One good thing about visiting New Zealand is that it is suitable to do so all year round. However, the best months to travel to this country of many diversities are the months of November, February and April which are all part of the warmer summer months. The busiest period is sometime during Christmas starting at about the second half of December up to the whole month of January since the schools are on holiday.
There are three international airports in New Zealand which can be found at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Only a passport valid for three months beyond the intended date of leaving the country is necessary for citizens of most countries. Every person arriving in New Zealand must complete the arrival card handed out on the aircraft.
It is important to bring warm clothes and a waterproof jacket during the colder months between May and September. The climate is also colder the further south is traveled. Weather in the Alpine Regions tend to change rapidly thus knowing something about the expected weather conditions of the place of destination would be quite useful.
There are strong restrictions placed on animal products, fruits, plant material and food stuffs being brought into New Zealand. This is because of the primary importance of agriculture in the country’s economy. Generally, there are no vaccination certificates required in entering New Zealand. Those that need to bring in a considerable quantity of medication are advised to have a doctor’s certificate to avoid possible problems with customs. There are no major health risks in New Zealand but it is highly recommended to avoid drinking water from lakes, ponds or rivers especially if there is no way to boil, chemically treat or filter it.
New Zealand’s population is composed of about 88% European and 12% Maori and Polynesian. The official languages are English and Maori while religion is predominantly Christian. New Zealand is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and the whole country is in the same time zone.
Tipping in New Zealand is optional and is generally done in appreciation of extra good service. However, it should be noted that New Zealanders do not tip each other. Probably the closest thing to a tip is the occasional rounding up a bill. New Zealanders used to refuse to accept a tip and many still do. Some will take the money although the general feeling is that the practice threatens their no tipping lifestyle.
The shortest sensible stay is about a week, although one week and two weekends is a far better alternative. This will allow plenty of time to see a couple of different places in detail or a greater number of places for an overview of the country. There is really no maximum time for visiting New Zealand except that personal convenience and the New Zealand immigration policies should be considered.
It is rare to find people staying in New Zealand longer than a month for a visit. In fact, New Zealand as a destination is usually part of a multi-country itinerary which includes Australia and some notable islands. New Zealand’s most popular but not necessarily the best tourist destinations are Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown.