New Zealand travel Lonely Planet
Tourist & visitor driving theory quiz
In October 2019 there was an introduction of a NZD$35.00 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
This charge is to help supply facilities for people visiting our beautiful country.
Along with the IVL there is a new electronic process for people visiting from visa waiver countries called the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. Visitors can now request an NZeTA for any travel after 1 October 2019 by applying online at www.immigration.govt.nz/nzeta.
The NZeTA will cost NZD$9 via the mobile app and NZD$12 through the website. At the same time that a visitor requests their NZeTA, they will be charged the new NZD$35.00 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
The NZeTA request takes less than 10 minutes to complete and will bring New Zealand’s border control into line with international best practices, with the United States, Canada and Australia already having electronic travel authorities.
Welcome to our beautiful country New Zealand and the city of Christchurch
We hope your visit to New Zealand-Aotearoa is an excellent one.
New Zealand has won best country or voted top place to go to on many travel or media publications worldwide, along with our national airline Air New Zealand "which is simply the best better than all the rest".
You will find New Zealanders are naturally warm and friendly people and are particularly hospitable to tourists. Wherever you go you will receive a friendly smile and a warm welcome.
You can lay on the beach in the morning and in the afternoon be skiing on a mountain.
Plan your trip we have four seasons, however even in the winter you will find plenty of sunshine.
New Zealand has incredible unspoilt scenery, with some of the most diverse environments on earth, from beaches and rainforests to mountains, lakes, glaciers and even volcanoes.
Many of these different natural features can be visited on the same day.
Crime is low in New Zealand and as a tourist you are unlikely to encounter problems.
If you do have a problem Kiwi’s will rally around to help out as they find it embarrassing when tourists are targeted.
However common sense needs to be applied, lock your vehicle, make sure your passport and any valuables are not left in your vehicle especially when parking in secluded car parks.
There are many holiday camps to stop at. It is wiser to use them rather than picking an out of the way spot with no-one else around.
There are virtually no lethal creatures amongst New Zealand's wildlife so you can explore without concern for being bitten or eaten. Try saying that in Australia!
New Zealand has a population of around 4,900,000 an unemployment rate of 3.9%.
Goods and Service Tax (GST) of 15% is placed on all purchases at the time of sale.
Total land mass is 268,021 km² with around 15,000 kilometres of costline said to be the 9th longest in the world.
Auckland is the largest city and Christchurch is the 2nd largest.
Wellington is the capital of NZ and the 3rd lagest city.
Just under 4 million visitors stepped onto New Zealand shores in the 12 months leading up until March 2018. This is an increase of 40% since 2013.
So as you see NZ has become a very popular place to visit and to help our beautiful country remain green and clean as well as improve the traveller experience new charges have been introduced.
Getting to New Zealand
Wellington Airport
Easiest way to get here is by plane our International airports are listed below.
Auckland Airport is our largest international airport, followed by Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown and Dunedin.
Find out which airlines fly to New Zealand.
See here for Christchurch Airport facilities including storage.
