Practical information about New Zealand

New Zealand boasts a mild and varied climate that changes with the seasons and regions. Located in the southern hemisphere, the country experiences opposite seasons to those in Europe. Here, summer falls between December and February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November.

The coastal areas generally enjoy mild temperatures throughout the year, while the interior of the South Island and upland regions can be considerably colder in winter – often with snowfall. The North Island is generally warmer than the South Island, and the far north enjoys a subtropical climate during the summer months.

Rain can fall all year round, but the amount of rainfall varies significantly across the country. The West Coast of the South Island ranks among the wettest regions in New Zealand, whereas the eastern coastlines are typically drier and enjoy more sunshine.

The weather can change rapidly, particularly in mountainous areas, so it’s wise to be prepared for sun, wind, and rain regardless of the season. In fact, it’s often said that in New Zealand you can experience all four seasons in a single day.

If you’d like to know more about the seasons and the best time to visit New Zealand, take a look at our blog all about New Zealand weather.

You can find average temperatures and rainfall for selected New Zealand cities here:

North Island (Auckland – Rotorua – Wellington):

South Island (Christchurch – Nelson/Abel Tasman NP – Queenstown – Franz Josef – Dunedin):

As a UK citizen, you’ll need a valid passport and an NZeTA travel authorisation to enter New Zealand. The expiry date of your passport must be at least three months after the date you plan to leave the country.

If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from New Zealand, make sure to check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries require that your passport is valid for at least six months after your stay—even if you’re only in transit and not passing through immigration.

Please note: It is your own responsibility to check whether you need a visa for any transit airports along your journey.
If you’re travelling via Australia, please note that a transit visa or eVisitor visa is required if your transit time exceeds 8 hours.

NZeTA:

UK citizens do not require a visa to enter New Zealand for stays of up to six months, as the UK is included on the list of visa-waiver countries. However, you must obtain an approved electronic travel authorisation – the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).

The easiest, quickest, and most affordable way to apply is by downloading their mobile app: NZeTA. Alternatively, you can apply online via this link.

You’ll need the following information and documents ready when you start your application:

• Passport (the passport you’ll be using to travel to New Zealand. Please remember to check its validity)
• Credit card (for payment of the NZeTA, which costs 17 NZD if applying via the app, or 23 NZD if applying on the website. You’ll also need to pay an IVL fee of 100 NZD. For more information, see ‘travel documents’ on this page).
• Passport photo. If applying via mobile phone, you can simply use your phone’s camera to take a photo.

The NZeTA is valid for two years for stays in New Zealand of up to six months at a time for UK citizens. Processing takes around 72 hours, but we recommend starting your application well in advance of your departure. Your approved NZeTA will be sent to you by email, and you must bring it with you to New Zealand.

Read more about the application process and important information regarding valid photos here.

Find out more about the requirements for having your NZeTA application approved, and see the list of countries whose citizens are visa-exempt and can apply for an NZeTA here.

Visa regulations can change at short notice, so we recommend that you stay updated on the New Zealand government’s immigration website.

If you are not a British national, or if you are unsure about the entry requirements for New Zealand, it is important that you contact the New Zealand High Commission in London: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/united-kingdom/new-zealand-high-commission Please remember that it is your own responsibility to check these regulations.

You’ll find useful information on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website.

If you are travelling via the US, the following applies to British citizens:

To travel via the United States, you must apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Without ESTA, you will not be allowed to travel through the United States. Apply for the travel authorisation in good time at least 72 hours before your departure to the US. All travellers must apply, regardless of their age. You can apply and find the price via the following link: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/. You should have your passport, itinerary, credit card and e-mail address to hand when making your application. The travel authorization is electronically connected to your passport and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires (whichever is earliest). We recommend that you bring a physical copy of your ESTA with you if, for example, the system is down on your arrival, however this is not a requirement.

If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new ESTA.

Note that you must contact the United States Embassy to apply for a visa if you have visited any of the following countries:

• Cuba as of 12 January 2021 (incl. layover)
• North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen as of 1 March 2011

Stricter requirements will also apply if you hold dual citizenship with any of these countries.

For further information on filling out your ESTA application, please see the overview of frequently asked questions and their answers here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?lang=en.

You can also get in touch by telephone at: +1-202-325-8000

If you are travelling via Canada, the following applies to British citizens:

To travel via Canada, you must apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Without eTA, you will not be allowed to travel through Canada. Apply for the travel authorization in good time. eTA costs 7 CAD per person and all travellers must apply, regardless of their age. You can apply via the following link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp. You should have your passport, itinerary, credit card and e-mail address to hand when making your application. The travel authorization is electronically connected to your passport and is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires (whichever is earliest). We recommend that you bring a physical copy of your eTA with you if, for example, the system is down on your arrival, however this is not a requirement.

If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new eTA.

Prior to your departure, you can download our App here to find your travel documents and your contact details for TourCompass and our local partners in New Zealand.

The documents contain important information about the meeting points and times for your tours and transfers. In New Zealand, the pick-up/starting point might be different from your hotel.

Make sure you thoroughly read through the travel documents and arrive at the specified meeting points on time.

We also recommend downloading the WhatsApp app to your smartphone and adding the phone numbers of our local partner. This way, you can send messages and make calls to them for free while connected to Wi-Fi.

Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL):

New Zealand has a compulsory fee for visitors known as the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, or IVL, which is charged when you apply and pay for your NZeTA travel authorisation.

The fee is currently 100 NZD per person. This levy helps finance nature conservation and infrastructure projects in New Zealand.

You may be required to present proof of payment for this levy upon arrival in New Zealand.

New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD):

All travellers are required to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD), which includes details about your journey, customs, entry, and biosecurity. The form must be completed digitally, either online at https://app.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/#/ or via the NZTD mobile app.

You can fill in the form up to 24 hours before you begin your journey to New Zealand.

Make sure you have the following in-hand when starting your application:

• Your passport
• Flight details
• Contact information
• Immigration status (NZeTA)
• Details of any items you’re bringing into the country

Once you have completed the form, you will receive an email with a reference number, which you should use if you need to amend any information. There’s no need to print anything out. Your form is automatically linked to your passport number.

You can find out more about the form here.

If you’re unsure about any part of the process, you can watch a video guide to completing the form here.

We recommend that you contact your GP or an authorised private vaccination clinic for information about vaccinations. You can also read more about the rules regarding travel vaccinations here.

Please be aware of the rules about yellow fever – especially if you are entering via another country where yellow fever is present. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry. Your vaccination certificate should therefore always be carried with you in your hand luggage when you travel.

Please read our general travel terms and conditions carefully, as these are part of the agreement terms for tours purchased at TourCompass. Tours purchased from us are covered under the “Package Travel Act”.

Click here to read our travel terms and conditions.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay, you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels, and other services) is listed on it.

Please see our booking conditions for further information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate, click here.

We always advise you to obtain comprehensive travel insurance when heading off on your dream holiday. It is also highly recommended to acquire cancellation insurance for extra protection.

Click here to proceed to our page on insurance, where you can read more about our recommendations.

Currency:
The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar. You can find the current exchange rate for New Zealand dollars here.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout New Zealand. You can also withdraw cash from banks and ATMs across the country.

Prices:
Get an idea of the general price level in the country here.

Tipping:
Tipping is not customary in New Zealand – not even in restaurants or bars. If you’ve had a great experience with a guide, or have received exceptional service in a restaurant, leaving a small tip is appreciated, but it is entirely voluntary.

At the vast majority of our destinations, we are able to take allergies, as well as allergens or preferences, into account when it comes to food; however, it is important that you inform us of this when you book the tour.

Telephone & Wi-Fi:

Using data and roaming abroad can be expensive if it isn’t already included in your mobile plan. We recommend contacting your mobile provider to check which services are part of your plan, and the charges for different destinations.

If your mobile plan does not already include international data and roaming, we advise making use of the free Wi-Fi available at your hotel or in restaurants. This way, you can make calls and send messages back home free of charge using services such as Facetime, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

If you’d like to stay online throughout your tour, you can purchase a local SIM card upon arrival in New Zealand, which you simply swap for the SIM card in your own phone. This gives you a New Zealand phone number and data connection during your tour. If you run out of data along the way, it’s easy to top up.

It’s also now possible to buy an eSIM for most phones. With an eSIM, you can keep your own SIM card in your phone whilst enjoying mobile data throughout your tour. Simply order the eSIM before you depart and activate it when you arrive in New Zealand.

Find out more about how to stay connected when travelling in our blog here.

Electricity:

In New Zealand, the electricity supply is 230–240 volts AC at a frequency of 50 Hz. Power sockets are Type I – a flat three-pin plug with two angled pins and a vertical earth pin. Remember to bring a suitable adapter.

Always make sure you keep any important or essential items in your hand luggage. This includes, for example, your passport, visa, vaccination card, credit cards, money, insurance documents, travel documents, laptop, mobile phone, and, if relevant, health information or any essential medication.

As mentioned in the climate section, the weather in New Zealand can be very unpredictable, especially in the mountainous regions, so we always recommend packing a warm jumper and a windproof, waterproof jacket.

Also be aware that the UV index in New Zealand is very high. We therefore recommend using a high-factor sun cream, along with sunglasses, a sunhat, or a cap, as well as UV-protective clothing when you’re on the beach – even on overcast days.

Visitors are not permitted to bring plants, seeds, fruit, and other plant products into the UK from their travels outside the UK, unless they are accompanied by a plant health (phytosanitary) certificate. These rules also apply to smaller quantities of plants and plant products.

Read more about the rules here.

Please note that our tours are not generally suitable for people with impaired mobility. Please contact us for information about your options in relation to your specific needs.

Most airlines have electronic tickets (e-tickets).

It is essential that you check the names provided. We only use Surname/First given name for each traveller. These must match the Surname/First given name as shown in your passport. Any middle name(s) are omitted from your booking, as these are not required. If there is a hyphen in your name, it will be removed and the names joined together.

Please check the attached itinerary, along with all name details, and you must reply to us within one working day with any comments. Changes to flight itineraries at a later date will be subject to extra charges. 

The airline will assign you a seat on the plane at check-in. If you have specific wishes regarding where you sit on the plane, you can make a seat reservation yourself on the airline’s website or in their app. Please note that most airlines require payment for a seat reservation.

It varies when airlines open for seat reservations, but as a general rule, you can book seats from the time of booking and up to 48 hours before departure.

We also point out that the airline has complete control over all seats on the plane and that they are therefore entitled to make changes to the reservation at any time. If you do not make a seat reservation before departure, the airline will assign you a seat at check-in.

Your passport and your booking reference, which appears on your itinerary, are required to check in.

We recommend that you download the airline’s app on your phone. In the app, there is an option for online check-in, which typically opens 24 to 48 hours before departure. The app also allows you to stay informed of any flight changes and other important information about your flight.

Please note that the flight times may have changed in relation to those listed on the travel itinerary you received when you booked your holiday. It is always the flight times in the airline’s app or on the airline’s website that apply.

We recommend that you arrive at the airport to check in at least 2 hours before departure. It is a good idea to check the airport’s website for the latest updates.

We use many different airlines for our destinations. You can check the exact rules for hand luggage and checked baggage on the airline’s website or in their app.

If domestic flights are used in your itinerary, please be aware that baggage permissions may be different from how they are for your international flights. In general, you can always purchase more baggage allowance locally.

If your baggage is delayed, please contact the staff in the baggage reclaim area to report your missing baggage.

It is important that you have your baggage receipt when completing your PIR (Property Irregularity Report).

Please note that you must not leave the baggage area at the airport until you have completed the report.

In the event of delayed baggage, we ask you to contact our partner, who will ensure that your guide/driver waits for you.

Should any changes occur in connection with your flight reservation before departure, we will of course contact you to let you know.

Should your flight be delayed after check-in, the airline is responsible for rebooking your flight. They will typically book the next possible flight and arrange any meals and accommodation if necessary.

Our partner checks for any changes in arrival times and will naturally still wait for you, even if your flight is delayed.

If, due to a delay or cancellation, the airline books you on another flight number after you have arrived at the airport, please contact us on TourCompass’ emergency number.

Immigration:
Upon arrival at your final destination, you will go through immigration. Here, your passport, entry documents, and any necessary visas will be checked. In many places, you will be asked to provide fingerprints and have a photo taken for biometric identification. You may also be asked questions about your travel plans in the country and the address where you will be staying.

Customs:
Once you have passed through immigration and collected your luggage, you will need to clear customs. If you have nothing to declare, proceed through ‘Nothing to declare’. However, if you do have items to declare, it is important that you go through ‘Declare’. It is your own responsibility to check the customs regulations for the country you are travelling to.

When travelling to New Zealand, please note that you are required to complete a compulsory form, the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD), which, among other things, contains questions regarding items you may need to declare for customs. New Zealand enforces strict guidelines about what you can and cannot bring into the country. You can find further information about this form in the ‘Travel documents’ section.

When you come out into the arrivals hall at the airport, you will be met by a guide/driver holding up a TourCompass sign with your name on it, who will make sure you get safely to your hotel.

In the unexpected event that you cannot find your guide/driver, please contact our partner on the emergency number which appears on the travel documents.

Normal check-in is typically from 2 pm, and you cannot therefore count on getting your room earlier. If you’d like to check in early, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

When you check in, the receptionist will generally register your credit card and may reserve an amount. This is not an additional fee, but customary at hotels to ensure payment of any consumption e.g. from the minibar. When you check out, the amount will be automatically released if you have not made use of this.

It is very normal for hotels to take a copy of your passport. In some places, this is a requirement of the local authorities.

Check-out is normally by 10 am. If you’re not travelling until the afternoon or evening, you can have your luggage stored until it’s time to leave. If you would like a late check-out instead, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, blocked roads, or otherwise, it may be necessary to change the order of sightseeing tours and attractions in your itinerary.

In New Zealand, you can choose to travel from one place to another with a sightseeing transfer led by a guide or opt for the freedom of exploring the country by hire car. If you prefer, it’s also possible to combine both forms of transport.

Sightseeing transfer:

Here, you’ll journey between destinations in small, international groups with a local guide. Your guide will not only show you all the must-see sights but also reveal hidden gems and share fascinating stories along the way. We call this the sightseeing transfer – a style of touring with intriguing stops en route, designed so you can make the most of your tour and simply relax and enjoy the many experiences awaiting you.

Driving in New Zealand:

On some of our tours in New Zealand, all or part of your journey is a self-drive tour. New Zealand is a relatively straightforward country for a self-drive adventure, and having your own car gives you fantastic freedom to choose exactly where and when you’d like to stop along the way.

You can find out more about driving in New Zealand here.

We use AVIS car rental in New Zealand. Here are a few important things to bear in mind when hiring a car in New Zealand:

• The minimum age to rent a car is 21. There is no upper age limit for car hire.
• When you pick up your rental car, you’ll need to show your passport and driving licence in a physical form. If your driving licence is not in English, you must obtain an International Driving Permit and bring it with you, along with your physical licence (temporary licences are not accepted).
• At the start of your car hire, a security deposit of approximately 100 NZD will be required. This amount will be reserved or charged to your credit or debit card*. The card must be in the name of the main driver and you must bring the physical card (not just a digital version on your phone). The security deposit will be refunded when your hire period ends.
  Should you purchase additional services directly from AVIS, payment will also be taken from your debit or credit card. Please note that there may be a surcharge of 2–3% of the transaction amount when using a credit card.
  *If you bring a debit card, it must be either a Visa or MasterCard, and the card must display the name of the hirer.
• Our car hire includes: comprehensive insurance (LDW) with zero excess (please note that damage to the car’s roof and undercarriage is not covered), roadside assistance (for mechanical issues), cover for damage to tyres and wing mirrors, unlimited mileage, one additional driver, and any applicable one-way rental fees.
• A GPS is not included with your car hire. We recommend purchasing a New Zealand SIM card with data upon arrival, so you can use navigation services such as Google Maps during your tour.
  You can also purchase an eSIM for your phone. Find out more in our section about telephony in New Zealand on this page.
  Please note that, unlike in many other countries, there is no mandatory third-party liability insurance included with car hire in New Zealand. This is because the country operates a government-managed insurance scheme known as the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), which covers everyone in New Zealand—tourists included—for personal injuries resulting from accidents, under a no-fault system.
• Optional insurances: You can add on extra roadside assistance locally, which covers things beyond mechanical issues – for example, lost car keys, tyre changes, damaged wing mirrors, and more.
• Any child seats must be ordered at the same time as you book your tour, but payment is only required locally when you collect your car in New Zealand. Read more here. Prices can be found in the hire agreement linked below.
• You can add extra drivers locally (in addition to the two drivers already included) when you collect your car. Please refer to the terms and prices in the rental agreement, which can be found via the link below.
• Rental cars may only be driven on official paved roads and gravel roads. Driving on beaches or through streams, dams, rivers, or flooded areas is not permitted.
  On the South Island, driving is not allowed on Skippers Road: a narrow mountain road near Queenstown.
  On the North Island, driving is not allowed on Ninety Mile Beach.
• In the event of breach of the rental contract or breach of Australian law, the insurance cover will lapse. You can read the entire rental agreement here.
• You can view the different car models here.
• Useful links for your self-drive adventure

• • Traffic and road conditions:
    Stay updated on current road and safety conditions via NZ Transport Agency (NZTA): https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions
    Here you can also find information on the two passes, Haast Pass and Arthur’s Pass: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/west-coast
    You can also find specific information about the route to Milford Sound here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh94-milford-road/sh94-milford-road-status
  • Tourist information – i-SITE:
    All across New Zealand, you’ll find official i-SITE centres, where you can get local inspiration, tips, and guidance for your experiences. Find the nearest centre here: https://www.isite.nz/find-an-isite
  • Nature and national parks:
    On the Department of Conservation’s website, you can find plenty of useful information about national parks, hiking trails, wildlife, and much more: https://www.doc.govt.nz/

We have a 24-hour emergency hotline so that you can always get in touch with us should anything unforeseen occur during your tour. You will also be sent the telephone numbers and emergency telephone numbers of our partners at the destination. In some cases, it may be easiest and fastest to contact our partners due to time differences, if, for example, you find yourself in a situation where your pick-up for an excursion or transfer is more than 15 minutes delayed.

We rely on happy travellers, and we would therefore very much like to hear from you after your return home. Send us an email at info@tourcompass.co.uk or call us on tel.: 01279 704 135.