Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
up with a SIM card and phone number (about $40); top-ups can be purchased at news-
agents, post offices and petrol stations practically anywhere.
Alternatively, if you don't bring your own phone from home, you can rent one from Voda-
fone Rental ( www.vodarent.co.nz ) from $5 per day (for which you'll also need a local SIM
card), with pick-up and drop-off outlets at NZ's major airports. We've also had some positive
feedback on Phone Hire New Zealand ( www.phonehirenz.com ) , which hires out mobile
phones, SIM cards, modems and satellite phones.
Remember, you're unlikely to get any mobile coverage in large areas of the backcountry.
Phonecards
NZ has a wide range of phonecards available, which can be bought at hostels, newsagents
and post offices for a fixed dollar value (usually $5, $10, $20 and $50). These can be used
with any public or private phone by dialling a toll-free access number and then the PIN num-
ber on the card. Shop around - rates vary from company to company.
Time
NZ is 12 hours ahead of GMT/UTC and two hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard
Time. The Chathams are 45 minutes ahead of NZ's main islands.
In summer, NZ observes daylight-saving time, where clocks are wound forward by one
hour on the last Sunday in September. Clocks are wound back on the first Sunday of the fol-
lowing April.
Visas
Visa application forms are available from NZ diplomatic missions overseas, travel agents and
Immigration New Zealand ( 09-914 4100, 0508 558 855; www.immigration.govt.nz ) . Immigra-
tion New Zealand has more than a dozen offices overseas; consult the website.
Visitor's Visa
Citizens of Australia don't need a visa to visit NZ and can stay indefinitely (provided they
have no criminal convictions). UK citizens don't need a visa either and can stay in the coun-
try for up to six months.
Citizens of another 57 countries that have visa-waiver agreements with NZ don't need a
visa for stays of up to three months provided they have an onward ticket and sufficient funds
to support their stay. Nations in this group include Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan,
the Netherlands and the USA.
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