Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
The country's main telecommunications company is
Telecom New Zealand
(
www.telecom.co.nz
), which has wireless
hotspots around the country where you can purchase prepaid access cards. Alternatively, purchase a prepaid number
from the login page at any wireless hotspot using your credit card. See Telecom's website for hotspot listings.
»
If you've brought your palmtop or laptop, consider buying a prepay USB modem (aka a 'dongle') with a local SIM
card: both Telecom and
Vodafone
(
www.vodafone.co.nz
) sell these from around $100. If you want to get connected via
a local internet service provider (ISP), options include the following:
»
Clearnet
(
0508 888 800;
www.clearnet.co.nz
)
»
Earthlight
(
03-479 0303;
www.earthlight.co.nz
)
»
Slingshot
(
0800 892 000;
www.slingshot.co.nz
)
Internet Cafes
»
There are fewer internet cafes around these days than there were five years ago (thanks to the advent of smartphones
and wi-fi) but you'll still find them in most sizable towns. Access at cafes ranges anywhere from $4 to $6 per hour.
»
Most youth hostels have both wi-fi and computers for internet access, as do many hotels and caravan parks. Many
public libraries have internet access, including wi-fi, but generally it's provided for research, not for travellers to check
Facebook.
Legal Matters
»
Marijuana is widely indulged in but is illegal: anyone caught carrying this or other illicit drugs will have the topic
thrown at them.
»
Drink-driving is a serious offence and remains a significant problem in NZ. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% for
drivers over 20, and zero for those under 20.
»
If you are arrested, it's your right to consult a lawyer before any formal questioning begins.
Maps
»
NZ's
Automobile Association
(AA; 0800 500 444;
www.aa.co.nz/travel
)
produces excellent city, town, regional,
island and highway maps, available from its local offices. The AA also produces a detailed
New Zealand Road Atlas
.
Other reliable countrywide atlases, available from visitor information centres and bookshops, are published by Hema,
KiwiMaps and Wises.
»
Land Information New Zealand
(LINZ;
www.linz.govt.nz
)
publishes several exhaustive map series, including
street, country and holiday maps, national park and forest park maps, and topographical trampers' maps. Scan the larger
bookshops, or try the nearest DOC office or visitor information centre for topo maps.
»
Online, log onto
AA Maps
(
www.aamaps.co.nz
)
or
Yellow Maps
(
www.maps.yellowpages.co.nz
)
to pinpoint exact
NZ addresses.
