New Zealand Flag of New Zealand

countryOceania

New Zealand is a COUNTRY in Oceania.

New Zealand, a land of breathtaking landscapes and vibrant Maori culture, is a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers alike. From the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the pristine beaches of the Bay of Islands, every corner of this country offers something spectacular. Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, hike the famous Milford Track, or bungee jump in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. The country's rich Maori heritage is evident in its art, cuisine, and traditional performances, offering a unique cultural experience. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or serene natural beauty, New Zealand promises an unforgettable journey.

Best time to visit New Zealand

The best time to visit New Zealand is during the summer months from December to February when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities. However, for skiing and snowboarding, the winter months from June to August are perfect. Shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November) offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.

October

Now

Typical for October

Weather
Mild 10-18°C, variable

Travel notes

Crowds
Low
Prices
Low

Wildflowers, fewer tourists

Know before you go

Getting there

AKL

Auckland Airport

International

20 km away

CHC

Christchurch Airport

International

12 km away

WLG

Wellington International Airport

International

8 km away

ZQN

Queenstown Airport

International

8 km away

DUD

Dunedin International Airport

International

30 km away

Getting around

"New Zealand offers various transportation options. Renting a car or campervan is the most flexible way to explore, especially for remote areas. Domestic flights connect major cities quickly. Buses and trains are reliable for intercity travel, while ferries are essential for crossing between the North and South Islands. In cities, public transport, taxis, and rideshares are readily available."

Stay connected

WiFi speed

50 Mbps

Mobile data

Excellent

WiFi

Widely available in cities and towns, free in many cafes and libraries

Local SIM

Local SIM available at airport from $5 (e.g., Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees)

Calling code

+64

Stay safe

Overall

9/10

Very safe overall. Scams are rare but watch for overpriced tours. Natural hazards are the main concern.

Night safety

8/10

Very safe overall. Scams are rare but watch for overpriced tours. Natural hazards are the main concern.

Transport

9/10

Scam risk

7/10

"New Zealand is generally very safe, but always stay aware of your surroundings and follow local advice, especially during outdoor activities."

Entry and health

Visa requirements

"Many nationalities can enter New Zealand visa-free for up to 90 days. Others may need to apply for a visa or an eTA. Check the official immigration website for specific requirements."

Health information

"No specific vaccinations are required for entry. However, it's advisable to be up-to-date on routine vaccines. Sun protection is essential due to strong UV rays. Medical facilities are excellent, but travel insurance is recommended."

Culture

Local customs

"New Zealanders, or 'Kiwis,' are known for their friendly and laid-back nature. It's customary to greet with a handshake or a simple 'Kia ora' (hello). Tipping is not expected but appreciated for exceptional service. Respect for the environment is important, so always follow the 'Leave No Trace' principles. Maori culture is deeply respected, so be mindful when visiting sacred sites."
English (official)Maori (official)SamoanHindiMandarin ChineseFrenchEnglishMaoriNew Zealand Sign Language

Costs and practicals

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD) · $

Cost level

Mid-range

Meals

$15-25 | a meal at a mid-range restaurant

Hotels

$120-200 | mid-range hotel per night

Local transport

$2-5 | local bus fare in cities

Cost notes

Prices higher in tourist areas like Queenstown. Budget options available in hostels and backpacker lodges.

Timezone

Pacific/Auckland +12:00 (GMT)

More facts

Population

4,885,500

Area

268,680 km²

Government

Constitutional Monarchy

ISO code

NZ, NZL

Type

country

Frequently Asked Questions

Also known as: Sélandia Anyar, ᓂᐅ ᓰᓚᓐ, New Zealand nutome, නවසීලන්තය, Vahtsõnõ Meremaa, Sabuwar Zelandiya, Sealainn Nuadh, न्यूज़ीलैण्ड, Selandia Anyar, Nueva Zelandia, Nieuw-Zêeland, Нова Зеландія, نیوزیلاند, Çĕнĕ Зеланди, ନିଉଜିଲ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ, ЦӀийи Зеландия, Novèle-Zilinde, ନ୍ୟୁଜିଲାଣ୍ଡ, Niu Zilan, နယူးဇီလန်နိုင်ငံ, ma Nusilan, Finî Zelânde, Zêlanda Nû, Nouvèl Zelann, يېڭى زېلاندىيە, Nowŏ Zelandyjŏ, Nova Zełanda, Ziland Tamaynut, ປະເທດນູແວນ ເຊລັງ, ᎢᏤ ᏏᎢᎴᏂᏗ, Нова Зеландия, Zeelanda Berria, Selandia Baru, Nuvelizelandi, Niu Di-lân, Шинэ Зеланд, ന്യൂസീലൻഡ്, Naujoji Zelandija, Nova Zelândia, Nouvelle Zélande, Nouve Zelande, نیوزی ینڈ, INyuzilandi, Նոր Զելանդիա, Зеландияи Нав, Néu Sî-làn, Niu Djiran, Orílẹ́ède ṣilandi Titun, Nový Zéland, Жаңы Зеландия, Növa Zelanda, នូវែលហ្សេឡង់, Ziland Foforo, Nova Zilanna, Nuzilan, نيوزيلاندا, Zelandɛ ya sika, Аотераоа, New Zealand / Aotearoa, Ný Sæland, ניו זילאנד, Zeland Nevez, Yañı Zelandiya, නව සීලන්තය, న్యూజీలాండ్, New Zealand, Шэнэ Зеланд, Nutaaq Zeelandi, zis. poi cnino, Neuva Selanda, 아오테아로아, Nyuzilandi, ܢܝܘ ܙܝܠܢܕ, Nýsæland, An Nua-Shéalainn, Од Зеландия, ನ್ಯೂ ಜೀಲ್ಯಾಂಡ್, Nouvelle-Zélande, Nov-Zeland, Täze Zelandiýa, Nova Celandia, ન્યૂઝીલેન્ડ, Nīwe Sǣland, Новая Зэляндыя, Керда Зеланди, Neiséiland, ניו זילנד, نيوزيلندا, न्यू-जीलैंड, Шинзелендин Орн, Жаңа Зеландия, 新西兰, Baro a Selanda, न्युजिल्यान्ड, Sin Jia̍t-lân-jia, نيوزيلينڊ, Nei-Sialun, Yangi Zelandiya, نیوٗزِلینٛڑ, Tân Tây Lan, Yeni Zelandiya, Novi Zeland, Nieuw-Zeeland, Новый Зеланд, Nova Zilanda, i-New Zealand, Нов Зеланд, Nūkilani, Niyuziirandi, Niegseeland, Uusi-Seelanti, 뉴질랜드, Uus-Meremaa, নিউজিল্যান্ড, Niu Sila, Nov-Zelando, Nû Zelenda, Nyuu Ziilan, Niwu Ziilandde, ནིའུ་ཛི་ལེནཌ་, မိူင်းၼိဝ်းၸီႇလႅၼ်ႇ, Zelandaya Newiye, Ҫӗнӗ Зеланди, 𐌽𐌹𐌿𐌾𐌹𐍃 𐍃𐌰𐌹𐍅𐌰𐌻𐌰𐌽𐌳, Новая Зеландыя, Selánda Pyahu, Nuveli Zelande, ახალი ზელანდია, Nueva Zelanda, Seland-Gu-Bees, 紐西蘭/新西兰, Nova Zelanda, Yn Teelynn Noa, Nyuu Ziilant, Noveu Zaiphäts, Nuwel Selannda, Керла Зеланди, Aotearoa, ኒው ዚላንድ, ન્યુઝીલેન્ડ, Musuq Silanda, Новая Зеландия, နယူးဇီလန်, ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ, Yancuīc Zetlālpan, ประเทศนิวซีแลนด์, নিউ জিলণ্ড, Gnove Zelande, Neiseeland, Új-Zéland, Nova-Zelando, Nòva Zelanda, Nove Zelanda, ນິວຊີແລນ, Saen Saelanz, Nowa Zelandia, Näi-Seelound, 新西蘭, Mueva Zelanda, ニュージーランド, ནིའུ་ཛི་ལེནཌ, न्यूझीलंड, நியூசிலாந்து, Neuva Zelanda, Mordir Nowydh, ནིའུ་ཛི་ལན྄ཌ།, Zeland Nova, Nowo Zylandyjo, Novèla-Zèlande, Ног Зеланди, ނިއުޒިލޭންޑު, Uz' Zelandii, Nuova Zelanda, Nya Zeeland, Zelanda e Re, Нови Зеланд, Noa Zelanda, Sĭng-să̤-làng, نیوزلند, ന്യൂസിലാൻറ്, Nuève Zelanne, Nui-Zieland, न्यूज़ीलैंड, Nova Zelandija, న్యుజిలేండ్, Джангы Зеландия, Eni Zelandiya, न्यु जिल्यान्द, Nuʻusila, Jaunzēlande, ᓂᐅ ᓯᐊᐧᐣ, Naua Zeelanda, Zeland-Nevez, Новъ Ꙁєландъ, Novi Selande, Зелэнд ЩӀэ, نیوزیلند, 新熱蘭遮, Яңа Зеландия, Nòva Zelanna, Νέα Ζηλανδία, ನ್ಯೂಜಿಲೆಂಡ್, Nýja-Sjáland, Nieuw-Zeêland, Neuseeland, Seulandia Barô, نیوزیلنډ, Саҥа Зеландия, ನ್ಯೂ ಝಿಲೆಂಡ್, Naujuojė Zelandėjė, Niu Silan, Seland Newydd, Nuebu Silan, Niw-Zilannda, न्यू जील्याण्ड, Neyuusilaand, Выль Зеландия, न्यू झीलँड, Nieu-Seeland, ᱱᱤᱭᱩᱡᱤᱞᱮᱱᱰ, Nowoseelandska, Zelandy Vaovao, Nowô Zelandzkô, ᎢᏤᏏᎢᎴᏂᏗ, ኒው ዘይላንድ, Zelandi Koura, Niusiladi, Nula-Seleäns, Nij-Seelân, Yeni Zelanda, نیوزی لینڈ, Ni'j-Zeelaand, न्यूजीलैंड, Яңы Зеландия, នូវែលសេឡង់, Noua Zeelandă, 紐西蘭, Nova Zelandia, У Зеланди, ནིའུ་ཛི་ལེན་ཌི།, Jan'a Zelandiya

AdventureNatureHikingBeachWine RegionMaori CultureSkiingScenic Drives