times Holiday Dates International Driving Licenses & Permits
Laptops Mobile Telephones Public Telephones Shop Trading Hours Smoking Vaccinations Health and safety Visa, Immigration and Services

New Zealand's Geography

New Zealand is situated in the Pacific Ocean with its nearest neighbour Australia being 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) away. The two main islands of New Zealand the North and the South Islands, make up the major part of this country. It has combined land area totaling 270,000 square kilometres (104,000 square miles). At any one point, the coastline is only a two hour drive from any part in New Zealand, and you could drive the length of each island within 14 hours, but to experience the country with its many interesting and exciting places would take much longer.

The capital city of New Zealand is Wellington and is where the parliament building, the Beehive is situated. The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland. With roughly a population just over four million in New Zealand three quarters of the population resides in the North Island.

New Zealand generally has a mild climate, with mild temperatures, moderate rainfall and major hours of sunshine. The Far North of New Zealand experiences a subtropical climate during the summer season and the alpine areas of the South Island, experience temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius in winter.
New Zealand’s Summer Season is during the months of December, January, and February where the temperature can range between 20-30ºC. Winter Season is during the months of June, July and August where the temperature can range between 10-15ºC. The Autumn Season is during months of March, April and May and Spring months are September, October and November. You can check out New Zealand’s weather conditions by visiting the New Zealand Met Service Website.

Throughout New Zealand their is one time zone. (GMT +12)

Estimated Flight Times from;

Eastern Australia - three and a half hours.
Pacific Rim - 10 hours.
Los Angeles to Auckland - 13 hours.
London to Auckland - 26 hours.

Important Holiday Dates

Holiday dates for New Zealand are;
Christmas Day 25th December.
Boxing Day 26th December.
New Years Day 1st of January.
Waitangi Day 6th of February.
ANZAC Day the 25th of April.

Our other holiday days are;
Good Friday and Easter Monday is held either mid March to late April.
Queens Birthday is held on the first Monday of June.
Labour Day is held on the fourth Monday of October.

Visa,Immigration & Permits

View the Visa Immigration & Permits page for the information that can assist you in your enquiry.

Airports

International airports based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch house all international flights from all countries. The Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Dunedin airports take flights from Australia
Our International airports have bank branches with foreign exchange facilities.. There are self-service information booths that dispense free brochures with information regarding accommodation, city guides and maps.

Transport from the airport obtained through taxi, airport bus, shuttle-van, and rental car. Bargaining and tipping are not practiced with our taxi service and fare meters are used to calculate the fare.

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International Driving Licenses and Permits

If you have a current driver's license from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP) you can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months. All drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their license or permit at all times when driving.

You can only drive the vehicle type you are licensed to drive in your home country. Ensure that your driver license is current. Please also have an English translation with you of your license or IDP. Contact your local automobile club to help you with that information.
The legal age to rent a car in New Zealand is 21 years.

Vaccinations

You are not required to be vaccinated before travelling to New Zealand.

Health & Safety

All information that you may seek, can be seen on the Health & Safety page.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. 110 volt ac sockets for electric razors are available in most motels and hotels. Power sockets only accept flat 3 or 2-pin plugs.

Driving in New Zealand

Key points to driving and riding on New Zealand roads are:

Keep to the left hand side of the road.
We measure our distances and speed in kilometres (kilometers)
Always give way to traffic approaching or crossing from your right when turning left
Always stop at a RED light
Open road, motorway or highway the speed limit is 100 kilometres (km/h) or approximately 60 miles per hour (mp/h)
Built up areas ( towns) the speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour (km/h)
Seat belts to be worn by every person in the vehicle
Our drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced, so we suggest that you refrain from drinking alcohol prior to driving in New Zealand
Helmets are to be worn at all times when riding a motorcycle or bicycle
Headlights must be on at all times when riding a motorcycle (motorbike)
Bicycles at night are required to have rear and front lights
It is prohibited to cycle or walk on the motorway

New Zealand Land Transport Safety Authority can help you with full details on the New Zealand Road Code and with general motoring information and cycle safety.

Mobile Phones

Please check New Zealand roaming facilities with your phone company before leaving home.

Drinking Water

The quality of New Zealand’s tap water is safe to drink.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all hospitality areas from restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops, casinos and in the work environment.

Laptops

An RJ45 type plug for connecting your laptop into a computer socket, and an adaptor with: flat two or three-point power plug.

Public Telephones

There are three types of public telephones; coin, credit card and phone card. Phone cards can be purchased from most dairies, book stores and petrol stations. The price ranges from $5 to $100 (NZ). Public telephones are located in most towns and suburban areas.

Shops & Trading Hours

Small local shops that sell basic grocery items are referred to as a “Dairy” by New Zealanders.

Common trading hours for shopping is Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm
with late night trading hours extended to 9.00pm either on a Thursday or Friday.
Many stores are open on a Saturday and Sunday but the trading hours differ for each town.
Bank trading hours 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Petrol stations have extended hours of trading.
Automatic Teller Machine “ATM’s” operate 24 hours a day.

Disability Access

Disability access regulations of New Zealand requires that new buildings and major building reconstructions provide ‘reasonable and adequate’ access for people with disabilities.

Most facilities will have access for those people with mobile disabilities. To ensure availability of mobile access, it is best to enquire first.

Most transport operators do cater for people with special needs, but it is recommended to enquire about availability. Some tour operators can provide holiday packages for individuals and groups. Most urban transport buses are not equipped to cater for the disabled.

There are Mobility Parking concessions available for people with disabilities, and temporary display cards can be issued for the length of a visitor's stay. In order to obtain a New Zealand Mobility Parking card, visitors should bring their home mobility card or medical certificate as proof of disability. Most parking areas have parks specifically allocated for the disabled.

Visitor Information Getting to know the little things before travelling to your destination is a key for a successful holiday experience. Eske Style hopes that the information on this Key Facts about New Zealand page helps you. Airports Disability Access Driving in New Zealand Electricity Estimated Flight Times Holiday Dates International Driving Licenses & Permits Laptops Mobile Telephones Public Telephones Shop Trading Hours Smoking Vaccinations Health and safety Visa, Immigration and Services
New Zealand's Geography New Zealand is situated in the Pacific Ocean with its nearest neighbour Australia being 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) away. The two main islands of New Zealand the North and the South Islands, make up the major part of this country. It has combined land area totaling 270,000 square kilometres (104,000 square miles). At any one point, the coastline is only a two hour drive from any part in New Zealand, and you could drive the length of each island within 14 hours, but to experience the country with its many interesting and exciting places would take much longer. The capital city of New Zealand is Wellington and is where the parliament building, the Beehive is situated. The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland. With roughly a population just over four million in New Zealand three quarters of the population resides in the North Island. New Zealand generally has a mild climate, with mild temperatures, moderate rainfall and major hours of sunshine. The Far North of New Zealand experiences a subtropical climate during the summer season and the alpine areas of the South Island, experience temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius in winter. New Zealand’s Summer Season is during the months of December, January, and February where the temperature can range between 20-30ºC. Winter Season is during the months of June, July and August where the temperature can range between 10-15ºC. The Autumn Season is during months of March, April and May and Spring months are September, October and November. You can check out New Zealand’s weather conditions by visiting the New Zealand Met Service Website. Throughout New Zealand their is one time zone. (GMT +12)
Estimated Flight Times from; Eastern Australia - three and a half hours. Pacific Rim - 10 hours. Los Angeles to Auckland - 13 hours. London to Auckland - 26 hours. Important Holiday Dates Holiday dates for New Zealand are; Christmas Day 25th December. Boxing Day 26th December. New Years Day 1st of January. Waitangi Day 6th of February. ANZAC Day the 25th of April. Our other holiday days are; Good Friday and Easter Monday is held either mid March to late April. Queens Birthday is held on the first Monday of June. Labour Day is held on the fourth Monday of October.		Visa,Immigration & Permits View the Visa Immigration & Permits page for the information that can assist you in your enquiry. Airports International airports based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch house all international flights from all countries. The Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Dunedin airports take flights from Australia Our International airports have bank branches with foreign exchange facilities.. There are self-service information booths that dispense free brochures with information regarding accommodation, city guides and maps. Transport from the airport obtained through taxi, airport bus, shuttle-van, and rental car. Bargaining and tipping are not practiced with our taxi service and fare meters are used to calculate the fare. .
International Driving Licenses and Permits If you have a current driver's license from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP) you can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months. All drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their license or permit at all times when driving. You can only drive the vehicle type you are licensed to drive in your home country. Ensure that your driver license is current. Please also have an English translation with you of your license or IDP. Contact your local automobile club to help you with that information. The legal age to rent a car in New Zealand is 21 years.
Vaccinations You are not required to be vaccinated before travelling to New Zealand. Health & Safety All information that you may seek, can be seen on the Health & Safety page. Electricity Electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. 110 volt ac sockets for electric razors are available in most motels and hotels. Power sockets only accept flat 3 or 2-pin plugs.	Driving in New Zealand Key points to driving and riding on New Zealand roads are: Keep to the left hand side of the road. We measure our distances and speed in kilometres (kilometers) Always give way to traffic approaching or crossing from your right when turning left Always stop at a RED light Open road, motorway or highway the speed limit is 100 kilometres (km/h) or approximately 60 miles per hour (mp/h) Built up areas ( towns) the speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour (km/h) Seat belts to be worn by every person in the vehicle Our drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced, so we suggest that you refrain from drinking alcohol prior to driving in New Zealand Helmets are to be worn at all times when riding a motorcycle or bicycle Headlights must be on at all times when riding a motorcycle (motorbike) Bicycles at night are required to have rear and front lights It is prohibited to cycle or walk on the motorway New Zealand Land Transport Safety Authority can help you with full details on the New Zealand Road Code and with general motoring information and cycle safety. Mobile Phones Please check New Zealand roaming facilities with your phone company before leaving home.	Drinking Water The quality of New Zealand’s tap water is safe to drink. Smoking Smoking is prohibited in all hospitality areas from restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops, casinos and in the work environment. Laptops An RJ45 type plug for connecting your laptop into a computer socket, and an adaptor with: flat two or three-point power plug.
	Public Telephones There are three types of public telephones; coin, credit card and phone card. Phone cards can be purchased from most dairies, book stores and petrol stations. The price ranges from $5 to $100 (NZ). Public telephones are located in most towns and suburban areas. Shops & Trading Hours Small local shops that sell basic grocery items are referred to as a “Dairy” by New Zealanders. Common trading hours for shopping is Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm with late night trading hours extended to 9.00pm either on a Thursday or Friday. Many stores are open on a Saturday and Sunday but the trading hours differ for each town. Bank trading hours 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Petrol stations have extended hours of trading. Automatic Teller Machine “ATM’s” operate 24 hours a day. Disability Access Disability access regulations of New Zealand requires that new buildings and major building reconstructions provide ‘reasonable and adequate’ access for people with disabilities. Most facilities will have access for those people with mobile disabilities. To ensure availability of mobile access, it is best to enquire first. Most transport operators do cater for people with special needs, but it is recommended to enquire about availability. Some tour operators can provide holiday packages for individuals and groups. Most urban transport buses are not equipped to cater for the disabled. There are Mobility Parking concessions available for people with disabilities, and temporary display cards can be issued for the length of a visitor's stay. In order to obtain a New Zealand Mobility Parking card, visitors should bring their home mobility card or medical certificate as proof of disability. Most parking areas have parks specifically allocated for the disabled.