Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
New Zealand Apartments
(
www.nzapartments.co.nz
)
PRACTICALITIES
»
News
Leaf through Auckland's
New Zealand Herald
or Wellington's
Dominion Post
newspapers. Online see
»
TV
Watch one of the national government-owned TV stations (TV One, TV2, TVNZ 6, Maori TV and the
100% Maori language Te Reo) or the subscriber-only Sky TV (
www.skytv.co.nz
)
.
»
Radio
Tune in to Radio National for current affairs and Concert FM for classical and jazz (see
www.radionz.co.nz
for frequencies). Radio Hauraki (
www.hauraki.co.nz
)
cranks out the rock, while Newstalk ZB
(
www.newstalkzb.co.nz
)
has the most lively of talkback discussions on New Zealand issues.
»
DVDs
Kiwi DVDs are encoded for Region 4, which includes Mexico, South America, Central America, Aus-
tralia, the Pacific and the Caribbean.
»
Electrical
To plug yourself into the electricity supply (240V AC, 50Hz), use a three-pin adaptor (the same as in
Australia; different to British three-pin adaptors).
»
Weights & measures
NZ uses the metric system.
Children
NZ is a terrific place to travel with kids as it is safe and affordable, with loads of playgrounds, kid-centric activities, a
moderate climate and chilli-free cuisine. For helpful general tips, see Lonely Planet's
Travel with Children
. Handy on-
line resources for kids' activities and travel info include:
Kidz Go New Zealand
(
www.kidzgo.co.nz
)
Kidspot
(
www.kidspot.co.nz
)
KidsNewzealand
(
www.kidsnewzealand.com
)
Tips
»
Many motels and holiday parks have playgrounds, games and DVDs, and, occasionally, fenced swimming pools and
trampolines. Cots and highchairs aren't always available at budget and midrange accommodation, but top-end hotels
supply them and often provide child-minding services. Many B&Bs promote themselves as kid-free, and hostels tend to
focus on the backpacker demographic, but there are plenty of hostels (including YHA) that do allow kids.
»
For specialised childcare, try
www.rockmybaby.co.nz
,
or look under 'babysitters' and 'child care centres' in the
Yel-
low Pages
directory.
»
Check that your car-hire company can supply the right-sized seat for your child, and that the seat will be properly fit-
ted. Some companies legally require you to fit car seats yourself.
»
Most Kiwis are relaxed about public breastfeeding. Alternatively, cities and major towns have public rooms where
parents can go to feed a baby or change a nappy (diaper); check with the local visitor information centre, or ask a local.
