New Zealand is a beautiful island nation with a rich history. The country lies 2566 kilometres off the coast of Australia and was first inhabited by Māori tribes from Hawaiki. If you love nature, taking a vacation in New Zealand is a great idea. By preparing your trip correctly, planning your activities, and having an understanding and respect for local customs and culture, you can make your trip to New Zealand easy and fun.X
StepsPart 1Part 1 of 3:Getting the Proper Paperwork and Making Arrangements
1Renew or apply for a passport. To travel, there’s a good chance that you’ll need your passport to leave and reenter the country. If you are over the age of 16 in the U.S.A., your passport is valid for ten years after it was issued.X If you’ve never traveled out of the country then you’ll have to apply for a passport. You can do this online, or by visiting your local passport acceptance facility and filling out an application in person.XTrustworthy SourceUSA.GOVOfficial website for the United States federal governmentGo to sourceGetting a passport can take up to a month and a half in some circumstances, so make sure that you get your passport well in advance of your trip.X
2See if you need to get a visa. Residents of certain countries do not have to get a visitor’s visa to vacation in New Zealand. Check their website to see if your country is on the list of visa waiver countries.X If you do need a visa, visit New Zealand’s immigration website and sign up online.XVacation visas are for those that are visiting for three months or less.Visa waiver countries include the U.S.A, Canada, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, South Korea, and many more countries.
3Purchase plane tickets to New Zealand. Check on reputable travel sites online to find tickets to New Zealand. Choose a flight that fits within your schedule and budget. If you are visiting as part of a guided vacation or tour, make sure to talk to the vacation company before booking tickets. Take the time of year into account when planning your trip. Know New Zeland’s seasons so that you can go during a time of year that you can enjoy.Spring is September through November, summer is December through February, autumn is March through May and winter is June to August in New Zealand.XPurchasing tickets in advance of the date of your flight may reduce the price significantly.The top travel websites include Kayak, Momondo, Jetsetter and Skyscanner.XIf you can’t purchase tickets online, you can contact a travel advisor to help you book tickets.
4Pack your bags. Think of what you’ll need while on your vacation and pack accordingly. Make sure to take extra sets of clothes. Consider the activities that you’ll be doing while you’re on your vacation and make sure to take the equipment you need.Pack swimsuits and light t-shirts and shorts for warmer weather in November through March.In April to October the temperature gets cold, so make sure to pack warm pants, jackets, gloves, and hats.Check New Zealand’s official travel site to see a list of restricted items.XA raincoat and umbrella are often required when traveling to New Zealand because of the country’s temperate climate and regular rainfall.
5Determine your accommodations. Decide whether you’d rather rough it in a remote lodge in the forest or whether you’d rather stay in a five-star hotel with all the amenities. Look for a place to stay that you’ll feel comfortable in and coordinate your hotel or inn to the activities you’ll be doing. For instance, if you plan on enjoying New Zeland’s nature, it may be a good idea to stay in a lodge. If you’re going to enjoy the restaurants and nightlife, however, staying in a nice hotel might be for you.
6Figure out how you’ll be getting around during your stay. If you hire a car, remeber in New Zealand, they drive on the left side of the road. If you live in a country where this isn’t customary, driving may be difficult for you.X Decide whether you’ll be renting a car or using public transit. Because New Zealand is so environmentally conscious, taking public transit is usually encouraged. Part 2Part 2 of 3:Partaking in Activities
1Hike or walk to take in the natural scenery. New Zealand is a beautiful country with mountains, shores, thick lush forests, coastal glaciers, rainforests, rivers, and caves. Consider taking long walks or hikes, where you can stargaze or just admire the stunning scenery. There are thousands of kilometers of hiking trails for novice and seasoned hikers. Remember to dress appropriately for the weather when hiking or walking. Hiking is called tramping in New Zealand. There are natural structures in New Zealand that you can’t find anywhere else in the world, such as Mount Ngauruhoe, a large active volcano in Tongariro National Park.Another location in New Zealand is Rotorua, a large natural space that has geysers and is one of the largest geothermal locations in the world.XHiking and walking trails include Whanganui Journey, Heaphy Track, and Abel Tasman Coast Track.X
2Consider going white water rafting. Bodies of water like Lake Taupo, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay provide a great environment for both veteran and novice white water rafters. Contact rafting companies in the area and talk to them about your experience and what you’re looking for. Inquire about the cost and time investment before agreeing to a day of rafting.XThe waters of New Zealand have rapids ranging from level one for novices up to level four rapids for seasoned rafters.
3Ski or snowboard. New Zealand’s largest commercial ski area, Mt Ruapehu is on the North Island. On the South Island, there are three different ski areas called Canterbury Ski Area, Mount Cook Mackenzie, and Queenstown. Each of these ski areas has multiple mountains that you can use to ski, with varying levels of difficulty for both veterans and novice skiers and snowboarders.XRemember to wear protective gear when doing snow sports like gloves, heavy clothes, and a helmet.
4Investigate other high-adrenaline activities. New Zealand is known for their high-adrenaline activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning, caving, jet boating, and diving with sharks. If you like trying new and exciting things, do some research on the possibilities that are available in the country. New Zealand was the first country to introduce commercial bungee jumping to the world.You can also go ice hiking in New Zealand and walk around large glaciers.Canyoning involves climbing up rock faces and leaping into giant pools in the rainforest.
5Eat and drink at local restaurants. There are a variety of different types of cuisine available in New Zealand. In particular, the country boasts a wide variety of seafood, like mussels, oysters, and crayfish/lobster. For libations, they have a growing list of local craft breweries, as well as wineries and vineyards that you can tour. Check out regional restaurants and bars and try to take in the culture.X
6Go to festivals in New Zealand. There are over 500 festivals annually in New Zealand ranging from wine and cheese festivals to St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, a music festival with guests like Bob Moses and Young Thug.X Find festivals that incorporate something that you like and purchase tickets online.Other popular festivals include Balloons over Waikato, the Luminate Festival, the Leadfoot Festival, and Pinot Noir NZ.Part 3Part 3 of 3:Abiding by New Zealand Social Norms
1Know the differences between Kiwi and Māori culture. The biggest cultural groups in New Zealand are those of European ancestry called Pākehā and natives of the island called the Māori. While the both peoples are friendly and outgoing, there are some significant cultural differences between them. These cultural differences include the way that both cultures greet each other. The Māori people, for example, have a custom called Powhiri, a formal way that people introduce each other in business and could take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.XNot abiding by Māori customs may offend them. When in doubt, inquire about their customs so that you don’t do anything inappropriate.Māori people are reserved and offer great hospitality. The culture is also a happy and positive one, with people launching into dance and song.Kiwis are reserved and are typically very easy going.
2Don’t speak loudly or cut people off. Speaking loudly or boasting about your accomplishments is deemed inappropriate in New Zealand. This is especially true when eating around the dinner table. Conversation at the table should be polite and reserved.X Try to speak with a lower tone and don’t yell or speak over others in a conversation.Boisterous behavior is frowned upon in most circumstances, even if you’re drinking alcohol.
3Have good table manners. Manners at the table are incredibly important and are seen as a reflection of your personality. When eating a traditional New Zealand meal, make sure to wait to be seated and keep your elbows off the table. The more formal the occasion, the more that these manners matter. Meals are often served in large groups and is a bonding and social experience for those in New Zealand.X
4Be on time. Punctuality is an important aspect of culture in New Zealand. Try to be on time for social events. Being “fashionably late” isn’t a custom in New Zealand and could be considered rude.X Try getting to meetings or social gatherings early to be polite.If you are going to be late, contact the person and let them know that you’re running late.
5Use English or Māori when speaking. If you want to be able to communicate with people living in New Zealand freely, you’ll need to know how to speak English or Māori. Learn common phrases in English if you don’t know how to speak the language. Māori is Polynesian language that is native to the area and that over 157,000 people in New Zealand speak. English is commonly the language used when purchasing goods or ordering at a restaurant.X
6Be environmentally conscious. The people of New Zealand are environmentally conscious, so you shouldn’t litter or destroy the environment in any way. Try to utilise public transportation like buses when traveling to your desired destinations. You should also partake in New Zealand’s recycling program to help preserve the ecosystem.Many government policies also reflect this environmentally friendly focus, such as the use of wind and hydro-power as their main source of electricity.Single use plastic bags were banned in New Zealand in July 2019. If you go shopping, take a bag to carry your purchases, or be prepared to purchase a reusable bag from the retailer.
7Act polite and friendly. The people of New Zealand are friendly and reserved. When interacting with others, maintain a polite demeanor.X Do thoughtful things like holding doors open for others and waiting for your turn in a line. Mirror how New Zealander’s act and always remain respectful of the unique customs and culture of New Zealand.A common Māori greeting is the hongi, where people shake hands and then press noses briefly.Māori woman may also kiss you on the cheek to greet you.X
