A lot of people vacation in New Zealand all year round. This is no surprise as it is one of the most magical places in the world, despite how far it is from other parts of the world and how long people have to travel to experience this magic.
The awe-inspiring scenery and unique landscape characterised by snow-capped mountains, tropical rainforests, volcanoes, springs, lakes and rivers are some of the reasons why people never tire of visiting this wonderland. Over 3 million tourists visit New Zealand annually, according to a report.
If you are enthusiastic about learning about the culture of the Maori, who are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their history, or about adventure and outdoor sports, you’ll be making the right decision by choosing this country as your holiday spot. The temperate climate which is warm in the South and colder in the North makes it a place to visit all year round.
The low crime rate in New Zealand, as well as the abundance of landmass with a relatively low population, makes it the ideal holiday spot for those that crave peace and solitude. New Zealand is famous for its highly developed wine industry and boasts of very rich cuisines. New Zealand is also home to many species of exotic flora and fauna which cannot be found in other parts of the world, while the absence of snakes in this country is the icing on the cake.
Regardless what time of the year you choose to visit the country or what activities you have in mind to engage in during your holiday, there are certain things you must have before embarking on your trip to ensure a glitch-free vacation.
Highlighted below are some of these must-haves for a perfect New Zealand holiday.
Appropriate Travel Documents
The first step to having a problem-free entry into New Zealand is having the documents that are required for the immigration and customs to approve your visit. A passport which will remain valid for at least three months after the date you are expected to leave is mandatory. You may or may not require a visa to visit New Zealand depending on your country.
If you are a UK citizen or have a UK passport, are a New Zealand or Australian resident or person, or if your nation has a visa waiver arrangement with New Zealand, then you don’t need a visa to visit New Zealand. If you do not fit into any of these categories, you will require a visitor visa to holiday in the country. You can easily apply for a visitor visa online prior to your date of arrival. This will allow you to spend up to nine months in the country.
Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 can get working holiday visas which enable them to work while vacationing, provided they can afford a return ticket back to their home country and that their primary reason for visiting is to vacation.
Platforms like the New Zealand Customs eGateService speed up the process of immigration and customs checks for visitors with electronic passports. Before you can be cleared by Customs Passport Control, you will be required to fill a Passenger Arrival Card which would be made available either during your flight or at the arrivals lounge. After this, you are free to claim your baggage and explore New Zealand.
Holiday Plan/Itinerary
Before deciding to visit New Zealand you must have done extensive research on the country to have a general picture of what to expect. It is even more likely that you have a bucket list of sights to see and places to visit. This would help you make the most of your holiday as you would not have to go through the stress of trying to figure out which of New Zealand’s delights you should or should not sample.
When planning the itinerary for your New Zealand holiday, focus on the activities you are interested in. You should never plan your trip to considering the weather as it is quite erratic. You are bound to experience different weather conditions no matter the season you visit.
Focus instead on the activities you want to partake in. If you plan on visiting New Zealand for skiing or snowboarding, visit in the winter which is between June and August; if you are visiting to learn more about the unique flora or fauna of New Zealand, plan your trip around December and February which is the summer season.
Money
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the accepted currency in this vacation wonderland. Alternatively, you could pay with credit and debit cards especially MasterCard and Visa cards. It is best to inform your bank of any impending trip before leaving your home country as they might cancel transactions in a foreign country if they are unaware of your trip.
Insurance
The ACC, which is the most common form of insurance cover in New Zealand, does not completely cover the cost of some eventualities that may occur during a holiday. Accidents happen all the time and vacations are no exception. That is why you must have insurance that can cover medical and travel emergencies.
If you are visiting New Zealand on a working holiday visa, this is mandatory, as you would be required to show proof of your insurance cover before being cleared by immigration.
Accommodation Plan
The accommodation should be taken care of before embarking on your holiday. It is best to make a reservation for the day you are scheduled to arrive. There are many accommodation options ranging from hotels to motels, holiday parks and campsites. One important factor to consider while deciding on accommodation is its proximity to the places you intend to visit. You should ensure that it is as central as possible to those places to minimise cost.
Transportation Plan
As a tourist, you would be spending a lot of time visiting places; that is why you need an effective means of transport and ample information via Ausmove. There are many options to choose from based on your budget. You can drive your own car or campervan if you have one but be sure to have a valid driver’s licence. Buses, trains and domestic flights are other options. Structured bus tours are also an effective way of making the best of your holiday on an affordable budget.
Finally
Finally, you should pack layers of clothing because the New Zealand weather can get chilly sometimes. You should also have a camera and adequate memory sticks as you are sure to make many memories worth capturing for keeps.
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