smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
New Zealand
| New Zealand overall | This Advice is current for Monday, 12 May 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Theft is not uncommon, especially in tourist areas. Avoid leaving valuables unattended in hotel rooms or vehicles.
Australians are strongly advised to take extreme care when travelling by road during the winter months due to hazardous road conditions caused by 'black ice' and snow. You should also be aware that not all railway crossings have barriers, particularly in country areas.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
New Zealand is subject to earthquakes.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
In New Zealand, weather conditions can change quickly. Travellers participating in outdoor adventure activities, particularly in remote areas, have been stranded and/or injured due to rapid weather changes. If you are planning to participate in outdoor activities, make sure you register your details with a Visitor Information Centre or advise your family and friends of your plans.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in New Zealand, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for possession and use of even small amounts of 'soft drugs' may include fines and possibly prison sentences.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest High Commission or Consulate of New Zealand well in advance of travel, or consult the New Zealand Immigration Service for the most up to date information.
Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport, or Australian residents who hold a current Australian resident return visa, do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand. However, Australians with criminal convictions or who have been deported from any country are advised to contact the nearest High Commission or Consulate of New Zealand well in advance of travel for advice on visa requirements.
Australian citizens who hold dual Australian and New Zealand citizenship should use a current Australian passport to enter or leave Australia.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical facilities are comparable to those in Australia.
Australia has a reciprocal health agreement with New Zealand. The agreement provides Australian citizens and permanent residents visiting New Zealand with urgent or emergency hospital services, pharmaceuticals or maternity services (excluding routine ante natal services). Any costs above these services, such as extra accommodation costs, flights for family members and other medical costs are not covered by the agreement. You will need travel insurance to cover these costs.
If you wish to be treated under the reciprocal health agreement you must advise the local medical staff and show your current Australian passport or evidence of Australian permanent residency and a valid Medicare card. Further information is available from the New Zealand Ministry of Health and Medicare Australia .
A national accident compensation scheme, Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), also operates in New Zealand. ACC provides no-fault accident cover and automatically covers Australian citizens injured in an accident while in New Zealand. However, it does not cover illness of any kind nor does it cover things such as disrupted travel plans, lost deposits, assisted emergency travel home or travel for a relative to visit you.
If you are intending to travel to New Zealand with medication, we recommend you consult the Medicare Australia and the New Zealand Customs Service regarding their requirements.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
In New Zealand, you can obtain consular assistance from:
Australian High Commission
72-76 Hobson Street
Thorndon
Wellington, New Zealand
Telephone (64-4) 473 6411
Facsimile (64-4) 498 7103.
Australian Consulate-General
Level 7, PriceWaterHouseCoopers Towers
188 Quay Street
Auckland City, New Zealand
Telephone (649) 921 8800
Facsimile (649) 921 8820.
If you are travelling to New Zealand, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the High Commission or Consulate-General you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
