New Zealand travel checklist: 5 things every traveller must know

The popularity of New Zealand as a tourist destination can be attributed to the fact that the country is blessed by nature’s bounty. From marvellous mountains, hot springs, oceans, and lakes to beautiful vineyards, gardens and forests, New Zealand will surprise you with the wonders of nature. New Zealand tourism is soaring due to the frequent visit of adventure seekers and nature lovers. But, before anybody embarks on their interesting journey to explore the country’s nature trails, here’s some important information to know about the place:

1. Weather

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There are 4 prominent seasons in New Zealand. The summer season is from December to February when the temperature range is around 20-25 degree Celsius. Summer is the best time to learn a new adventure sport like surfing or kayaking or mountain biking. It is a great time to laze by the beach for a lovely sunbath or have fun surfing with friends. Swimming, trekking or even a long drive to the countryside seems like few other good options for summer time.

The autumn season is usually from March to May when the temperature ranges from 17-21 degree Celsius. Autumn is characterized by longer days which people usually go cycling, take long walks and enjoy picnics. When the heat is high, most people find solace on the beach like they do in summer months.

The third season in New Zealand is the fall season that extends from June to August and the temperature goes down 12-14 degree Celsius. Winter is a great time to dip in the natural thermal pools and enjoy exclusive winter adventure activities like skiing.

The final season here is the spring season which lasts from September to November. The temperature ranges from 16 to 19 degree Celsius and it is the time when the flowers bloom and there is a burst of greenery all around, a perfect season to explore the local gardens, parks and other naturally rich spots in the country.

2. Time Zone

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The timezone in New Zealand is divided into two standard time zones. The main islands use New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) which runs 12 hours in advance of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) while the outlying Chatham Islands use Chatham Standard Time (CHAST) which runs 12 hours 45 minutes in advance of UTC.

3. Currency

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New Zealand’s unit of currency is the dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2. Notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Most shops and stores will have the option to pay through card except very few small stalls.

Automated Teller Machines (ATM’s) are easily available at banks, along main shopping streets, and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards also work in most places. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, some hotels, and Bureau de Change kiosks. All goods and services are subject to a 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

4. Visa

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You can apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa if you meet the following criteria:

• Visit friends and family, explore New Zealand or enjoy amateur sports, or adventure activity.
• Study for up to 3 months.
• Include your partner, and dependent children aged 19 and under, in your visa application.

You can visit New Zealand as a genuine tourist for up to 9 months in an 18-month period. The 18-month period is calculated backwards from the last day you intend to be in New Zealand. Adding to this, you can apply for another 3 months and extend your stay to 12 months only if you need more time to complete your tourist itinerary or if you can’t leave New Zealand for reasons beyond your control.

You can apply for your passport Online or office as per your convenience. The immigration fees for online submission is NZD $211 per application. The passport centre fees are INR 690/- per application. The application process is usually completed within 3 weeks from the date of application.

5. Sim Cards

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You can buy a Vodafone or Spark prepaid international Sim cards. Vodafone offers special packages for tourists. You can purchase a Vodafone NZD$99 plan with your free Vodafone Sim that will offer you unlimited calls, 200 text messages, and 8 GB data. Other network providers like Skinny mobile and 2degrees also offer various recharge packs and offers for tourists.

Visit New Zealand for an amazing experience in the lap of nature. Ask the experts at Pickyourtrail to craft a perfect itinerary for you or go ahead and plan it all by yourself in few easy steps.

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