Answers to Questions about visiting New Zealand

When is the best time to visit New Zealand ?
Where can I get help with planning my New Zealand Holiday?
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
Can I use my country's drivers licence to drive in New Zealand?
Where can I find General Information about New Zealand?
How do I get to New Zealand?
What is the best way to see New Zealand? Car, Bus Tour, Auto Camper?
What currency is used in New Zealand?
How much money should I bring?

When is the best time to visit New Zealand ?
New Zealand is beautiful no matter what time of the year or season you visit. The best time to visit New Zealand is the time that suits you best. However, if you have more than one date in mind, the following information may help with your travel plans.
The warmest months of the year are from September through to April.
December, January and February are the 3 warmest months of the year (Summer). Spring is from September - November. Autumn (fall) is from March - May and the Winter season runs from June - August. Maximum daytime temperatures vary from 15 to 30+ degrees (Celcius) in the Summer, 10 to 25 degrees in the Autumn (& Spring) and 5 to 18 degrees in the Winter. Weather forecasts can be obtained from the Metservice website.

Where can I get help with planning my New Zealand Holiday?
For friendly help from experienced and knowledgeable New Zealand Travel Planners, we recommend Guest New Zealand.

Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
If you are a citizen of a country that has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand, you do not need to apply for a Visitors Visa if you plan on traveling to New Zealand for three months or less. Visit Immigration NZ for more information on visitor visas.

Can I use my country's drivers licence to drive in New Zealand?
For information about driving in New Zealand, click here.

Where can I find General Information about New Zealand?
For more general Information about NZ, click here. See also newzealand.com for general travel information.

How do I get to New Zealand?
By Air or by Sea. Traveling by air is the most effective and common way. Many airlines fly into New Zealand including Air New Zealand, Qantas, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Korean Airlines, Jetstar, Pacific Blue, Malaysia Airlines and more. Most International flights (70%) arrive in Auckland with the rest flying into Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin.

What is the best way to see New Zealand? Car, Campervan/Motorhome, Tour?
See our New Zealand Transport Options page.

What currency is used in New Zealand?
The New Zealand Dollar (NZ$).
For current exchange rates, use this currency converter.

How much money should I bring?
There are hundreds of ATM machines throughout New Zealand that will enable you to draw funds from your bank account in your country. Therefore, bringing loads of cash with you is not necessary.
How much? It really depends on how long you will be here, what you plan to do and, of course, the level of accommodation you require. Seeing New Zealand with a pack on your back will cost you upwards of NZ$100 per day (excluding sightseeing expenses).
4 star Accommodation ranges from NZ$120 - $250 per room per night. Luxury Hotels & Lodges cost anywhere from $200 - $2000 per night.