Visiting New Zealand
General Information
Climate
Average daily max: 11.5°C / 53°F min: 6.5°C/44°F
Wellington’s winter tends to be wet rather than frosty, with around a 55% daily chance of rain through the winter months. So a Wellington winter wardrobe is more likely to be waterproof than woollen. Only 5% of that rain is classified as heavy, however.
Currency
New Zealand dollars ($) and cents (c). There are five notes ($5, $10, $20, $50, $100) and five coins (10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2).
Customs Allowances
Visitors over 17 years may bring in 50 cigarettes, 4.5L wine or 4.5L of beer and 1.125L of spirits. Goods over NZ$700 may attract duty and tax.
Dress Code
The dress code for the conference sessions is smart-casual.
Electricity
240 volts, 50 hertz, with Australia/New Zealand pattern three-pin sockets.
Emergency Services
111 is the emergency number for Police, Fire and Ambulance.
Good and Services Tax (GST)
Goods and services in New Zealand are subject to a 15% tax (GST). This tax is usually included in the price, and if not, is clearly stated. This tax cannot be claimed back when leaving the country.
Health
No vaccination certificates are required. Public and private hospitals provide a high standard of treatment and care. Medical services are not free to visitors. Health insurance is recommended.
Insurance
RANZCR, the Organising Committee and the Meeting Managers will not accept any liability for losses associated with the meeting. Delegates are advised to arrange their own comprehensive travel and medical insurance, including insurance for personal possessions and financial loss due to cancellation or postponement of flights, or the meeting.
Internet Access
There is complimentary wireless available in all function areas. Login and password details will be supplied at registration.
Language
The official language of the meeting is English. Translation facilities will not be provided.
Mobile Telephones
New Zealand operates on a 900 or 1800 MHz network, as do most countries except Canada and USA. Mobile telephones from these countries will not operate in New Zealand. You can buy or rent a New Zealand compatible phone or SIM card upon arrival.
Postal Services
You can buy stamps and post items at Post Shops. Stamps can also be purchased from stationers. Look for red, black and white post boxes to post letters.
Shopping
Normal shopping hours from Monday to Friday are from 9am till 5pm. Some shops are open late on Thursday and Friday till 9pm. On Saturday and Sunday most shopping malls are open normal shopping hours.
Trading Banks
Standard branch opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am till 4.30pm.
Telephone Directory Services
Most phone boxes require a phone card. These can be bought at convenience stores and service stations. Dial 018 for local directory assistance or 0172 for international directory assistance.
Time Zone
New Zealand Standard Time is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Daylight saving time (an advance of one hour per day) is observed from the end of September until early April.
Tipping and Service Charges
Tipping is not expected, but you may wish to tip for extra-special service or kindness.
Visa Requirements
Do I need a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to enter New Zealand?
Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a visitor’s visa for stays of less than three months - however travellers from a visa waiver country and Australian permanent residents do require an NZeTA.
Click HERE for a list of visa waiver countries - if you are not from a visa waiver country, you will need to apply for a visitor's visa in order to travel to/through New Zealand.
How do I apply for a New Zealand visa?
For information about the visa application process, please visit the New Zealand Immigration website.
What is an NZeTA?
The New Zealand Government is introducing an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) from 1st October 2019, which will affect most International travellers to New Zealand – excluding New Zealand and Australian citizens. Both International visitors from a visa waiver country and Australian permanent residents will now be required to obtain an NZeTA before arriving in New Zealand.
An application for an NZeTA can be requested through through the NZ immigration website. Once complete, application approval can take up to 72 hours - so visitors to New Zealand will need to ensure they have obtained their NZeTA well in advance of their travel. The cost of obtaining the NZeTA online is NZD $12.
Please visit www.immigration.govt.nz/nzeta for further information and to obtain an NZeTA.
Please note, it is the policy of the meeting NOT to supply an “invitation letter”. Upon payment of registration fees, each delegate receives a registration confirmation email and receipt of payment.
