Question 1

How hot does it get in the Summer?

Accepted Answer

Temperatures in Summer can reach the early 30’s. New Zealand's clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe or North America, as a result people generally burn quicker than at home, so be prepared to wear hats and sun block if you plan to be out in the sun for more than 15-20 minutes. Most people carry sunfactor 30+ as a minimum sunblock cream.

Question 2

How safe is New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand is one of the safest places in the world. Because of this people often relax and become complacent and can be subject to petty crime. We recommend you keep personal possessions in a safe place and exercise a sensible amount of caution.

Question 3

What time is it in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand has just the one time zone and is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). We are the first country in the world to see in the New Year.

Question 4

What size is New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand is similar in size to California in the USA, Victoria in Australia, England or Japan. It is a small country in size but don't be mistaken... you'll need much longer than you think here as there is so much to see and do!

Question 5

What is the population of New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 5.5 million people live in New Zealand. Just over 1.7 million live in Auckland alone.

Question 6

What if I get injured while in NZ?

Accepted Answer

Us Kiwi's have thought of everything to ensure your time here is top notch and memorable. Under New Zealand Law all visitors are protected under a Government Scheme called ACC. For more information click on the links below.

ACC Website

Question 7

Do I need a passport or visa to enter New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country. One year Work visas are relatively simple to obtain and can often be extended if you have a workplace that is willing to sponsor you. Visit New Zealand Immigration for more information.

Question 8

What type of weather can I expect?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand has a temperate climate. The North Island has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South can get down to a chilly -10 C in winter, New Zealand lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, average rainfall, and loads of sunshine.

With New Zealand lying in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature reduces the further south you travel south.

The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30°C and in winter between 10-15°C.

Question 9

How much does it cost to stay in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand has a vast array of places to stay ranging from around $50 for a dorm bed to over $10,000 for an exclusive luxury resort or apartment. There is something to suit every accommodation need in New Zealand. Check out our accommodation section for great deals with booking.com or contact us for some assistance and local recommendations.

Question 10

What about Driving in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

New Zealanders drive on the left, give way to all traffic crossing or approaching from the right, even if you are turning left you must give way to traffic coming from the other direction that wants to turn down the same road as you. The speed limit is 100 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in built up areas.

There are many narrow roads and one way bridges so drive with care, especially in the south island during the winter months when black ice on the roads can be extremely slippery and dangerous. Most foreign driver licences are acceptable in New Zealand (check with your travel agent). Both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times.

Question 11

Is there much accommodation / should I book in advance?

Accepted Answer

There are thousands of places to stay in New Zealand, the problem is there are also thousands of people wanting to stay as well! Book several months in advance if possible. Unlike deciding which activities to book, finding a place to stay is usually pretty damn boring and often takes up way too much of your time. As a result, we have decided to simplify things and take the hassle out of booking your accommodation by using booking.com. Simply click on the link located on the accommodation page and you will be redirect to the bookings.com website which offers real time availability and instant confirmation. If you're still not sure where to stay once visiting the website then please contact us we'll be happy to offer our suggestions.

Question 12

Are there any good restaurants and what type of cuisine?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand's cuisine has been described as Pacific Rim, drawing inspiration from Europe, Asia and Polynesia. This blend of influences has created a mouth-watering range of flavours and food in cafes and restaurants nationwide.

For dishes that have a distinctly New Zealand style, there's lamb, pork and cervena (venison), salmon, crayfish (lobster), Bluff oysters, paua (abalone), mussels, scallops, pipis and tuatua (both are types of New Zealand shellfish), kumara (sweet potato), kiwifruit, tamarillo and pavlova, the national dessert.

Question 13

Will my electrical appliances work?

Accepted Answer

Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts (50 hertz), although most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an adaptor / converter is necessary. You can purchase these at the airport, supermarkets and chemists shops in Queenstown.

Question 14

Is there much nightlife?

Accepted Answer

There are an abundance of bars to choose from in New Zealand, many have late licences till 4am and a few go on until sunrise. There are also a few night clubs, and many of the bars have live bands and of course karaoke!

Question 15

Are there any banks?

Accepted Answer

Yes there are plenty of banks and cash machines in Queenstown. The cash machines are open 24 hours. Be sure to check for more information.

Question 16

Where are the foreign exchange offices?

Accepted Answer

Most airports have currency exchange facilities. We recommend buying enough New Zealand dollars to cover your expenses for the first few days.

Question 17

Do shops / activities close at the weekends?

Accepted Answer

No, New Zealand has adapted well to tourism. The only real difference with the weekends is that most banks are closed (except for ASB). All activities, restaurants, buses and shops are open 7 days a week. Most shops stay open as long at the weekends as during the week with many open as late as 10pm.

Question 18

How much is a cup of coffee / breakfast / dinner?

Accepted Answer

Coffee - NZ$ 4.50 - $7
Breakfast - NZ$15 - $35
Send a postcard overseas - NZ$3.50
Pre-paid SIM card - NZ$20 - $50 (most operators offer specific tourist packages)
Parking - NZ$1 - $4 for 60mins (parking can be a bit of an issue so be aware of the signs as the parking wardens are tough!)
Beer - NZ$10 - $14 for a pint
(All above prices are approximate and can vary from those listed above).

Question 19

What is the shopping like?

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Are there any internet cafe's?

Accepted Answer

Almost every cafe in New Zealand offers free wifi, providing fast and convenient internet connections. Most cafés simply request that you purchase food and drinks to use the space.

Question 21

What is the currency?

Accepted Answer

The currency throughout New Zealand is NZ dollars: 1 NZ dollar is approximately equivalent to the following:

0.5 - Eur (Euro)
0.47 - GBP (United Kingdom Pounds)
0.6 - USD (United States Dollars)
0.9 - AUD (Australian Dollars)
90 - JPY (Japan Yen)

NZ Currency available:
10, 20 cents coins, 1 & 2 dollar coins, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollar notes.

Most ATM machines only give out $20 notes so just be aware if you are going to draw out hundreds of dollars.

Question 22

Is the water safe to drink?

Accepted Answer

Yes, New Zealand tap water is amongst the best and tastiest in the world and very safe to drink.

Question 23

What clothes should I take?

Accepted Answer

Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and night-spots. In summer a light jacket or sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler. You can expect some rain, so include a light waterproof jacket or coat. Pack warm winter clothing if visiting between May and September.

Question 24

What is the minimum drinking age?

Accepted Answer

18 years. Proof of age is often required if you look under 25 so don't be offended if you get asked.

Question 25

When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand is open 365 days a year!! Unlike other tourists destinations New Zealand is an amazing place to visit no matter what time of year. During the summer months pretty much every activity except for skiing is on offer. During winter the place is alive with skiers and snowboarders, some of the water based activities do stop during the winter, though rafting and jet boating still remain very popular. During Autumn and Spring you can expect all kinds of weather, most of the skiing and snowboarding has either finished or is about to start, but as with summer, most other activities are operating. If want to know about the operating months of a particular activity you can look it up using the search box located on the top of the page or contact us for more information.

Question 26

Is there any departure tax when leaving Queenstown?

Accepted Answer

Since February 2015 New Zealand is free from departure tax!

Question 27

When is the ski season?

Accepted Answer

The NZ ski fields can open as early as the first week in June (Coronet Peak ski field Queenstown). However some years (due to the lack of snow) they may postpone the opening for a week or 2 until there is enough snow. This year there has been a lot of improvements to the ski fields, new chair lifts, new additions to terrain parks and lots of new, bigger and better snow making machines. So even if there isn't snow as long as the temperatures a low enough - they have the power to make snow! The season usually runs through till the second half of October. There are many ski fields situated in the North and South Islands.

Question 28

Are there any Supermarkets?

Accepted Answer

Fresh Choice, New World and Pack n Save are the largest supermarkets in New Zealand and are open from 9am - 9pm seven days a week. They can be found all around the country and credit card and cash payments are welcome.

Question 29

Is there any public transport? Do I need to hire a car?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand transport offers travellers a large selection of quality private and public transport options including rental cars, bus transport, air charters, car and motorhome hire, train transport, limousine hire and more. Hiring a vehicle is certainly a great way to see the country at your leisure. All major towns and city have public transport so getting around is easy. Taxi's run 24 hours a day where as trams and busses only run through the morning, day and evening. There are no underground trains in NZ.

Question 30

Are there many petrol stations?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand has plenty of petrol stations in and around the towns and cities, however due to the the remoteness of New Zealand if you are traveling any great distance we recommend you fill up before you leave the town or city you are in.

Question 31

Do the activities operate all year round?

Accepted Answer

Most activities do operate all year round. Skiing and snowboarding however is only done during the winter months - early June to late October. Rafting, sightseeing, boat trips, jet boating, bungy jumping, skydiving, plane and heli flights operate all year, but some of the other water based activities such as canyoning and river surfing tend to close during the winter months.

Question 32

How long does it take to get from the North Island to the South on the Ferry?

Accepted Answer

3 hours (92km) and it's one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world! The ferry departs from Wellington, crosses Cook Straight and enters the Marlborough Sounds, arriving in Picton.

Question 33

Who are the Maori's & where do they live?

Accepted Answer

The Maori people are the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and first arrived here in waka hourua (voyaging canoes) from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago. Maori make up over 14 percent of the population.
Today Maori people live throughout New Zealand, and many are actively involved with keeping their culture and language alive.

Question 34

Why should I book before I arrive in Queenstown?

Accepted Answer

We highly recommend you book both your activities and particularly your accommodation in advance. Queenstown has become a very popular holiday destination for both adrenalin seekers and sightseeing enthusiasts. As a result many activities get booked up and accommodation places are full many months in advance. We see so many frustrated tourists spending much of their time in Queenstown struggling to find a bed for the night and being disappointed when an activity is full. We want you to enjoy and experience as much of Queenstown as you can in the time you have here that's why we are here. Let us take the stress out of arranging what to do. If you are not sure what you want to do after reading our website, simply contact us and tell us a little about what you are interested in, how much time you have in Queenstown and we can arrange it all for you. Remember we don't charge any booking fee and all activities and bookings are the same price as those offered by the operator directly.

Question 35

Once I have received my E-ticket will my trip definitely go ahead?

Accepted Answer

Once you receive your E-ticket it means your trip has been booked and payment has been taken, you must ring the operator the night before to reconfirm your booking. This is done to ensure the operator has enough people on the trip for it to go ahead. The operator reserves the absolute right to cancel any service as a result of weather conditions, insufficient reservations or any other unforeseen event or circumstances. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.

Question 36

What happens if its bad weather?

Accepted Answer

Many activities such as scenic flights and other air activities are weather dependent. This is the reason we ask you ring the operator on the day and the specified time to check the weather conditions. If your trip is cancelled by the operator due to bad weather, you have the option of rescheduling your trip for another time or day with the operator, if this is not possible for you or you simply don't wish to go at another time please email us and we will arrange a refund back onto your credit card.

Question 37

Is there a booking fee or any hidden costs?

Accepted Answer

NO. EverythingNZ.com does not charge you for the services we provide. All prices quoted are the same as those offered by the operators directly. We pride ourselves on offering a service to you at no additional cost.

Question 38

Is it cheaper if I book direct?

Accepted Answer

No. The Everything Travel group does not charge you for the services we provide. All prices quoted are the same as those offered by the operators directly. We don't even charge you any credit card fees so in many instances it will actually be cheaper to book with us.

Question 39

Can I change my booking?

Accepted Answer

Activities can be rescheduled provided you give at least 48 hours notice and if consent is given by the operator. You can re-schedule by contacting the customer service team at Everything Travel via email, phone or the live chat function on our site and we'll be happy to sort it out for you.

Question 40

Can I cancel my booking?

Accepted Answer

If cancelled within 72 hours no refund will be given unless authorised by the activity operator. In general, if you contact us with ample time so that the operator can resell your seat then you will receive a refund. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.

Question 41

What happens if I lose my ticket?

Accepted Answer

No signed e-ticket = NO ACTIVITY. Just the same as booking a flight, if you don't have your ticket then you can't do the trip. If you do lose the ticket email us and we can resend your E-ticket.

Question 42

How do I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Please contact us and we will contact the operator to confirm the refund. We will then refund the amount back on to your credit card and send you an email with confirmation. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.

Question 43

I want to change the number of travellers before booking completion - how can I do it?

Accepted Answer

Edit the product you wish to book on the travel cart under, Review Order, click Change Details and change the number of travellers to get an updated price and availability.

Question 44

Can I change the number of travellers after I've made the booking?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you need to add more, simply buy another ticket. If you need less, please contact our Reservations Team and we will assist you, subject to our refund and cancellation policy. If your booking involves seating requests, please contact the operator directly to pass on your request and they will see if it is possible.

Question 45

Can I make a change to the date I booked if I need to?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you need to change the date, please email our friendly Reservations Team, and they can assist with this.

Question 46

Can Everything New Zealand make amendments to booking instantly, or must they be approved by the operator first?

Accepted Answer

Typically, we will need to check with the operator first as they can let us know about availability and options. If you need to amend anything, please email us on info@everythingnewzealand.com and provide us with your name, voucher number, what needs amending and your best contact details.

Question 47

How can I pay for my booking?

Accepted Answer

You can make a payment online or over the phone. We accept Visa and Mastercard, Afterpay and Zippay. You can pay using Afterpay and Zippay online only.

Question 48

Are my details secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your details are secure and shopping with Everything New Zealand and our partners is secure! We use a high-level SSL certificate with Thawte encryption that hides your credit card number and PKN so that it cannot be read as the information travels over the Internet.

Question 49

What is "Big Red Group" on my bank statement?

Accepted Answer

Everything New Zealand is a part of the Big Red Group family. The name "Big Red Group" may show on your bank statement for any Everything New Zealand transactions.

Question 50

I have a coupon code for a discount, how do I use it?

Accepted Answer

Go you! That's great. All you need to do is enter the coupon code online at checkout in the coupon code section.

Question 51

My payment has been voided, what do I do now?

Accepted Answer

When a customers transaction fails, this means we had an issue confirming the booking with the tour supplier. Please note that your credit card has NOT been charged and the 'Pending Transaction' amount will disappear from your bank statement within 48hrs of the failed purchase.

Question 52

If my payment has been voided, is my voucher still generated?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately if your payment has been voided, it means we had an issue confirming the booking with the tour supplier. As a result, no voucher or booking confirmation is generated and we suggest not trying the request again as it may result in multiple transactions. Please note that your credit card has NOT been charged and the 'Pending Transaction' amount will disappear from your bank statement within 48hrs of the failed purchase.

Question 53

Can you help us get our bank to fast track the payment?

Accepted Answer

We can do our best. We can send a 'Fund Release' template to your bank to request the release to be expedited.

Question 54

I still want to book, how can I make that happen?

Accepted Answer

It's best you give our helpful Reservation Team a call directly on 03 222 7263, and they can ensure your booking is made without any additional voided payments.

Question 55

Is it possible to cancel my booking?

Accepted Answer

If you need to cancel based on a cancelled flight, extreme weather, illness or bereavement, you may be covered by our Cancellation Guarantee. In all other circumstances, cancelling a booking with Everything New Zealand can result in cancellation fees being applied, as outlined below. Additional fees may be levied by the individual supplier/operator (see your Everything New Zealand Voucher for specific details). When cancelling any booking you will be notified via email, facsimile or telephone of the total cancellation fees.

Question 56

Do you have an early cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellation terms are subject to change and can be dependent on the individual tour operator/supplier. Please refer to the policy listed on your chosen experience.

Question 57

Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

No refunds are available once a tour or service has commenced, or in respect of any package, accommodation, meals or any other services utilised. Additionally, we do not offer refunds for theme park tickets, attractions, shows or coupons in all circumstances. Gift Vouchers are also non-refundable in all circumstances. Account credits are provided where refunds are not possible.

Question 58

How do I request a refund?

Accepted Answer

If you wish to request a refund for your purchase, please contact our Customer Experience Team and we'll be happy to help.

Question 59

How long are Gift Vouchers valid for and are they refundable?

Accepted Answer

All Gift Vouchers are valid for 5 years from the date of purchase. Gift Vouchers are strictly non-refundable.

Question 60

The Gift Voucher I received is for an experience that doesn't tickle my fancy, can I change it to something else?

Accepted Answer

It's bound to happen. The best thing about our Gift Vouchers is that they are super flexible, so yes, you can change your experience. If the value of the voucher is greater than the new experience, we will hold a credit on file. If the value of the new experience is less than, then you'll just need to pay the difference.

Question 61

How do I buy a Gift Voucher?

Accepted Answer

If you're looking for the perfect gift for someone special, we believe experiences are better than things. Here's how to buy a gift voucher.

Question 62

How do I redeem my Gift Voucher?

Accepted Answer

Lucky you! Someone special has spoiled you with an extraordinary gift voucher. You can redeem your gift voucher here.

Question 63

What if the experience I originally redeemed the Gift Voucher becomes unavailable?

Accepted Answer

If the experience you originally redeemed for is no longer available we will hold the credit/value of the voucher for the original 5 year validity.

Question 64

I've created an account, how do I access my account?

Accepted Answer

You can access your account by logging in online. You can find an 'Account' tab at the top right corner of our site, and will just need to log in with the email and password you have created. Once you are logged into your account, you will be able to see your upcoming bookings, purchase history, account information, change your password and check out the Perks program.

Experience NZ with CamperMate

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Heli Hike - Mt Cook Glacier Guiding

Heliski Mt Cook

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45 minute Whale Watching Helicopter Flight from Kaikoura

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International Antarctic Centre

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Hobbiton Movie Set & Te Puia Geothermal Valley Tour

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West Coast Discovery Tour from Auckland

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Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Experience

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Deluxe Lake Spa at Polynesian Spa

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Restorative Journey at Wai Ariki Rotorua

National Kiwi Hatchery Experience Rotorua