Organize your stay New Zealand
Money New Zealand
The currency used in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar. "New Zealand Dollar" or NZD, also known simply as $.
In November 2023, €1 = $1.82 and $1 = €0.55.
The currency is divided into bills of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5, and coins of $2, $1, 50 ct, 20 ct and 10 ct.
The coins all feature the effigy of Queen Elizabeth on the face, and a New Zealand symbol on the tails. The banknotes feature important personalities in the country's history on one side, and emblematic representatives of local flora and fauna on the other.
The 20-cent coins feature a representation of a statue of the rangatira (chief) Pūkākī that his tribe (Ngāti Whakaue) had offered to a local representative of the Crown as a token of friendship and trust. This statue thus represents the link between the Māori and the Crown.
The 50-cent coins show the Endeavour, the ship aboard which Captain Cook made the first of his three voyages to New Zealand. In the background is Mount Taranaki, which would have been in the Endeavour's path as it headed south before dropping anchor at Ship Cove, north of the South Island.
The $1 coins feature the best-known national emblems: the kiwi and the fern.
The $2 coins show a kōtuku (white heron), a bird whose elegance and rarity in New Zealand have given it an almost mystical aura. In particular, it has a special significance in Māori folklore, where an esteemed guest who was rarely seen was compared to the white heron, a highly honorific comparison.
The $5 bills feature the effigy of Sir Edmund Hillary, the New Zealand mountaineer who first conquered Everest with Sherpa Tenzing in 1953. The background shows Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain and Sir Edmund Hillary's favorite training ground.
The reverse shows the Hoiho, the yellow-eyed penguin (or antipodean penguin), one of the rarest penguins in the world and found only in New Zealand. We also see Campbell Island, New Zealand's southernmost island, and two endemic flowers: the Ross Lily and the Campbell Island Daisy.
The $10 bills feature feminist Kate Sheppard, one of the leaders of the campaign that gave women the right to vote in 1893. New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote. The white camellia in the background became the symbol of the fight for women's suffrage after it was distributed to MPs supporting the bill. The back of the bill shows a whio(blue duck, an endemic duck species living in mountain rivers), and two endemic plants: the kiokio, a fern common throughout the country, and the pineapple scrub.
The $20 banknotes feature Queen Elizabeth II wearing the insignia of Sovereign of the Order of New Zealand. In the background are New Zealand's parliament buildings, including the famous Beehive, seat of the executive. On the reverse are the karea (New Zealand falcon), Mount Tapuaenuku, the highest peak in the Kaikoura ranges on the South Island, and the Marlborough Rock Daisy.
The $50 bill features the effigy of Sir Apirana Ngata; the first Māori to graduate from a New Zealand university, and a Member of Parliament for 38 years, he was an important figure in the struggle for recognition of Māori culture and for better integration of his people into society. The reverse shows the kōkako, a rare endemic bird, the sky-blue mushroom, a small bright blue mushroom found throughout the country, and in the background the ecologically important Pureora Forest.
The $100 bills depict Lord Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealand-born physicist (born in Nelson) considered the "father of nuclear physics". He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1908 for his discovery of the decay of chemical elements (which led, among other things, to the carbon-14 dating technique still in use today). The back of the ticket features the Mōhua (or Yellowhead), the red beech, the South Island lichen moth (zebra moth) and, in the background, the Eglinton Valley, on the way to the famous Milford Sound, which is home to a red beech forest in particular and is the focus of major conservation efforts to be repopulated with Mōhua as it was before the introduction of predators.
Budget & Tips New Zealand
The general feeling when you arrive in New Zealand is that everything is more expensive, but you tend to forget that the New Zealand dollar is quite low compared to the euro or the US dollar, and if you make the effort to convert prices you end up managing quite decent sums.
What is undoubtedly more expensive, however (and logically so), are all the imported products, such as - at random - croissants, pains au chocolat, and French and European cheeses. Out-of-season fruit and vegetables are also overpriced, since they're not grown here but imported. Here, eating local and in season is a bit of a necessity, and a matter of common sense.
Budget-wise, a classic flat white (New Zealand's basic latte) will cost you around $4.50, a cake, cookie or pastry between $4 and $8, and a burger or basic restaurant meal between $20 and $30. A pint in a bar costs between $10 and $15, a glass of wine about the same, and a cocktail between $15 and $20.
If you want to enjoy the local "eat out" culture and try out the lovely cafés and countless bars and restaurants, the budget can quickly skyrocket!
Low-costaccommodation is relatively easy if you hunt out the Freecamp areas or DOC campsites (between $8 and $20, depending on amenities).
If you're looking for a little more comfort, you'll pay around $30 for a bed in a dormitory, and $80 to $100 for a double room.
Guided tours or sightseeing activities often take the form of half-day or full-day tours on a particular theme, and are typically priced between $100 and $250.
Prices may vary according to the tourist season and the sacrosanct law of supply and demand, but scams or inflated prices for no particular reason are a virtually non-existent risk here. If you go through a tourist agency or service provider, you can be pretty sure that the prices are honest, and that the range will be the same everywhere else for services of the same type.
There are, of course, offers that are vaguely more "upmarket" and therefore a little more expensive, but as Kiwis are simple people who don't put anyone on a pedestal, this is the exception rather than the rule.
However, we'd have to qualify this statement when it comes to buying a vehicle, whether car or van. Whether you're dealing with a private individual or a garage, you need to be cautious, even suspicious. Don't hesitate to ask for a "pre-purchase inspection", a sort of mini technical inspection commonly carried out when selling a vehicle, to guarantee the buyer that there are no major hidden defects.
This is all the more important as there's no equivalent to our "argus" in New Zealand, so it's sometimes difficult to estimate the fairness of a price.
Passport and visas New Zealand
Since October1, 2019, New Zealand has implemented a visa waiver system similar to that applied by the United States. As a result, nationals of 60 countries (including France) are now visa-free, but must apply for an electronic travel authorization called the NZeTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Autorithy). Once granted, the NZeTA is valid for 2 years and allows the holder to enter and leave New Zealand as many times as desired. However, stays in the country are limited to 3 consecutive months, and 6 months per year.
The application is generally approved in less than 72 hours, and is made via the website https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/ or via a mobile application.
It will cost you $23 via the website, and $17 via the app. In addition, there's a $35 IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy), which helps finance tourism infrastructure and environmental preservation.
If you wish to stay longer than 3 consecutive months, you will need to apply for a Visitor Visa via the immigration website. In 2023, the application fee was $246. The Visitor Visa allows you to stay in the country for 9 months.
Finally, if you're under 30 , you can apply for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV). These are almost systematically granted to French citizens. A WHV allows you to stay in the country for 1 year and work there. In 2023, the cost of a WHV application was $455.
When applying for an NZeTA or visa, be sure to check the validity date of your passport: it must be valid for another 3 months AFTER your planned departure from New Zealand (1 month only if the country issuing the passport has a consular authority in the country allowing passport renewal). Check before you go, and make sure that everything is in order, as consular appointments abroad can quickly become a real hassle when you're traveling.
Driver's license New Zealand
To drive in New Zealand, you'll need either an international license, or travel with a translation of your license (done by a sworn translator), or a New Zealand license.
International license. The international permit is the least expensive option in terms of finance, but not in terms of time! First of all, you'll need to make an online pre-application on the ANTS website, armed with proof of identity, proof of address less than 6 months old and your driving license. Then, within 15 days, you'll need to send supporting documents by post: an online application certificate, a passport-size photo less than 6 months old, and a self-addressed envelope.
It's best to do this well in advance, as it could be several months before you receive your international driving license. The service-public.fr website recommends 6 months in advance.
Translation of your permit. Faster than the international permit, you can have your permit translated by a sworn translator once you're in France. The Waka Kotahi website (formerly NZTA - New Zealand Travel Agency) lists sworn translators by region. The cost is around $70.
New Zealand permit. If you're staying for more than 12 months, you'll need to convert your French license into a New Zealand license. The procedure is quick and easy, and costs around $50. All you need to do is go to a VTNZ or AA center (located in most cities) with your identity card, your original license and a translation of the license (the international license can be used as a translation). You'll be given a form to fill in, before your vision is checked and a photo taken. It will take around ten days to receive your New Zealand license. Note that the New Zealand license also serves as an identity document, which can come in very handy!
Health New Zealand
There are no real risks to worry about in New Zealand. Tap water is safe to drink, unless otherwise indicated in huts, for example. It is always advisable to treat, filter or boil water (for at least 3 minutes) to ensure that it is safe to drink.
If you fall ill for any reason, it's easy to see a doctor, but potentially very expensive by French standards ($100-120 per consultation). It might be a good idea to take out travel insurance before you leave.
If you are injured, on the other hand, treatment will be covered by what the locals call ACC: Accident Compensation Corporation. All you need to do is specify at the time of treatment that you've had an accident (a fall, for example), and they'll be able to direct you and explain what you're entitled to. Generally speaking, hospital consultations, x-rays and medication are covered in full, but some treatments, such as physiotherapy or osteopathy, are only partially covered, and you'll have to pay half the cost.
Mandatory vaccination New Zealand
New Zealand presents no major health risks. Just to be on the safe side, make sure your mandatory vaccinations are up to date, but otherwise no specific vaccinations are required.
If, on the other hand, you wish to take advantage of your stay in this part of the world to travel to the Pacific Islands or Indonesia, some additional vaccinations will be recommended, such as those against hepatitis A or Japanese encephalitis. Find out more before you leave, because getting vaccinated in New Zealand is possible, but much more expensive!
Security New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world, so there's little reason to worry about safety. Beware, however, not to let your guard down completely, especially where theft is concerned: car theft or theft of objects from cars is certainly rarer, but not non-existent. So never leave valuables lying around in your vehicle, even if it's locked.
Apart from that, you'll be amazed at the sense of security you'll feel wandering the streets, even as a lone woman, and, most of the time, even in the middle of the night. Muggings are extremely rare, and the locals are so friendly that if anything goes wrong, solidarity chains are quickly set up to help you get back on your feet!
In terms of flora and fauna, there are two species of spider that are best avoided: the katipō (endemic) and the redback spider (from Australia, of course). However, it's extremely unlikely to come across one, and even more unlikely to be bitten. The katipō is non-aggressive by nature, and the redback only bites if it finds itself trapped (caught in a piece of clothing, for example).
We know that spiders are scary, but really, you're far more likely to be charged by a cow or a sea lion, or to have your tent pierced by a kea (endemic parrot) than to come across a venomous spider in New Zealand. So no worries! Just relax, keep your distance from wild animals (as common sense dictates in any case), listen to the rangers when they tell you not to pitch your tent or leave your shoes outside in kea territory (these birds are adorable but a little too playful!), and all will be well!
In the final analysis, the only thing you really need to be wary of here are natural forces: earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are risks that people live with on a daily basis, and it's a good idea to read up on the subject to know what to do if one should occur during your stay. The dramatic events on Whakaari White Island in 2019 (a sudden eruption that claimed the lives of 22 people) are a reminder that warnings and injunctions to be cautious are to be taken seriously.
Time difference New Zealand
Depending on the season and the changeover to summer or winter time, there is a time difference of between 10h and 12h between France and New Zealand.
When France is in summer time and New Zealand in winter time, there is a 10h time difference; when France is in winter time and New Zealand in summer time, there is a 12h time difference. However, as the time shifts (we call them "daylight savings" rather than "jet lag") don't occur at the same time, there are always a few weeks/days when the difference is 11h.
NZ summer time: late September to early April; French winter time: late October to late March.
NZ winter time : from early April to late September; French summer time: from late March to late October.
If we go into detail, this means: 11h time difference in October, 12h from November to the end of March, a few more days at 11h time difference until the switch to New Zealand winter time at the beginning of April, then 10h until the end of September.
Spoken languages New Zealand
There are three official languages in Aotearoa: English (with a strong Kiwi accent that will take some getting used to), New Zealand Sign Language, and te reo māori (often simply called "te reo").
Of course, te reo was the first language spoken in New Zealand, before the settlers arrived. It sadly declined as British influence and domination increased. In the early 20th century, it was even forbidden to speak te reo in schools (rather like our regional languages, which were sidelined by the advent of free and compulsory schooling, the law specifying that teaching should be in French), and young Māori were physically punished if they spoke anything other than English.
The language's resurgence dates back to the 1970s; it was established as the country's official language in 1987 and has been in full resilience ever since. Increasingly, te reo rubs shoulders with English in everyday life, and if you're a little careful, you'll soon learn a few words!
Communication New Zealand
Telephone coverage is relatively good throughout the country, but can sometimes be a little unreliable in isolated rural or mountainous areas.
If you're here for a long stay, it's probably best to buy a SIM card locally (which will work in your phone if it's unlocked) and subscribe to a local package. The main operators are Vodafone, 2Degrees, Spark, Skinny and Warehouse Mobile. The cheapest deals are with Skinny and Warehouse Mobile. In terms of overall coverage, 2Degrees wins the battle, and Spark has the best 5G network.
As far asWiFi is concerned, the country is pretty well covered (except for very rural and isolated areas, as is the case for telephones); all hotels and accommodation generally offer a WiFi connection; cafés and restaurants also offer this service in large numbers, and the big cities increasingly have free WiFi zones in the city center.
To communicate with each other, people here rely heavily on Facebook. It's easier to share your Messenger profile than your phone number, and there are many Facebook groups that bring people together around a common hobby or need. Groups for running, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, groups to find a fellow traveler, to find a roommate, to buy or sell a vehicle... there's something for every theme in every region! Don't hesitate to do your research and join a few so you can ask all your questions! Before you leave, the "Français en Nouvelle-Zélande / French in New Zealand" or "PVT Nouvelle-Zélande : communauté d'entraide francophone" groups can be invaluable in helping you get organized!
Electricity and measurements New Zealand
In New Zealand, the electrical voltage is 230/240V - 50Hz, so there's no problem of compatibility with French electrical appliances. The plugs, however, are different (type I in New Zealand, as in Australia, China, the Pacific Islands, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and some South American countries), so you'll need a travel adapter.
The measurements used are mainly those of the metric system, although for certain specific fields you'll find yourself out of step when you hear about feet and cups. Typically, we express our height in feet (1 foot = 30 cm), and kitchen measurements are often expressed in cups (1 cup = 250 ml).
When it comes to clothes and shoes, it's a bit "every man for himself and God for all", and everything gets a bit mixed up! Most often, we'll see sizes expressed in numbers: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, but a men's size 12 is not the equivalent of a women's size 12, and a British 12 will not be an American 12 (because yes, depending on the brand, you may have to deal with one or the other). Correspondence between European, UK or US sizes is sometimes indicated on labels, but it's not always very reliable... the best thing is to try!
Luggage New Zealand
What to pack? When it comes to clothing, the answer is simple: everything! In New Zealand, you need to be ready for all 4 seasons at any time of year, especially if you plan to venture into the backcountry. Because of the island climate, the weather is unstable and you can go from one season to another overnight, or even from one hour to the next. Wellington is particularly well known for being able to endure 4 seasons in one day. Similarly, when venturing into the mountains, you can expect temperatures to drop suddenly, even in the middle of summer. It's not uncommon for snow to surprise summer hikers.
As a result, New Zealanders are pros at dressing in layers, i.e. layers that can be put on or taken off depending on temperatures and weather conditions. You have your basic layer, i.e. longjohns and a close-fitting t-shirt, ideally in merino wool, then shorts or pants, t-shirt and the usual sweater (prefer fast-drying materials, it'll make life easier). If it's really cold, you'll need a puffer (feather or synthetic down jacket), and, as always, a rain jacket (windproof and waterproof) in case the weather turns stormy (in a manner of speaking, storms aren't very common over there). If you're going to the mountains, pack a hat, gloves and neck warmer in your rucksack, even in midsummer, and thank your past self for having been so far-sighted when you reach the summit and the southerly winds chill your fingers and ears with their Antarctic temperatures (not so to speak this time, we're low on the globe, the southerly winds really do come from Antarctica!)
Ofcourse , don't forget your swimsuit, a hat or cap (the kind that doesn't blow off too easily, as the wind blows hard in some regions), and you'll need all-terrain shoes to feel at ease in town and on steep paths!
A sleeping bag will come in handy if you want to sleep in backcountry refuges, and if you want to camp, you'll need to pack a tent and mattress, plus a small gas stove if you want to cook.
On the practical side, a flashlight or headlamp will be precious allies for nights in hostels, refuges, vans or tents; a waterproof bag to protect your electronic equipment in case of heavy rain (easy to buy locally if you don't have one); an electrical adapter to plug in and charge your devices; a water bottle for hikes with either a filter or water-treatment tablets.
In terms of health, sun cream factor 50 is a must, as well as a few basic medicines and care products (note that paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs are readily available in all supermarkets - you'll also find ready-made, comprehensive first-aid kits), as well as something to deal with menstruation if you're concerned (beware: travelling to the ends of the earth and major time differences have a strong tendency to disrupt cycles, so get into the habit of keeping everything to hand!), and, for those with weak eyes, a sufficient stock of contact lenses and/or a spare pair of glasses just in case!
