JTB New Zealand

The seasons are the opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is from December to February, autumn is from March to May, winter from June to August and Spring from September to November.
North of Auckland the temperature rarely goes below 10 degree and on Stewart Island the temperature is rarely more than 21 degree.

High season, from November to March, is of course the busiest time of year and at these times you¡Çll be joining battalions of Kiwis (New Zealander) also on holiday. Over Christmas and for the whole of January, almost the entire county head for the beach or the mountains.
The month of late springs (September/October) or early Autumn (March/April) are often recommended.
The winter or low season (April to September) are cheaper. During this period prices are often deduced with plenty of special deals. Bear in mind that some places are closed in winter but generally speaking, tourism is a year round affair in New Zealand. For example Queenstown (the principal tourist destination in the South Island) is as busy in the winter months with skiing activities as they are with general activities in simmer.

The following are public holidays in the whole country:

New Year¡Çs Day

= January 1,2

Waitangi Day

= February 6

Good Friday and Easter Monday

= March/April

Anzac Day

= April 25

Queen¡Çs Birthday

= First Monday in June

Labour Day

= Fourth Monday in October

Christmas Day

= December 25

Boxing Day

= December 26

Tipping is not really a way of life, although if you decide that the service you have received deserves it, go ahead and tip. On the other hand, no one will hassle you if you don¡Çt.

All visitors must be in possession of a passport that is valid for three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country. Australia citizens or holders of an Austrarian returning resident visa can stay in New Zealand indefinitely. UK citizens do not need a visa and are automatically issued with a six month visitor¡Çs permit on arrival.

You do not currently need a visa if you are:

• A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
• An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
• An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
• A British citizen and or British passport holder who can produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK (you can stay up to six months)
• A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months)
• For further information on countries with a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand visit the Visa Free Countries section of the Immigration New Zealand website. www.immigration.govt.nz

If your country has a Visa-Free agreement with New Zealand you still need to provide:

• Travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements
• Evidence that your can support yourself in New Zealand (approximately NZ$1000 per month per person). For full information on Passports, Visa¡Çs and any applications visit the Immigration New Zealand website as this website is updated with the most current rules and regulations on entry to New Zealand.

Apart from your personal effects and as long as your are over 17 years of age you are allowed the following importation concession:
200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 50 cigars, or a mix of all three weighing no more than 250g 4.5 litres of wine or beer and three bottles (or other containers) each containing not more than 1,125ml of spirits, liqueur, or other spirituous beverages.
Goods of value up to NZ$700 are duty and tax free.

Visitors to New Zealand are covered by the ACC scheme, which is a Government-run scheme for personal injury, by accident. Claims may be lodged with the Accident Compensation and Rehabilitation Insurance Corporation (ACC) irrespective of fault. Some medical/hospital expenses and physical disability compensation are covered, but not loss of earnings outside New Zealand. Actions for damages may not be brought, and personal travel insurance should therefore cover accidents. Accident care is subsidized. ACC does not cover any medical treatment relating to illness.