Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DEPARTURE TAX
An international departure tax of NZ$25 applies when leaving three of NZ's smaller international airports:
Hamilton, Rotorua and the sporadically international Palmerston North. At all other airports the tax has been re-
placed with a NZ$12.50 Passenger Service Charge (PSC), which is included in your ticket price. At Hamilton,
Rotorua and Palmerston North, 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 under two.
International Airports
A number of North Island airports handle international flights, with Auckland receiving most traffic:
Auckland International Airport
(AKL;
09-275 0789;
www.aucklandairport.co.nz
; Ray Emery Dr, Mangere)
Hamilton International Airport
(HIA;
07-848 9027;
www.hamiltonairport.co.nz
; Airport Rd)
Rotorua International Airport
(ROT;
07-345 8800;
www.rotorua-airport.co.nz
; SH30)
Wellington Airport
(WLG;
04-385 5100;
www.wellingtonairport.co.nz
; Stewart Duff Dr, Rongotai)
International Airlines
New Zealand'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 Pacific
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.
If you're looking for something with a slower pace, plenty of passenger cruise liners stop in NZ on the South Pacific
legs of their respective schedules: try
P&O Cruises
(
www.pocruises.com.au
)
for starters.
Alternatively, a berth on a cargo ship or freighter to/from New Zealand is a quirky way to go: check out websites such
as
www.freightercruises.com
and
www.freighterexpeditions.com.au
for more info.
