What to Pack
Carry your informal and casual wear along, smart casuals if you want to wine and dine at some good places. Formal wear is rare but you may need to it in a really formal nightclub or restaurant. Pack in a light jacket or sweater or a light waterproof jacket or coat so as to be prepared for NZ’s unpredictable weather. Travellers coming in winter will need their warm clothes, as temperatures can be as low as 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Other holiday essentials include hats, sunscreen lotions/creams and medication (if you’ve been prescribed any) and spare prescription glasses. A good pair of walking boots is an absolute must, especially if you plan to do any walking tours.
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Travel Documents
Passports - are required by all visitors to the country. All passports must be valid up to three months after the time your visa expires. If you have residency in Australia then your passport must be valid on arrival.
Visas - The only people who don't need a visa to enter New Zealand are Australian and British citizens, or those you can show proof of permanent Australian and British residency.
Citizens of the following countries can get a three-month extendable visitor permit on arrival are: Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Nauru, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tuvalu, USA.
Visitors from other countries need visas to enter New Zealand. These are usually valid up to three months and can be obtained in the NZ embassies abroad.
Work & Student Visas - Work visas have to be applied for before going to NZ. The work visa is only granted if there are no Kiwis who can do the job you've applied for. Citizens of Canada, Japan and the UK from the age of 18-30 can apply for a Working Holiday Work Visa, which means that you can stay for 12 months and work and travel around at the same time. This does not apply to those who want to go permanently. Visa for courses longer than three months needs a special student permit.
Visa extensions - can be applied for at any NZ immigration service office in any of the major centres across the country. Extensions are forthcoming if you fulfil the requirements.
Documents - Apart from a passport you can bring your drivers license, necessary if you need to rent/drive a car. An International Student Identity Card will get you 50% off on airfares and 30% off on land routes plus lots of discounts on accommodation and other activities. A VIP Backpackers card will get you benefits at hostels and accommodation places, a Youth Hostel card and an Automobile Association card are equally beneficial.
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