Size, Location, Population
1,400 miles east of Australia, New Zealand consists of two major islands
(the North Island and the South Island) and one smaller island (Stewart
Island). It is 1,000 miles long, and approximately the same size as
Great Britain, with a population of only 3.5 million.
Time Zones
Pacific Standard Time + 19 hours (+18 hours during Pacific Daylight
Time).
Entry Formalities
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months following your
departure from New Zealand. A visa is not required for US citizens
for stays under 90 days.
Currency
New Zealand dollar. Decimal currency system. Notes: $5, $20, $50,
$100. Coins: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢ and 50¢, $1 and $2.
Bank Hours
Banks are open Monday to Friday, 9:30am-4pm.
Departure Tax
NZ$25 per person.
Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz. Most hotels provide 110V outlets for electric razors.
Most power outlets accept three-pin flat plugs or similar adapters.
Language
English is the common language of New Zealanders. The Maori people
have their own tongue, which is the country's only indigenous language.
Shopping
Monday through Thursday, 9am-5:30pm. Fridays, 9am-9pm. Exceptions:
In some areas, late night shopping is Thursday, and in most cities
shops are open Saturday mornings. Some shopping malls are open Sunday.
New Zealand is perhaps best-known for its sheepskin products, but
you will also find paua shell (abalone) and greenstone (jade) jewelry,
woodcarvings, and many other handicrafts.
Tipping
Tipping is not the custom, nor are service charges added. In restaurants,
for special service, 10% is an appropriate amount. For taxi drivers
or porters, NZ$1 will suffice for normal service.
Climate
Temperate climate - subtropical in the north,and colder in the alpine
regions of the south.
Food
The traditional Maori feast is the hangi - food cooked in baskets,
in the ground, over hot stones, similar to a luau. There's no shortage
of good meat and fresh vegetables. Fish and shellfish are always
available, although if you are a trout lover, you must catch your
own. The Bluff oyster is seasonal (April to July), but cultivated
rock oysters are available fresh almost year 'round. A traditional
dessert is the pavlova - meringue covered in loads of whipped cream,
topped off with fresh fruit. The major cities have a wide range
of excellent restaurants serving cuisine of many different nationalities.
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