Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DEPARTURE TAX
An international departure tax of NZ$25 applies when leaving three of NZ's smaller international airports (all in
the North Island); Hamilton, Rotorua and the sporadically international Palmerston North. At all other airports
across the country the tax has been replaced with a NZ$12.50 Passenger Service Charge (PSC), which is included
in your ticket price. At Hamilton, Rotorua and Palmerston North, the departure tax must be paid separately at the
airport before you board your flight (via credit card or cash). For kids under 12 it's NZ$10, and free for kids un-
der two.
International Airports
Three South Island airports handle international flights:
Christchurch International Airport
(CHC;
03-358 5029;
www.christchurchairport.co.nz
;
30 Durey Rd, Christch-
urch Airport)
Dunedin International Airport
(DUD;
03-486 2879;
www.dnairport.co.nz
; 25 Miller Rd, Momona)
Queenstown Airport
(ZQN;
03-450 9031;
www.queenstownairport.co.nz
;
Sir Henry Wrigley Dr)
International Airlines
»
NZ's own international carrier is
Air New Zealand
(
www.airnewzealand.co.nz
), which flies to runways across
Europe, North America, eastern Asia and the Pacific, and has an extensive network across NZ.
»
Winging-in from Australia,
Virgin Australia
(
www.virginaustralia.com
),
Qantas
(
www.qantas.com.au
)
,
Jetstar
(
0800 800 995;
www.jetstar.com
) and Air New Zealand are the key players.
»
Air New Zealand also flies in from North America, but you can head south with
Air Canada
(
www.aircanada.com
)
and
American Airlines
(
www.aa.com
)
, too.
»
From Europe, the options are a little broader, with
British Airways
(
www.britishairways.com
)
,
Lufthansa
(
www.lufthansa.com
)
and
Virgin Atlantic
(
www.virginatlantic.com
)
entering the fray, and plenty of others stopping in
NZ on broader round-the-world routes.
»
From Asia and the Pacific there are myriad options, with direct flights from China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thail-
and and many Pacific island nations.
Sea
»
It's possible (though by no means easy or safe) to make your way between NZ and Australia, and some smaller Pacif-
ic islands, by hitching rides or crewing on yachts. Try asking around at harbours, marinas, and yacht and sailing clubs.
Popular yachting harbours in NZ include the Bay of Islands and Whangarei (both in Northland), Auckland and Welling-
ton. March and April are the best months to look for boats heading to Australia.
»
From Fiji, October to November is a peak departure season to beat the cyclones that soon follow in that neck of the
woods.
