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Business Opening
Hours
Most offices and businesses operate Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm; some
tourist agencies and airlines have longer hours. Petrol (gas) stations
often open 24 hours, stocking food and newspapers. Shops are usually
open 9am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday, with late shopping usually Thursday
or Friday. Many supermarkets, grocery stores, some large retail
chains, most shopping malls and markets also open Saturdays and
Sundays; large supermarkets are often open 24 hours. Local convenience
stores - dairies - usually open 7am-7pm daily.
Currency
The NZ dollar is the basic unit, divided into 100 cents; Coins:
10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2. Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
Banking
Banks open Monday-Friday (except public holidays), 9.30am-4.30pm.
Automatic teller machines operate on a card/PIN number system. Cash
can be withdrawn 24 hours a day. Use of EFTPOS (Electronic Funds
Transfer at Point of Sale) is common. All international credit cards
(American Express, Diners, JCB, VISA, Mastercard) are accepted.
Travellers' cheques may be changed at banks, hotels and large stores
in the main cities and tourist areas.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Goods and services are taxed 12.5%. This tax is usually included
in the advertised price.
Measurements and Weights
New Zealand has used the metric system since 1975. Measurements
used throughout this book:
1m (metre) = 1.1 yards
1km (kilometre) = 0.62 miles
1ha (hectare) = 2.5 acres
To convert C to F: multiply by 9, divide by 5, add 32.
Map of
New Zealand>>
Tipping
If you wish to leave a tip for excellent service this is perfectly
acceptable, but is not expected.
Electricity Supply
New Zealand's AC electricity supply operates at 230/240 volts, 50
hertz. Most hotels and motels also provide 110 volt, 20 watt AC
sockets for electric razors.
Emergencies
Dial 111 for police, fire or ambulance services.
For all non-emergency calls, you will find full instructions in
the front of telephone directories.
Telephones
The majority of payphones in New Zealand are Card Phones, which
use Phone Cards as the payment mechanism. PhoneCards can be
purchased
at many outlets, and can be useful to have for emergencies. Detailed
instructions on phone services, including calling codes and
charges,
can be found in the front of regional phone books. Local calls
are free from residential telephones.
Public Health Services
Public and private health facilities have a high standard of treatment
and care. Larger hotels and motels often have a local doctor on
call; otherwise, doctors and other medical services are listed in
the front of the telephone directory.
Accident Compensation and Personal Insurance
Visitors are covered by the Government-run scheme for personal injury
by accident. Claims may be lodged with the Accident Compensation
and Rehabilitation Insurance Corporation (ACC) irrespective of fault.
Some medical/hospital expenses and physical disability compensation
are covered, but not loss of earnings outside New Zealand. Actions
for damages may not be brought, and personal travel insurance should
therefore cover accidents. Medical services are not free. Accident
care is subsidised. ACC does not cover any medical treatment relating
to illness.
Pharmaceuticals and Medicines
Available from chemists during normal shopping hours. Most cities
have urgent dispensaries open outside these hours.These are listed
in the front of the telephone book under Hospitals. Chemists also
sell cosmetics and insect and sun protections. A certificate for
Customs is advised if visitors plan to bring pharmaceuticals into
the country. Many drugs sold over the counter in other countries
are often not available without a prescription.
Climate
New Zealand's warmest months are December to March; with winter
June to August.
Sunburn
Due to New Zealand's high level of ultraviolet radiation it is highly
recommended to wear sunglasses and/or a hat if spending time in
the sun, and to use sunblock even if the day is overcast, or if
skiing.
Bites and Stings
There is no dangerous wildlife; no snakes, and only two poisonous
spiders, the katipo and the white-tailed spider. Bites are serious
but rarely fatal.
Water Supply
Tap (faucet) water is safe to drink. City water is chlorinated;
most is fluoridated. If the water sourced is from rivers and lakes
you should boiled or treated before drinking.
Travellers with Special Needs
It is best to check availability prior to arrival, or to contact
the Disability Resource Centre, which will have a list of the accessible
facilities and services at your destination. Some major carriers
have excellent provision for people with disabilities, but all prefer
advance notice of your access needs so they may prepare in advance.
If you are a tourist from outside of New Zealand
and propose to acquire and use a car for your stay, Mobility Parking
Permits are available from branches of New Zealand CCS, which are
in all the main centres. Addresses are on their web site www.ccs.org.nz.
These permits also allow parking in other time-limited parking
areas for an extra period that varies with each local parking
authority.
These concessions do not apply in privately owned parking facilities.
Under New Zealand law, guide and hearing dogs
may accompany you anywhere there is public access. Tourists from
the UK, Australia, Sweden, Singapore, Ireland, Hawaii and Norway
do not have quarantine restrictions on service dogs. Animals from
other countries must complete up to six months preparation in the
country of origin before arriving in New Zealand. Further information
can be obtained from Disability Resource Centres. Enable New Zealand,
National Office: Ph: 0-6-952 0011 Email: info@enable.co.nz
Postal Services
Besides specialist Post Shops in most areas, stamps can be bought
from supermarkets, bookstores and grocery shops. The main forms
of postal carriage are standard post and Fast Post. Standard post
delivers next day across town and in two to three working days
nationwide;
fast post, which is also the designation for international airmail
letters originating in New Zealand, delivers next day between
major
towns and cities.
Public Holidays (2008 dates)
Many businesses and all banks close on public holidays; all shops
are closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday except for a few dairies
(convenience stores) and some petrol stations
New Year's Holiday 2-3 January
Waitangi Day (national day) 6 February
Good Friday 21 March
Easter Monday 24 March
Anzac Day (war remembrance day) 25 April
Queen's Birthday 4 June
Labour Day 22 October
Christmas Day Holiday 25 December
Boxing Day Holiday 26 December
Driving in New Zealand
A current licence and/or international licence
is required to drive on New Zealand roads
In New Zealand motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road
It is compulsory for every occupant of the vehicle to wear a seat
belt
Pedestrians and cyclists are not permitted on motorways
It is illegal to park your car facing oncoming traffic
It is illegal to hitchhike on motorways
Vehicles must not stop on motorways unless in the case of emergency
If you are involved in a crash you must stop and help. If someone
is injured this must be reported to the police within 24 hours
Minimum age for rental car driving is 21 years
New Zealand speed limits are in kilometres per hour, not miles
Accommodation information >>
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