New Zealand
Last checked:
- Capital
- Wellington
- Currency
- NZD · New Zealand dollar
- Languages
- English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
- Plugs
- Type I · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Milford Sound / Piopiotahi · Fiordland (from Te Anau or Queenstown)
Fiord with sheer cliffs and waterfalls, seen by boat cruise, kayak or scenic flight.
- Queenstown · Queenstown
Lake and mountain town known for adventure sports, skiing and nearby wine regions.
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing · Tongariro National Park
Day hike across volcanic terrain with emerald lakes; weather can close it.
- Rotorua · Rotorua
Geothermal parks, hot pools and Māori cultural experiences.
- Hobbiton Movie Set · Matamata
The Shire film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, by guided tour only.
Getting around
Car rental
Car or campervan rental
Outside the big cities a car is close to essential. Drive on the left; roads are narrow, winding and hilly, so allow more time than maps suggest. Freedom camping has rules: use certified self-contained vehicles or designated sites.
Buses
InterCity
National coach network serving hundreds of towns, with multi-trip passes (FlexiPass, TravelPass) valid for a year.
Ferries
Interislander / Bluebridge
Ferries between Wellington and Picton across Cook Strait, carrying cars and campervans. Book ahead in summer.
Ride-hailing app
Uber / DiDi
Available in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and other cities; limited or none in small towns.
Public transport
AT HOP (Auckland) / Snapper (Wellington) / Bee Card (regions)
Local transit cards for buses, trains and Auckland ferries. Auckland also accepts contactless bank cards on most services (varies).
E-scooters
Lime / Beam
Shared e-scooters and e-bikes in several cities, unlocked by app (availability varies by city).
Money and cash
Currency: NZD · New Zealand dollar
Cards, EFTPOS and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including small cafés. Some businesses add a small card surcharge (varies). Carry a little cash for rural honesty boxes, markets and some campsites.
Tipping
Tipping is not a traditional practice in New Zealand and is not expected, as staff earn at least the minimum wage. It has become a little more common for exceptional service. Most card terminals do not show a tip prompt.
| Restaurants | Not expected; about 10% for excellent service is a generous extra. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Not expected; coins in a tip jar are common but optional. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Not expected; rounding up is fine. Uber has optional in-app tips. |
| Hotels | Not expected; a few dollars per bag for porters is optional. |
| Tours and guides | Optional; NZ$10-30 per person for a great guided tour is appreciated (varies). |
| Food delivery | Not customary; in-app tip optional. |
Service charge: what’s true
Service charges are not normal. Some cafés and restaurants add a surcharge on public holidays to cover higher legal wages, and some add a card surcharge (varies). These should be shown on the menu or at the counter and go to the business, not as a tip.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Pressure to tip is rare. If a terminal or app does ask for a tip, it is fine to skip it. Check for a public holiday surcharge on the bill so you do not tip twice by accident.
Useful phrases
- Kia ora. Hello / thank you (te reo Māori).
- Could I get the bill, please? Could I get the bill, please?
Etiquette
- 'Kia ora' is a common greeting; using it is welcome. Learn to pronounce Māori place names properly.
- On a marae (Māori meeting ground), follow your hosts: wait to be welcomed, and remove shoes before entering the meeting house.
- The hongi is a traditional greeting pressing noses and foreheads; follow your host's lead.
- Do not sit on tables or put hats on food tables; Māori custom treats this as disrespectful.
- Many homes expect you to take shoes off at the door.
- Leave no trace in nature: stay on tracks, take rubbish out and clean boots and gear to protect against pests (the Tiaki Promise).
Scams and how to handle them
Theft from parked cars
Where: Trailheads, scenic lookouts, beach car parks, city streets
How it works: Thieves break into rental cars and campervans, which are easy to spot, while owners are hiking or sightseeing.
How to avoid it: Do not leave bags, passports or electronics in vehicles, even out of sight.
Phishing texts and emails
Where: SMS and email
How it works: Messages pretend to be from a bank, toll or transport agency or delivery company and ask you to click a link and pay or log in.
How to avoid it: Do not click links in unexpected messages; go directly to the official site.
Online marketplace fraud
Where: Facebook Marketplace and similar (cars, campervans, gear)
How it works: Goods are paid for but never arrive, or the vehicle or item is not as described.
How to avoid it: Inspect in person, check vehicle history and avoid paying strangers by bank transfer in advance.
Holiday deal scams
Where: Social media and email
How it works: Cheap flight or accommodation vouchers that cannot be redeemed.
How to avoid it: Book directly with known providers and pay by credit card.
Job scams
Where: Online ads targeting working holidaymakers
How it works: Work offers that ask for an upfront payment or card details.
How to avoid it: Never pay to get a job; check the employer is real.
Romance scams
Where: Dating apps and social media
How it works: Scammers build a relationship online, then ask for money.
How to avoid it: Do not send money to people you have not met in person.
Safety
- Weather in the mountains and on the coast changes fast. Check DOC (Department of Conservation) track status and the forecast, and leave your plans with someone before hiking.
- Earthquakes are common: follow 'Drop, Cover, Hold'. After a long or strong quake near the coast, move to high ground in case of a tsunami.
- Roads are narrow, winding and hilly. Keep left, take breaks and do not underestimate driving times.
- Swim at beaches patrolled by lifeguards and between the flags; rips are common.
- Sun is strong in summer; use sunscreen.
- Street crime is low but theft from vehicles is common.
How widely English is spoken
English is spoken everywhere. Many place names and greetings are in te reo Māori, such as 'Kia ora' (hello).
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: New Zealand, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: New Zealand
- Hootling: Tipping in New Zealand
- Consumer NZ: Scams
- Wikipedia: List of tipping customs by country
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.