Important Information and Helpful Hints - New Zealand

Passengers with Booked Arrival Transfers: If you arrive on the day your tour begins, or you have booked pre-tour accommodation with Scenic Tours, and advised your flight details, you are entitled to a complimentary transfer from the airport to your hotel.  Scenic Tours uses a quality transfer company, and your transfer may be in conjunction with other public bookings. On arrival from your flight, please proceed through customs & immigration and quarantine, collect all of your checked luggage, and then proceed to the Pre Arranged Transportation counter immediately outside the arrival doors. Please note that these transfers must be arranged and flight details advised when you make your booking.  You cannot purchase these transfer from the Scenic Tours representatives at the airport.

Passengers Under Own Arrangements to Join the Tour: If you have not pre-arranged your transfer with Scenic Tours, you must make your own way to the hotel. The following transport options are available from the airport to the city (approximately 22kms). Please note bus and taxi charges are approximate only and subject to change. 

Taxis: Available on the Western side of the International Arrivals Terminal. The aproximative fare to the city is NZ$50-55. Supplements may be charged for luggage, night-time runs and public holidays.

Shuttle Vans: Available near the taxi stands.These vans leave when they are full or after 15 minutes, whichever comes first.  Adult fare is approximately $24 for one person plus $5 for each extra person travelling in the same group together to the same destination.

Passengers with Booked Departure Transfers: Pre-booked departure transfers are operated from the hotel to Auckland Airport by Scenic Tours preferred transfer company. It is essential to reconfirm your departure transfer with your Tour Director while on tour.

For passengers without pre-booked transfers: If you have not pre-arranged your transfers you must make your own way from the hotel to Auckland International Airport (approximately 22kms). The following transport options are available:

Taxis: Can be organised by your hotel. The approximate fare to the airport is NZ$50-NZ$55.

Super Shuttle: Adult fare is $24 for one person, $29 for two people. Ask your concierge at the hotel for more details.

Public Bus: Departs city and airport every 20 minutes during the day, every 30 minutes during the evening. To Airport - first bus 4:40am; last bus 9:00pm. Adult fare: Single NZ$15.00 Return NZ$22.00. Call 0508 247 287 or ask your concierge at the hotel for more details.

Passengers with Booked Arrival Transfers: If you arrive on the day your tour begins, or you have booked pre-tour accommodation with Scenic Tours, and advised your flight details, you are entitled to a complimentary transfer from the airport to your hotel.  Scenic Tours uses a quality transfer company, and your transfer may be in conjunction with other public bookings. On arrival from your flight, please proceed through customs & immigration and quarantine, (unless flying from within New Zealand) collect all of your checked luggage, and then proceed to the Arrivals Hall at the International Terminal. Please note that these transfers must be arranged and flight details advised when you make your booking.  You cannot purchase these transfer from the Scenic Tours representatives at the airport. 

Passengers Under Own Arrangements to Join the Tour: If you have not pre-arranged your transfer with Scenic Tours, you must make your own way to the hotel. The following transport options are available from the airport to the hotel (approximately 10kms). Please note bus and taxi charges are approximate only and subject to change. 

Taxis: Available outside of the International Arrivals Terminal. The aproximative fare to the city is NZ$45. Supplements may be charged for luggage, night-time runs and public holidays.

Shuttle Vans: Available near the taxi stands.These vans leave when they are full or after 15 minutes, whichever comes first.  Adult fare is approximately NZ$15 for one person plus $4 for any additional person travelling in the same group together to the same destination. 

A departure tax of NZ$25 is charged for international flights departing Christchurch airport. The tax is payable at the Bank of New Zealand kiosk at the airport and can be paid in local or foreign currency or by credit card. 

NOTE: The departure tax is not payable on domestic flights departing Christchurch - only those leaving the country. Therefore, if you are flying Christchurch to Auckland, then flying internationally from Auckland, the $25 fee is not charged.  There is no international departure tax from Auckland.

Passengers with Booked Departure Transfers: Pre-arranged departure transfers are operated from the hotel to Christchurch Airport by Scenic Tours preferred transfer company. It is essential to reconfirm your departure transfer with your Tour Director while on tour.

For passengers without pre-booked transfers: If you have not pre-arranged your transfers you must make your own way from the hotel to Christchurch International Airport (approximately 10kms). The following transport options are available:

Taxis: Can be organised by your hotel. The approximate fare to the airport is NZ$45 and takes approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Super Shuttle: Can be pre booked by phoning 0800 748885 (1).  The Shuttle will pick you up at desired time and may make several other stops around town, before heading to the airport, so ensure that you schedule your pickup early enough to ensure that you arrive in time to check in for your flight. The cost is approximately $15 for 1 person plus $4 for each additional person travelling in the same group together to the same destination.

Please remember to obtain all required travel documents prior to departure and check your documentation carefully to avoid incurring costs associated with delays, losses, or obtaining documents while traveling. When traveling abroad, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months following your visit. If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, no visas are required to travel to New Zealand

It is the sole responsibility of each passenger to have a valid passport and necessary visas, as well as to comply with entry, health or other requirements of the countries visited. The operator and/or their employees and their agents are not responsible for passport, visa requirements, entry, health or other requirements of the countries visited or for any loss sustained by you for failing to comply with laws, regulations, orders and/or requirements of countries visited.

The luggage allowance while on tour is one suitcase with a maximum weight of 20 kilograms or 44 pounds. You may also carry a small backpack or the Scenic Tours issued backpack on board the coach for the duration of the tour.

Luggage handling and porterage of your luggage (as per the luggage allowance above) is included in your Scenic Tours holiday. Included in your Ticket Wallet, with your tour documents, will be luggage tags which should be attached to your bags for easy identification.

The Scenic Tours luggage tags included in your documentation should be attached once you have reached your destination and retrieved your luggage from the airport Baggage Claim area. This will ensure airline companies will not tear off this tag, as it is required to easily identify your luggage for transfer services and hotels while on tour.

Please check with your airline for carry on luggage and checked luggage weight, size and other restrictions.

New Zealand has a mostly temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10 C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.

Summer - New Zealand’s summer months are December to February, bringing warm temperatures and sunshine. Days are long and sunny, nights are mild.

Autumn - March to May are New Zealand’s autumn months. While temperatures are a little cooler than summer, the weather can be excellent, and it is possible to swim in some places on the North Island until April while the South Island can experience snow and showers.

Winter - New Zealand’s winter months of June to August bring colder weather to much of the country, and more rain to most areas in the North Island. Mountain ranges in both islands become snow-covered, providing beautiful vistas.

Spring - Spring lasts from September to November, and New Zealand’s spring weather can range from cold and frosty to warm and hot.

Please refer to the weather chart at the end of this section for an indication of average minimum and maximum temperatures throughout New Zealand.

Average Temperatures 

Money: New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$), comprising coins with values of 10 cents, 20  cents and 50 cents, $1 and $2, and notes with values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.  Note that New Zealand does not have pennies or nickels, and all purchases will be rounded to the nearest 10 cents.

Foreign Cash: Before you leave on your trip, it is important to try and obtain a small amount of cash in New Zealand dollars for your immediate use on day one of your tour and for use at the airport during transit. Foreign currency can be purchased before you leave home at major banks and international airports.

Credit Cards: Most international credit cards are accepted locally. Before travelling, check that your credit cards are valid for at least 30 days after the completion of the tour. Please note some banks and institutions require you to advise them that you will be using your credit card overseas - please contact your bank before leaving home.

Debit Cards: Please note that most North American debit cards will not work for direct debit purchases in New Zealand stores and shops.

ATMs: ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are commonly found in larger cities and even in some small towns. The machines operate just as they do here. Simply withdrawal money as you would at home. Of course, in New Zealand the money will be dispensed as NZD, but when you return home, your bank will have converted the NZD withdrawal into your home currency. Be sure to check with your bank before departing to activate your card and don’t forget to bring your pin number.

Travellers Cheques: You may also like to bring some money in Travellers Cheques. If lost or stolen these can be replaced quickly, however, please note that not all establishments will accept Travellers Cheques.  You will most likely need to visit a bank to cash a Travellers Cheque, and usually a fee is charged.

Banking Facilities: Banks in New Zealand are open Monday through Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

ALL TIPS ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR. No further tipping is required. Scenic Tours has prepaid tips and gratuities for you including: all drivers, local guides, porters (1 piece of luggage per person), and servers for meals included in your tour.
 
Tipping is NOT included for meals, drinks, taxis and transfers that are not included as part of the tour. Tipping is not common practice in New Zealand but is becoming more and more widespread especially in restaurants. Although you don't need to tip, you may like to show appreciation for excellent service received when dining on your own.

International Calls: The international telephone services are generally of excellent standard. It is important to remember, however, that telephone calls from hotels are surcharged. If you decide to make a direct call from New Zealand - always remember to dial the international access code 00 followed by your country code, the area code (without the 0) and your phone number.

Phone Cards: The easiest way to call home is with a Phone Card, which are readily available in many convenience stores throughout New Zealand.  These cards may be used from your hotel room (hotel surcharges may apply) or from public telephones (local call rates may apply unless the phone card features an 800 number)

Cell Phones:  Check with your cell phone service provider prior to leaving home to confirm if your cell phone will have coverage in New Zealand and what roaming or other charges you may incur.  It can sometimes be very expensive to call home from New Zealand using your own cell phone.  Coverage in some parts of New Zealand may also be limited in remote or mountainous areas.

Please use the following as a guideline only, as Daylight Saving time changes will alter respective time variances:

New Zealand is generally 18 hours ahead of North America's East Coast
New Zealand is generally 21 hours ahead of North America's West Coast

New Zealand uses Daylight Saving time to take advantage of longer days, with clocks put forward one hour.

Daylight Saving time in New Zealand begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of April.

Both English and Maori are the official languages of New Zealand. An attempt by a visitor to use Maori greetings will almost certainly elicit a delighted response from Maori New Zealanders.

Kia ora - Hello
Kia ora tatou - Hello everyone
Tena koe - Greetings to you (said to one person)
Tena koutou  - Greeting to you all
Haere mai  - Welcome
Nau mai  - Welcome
Kei te pehea koe? - How’s it going?
Kei te pai  - Good
Tino pai  - Really good
Haere ra  - Farewell
Ka kite ano - Until I see you again (Bye)
Hei konei ra - See you later

As an isolated island nation, with a large agricultural base, New Zealand has very strict laws regarding what items you may bring into the country.  Most foodstuffs, fruits, vegetables, meats, etc. are strictly forbidden and will be subject to quarantine rules and fines.  For additional details, please refer to the New Zealand government website http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Prohibited+imports/default.htm

Many countries also have laws against the purchase/export/import of certain items, including antiquities, cultural property and certain animal products. Additionally, U.S. laws prohibit the import of certain items. For US passengers, you can review current duty free limits as well as restrictions at www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml. For Canadian passengers refer to www.beaware.gc.ca/english/rolee.shtml.

Most shops and businesses are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, as a minimum. Many stores also open Saturdays and some open on Sundays. New Zealand offers a huge variety of shopping from arts and craft markets, galleries and museum shops to exclusive designer stores. For traditional New Zealand souvenirs look for examples of superb Maori carvings in wood, bone and pounamu (greenstone or jade).

You can also find jewellery and ornaments made from the iridescent paua shell (abalone), treasured by Maori for centuries. New Zealand potters are recognised as among the world's finest and today many fine artisans are also working in stone, wood, glass and metals. The country's vast wool industry makes it possible to find wonderful handknitted wool sweaters, beautiful wall hangings, homespun yarns and top-quality sheepskins. Alongside top international fashion in boutique stores in the main city areas, you will also find New Zealand's own award-winning fashion labels, including Zambesi, NomD, Karen Walker and World.

The Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael Kay
A Short History of New Zealand by Gordon McLauchlan
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
Once Were Warriors by Alan Duff
Making Peoples: A History of the New Zealanders, from Polynesian Settlement to the End of the Nineteenth Century by James Belich
Maori: Art and Culture by Doro Starzecka
The Maori of New Zealand by Steve Theunissen
Land of the Long White Cloud: Maori Myths, Tales and Legends by Kiri Te Kanawa
This Is New Zealand by David Wall
Lord of the Ring Location Guidebook  by Ian Brodie
The Story of New Zealand by Bassett/Sinclair/Stenson
Guide to New Zealand by Readers Digest