Information on New Zealand.
Visit www.tourisminfo.govt.nz for up-to-date information on New Zealand.
| POPULATION: |
New Zealand 4.0 million
Auckland 1.4 million |
| LANGUAGE: |
English. |
| TIME ZONE: |
Greenwich Mean Time plus 12 hours. |
| EMERGENCY SERVICES: |
Dial 111 for Police, Ambulance and Fire |
| WATER: |
Tap water is fresh and safe to drink. |
CLIMATE
September in the North Island of New Zealand is subject to Spring
season. Temperatures range from 5 - 15 degrees Celsius (59-68
Fahrenheit) with occasional rain.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
All New Zealand residents and overseas visitors to New Zealand are
covered for 24 hour no-fault personal injury caused by an accident
where that accident is deemed to be an accident as defined in the
Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992.
Overseas visitors are strongly recommended to have personal travel and medical insurance.
Chemists (pharmacies) are open during normal shopping hours. For
pharmaceutical supplies after hours refer to the Urgent Pharmacies
listing in the local telephone directory.
BANKS & CREDIT CARDS
Banks are open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm. Automatic Telling
Machines operate 24 hours a day and accept all major credit cards.
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE RATES
New Zealand currency system is based on dollar and cent denomination.
Coins are 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, and $2. Notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and
$100.
Approximate exchange rates as at 19th January 2006:
New Zealand $1 = US$0.69 / £0.35 / €0.53 / Japanese Yen 84.42 / AUS$0.88
SHOPPING
Most shops, shopping malls and tourist shops, grocery stores and
restaurants operate seven days a week. Petrol is available seven days a
week, most operating 24 hours.
GOODS & SERVICE TAX (GST)
GST of 12.5% is added to all goods and services in New Zealand. GST is
included in the price unless otherwise stated. Purchases made in the
Duty Free shops are free of GST.
POSTAL SERVICES
Postal Agencies are open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is 240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels have
provision for 110 volt 20 watt sockets for electric razors only.
TIPPING
Tipping in New Zealand is not necessary, however if you have found the
service (or food) exceptional it is perfectly in order to tip 10% of
the total bill.
RESTAURANTS & CAFES
City and suburban areas offer a wide range of eateries, from low budget
to award-winning gourmet restaurants. In many restaurants it's a good
idea to book in advance. Most of Hamilton city's restuarants and
bars are located down the main street (Victoria Street), and also down
Hood Street.
INTERNATIONAL A.A MEMBERSHIP
Visitors to New Zealand belonging to a motoring club affiliated to the
AIT, The World Organisation of Motoring and touring clubs, receive free
reciprocal membership benefits. Services offered include the supply of
detailed maps, accommodation guides and touring information. Enquiries
should be directed to:
A.A Centre,
5 Kent Street, Frankton
5 Kent Street, Frankton
Ph: + 64 7 958-6620
AIRPORT
Auckland International Airport has daily services by all major
international airlines to/from Australia and most Asian and European
cities.
Shuttle buses and taxis operate on arrangement or transfer between
Auckland International Airport and Rally Headquarters at Mystery Creek
Events Centre, Hamilton City.
On your departure from Auckland International Airport a Departure Tax
of NZ$22 is payable prior to entering the departure gates.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
New Zealand has excellent sporting and recreational facilities. Some
activities that can be enjoyed include: deep sea fishing, trout
fishing, snow skiing, climbing and hiking, pig and deer hunting, white
water rafting and international standard golf courses. You can also
participate in exciting activities such as bungi jumping, jet boating,
parachuting, sky diving, paragliding and heli-skiing. A wide variety of
sightseeing tours are available including visits to glow worm caves,
volcanoes, thermal geysers as well as beautiful native bush and coastal
areas.
Website: www.hamilton.co.nz
DRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND
In New Zealand we drive on the left hand side of the road,
with the speed limit in Cities and Towns 50kph and the motorway and
open roads restricted to 100kph. The wearing of seat belts in both the
front and rear seats is compulsory. Reciprocal driving rights exist
with most countries.
The New Zealand Police are active on policing road-driving behaviour throughout New Zealand in an endeavour to reduce the road toll. The Police cars are now more identifiable and speed tolerances are non-existent.
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