ATMs in New Zealand: Credit cards and fees
Whether you’re heading to New Zealand on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday or to set up your new home, you’ll need to find out how money works in the country....
Travelling to New Zealand from Australia. The Lowdown
In 2023, around 1.2 million Australians visited New Zealand.¹ There are various reasons for why it's such a popular destination for Aussies. From being one of the closest international destinations to Australia, it also boasts some of the world's most stunning landscapes where you can enjoy a range of adventure activities, and cultural experiences.
This article is a general guide on the key things to do before you arrive and explore some ways you can immerse yourself in the Maori way of life.
| 💸 Hold 40+ currencies in your account and spend at the mid-market exchange rate with the Wise debit card while abroad. |
|---|
Learn more about the
Wise Account
New Zealand entry requirement for Australians and Australia residents
Australia and New Zealand have similar entry requirements when it comes to travelling between the two countries. However, there are a couple of slight differences. Here is what to expect when entering New Zealand.
Visa requirements to visit New Zealand for AU citizens and residents
Australians and permanent residents do not need a visa to travel to New Zealand. However, those who have a past criminal record or have been deported from another country may need to apply for a visa.²
Be sure to check with the relevant authorities if you aren’t sure if you can travel to New Zealand for any reason.
Customs in New Zealand
Just like passing through Australia’s borders when you return from a trip, there's a few things you should know to pass through New Zealand customs.
Biosecurity risks
Travellers to New Zealand should declare or dispose of biosecurity risk items, be mindful of what they bring, and inform others about the country’s strict biosecurity requirements to avoid delays and ensure smooth processing.³
Border processing levies
A little fact that you may not be aware of is that as part of your airline or cruise tickets, there is a border processing levy incorporated into the fare. This is paid by the airline or cruise provider for every passenger clearing customs in and out of New Zealand.³
Cash to declare
You will need to declare cash you are carrying if it equates to more than $10,000 NZD or the equivalent in foreign currency.²
How to apply for Visas, e-visas or entry permits
Even though you don’t need a visa as an Australian, you will need to complete a Traveller Declaration before you arrive. You should do it within 24 hours of arriving in the country. You will need to complete this online form ⁴:
- Your Passport details
- Contact details in New Zealand
- Travel history from the last 30 days
- Flight or Cruise information
- Items you need to declare
This is a requirement for everyone planning to visit New Zealand including children and babies. You will need to do a separate form for each traveller.
Costs for entry and required permits
It is free to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.⁴
Vaccinations required to travel to New Zealand from Australia
There are no specific vaccinations required to travel to New Zealand as conditions are similar to living in Australia.² However, it is recommended to get⁵:
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
If you have any concerns or would like further advice, you should contact your local doctor to notify them about your travels.
Fortunately, if something does go pear-shaped for you in New Zealand, there is a Reciprocal Health Agreement between the two countries, and medical facilities are to a similar standard to Australia.²
Flying to New Zealand from Australia
There are approximately 20 airlines that can fly you from any of the 5 of major cities in Australia to New Zealand. The average flight time is around 3 hours or 6.5 hours from Perth. The most popular airlines to fly are Air New Zealand, Qantas, Emirates, AirAsia X, Jetstar Airways,and LATAM.⁶
Currency in New Zealand and accepted payment methods
The currency used is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).² Debit and credit cards are the most popular ways to pay for things in New Zealand and the preferred method.
English spoken
Australian visitors will feel right at home in New Zealand when it comes to getting around as English is the main language, and Kiwis speak it fluently.² Like at home, you might notice a few unique Kiwi slang words being thrown around, but nothing too hard to pick up!
Useful apps to have before travelling to New Zealand
Depending on what you plan to do on your trip, will determine the most useful apps to download. Some of the essential apps you likely will have include:
- Google Maps
- Uber
- Waze
When it comes to finding the best restaurants or best things to do, the most useful apps include:
- Restaurant Hub
- Essential New Zealand
- I-SITE
For those who like to order their food in on holiday, you should download:
- Uber Eats
- DoorDash
- Deliver Easy
Finally, if you are planning a road trip or like to hike, these apps are for you⁷:
- CamperMate
- Great Rides
- Met Service
- Great Walks app
- The Roady App
These are just a handful of the available apps and services. Be sure to do a quick search before you leave for any that may better suit your interests or wants for your trip.
Top tourist locations in New Zealand
New Zealand is renowned for its diverse and stunning landscapes, offering a range of must-visit destinations across both the North and South Islands. Here is a short overview of some of the top spots between the two islands.
North Island top spots
The North Island of New Zealand is best known for its rich Maori heritage, geothermal activity, and stunning beaches. The tourist locations are as follows.
1. Auckland
This is the largest city in New Zealand where you can enjoy a vibrant city experience. Some highlights include the Sky Tower, Auckland War Memorial or you can travel to the nearby beautiful beaches.
2. Hobbiton
For movie buffs, you can find Hobbiton which is the picturesque set from The Lord of the Rings films.
3. Rotorua
Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, with bubbling mud pools and hot springs, along with rich Maori cultural experiences.
4. Wellington
Wellington is the capital and a great place to stop in to see a range of cultural attractions like the Te Papa Museum or as a point of access to wildlife reserves.
South Island top spots
The South Island is a haven for nature lovers who love adventure, and dramatic alpine landscapes. Some popular spots to visit are as follows.
1. Queenstown and surrounds
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world. In the surrounding region, there are plenty of adrenaline packed activities on offer including bungee jumping, canyoning, white water rafting and skydiving. For those that prefer a slower pace, there are scenic lake cruises and wineries.
2. Milford Sound
Nearby is the equally stunning Milford Sound which is part of Fiordland National Park. This is one of New Zealand's most visited and iconic locations that is made famous for its cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife.
3. Christchurch
In the east of the south island in the Canterbury region is Christchurch. This city offers a more laid-back smaller city experience. It is well-known for its sprawling gardens and is the gateway to the region's mountains and lakes.
Hidden “non-touristy” locations to visit
For travellers that have ticked off the main tourist spots or want something a little different, there are a wealth of non-touristy areas to explore.
On the North Island, you’ll find these gems:
- Katikati, a small town in the Bay of Plenty known
- Karangahake Gorge
- New Chums Beach
- Lake Waikaremoana in Te Urewera National Park
On the South Island, you can explore:
- The Catlins region
- Molesworth Station in Marlborough
- The Blue Pools in Mount Aspiring National Park
- Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers
These lesser-known destinations showcase even more of the country's natural beauty and provide an opportunity to venture around in peace.
Local etiquette or customs to respect
When travelling around New Zealand, it’s important to respect local customs and etiquette. Fortunately, the culture has many crossovers with Australian local etiquette.
Nonetheless, Kiwi’s value friendliness, open-mindedness, and modesty. Learning basic Māori phrases can also enhance a connection with locals, as Māori culture is integral to New Zealand’s identity.⁸
Safety in New Zealand
New Zealand is very safe to visit as a tourist. The main risks for many travellers are from some occurring natural hazards and opportunistic crime.
Natural Disasters and Hazards
Earthquakes are a constant risk, especially large, damaging ones can strike unexpectedly, so it's important to know how to respond. Coastal areas are vulnerable to tsunamis, so learn the warning signs and head to higher ground without waiting for alerts. If you are travelling to visit any of NZ active volcanoes, these may pose a threat as alert levels rise quickly. You should make yourself aware of the emergency procedures be prepared to evacuate if necessary.²
Crime rates
Crime rates are quite similar to those in Australia. Despite this, it is important to be mindful of theft and petty crime. If you are planning to travel by hiring a car or a camper van, you should avoid leaving valuables in these vehicles.²
Getting around in New Zealand
Getting around New Zealand is relatively easy, with a variety of public transport options such as buses, taxes and even ferries. You’ll find in the bigger cities such as Auckland or Wellington that there are more ways to get around.² For those that enjoy a scenic train journey, there's three main journeys that can take you from the North Island to the South Island.⁹
For travel to more remote locations or you want to quickly hop between cities, you can take a domestic airline such as Air New Zealand and Jetstar. These airlines offer frequent flights across the country. For scenic travel routes between regions, renting a car or campervan is a popular option, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace.²
Keep in mind before you leave
Even though New Zealand can feel like you aren’t too far from home, you can still run into trouble. Here are some things to keep in mind and do before you leave.
- Get comprehensive travel insurance
- Bring multiple payment methods
- Organise an Esim or check how to get a local sim on arrival
- Learn about the reciprocal agreements between Australia and NZ
- Notify your bank that you are travelling
- Let your family or friends know your trip itinerary
Always check the Australian Governments Smart Traveller website for up to date information on major events that could impact your trip. You can also check the New Zealand equivalent for more detailed information, especially if visiting a certain area or region.
New Zealand embassy addresses and contacts in Australia
If you do need to get in touch with the New Zealand authorities to ask a question about an upcoming trip, here are the relevant contact details in Australia.
| Embassy | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand High Commission to Australia | 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla, 2600 Canberra | +61 2 6270 4211 |
| New Zealand Consulate General Melbourne | Level 4, 45 William Street, 3000, Melbourne | +61 3 9678 0201 |
| New Zealand Consulate General Sydney | Level 22, 20 Bond Street, 2000, Sydney | +61 2 9270 5900 |
| New Zealand Honorary Consul Perth | 20 Walters Drive Osborne Park, 6017, Perth | +61 8 9364 1700 |
Travel with Wise
With a Wise Account you can hold money in 40+ currencies and spend it in 150+ countries. Whenever you exchange currencies it’s done using the mid-market rate with a transparent conversion fee shown upfront.
To make everyday spending easier you can order a Wise Debit card for your Wise Account and generate virtual cards as needed. If you have the local currency in your Wise Account the Wise card will use it for local payments. If you don’t, it uses smart technology to auto-convert your money at the mid-market rate, for a conversion fee.
Join over 16 million customers currently using Wise. It’ll only take a few minutes to register and see what’s inside.
Register your Wise account
in minutes
Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
Sources:
- New Zealand Australians
- Smart Traveller New Zealand
- New Zealand Customs
- New Zealand travel declaration
- New Zealand Vaccinations
- New Zealand flying
- New Zealand apps
- New Zealand Etiquette
- New Zealand Rail
Sources checked on: 26 October 2024
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Money without borders
Find out more
Money in New Zealand: Banks, ATMs, cards & currency exchange
While credit and debit card payments are incredibly popular in New Zealand (almost more so than they're in Europe), it’s still a good idea to have some cash...
