After your passport, tourist visa and money, the only other necessity for travel is having access to the internet, somehow, at some point, anywhere. Google is man’s new best friend and is the difference between aimless wandering in a foreign city and a hotel to pass out in after a long flight.
Here, we narrow the plethora of information on the internet down to just five sites you should add to your favourites when travelling to New Zealand.
Visa Information
The first thing you need to figure out is if you need a visa for your visit to New Zealand. If you don’t look after this you’re not getting in! On this site they take you through whether or not you need a visa, what kind of visa you need for your type of visit, and just how to get one.
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/
Visitor’s Information
Whatever your purpose is for visiting New Zealand, here is a list of the basics. Where do you stay? What events are on? What are the hotspots to visit? And how do you get to them? Here is a website set up by New Zealand tourism that welcomes you and takes the guesswork out of just what to do around the country.
Ok, I know there are two websites below for this one, but for those of you coming from Europe with a modern, vast rail system, trains are not New Zealand’s strong point. Therefore I have provided you with two other ways of getting around New Zealand, the first option is for those with time to see the countryside, and the second for those who would like to get there more direct.
Kiwi Experience Bus – http://www.kiwiexperience.com/
Book a flight – http://www.webjet.co.nz/
New Zealand Culture
Though you may know that New Zealand is a colony of the Commonwealth who speak English and are democratic, it’s a good idea to brush up on the cultural depths of the country. In New Zealand today the indigenous culture of the Maori still thrives, and aside from being able to recognise it when you see it, learning a bit about the Maori culture will also help with any interaction, allowing you to interpret why they do what they do and in return enable you to show your respect to the people of this intriguing culture.
Travel Warnings
Every country issues travel warnings, wether it be regarding political climate, weather or disease outbreak. The information actually differs depending on your nationality and therefore you need to check your respective government’s website to see how any New Zealand travel warnings may relate to you specifically.
About Amanda