Key facts
New Zealand is a country located in Oceania. The country has no land neighbors. As for languages, the country’s residents speak English and Maori.
The national currency in New Zealand is New Zealand dollar (NZD). The dollar ($) is subdivided into 100 cent (c).
New Zealander
Banknotes
$5$10$20$50$100
New Zealander
Coins
10c20c50c$1$2
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in New Zealand is 243.02 Mbps and mobile is 166.66 Mbs.The global average is 187.01 Mbps and 128.37 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density When compared to the world average, New Zealand has more ATMs.53.89 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration You can buy a SIM card in New Zealand without having to register it with your ID or passport.
Socket types
There is one common socket type used in New Zealand. Type I is not very common around the world, so it might be a good idea to check if your electronics need an adapter.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2024, New Zealand will celebrate 11 national public holidays. Furthermore, there are 12 holidays that are only celebrated in certain parts of New Zealand. The next one King’s Birthday will take place on June 3.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024Moving holiday | New Year’s DayNew Year’s Day | |
| January 2, 2024Moving holiday | Day after New Year’s DayDay after New Year’s Day | |
| January 22, 2024Moving holiday | Wellington Anniversary DayWellington Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| January 29, 2024Moving holiday | Nelson Anniversary DayNelson Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| February 6, 2024Moving holiday | Waitangi DayWaitangi Day | |
| March 11, 2024Moving holiday | Taranaki Anniversary DayTaranaki Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| March 25, 2024Moving holiday | Otago Anniversary DayOtago Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| March 29, 2024Moving holiday | Good FridayGood Friday | |
| April 1, 2024Moving holiday | Easter MondayEaster Monday | |
| April 2, 2024Moving holiday | Southland Anniversary DaySouthland Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| April 25, 2024Moving holiday | Anzac DayAnzac Day | |
| June 3, 2024Moving holiday | King’s BirthdayKing’s Birthday | |
| June 28, 2024Moving holiday | MatarikiMatariki | |
| September 23, 2024Moving holiday | Canterbury (South) Anniversary DayDominion Day | Regional holiday |
| October 25, 2024Moving holiday | Hawke’s Bay Anniversary DayHawke’s Bay Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| October 28, 2024Moving holiday | Labour DayLabour Day | |
| November 4, 2024Moving holiday | Marlborough Anniversary DayMarlborough Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| November 15, 2024Moving holiday | Canterbury Anniversary DayCanterbury (North & Central) Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| December 2, 2024Moving holiday | Westland Anniversary DayWestland Anniversary Day | Regional holiday |
| December 25, 2024Moving holiday | Christmas DayChristmas Day | |
| December 26, 2024Moving holiday | Boxing DayBoxing Day |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in New Zealand?
There are no Mariott hotels in New Zealand.
The Hilton hotel chain operates in New Zealand.
The IHG hotel chain operates in New Zealand.
The Best Western hotel chain operates in New Zealand.
There are no Radisson hotels in New Zealand.
The Accor hotel chain operates in New Zealand.
What fast food chains are present in New Zealand?
The McDonald’s chain operates in New Zealand.
The KFC chain operates in New Zealand.
The Burger King chain operates in New Zealand.
The Subway chain operates in New Zealand.
The Domino’s Pizza chain operates in New Zealand.
The Starbucks chain operates in New Zealand.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Wellington?
Weather data for Wellington (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems There is no subway system in any city.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in New Zealand
Sources
- New Zealand Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for New Zealand (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is forbidden in all public indoor locations, with limited exceptions.
Cananbis legality Recreational usage is prohibited, but medical use is legal.
You have to be 17 years or older to claim the alcohol and tobacco concessions.
Alcohol allowance
- 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products or
- 50 grams of a mixture of all three
Tobacco allowance
- 4.5 litres of wine or beer
- 3 bottles (or other containers) of spirits or liqueur (each bottle or container can hold a maximum of 1.125 litres).
Sources
- Duty-free shopping (New Zealand Government)
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)