Plan the perfect trip to New Zealand | New Zealand Holiday Guide

For some people, traveling has become an adventure where you can learn about the culture of another country, enjoy many places, eat different typical foods, and so much more. This time we want to recommend you one of the most beautiful countries in Oceania: New Zealand.

The country of the Kiwis, referring internationally to New Zealanders and the native bird from which it derives its name. These big islands are located in the Southwest of the Pacific Ocean, and with more than 4 million inhabitants, it is one of the countries with the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Keep reading, learn more about this fantastic country, and discover all the places that New Zealand has to dazzle you!

How to get there

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Booking a trip is the first step in a new adventure, and New Zealand is not the exception. In that moment we can realize that it becomes true. Your New Zealand trip should start in the best airports in the country. Continue reading about the best ways to get there!

There are five main airports in New Zealand. The first one on the list is called Auckland Airport located in the north of the country. Being the biggest and most popular in the country, this airport offers its services to more than 15 million passengers each year. It is accessible by road and rail. 

The next airport that we want to mention is the Christchurch Airport, an excellent option if you are traveling from Australia, Singapore or Japan. It operates 24 hours a day and is easily accessible by road.

Other good options that you should keep in mind are the Wellington Airport (located in the capital), the Queenstown Airport (situated in Frankton) and the Dunedin Airport (located in Otago). 

Any of these options will help you to arrive to New Zealand from anywhere in the world where you are. 

Visa Information

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First, it is important to know that visitors from most of the countries around the world do not need a visa to enter to New Zealand. Knowing that a visitor is a person that is going to stay in the country for a limited period of time, not someone that plans to work there. These visitors just need to get an NZeTA, which is a permission that you pay to be able to enter to the country. It costs only NZD $9, and can be processed online.

However, depending on your country of origin and the time you are going to stay in New Zealand, maybe you are going to have to apply for a visa. You can get more information about this topic on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Best time to visit the country

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Any time of the year is just perfect to visit New Zealand. It is a country full of landscapes so diverse that you can enjoy during the different seasons, that is why it is a wonderful destination.

The spring season takes place during September, October and November; the temperatures in Auckland can vary from 11°C to 19°C and in Wellington from 9°C to 15°C. In the sunny days of this season is important to be prepared with sunscreen. The summer season is expected to come over December, January and February. The temperatures in the capital rise up around 20°C, so it is important to carry an extra layer to protect yourself from the UV. 

Although during fall the weather is still warm at the beginning, it will get cooler as May arrives. This is the perfect season to do outdoor activities without exposing yourself too much to the sun.

Finally, during June, July and August you can expect much rain and snow in the mountains, so if you are traveling during the winter season, be sure to pack the appropriate clothes, such as a coat, gloves and a hat. 

Safety

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Visiting New Zealand will be a wonderful experience, especially if you follow the next tips to keep yourself (and your stuffs) safe. First, it is important to know that the emergency number in the country is 111. If you have any problem and need an ambulance or the police, you can call them without any cost.

As in any other country, do not walk alone at night and try to stay in public areas. Remember that pickpockets can easily recognize tourists (especially in touristic places), so always keep your belongings next to you. If you have a car or you rent a car in New Zealand, be sure about not to leave valuable things visible inside the car, it is better to hide them or to carry them with you.

Overall, New Zealand is a safe country to travel; we know for sure that you will enjoy the whole experience!

Budget

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When we plan a trip, one of the first things to think about is how much things cost in that new destination. In New Zealand, you should spend around NZ$183 ($120) per day. That amount of money includes accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. Knowing that, you could plan to spend NZ$1,279 ($847.92) for a week, and NZ$2,557 ($1695.18) for two weeks.

With NZ$183 ($120) per day you can afford: 

• Hotel or Hostel: NZ$97 ($64.31)
• Food: NZ$42 ($27.84)
• Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): NZ$25 ($16.57)
• Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): NZ$51 ($33.81)

Let’s break down some more specific food and drinks prices:

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: NZ$8 ($5.30) – Sushi rolls from a supermarket
• Mid-range restaurant: NZ$45 ($) – Three-course meal
• Soft Drink: NZ$3.33 ($2.05) – 0.33-liter bottle
• Beer: NZ$9 ($2.94) – 0.5-liter draught

Remember always plan your budget to avoid getting unexpected surprises!

Currency

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The official currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar, which is equivalent to 0.66 USD. There are a few stores in the country that could accept USD, but it is much better to exchange your cash in the airport where you arrive. The other way is using your debit card in an ATM, which are at the airports and around the country, and you will be able to get cash just after a small fee is discounted from your credit. 

However, it is important for you to keep always a few amount of cash with you in case of emergency. The best and most common way to pay for things is by using a debit or credit card. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, however always remember to talk first with your bank and tell them that you are going to be using your cards in a different country.

Interesting facts about the culture

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New Zealand is an island located in the Pacific Ocean. The official language in this country is English; however, around 3% of the population speak Maori. The Maori people speak this language. They are the indigenous Polynesian people, and call New Zealand “Aotearoa”, which means the land of the long white cloud.

One of the most popular legends related with the Maori is about an indigenous called Maui and his relation with the origin of New Zealand. The legend says that Maui fished the North Island from the sea button and that his canoe was converted with magic powers into the South island.

Regarding the sports, although that rugby comes from England, it is an important part of the culture of New Zealand. It is the most popular sport in the country. The team called All Blacks has won twice the Rugby World Cup. There is a tradition performed before each match that is called “Haka”, which is a ceremonial dance in Maori culture.

If you plan to travel to New Zealand, we are sure you are going to enjoy the beautiful nature, delicious food and friendly locals that are waiting for you!

What to do in New Zealand

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New Zealand is a pair of big islands in the Pacific Ocean, with a lot of landscapes, mountains, hills, beaches, rivers, snow mountains, and more natural places to do many outdoor activities. Some examples are hiking, bungie jumping, biking, zorbing (rolling down a hill inside a ball), kayaking, and many others. 

The best outdoor activities

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• Cycling: Fantastic activity to have very good views of the landscape and the cities, with trails available to ride your bike. The best places are Southern Alps, Waikato, West Coast, and Hawke’s bay.
• Hiking: This is one of the most common and great activities. Travel around mountains, paths with no more than your legs, a bottle of water and good vibes. The best places are Queenstown, Tongariro National Park in Manawatu-Wanganui, and Milford Sound in Southland.
• Kayaking: New Zealand is the perfect country to kayak the rushing rivers, sheltered harbors and peaceful lakes, and have a good day with the kayak and oars. The best places are Western Bay of Lake Taupo in Waikato, and Abel Tasman National Park in South Island.
• Skydiving: We all know that jumping out of a plane is exciting enough, right? However, it is a common activity in the Kiwi islands. Feel the adrenaline go up and have an explosion of energy in this dive. The best places are Taupo in North Island, Tauranga, Auckland, and Queenstown.

The best indoor activities

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• Sky Tower, in Auckland: Radio and television broadcasting tower. In addition, the tower has viewpoints, restaurants, and a bungee jumping.
• Hobbiton set, in Hinuera: Iconic set from the famous film “The Lord of The Ring” where you can live the scenes from the movie on your own.
• Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, in Wellington: New Zealand’s main museum with exhibits on natural history, native and colonial culture.
• Impala nightclub, in Auckland: Fantastic nightclub, to spend a good night and have good fun in Auckland.

The best beaches

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• Piha, in Auckland: Beautiful beach and popular for surfers.
• Tunnel beach, in Dunedin: It has carved sandstone cliffs in the sea, rock arches and caves.
• Hot Water beach, in Coromandel Peninsula: Exotic beach, hot springs, surfing and geysers.
• Mount Maunganui, in Bay of Plenty: It is an extinct volcano at the end of a peninsula and the town of Mount Maunganui.

How to get around in New Zealand

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Choosing the ideal means of transport for our trip will be highly influenced by the activities we plan to do and the places we want to visit. Remember that new Zealand is comprised by two islands, and to travel between them the best way is by plane or ferry. If you want to get around by yourself, then you have several options:

You can rent a car, a bicycle, a motorcycle or even motorhomes or campervans, which are vehicles that offer mobile living accommodation. They are an excellent option to save money in hotels or hostels. Using the public transportation is a budget friendly option. There are buses, trains and ferries that you can use to travel around the islands. The buses are the main form of transportation because they go everywhere!

How to stay connected in New Zealand

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When you plan to travel to a new destination, probably one of the first questions that come to your mind is how can I use my smartphone in that country? Well, there are three main mobile operators in New Zealand for you to choose: 2degrees, Vodafone and Spark. You can get a new local SIM card in your arrival at the country.

All the providers have different packages available, with different amount of services (data, SMS and calls), so it is good to do some research about it before going to the country, so you can pick the perfect plan that suits with your budget and with the time you are going to spend in New Zealand. Here are a few alernative SIM Card options:

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Should I rent a car?

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It is a good idea to rent a car, motorbike or motorhome, but you can perfectly travel around using the public transportation. 

Which airports can I fly to?

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The best airports are the Auckland Airport, the Christchurch Airport and the Wellington Airport.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

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The most popular accommodation types are motels, hostels and hotels.

How much does a holiday cost?

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You can spend around NZ$183 ($120), including standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

What are the best things to do?

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If you are traveling to New Zealand, you must explore the national parks, do an extreme sport and visit the beautiful beaches.