New Zealand FAQ


New Zealand Vacation

New Zealand FAQ | Auckland New Zealand FAQ |

Question: New Zealand?
I am planning a trip to New Zealand (no dates yet) and wanted to know...

- When is the best time to go (weather wise)
- I'm trying to avoid the tourist "hot spots," what are some great local places you reccomend? I'm more "turned on" by the natural aspect of New Zealand, so please base your responses on that (outdoor activites).
- ...but I also want to hit a few bars and clubs while I'm there, suggestions?
- Also, any other helpful tips about traveling to New Zealand will help.

The more info the better

Answer: Well if your going to the North Island I went early March and it was the end of summer there. But stilll warm enough to go to the beach. Outdoors stuff:

1.Muriwai Beach, awesome area they have thousands of these birds called gannets on these to rocks. It's a nice hike up to the top of the hill and right on the ocean.

2.Bethels Beach cool fresh water lake with old houses, it's also where they filmed Xena.

3.Piha Beach my favorite beach the sand is black/purple and so soft it feels good on the feet.

4.Devonport is awesome little island (there a bridge to get to it) with cool tunnels and hills very pretty

Bars:

1. Kings Arms is really good its near Karangehape road but I can't remember what street its on. They have a public bar in the front and then in back therea garden, they also have live music with local abnds through out the week.

2. Thirsty Dog is right on Karangehape road, its an awesome pub.

Pretty much Karangehape road is going to have alot of bars/ dance clubs there. Cabs are easy to find and cheap they are just linned up every so often. Check out the Wine Celler on K road too. Most of there drinks are all from New Zealand there so its kinda cool to try there whiskey, beers, and wines. Speights is a really good beer.

Check out Mt. Eden also it's kinda of a tourity thing but you kinda have to chekc it out anyway. Its a dead volcono that you can stand right at the edge of.

 

Question: What is the best way to see New Zealand?
We are planning to visit New Zealand and maybe Australia next year. Can anyone suggest a good escorted tour for us that is reasonable in price and about two weeks in length? Are the people in New Zealand friendly?

Answer: As I'm a New Zealander I have no idea what the best tours are as obviously us locals don't take them but a cheap bus company is the Kiwi Experience. I think they have guided tours. It's mostly full of backpackers & young people though, not sure how old you are.

The best travel guide books are the Lonely Planet ones so check that out & also their website has a forum on it for asking other travellers advice on how they toured NZ (as in people who've just been here will answer you).

Train in NZ is super slow, if you only have 2 weeks you might want to debate doing the Auckland to Wellington one as it takes about 12 hours!! Scenery is great for most of it but it is torture to be on a train for that long. Going from Auckland to National Park might be ok though, not that long & lovely snow capped mountain at the National Park & bushwalking, etc. The train trips in the South Island are shorter & great for scenery.

Yes NZers are friendly, particularly if you are nice to them.

As for Australia, their train travel is better than ours (but still a joke compared to Europe's). Is as big as the USA though so realise it can take a huge amount of time to travel around. Be wary of outback tours in 4 wheel drive vehicles, etc, some of the operators are dubious & have been rude & even threatening to tourists & have put them in danger. Go with established operators only & ones recommended by the tourist office. And check they have air conditioning in the vehicle, the outback heat can be 50 degrees celcius & it's a killer out there, trust me! For big cities - Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane are great, for outdoor stuff - The Great Barrier Reef Queensland & other Queensland places. Beaches anywhere are great. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria (take a tour bus from Melbourne on a day trip). Expect Australians in Queensland & Sydney to be rude, loud, tactless & obnoxious.

Most reliable time weatherwise to visit NZ is February (low rain season but can be hot & a bit humid). February in Australia is way hot & humid in Feb, avoid if you can. Make sure you're travelling in a non school holiday period (in summer in both NZ & Australia it starts part way through December & ends roughly the first week of February - do a google search on either country for exact dates). March & April are ok too & I think the airfare comes down then as it's offpeak, but do NZ first then Australia as NZ more likely to rain the closer you get to autumn/winter & Australia is still hot & gets cooler as each month goes by.

Have fun, you'll love it!!

Bus tours:

www.kiwiexperience.com

www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand...

TranzCostal Train Service ... Discover New Zealand and the true beauty of rail with Tranz Scenic’s unique train journeys. New Zealand's only passenger rail ...
www.tranzscenic.co.nz

For our weather:
www.metservice.co.nz

 

Question: How much money should I bring to New Zealand?
I am planning to travel for 4 weeks in New Zealand in February. I plan to spend most nights in hostels, but might like a few nights in hotels. As far as food goes, I would like a combination of fast food/groceries and sit-down restaurants. I don't plan to do any big expensive tours but may rent a car for up to a week, and plan to do plenty of hiking, kayaking, and sight-seeing. How much money do I need to bring?

Answer: If you choose your backpackers hostels wisely, NZ$ 30 a night is a possibility. Fuel is NZ$ 1.58 a litre of regular fuel, and most rental cars here will do 100km on 8 litres. Doing a tour of the entire country will be about 3.000km.
If you cook yourself, food and drink will amount to about NZ$ 10 a day if you buy nice things and the odd bottle of wine.
Restaurant dinners will run between 15 and 40 dollars, depending on your choices.
If you travel by bus, like Atomic Shuttles, NZ$ 10 for every 100km return trip is likely.

 

Question: How hot is it in Australia and New Zealand during the summer?
What's the highest temperature in Australia during the summer in Sydney and Melbourne? What about New Zealand?

I just want to know what's the usual temperature in Sydney and Melbourne during the summer. I also want to know the usual temperature in New Zealand during the summer.

Answer: In the middle of summer, the average temperatures are:
Sydney - 80°F/26°C
Melbourne - 78°F/25°C
Auckland (the largest city in New Zealand) - 74°F/23°C

It is however, not unusual for the temperatures in all of these cities to be another 10-20°F above these averages, or 10°F below these averages.

 

Question: How many Americans are allowed to immigrate to New Zealand each year?
I would like to move to New Zealand in the next 5 years. I know the points system rewards you for a degree and training. I am just wondering if there is a quota for each country?

Answer: I don't think they have a quota but they do prefer people with skills they are short of and who have already lined up a job. So as long as there are people they need more waiting, you won't go

I'd go in a minute but people my age can't unless very very wealthy.

I love NZ, like California was before it was spoiled by all the immigrants after World War II. Hope they can keep it that way.

 

Question: How much is a working holiday visa for new zealand going to cost for a uk citizen?
Am in Aussey on a w.h.v and was planning to come back home but about 20 minuets ago it suddenly popped into my mind that i could go to new zealand on a w.h.v so here i am checking it out. Any help will be much apprieciated and who know karma may serve you well if you can help answer my question. Love and peace everyone :)

Answer: I had a whv for NZ about 2 years ago, it cost about 45 quid. Was real easy to get, just applied through the post and it took about 1 week. I would thoroughly recommend it, NZ is a beautiful place, would love to go back there one day. Good luck!

 

Question: Any tips of things to do and see in New Zealand during August?
Me and a mate are planning a trip to new zealand for about 3 weeks in august. We want to do some snowboarding for week or so and then want to see some of the country and do some other things. Any tips on things to do or see, where to do them as well as the best places to go for good boarding. Tips for cheap flights, accomodation and travel would be great :)

Answer: Nasty weather that time of year BRRRRR cold take only winter clothes . but saying that you can have a fantastic holiday especially that you like to do the snow thing. If you want a look at some of NZ how about a flight in to wellington the ferry to picton then a hire car to Queenstown down the West coast through Wanaka, This is a great trip and you will see Fox Glacier and Franze Joseph. and have a big choice of snow activities. Not sure where you are from but take a look at Virgin. jet star. qantas and air New Zealand has they all have specials that keep coming out from flying from Australia. If you want to have a flight within NEw Zealand look at grabaseat.co.nz

 

Question: How much money should I budget to live in New Zealand for a month?
I am a canadian backpacking in New Zealand for 4 weeks. I'm just not sure how much money I am going to need to live there for a month. I am planning on doing lots of traveling and staying in hostels.
Any suggestions?

Answer: I'm a Canuck, and I lived in Wellington NZ for about six months a couple of years ago...

They have some great hostels (especially on the south island) that are reasonably priced...

I'd say that three grand would be enough for everything...

Taxes are included in the sticker price on all merchandise there!

If you enjoy hiking...I would HIGHLY recommend doing the Mt. Tongariro Hike...the one I did was 17km and took us about six hours to do....it's VERY popular and has amazing natural scenery! We stayed at a hostel the night before and were picked up by a tour company which drops you off at one end of the Mnt and picks you up on the other end!! (But don't do it if you are going to be there in their winter months)...

Feel free to send me a private email if you want more info on anything!!

 

Question: Can anyone recommend a good New Zealand travel guide?
I am planning a trip to New Zealand this December, and thought that a travel guide will be useful as to help us decide where to go. We are starting in Auckland.

Answer: try this: http://wikitravel.org/en/New_Zealand
It is not a shiny travel guide, but has a lot of useful info organized in a very convenient way. I like it!

By reading through it, you'll find your own ideas what you want to see and where you want to go... so it is better somehow that you are not required to follow some predefined travel route and someone else's ideas...

+ ad-free!

hope you'll find it useful :-)

 

Question: My husband is working in new Zealand and wants to apply permanent residence what are the requirements?
he is currently working in new zealand, he is a skilled worker a technician, and he is planning to apply a permanent residence, What are the most possible requirements needed?

Answer: Requirements are: Evidence of an offer of permanent employment from his employer: His skills are so unique in that it doesn't disadvantage other NZers:Has the ability to support himself financially so he is not a burden on our health system:No criminal record:No health problems:

 

Question: What's the best city to move to in New Zealand if I want to participate in the arts?
I am an aspiring actress that really wants to leave the US and move to NZ. But I am wondering if there will be enough oppurtunities for me there? Does New Zealand have a good movie industry? I really want to get into doing movies or perhaps tv shows? Maybe start out with some theatre and acting classes to improve my abilities. Is New Zealand an ok place for me to start off my acting career? Also, what city would you recommend for me?

Answser: NZ is becoming more of a sought after location for movie makers, and Peter Jackson (King Kong, Lord of the Rings) is a kiwi who is still based in NZ. I'm not too sure on how many opportunities there would be for an aspiring actress, especially compared with the US, but there are definitely a few hollywood movies made here. Someone who's in the industry probably has a better idea. But if you do decide to move here, you'd probably be best to go to Wellington (bottom of the North Island). This is probably our most "hip" and arty city... especially in terms of live theatre, and that is where Peter Jackson is based (well, near there anyhow). The only other city would be Auckland, which is our largest city, and probably has more TV opportunities. Sorry I couldn't be more help, but these are just my thoughts as someone who lives in NZ... I'm not in the movie/tv/theatre industry and don't know anyone in the industry or anything.

Thank you for your input. Zebra: I can pull of a New Zealand accent, so me being American shouldn't be a problem. Of course the US is the movie capital, but I love New Zealand and want to move there, and as long as I can do a few plays and do some theatre there, I'll be happy to get the experience.

 

Question: Where are the best places in New Zealand for sea or flat water kayaking?
I have the opportunity to spend several months in New Zealand next year (Jan - March). I'd like to do some kayaking both on in-land lakes and rivers or in coastal areas. My goal is to see the natural beauties of NZ. I'm not as interested in shooting down death-defying white water rapids. Any suggestions for the best destinations?

Answer: #1 spot is the Abel Tasman National Park, near Nelson. Top of the South Island
http://www.seakayaking.co.nz

#2 Marlborough / Picton – The Marlborough Sounds - http://www.destinationmarlborough.com

#3 Queenstown – Milford Sounds, http://www.fiordland.org.nz

#4 Lake Wanaka - http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/index.cfm/Home

 

Question: What is the process to relocate from Canada to New Zealand with a dog?
I am considering working in New Zealand for a few years and wouldn't dream of doing so without my Weimaraner. Does anyone know how difficult it is to bring a dog with you abroad? Any idea how long the quarantine is when the dog is from Canada going to New Zealand? Can you visit with the dog during their stay in quarantine? Any info would be a big help. Thanks!

Answer: New Zealand prides itself on its rabies-free status, much like Great Britain and Sweden. Therefore, animals from these two countries can be brought in after a period of home quarantine of a few weeks, provided certain veterinary certificates have been compiled. I brought my cats straight in from Britain to New Zealand under that programme. Dogs would be the same, but I am not sure if Canada has rabies-free status.
The best place to check is your local vet. He or she will be up to date on international requirements for animals, which have a habit of changing every now and then anyway.
My thoughts are that you will certainly be able to bring your dog, but that you would do well to start your footwork well in advance (half a year or so before departure), beginning with a call at your vet.


New Zeland Links

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