New Zealand

Many nationalities of certain countries are able visit New Zealand without a visa or have a visa waiver; this only entitles the person to travel to New Zealand and apply for entry permission where it can be granted or denied by an immigration officer at New Zealand borders.

Travellers that are eligible for a visa waiver must request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) prior to travel. The NZeTA is mandatory for all sea and air arrivals.

Travellers to the country must hold passports that are still valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay.

Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay: NZD $1,000 per person per month of stay or NZD $400 if accommodation has been prepaid.

Visitors are required to hold documents required for their next destination.

Typical visa lengths range from less than three months to six months depending on the nationality of the traveller.

Immigration New Zealand website

View visa policy of New Zealand

View visa requirements by nationality

 

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

Many visitors coming to New Zealand are subject to paying an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $35. This fee is payable online at the time of applying for a visa or requesting an NZeTA.

Note: The above information is general visa advice and is subject to change. Please consult with your official government or foreign embassy for the latest professional visa information.

 

I would recommend:

Exchanging your foreign currency to New Zealand currency (if you could not in the previous destination)

There are multiple foreign exchange facilities at airports, dedicated foreign exchange places, and banks.

There are also ATMs widely available, especially inside supermarkets and malls.

Getting a bus card

Depending on which city you arrive in, having a bus card is great for using cheap public bus transport and is cheaper than using cash to pay for a bus fare.

Getting a local SIM card

Having a sim card with mobile data available can be life-saving, especially if you are visiting rural areas or hiking in the New Zealand wilderness. You will need ID as part of the registration process.

You can top using online using a credit card, or via app, customer service phone call, or in-store.

Main mobile service carriers include:

• 2degrees
• Spark
• Vodafone

There are limited transport options within New Zealand. There is a great network of intercity buses. There is also are many domestic flight routes across New Zealand, though they are not always so affordable. There is train transportation but routes are limited and expensive.

Type of information	Name	Additional information	Web/Download link
	Air New Zealand	New Zealand’s country’s flag air carrier.
	Atomic Travel	This bus company has services throughout the South Island, including popular destinations such as Christchurch, Dunedin, Greymouth, Hokitika, Invercargill, Nelson, Picton, Queenstown, and Wanaka.
	Blue Bridge	Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries sail between Wellington city in the North Island and Picton in the South Island up to 50 times a week.
	Catch-a-Bus South	This local company has door-to-door shuttle bus services for the Otago and Southland area, such as Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, and Bluff.
	Coastal Pacific	Train journeys between Christchurch and Picton. Enjoy views of the pristine South Island eastern coastline, lovely coastal towns and seascapes.
	The Cook Connection	This shuttle bus company has daily routes servicing areas around Mt. Cook, Twizel, and Lake Tekapo.
	East West Shuttles	This shuttle bus company has routes between Christchurch and Westport via Lewis Pass, and between Christchurch and Greymouth via Arthur’s Pass.
	Ezi Car Rental	One of New Zealand’s leading car rental companies with multiple car branches throughout the country and 24/7 customer support.
	Go Kiwi	This shuttle bus company has daily routes from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula area, perfect if you want to see this beautiful area.
	GO Rentals	New Zealand’s current number one car rental company with multiple car branches throughout the country and offers special activity discounts.
	grabaseat	Find cheap (but limited) domestic and some international Air New Zealand flights. Subscribe to get the latest deals and alerts.
	Hanmer Connection	This shuttle bus company offers convenient and daily to and from the relaxing Hanmner Springs and Christchurch.
	Intercity Bus	New Zealand’s number one national bus network. Intercity Bus offers hop on, hop off bus services.
	Interislander	The first ferry service in New Zealand, The Interislander has ferry services between Wellington and Picton several times a day.
	Kiwi Experience	Hop on, hop off tour bus service with connections throughout New Zealand. Kiwi Experience offers fun small group tours, including private tours.
	Jetstar	Domestic flight carrier with routes to popular New Zealand destinations.
	Northern Explorer	See New Zealand’s northern scenery via train, from the farmlands of Waikato to the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau and the lovely Kapiti coast.
	Rome2rio	View general transport options. View options as a general guide, not a 100% accurate representation of options and schedules.
	ScenicNZ Abel Tasman	Bus service in the areas around Nelson, Motueka, Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park.
	Stray	Experience New Zealand via Stray’s fun hop on, hop off bus tours throughout New Zealand.
	Tracknet	This local company offers daily bus services to and from southern South Island destinations such as Te Anau, Milford Sound, and Queenstown.
	Thrifty Tours	Thrifty Tours features multiple tours via bus across New Zealand with different types of sightseeing experiences and adventures.
	TranszAlpine	Travel by train from coast to coast, from Christchurch to Greymouth and experience one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, featuring the beauty of the Southern Alps and the ice-fed Waimakariri River.

Type of information	Name	Additional information	Web/Download link
	100% Pure New Zealand	Official New Zealand tourism website with information on what to see and do how to get to different places and where to stay.
	Apollo	Choose from different accommodating vehicles such as campervans to see the sights across New Zealand.
	Brita	Find different types of campervans to explore New Zealand in.
	Catch-a-Bus South	This local company has door-to-door shuttle bus services for the Otago and Southland area, such as Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, and Bluff.
	Department of Conservation	Discover walking and hiking tracks across New Zealand, and other nature activities. Includes information for huts for overnight stays.
	GrabOne	Find discounted offers and deals on products and services in certain areas of New Zealand, including travel and holiday specials.
	Jucy	Choose from different campervans to explore New Zealand.
	Lonely Planet	Learn more about things to see and do in New Zealand from Lonely Planet.
	Maui Rentals	Hire a motorhome vehicle to explore all around New Zealand.
	New Zealand Tourism Guide	New Zealand tourism website with a lot of local information on what to see and do, accommodation and transport details.
	NZ Maori Tourism	Learn and experience Maori culture across New Zealand with plenty of cultural things to see and do.
	Trade Me	New Zealand’s number one trading website where you bid and buy new or used items, search for second-hand cars and accommodation.
	Uber	This taxi hailing app operates in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin.
	VroomVroomVroom	Compare different campervan companies for the best deals.
	Zoomy	This locally owned taxi hailing app operates in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

 

New Zealand is a moderate climate country where the temperatures are not extreme and there is a clear distinction between different seasons.

The South Island tends to be cooler (and wetter) than the North Island. In general, the more you move north from the south, the warmer the climate becomes.

The below table represents the average weather in Auckland, New Zealand.

Season	Average Max temp (°C)	Average Min temp (°C)	General clothing information
	23°C	16°C	The days and nights are hot so thin layers are important. Always take a jacket for those unexpected cooler nights. If you’re exploring the great outdoors nearby, bring additional layers in case of unexpected cooler weather.
	20°C	13°C	The days and nights are much cooler but still warm. Layering is still important.
	14°C	8°C	It is recommended to wear layers with a thick coat or puffer jacket, along with light thermal undergarments. It is generally the wettest/rainiest season in New Zealand.
	18°C	11°C	It is getting gradually warmer where it can be possible to wear a tee-shirt and shorts. Always take a jacket for those unexpected cooler nights.

 

Learn more about the weather:
New Zealand climates

Dates of public holidays in New Zealand are subject to yearly changes.

Date	Public holiday	Notes
1 January	New Year’s Day
2 January	Day after New Year’s Day	Observed on 4 January.
6 February	Waitangi Day	Observed on 8 January.
5 April	Easter Monday
25 April	Anzac Day	Observed on 26 April.
7 June	Queen’s Birthday
25 October	Labour Day
25 December	Christmas Day	Observed on 27 December.
26 December	Boxing Day	Observed on 28 December.

 

Regional Anniversary Holidays

Dates of regional public holidays are subject to yearly changes.

<td data-label="Anniversary holiday1 February <td data-label="Anniversary holiday1 February <td data-label="Anniversary holiday27 September <td data-label="Anniversary holiday12 November <td data-label="Anniversary holiday29 November <td data-label="Anniversary holiday22 October <td data-label="Anniversary holiday1 November <td data-label="Anniversary holiday1 February <td data-label="Anniversary holiday1 February <td data-label="Anniversary holiday22 March <td data-label="Anniversary holiday6 April <td data-label="Anniversary holiday8 March <td data-label="Anniversary holiday25 January <td data-label="Anniversary holiday29 November

Region	Anniversary holiday	Notes
Auckland
Buller
Canterbury (South)
Canterbury
Chatham Islands
Hawke’s Bay
Marlborough
Nelson
Northland
Otago
Southland
Taranaki
Wellington
Westland

 

General:

• Kiwis are generally a laidback bunch of people who love and embrace a good work/life balance.
• People are generally thought of as friendly but reserved and respectful, and open enough to be seen as welcoming; Kiwis are renown as being among one of the friendliest people in the world – expect friendly smiles! They are always willing to help where possible.
• New Zealand is a multi-cultural country with various cultures and ethnic groups around the world so it’s important to show respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexuality, and political views.
• Kiwis tend to have “Tall Poppy Syndrome” where they try to bring down people’s accomplishments and mock people who think highly of themselves.
• When invited to a dinner party or special occasion, it’s normal to contribute to the event by bringing food or wine to share with other people.
• People tend to dress quite casually or smart-casually so there is no need to properly dress or overdress unless it is a special occasion.
• There is often a relaxed attitude to invitations. Sometimes people will say they’re coming to an event but not turn up. Don’t take it personally!
• People enjoy going out for coffee but not necessarily drink coffee (the point is always to catch up with people).
• Coffee in New Zealand is among the best in the world. The humble Flat White coffee is the most popular, and arguably a Kiwi creation!
• During a restaurant or cafe situation where you pay after having your meal, it’s normal to go up to the service counter to pay for the bill, as opposed to remain sitting down and waiting for the waiter/waitress come to you with the bill. Depending on the establishment, split payment among different diners can also be allowed.
• There isn’t a tipping culture in New Zealand so tipping is not expected at all in restaurants and cafes.
• While there isn’t normally a service surcharge on top of your dining bill, surcharges can exist when you dine on a public holiday. Always check with the dining establishment before dining there.
• Kiwis love their junk food, especially savoury mince meat pies and fish ‘n chips – it probably explains why New Zealand is one of the fattest countries in the world!
• The alcohol drinking drinking age is 18 years.
• It’s normal for people to have after work drinks on a Friday afternoon after work has finished.
• There is still a strong binge-drinking culture in New Zealand, though this is declining due to increased costs and changing social attitudes.
• Smoking is decreasing in popularity due to changing social norms, education, and the increasing prohibiting cost of smoking cigarettes each year – the New Zealand government regularly raises tax on tobacco products.
• Smoking is not allowed inside essentially all businesses – offices, bars, cafes restaurants, hotels, and night clubs. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas and in private residences.
• The selling and smoking of cannabis is still illegal in New Zealand and is a criminal offence (though the consumption of it is ‘accepted’ by large parts of society where people turn a blind eye to people smoking it).

Māori culture:

• During a powhiri (welcoming ceremony), it’s important to stay quiet to be respectful of the ceremony. It’s typically followed by a presentation of waiata (songs) and speeches by particular people, typically elders.
• The haka is a ceremonial Māori dance or challenge performed by men, considered an ancestral ‘war cry’. It is made famous by the New Zealand national rugby team the All Blacks – the haka is performed before the start of every rugby match. Many boys-only schools have their own haka.
• It is normal to take your shoes off indoors, especially in a marae (a communal or sacred place that serves cultural or social purposes).
• The traditional Māori greeting is the hongi where people press their noses together while their eyes are shut (sometimes with the foreheads touching) while shaking hands. Hongi roughly translates to ‘sharing of the breath’.
• Māori people will often say a prayer (karakia) to bless meals before eating them.
• There is an earth-based barbecue called a hāngi where food is cooked using heated rocks buried in a pit oven that has been dug into the ground and buried for a few hours.
• It’s best to not sit on a table as it’s considered disrespectful (as it’s commonly associated as a place where people eat).
• The traditional Māori tattoo is Tā moko that is considered tapu, or sacred, often associated with mana (respect) and high social status. For men, this tattoo is commonly inked on the face, buttocks and thighs. For women, the moko is usually on their lips and chin.
• In Māori culture, people enjoy expressing and showcasing their heritage and cultural identity through song and dance, known as Kapa haka – the term for Māori performing arts. Kapa means ‘group and haka means ‘dance’.

Do:

• Greet members of the same sex with a handshake, often done with both hands and a smile.
• Hug close friends regardless of gender.
• Walk on the left side of a path (like driving on the left side).
• Hold/open the elevator/lift for people who are wanting to get on it as the doors close.
• Wait until everyone has left the elevator/lift before getting on it.
• Respect personal space.
• Bring a plate of food to a party or gathering, especially when the host has asked you to “Bring a plate”.
• Wait to be served at a restaurant or cafe (unless stated otherwise by the establishment).
• Bring a small gift to a social occasion, even if the host tells you not to bring anything.
• Go on at least one hiking adventure in New Zealand to experience the beautiful outdoors.
• Try a savoury minced meat pie – flavours such as mince, mince and cheese, steak and cheese.
• Try lolly cake – one of New Zealand’s best sweet creations.
• Be modest.
• If you smoke, ask if the surrounding people are okay with you smoking nearby.
• Say “Cheers!” when making a toast.

Do not:

• Be arrogant and gloating of your achievements.
• Be ‘touchy-feely’ with people.
• Ask people (especially people you don’t know well) how much money they earn, marital status, political views – anything too personal.
• Smoke indoors in public spaces and areas where there is “No smoking” sign.
• Tip in restaurants or bars. It’s not required.

Learn more:
A guide to modern New Zealand manners
New Zealand Now
Every Culture
Commisceo Global

Before travelling to New Zealand, familiarise yourself with common Kiwi slang and jargon you will hear locals say. It’ll make understanding the local jargon easier and phrases easier. Plus, you can use them during your travel adventure in New Zealand!

Kiwi word or phrase	Translation	Example
Bach	Pronounced as “Batch”. It is a holiday home often near the beach or in the countryside. In the South Island, it can be referred to as a crib.
“All good!”	That’s okay, that’s all right.
Beaut	Great, or beautiful.
“Bring a plate.”	Bring a shared dish of food to a party or event. Don’t bring just an empty plate haha.	“Dinner party at my place on Friday. Bring a plate!”
Bro	An endearment for friends and strangers alike, usually a male.
Bugger	Oh no, oh crap!
“Bugger all.”	None, nothing at all.	“Do much this weekend?” “Nah. Bugger all.”
Buggered (knackered):	Really damaged, or tired.	“That car looks buggered!” “I’m off to bed. I’m knackered.”
Chilly bin	Chiller box keeping food and drinks cold.
Chips	Term applicable to both fried potato crisps and potato fries from a Fish ‘n Chip shop.
Chip shop	Referring to a Fish ‘n Chip shop serving fried foods such as fish, chips, burgers and other delicious takeaway foods.
Chocka	Full.	“Had enough chips?” “yeah, chocka!”
Chook	Another word for chicken.
Choice as	That’s great.
Chunder	Vomit (verb).	“He chundered all over the floor in the club!”
Chur	Thanks or thank you.
Dairy	Small convenience shop selling basic food items.
Dunny	Toilet.
“Eh?”	Pronounced ‘ay’. Means “Don’t you agree or think so?”. Also means “What?” (Eh?”)	“Today’s pretty hot eh?”
“Good as gold!”	That’s great!
Gumboots	Term for rubber ‘Wellington boots’ that are commonly worn by farmers.
“Hard case”	Person is funny, or a difficult person to deal with.	“He’s in trouble again?” “Yeah, he’s a hard case.”
“He/She couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery!”	Person is unable to accomplish an easy task.
“He/She’s a muppet!”	Person is an idiot.
“He/She’s a sammie short of a picnic.”	Person is a bit stupid.
Jafa	Just Another Fucking Aucklander.
Jandals	Flip flops.	Also used as “You can handle the jandal!” as in you can’t handle the situation.
Jumper	Sweater/Top.
Kiwi	Informal demonym for New Zealanders, along with being the name of the native bird that is New Zealand’s national icon.
“No worries.”	You’re welcome, no problem at all.	“Thanks for your help!” “Oh, no worries.”
Munted	When something is broken, or someone is highly intoxicated.	“Thanks for your help!” “That car is munted!” “That guy’s so munted!”
“Pack(ing) a sad”	Feeling sad.	“Is she all right?” “Nah. She’s packing a sad after her boyfriend dumped her.”
“Piece of piss.”	It will be easy.	“Can you fix my car?” “Yeah, it’ll be a piece of piss!”
Piss up	A party, often involving a lot of alcohol.
“On the piss.” (“OTP”)	Drinking alcohol, often a lot. “On the turps” is another expression.	“He’s on the piss tonight!”
Rark up	Telling off.
Scroggin	Trail mix of nuts and chocolates, ideal for tramping/hiking.
“She’ll be right.”	It will be fine, don’t worry about it.	“How’s the weather looking?” “She’ll be right.”
“Sickie”	Sick day.	“He’s so hungover. He’s gonna take a sickie.”
Smoko	Break (noun), typically from working.	“Where’s Bob?” “He’s on smoko.”
Squiz	To take a quick look.	“Did you read the guide?” “I’ll just have a squiz.”
“Stoked”	Happy about something.	“She looks stoked with her new car.”
Stubbie	Bottle of beer.
Stubbies	Short shorts.
Sweet as	Great, good, excellent.
“Ta!”	Thanks.
“Taking the piss.”	Making fun of, or joking.
Tiki tour	Taking the long way to get to a destination.
Togs	Swimwear.
Tramping	Hiking
Wop wop’s	The middle of nowhere, often the remote countryside (“The sticks”).
“Yeah nah”	Yes but no – maybe! Can also informally mean thanks, but no thanks.	“You wanna go to that movie tonight? “Yeah nah.”
“You’re an egg!”	You’re such a clown or douchebag.

English phrase	Māori word or phrase	Notes
Welcome	Nau mai, haere mai
Hello	Kia ora
Good morning	Mōrena
Yes	ā
No	kāo
Please	Koa
Thanks	Kia ora, also Tēnā koe (to one person), tēnā kōrua (to two people), or tēnā koutou (to three or more people)
Thank you very much	Tēnā rawa atu koe
I’m sorry	Aroha mai
See you later	Ka kite anō
Food	Kai
Family	Whānau
Love	Aroha
Respect	Mana
Good work!	Ka pai!
Stay strong	Kia kaha

Learn more:
English to Te Reo Māori translation

Common Maori greetings

New Zealand is one of the more expensive places to visit and live and the average traveller should budget accordingly. International credit cards are widely accepted and are necessary for renting vehicles.

Learn more:
Cost of living in New Zealand

Daily costs per individual will always vary from traveller to traveller due to different styles of travelling and different interests with varying costs (restaurant dining vs cooking food at your accommodation).

Typical costs include:

• Accommodation
• Transport
• Food
• Attractions such as museums and tours.

Like any budget, see the number as a limit and not as a target!

Below are average daily budget estimate costs for a single traveller for guideline use.

Learn more:
New Zealand Travel Budget

 

Exchange rates & converter

NZ Dollar https://w.fxexchangerate.com/converter.php?fm=NZD&ft=USD,GBP,EUR,JPY,CHF,CAD,CNY,AUD,RUB,&lg=en&am=1&ty=2	Currency Converter https://w.fxexchangerate.com/converter.php?fm=NZD&ft=USD&lg=en&am=1&ty=1

Vaccinations in general take many weeks or months and multiple shots for full immunisation so it’s best to plan ahead before your travel date.

You should already have the standard vaccines that include:
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, Varicella (chickenpox), and Polio vaccines.

Please note that all vaccination information is general advice.

It is highly recommended that you consult a registered GP or doctor for professional and specific medical advice regarding vaccinations for your travels.

Learn more:
Comprehensive health information for New Zealand

Disease/Vaccine	Causes	Precautions
Hepatitis A	Contaminated food, water, medical and cosmetic equipment.	Avoid contaminated medical and cosmetic equipment. Eat well-washed and/or hot food only. Avoid unpasteurised dairy products. Avoid drinking water in rural areas. Don’t share drinks. Don’t share medical or cosmetic equipment. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap (Or use hand sanitiser).
Hepatitis B	Bodily fluids such as from sexual contact, contaminated medical equipment such as needles, unscreened blood transfusions, and contact with open wounds.	Use latex condoms correctly/Avoid unsafe sex. Avoid sharing needles and medical equipment.

Always be vigilant but not paranoid or naive regarding scams.

It is highly recommended you have travel insurance to cover any potential loss in your personal belongings and safety.

 

Scam/Crime	Method/Behaviour	How to avoid
Event Ticket	There are various scenarios for event ticket scams when someone has offered an already purchased ticket for re-sell online: Fake tickets on offer for already sold-out events. A legitimate ticket has been sold but the seller enters the event first with the legitimate ticket preventing the next person with the same ticket from entering the event. Selling a premium VIP seat, but getting a lower quality seat in reality.	Only purchase event tickets from official retailers and event websites, such as Ticketek.
Fake manuka honey	Manuka honey, derived from the nectar of the manuka bush flower, has anti-bacterial properties which is prized by many people and comes at a premium cost. Scammers often either: Add potentially harmful artificial dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to non-manuka honey or weak manuka honey to make it appear stronger before selling it at a premium price. Label the fake honey with meaningless and fake numbers, ratings or certifications to mislead people into thinking that it is Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) accredited.	Buy from a New Zealand company that is licensed to use the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating where the licensee’s name is displayed.
Holiday apartment scam	A scammer lists a fake listing of an apartment on a legitimate site, or lists stolen (but legitimate) apartment listings on a fake booking website.	Use well-known websites with buyer protection where you can get your money back (such as www.booking.com). Spot red flags such as: cheap price, odd descriptions, dodgy reviews (or lack of reviews), difference in photos and Google Street View, asking for payment off from the booking platform, and the owner claiming to be overseas. Never make an upfront payment or make the payment off from the booking platform.
Pickpocketing	Working as a single person: he or she will quickly grab an item from your pocket or slowly unzip your bag to grab the contents inside. This person can pick-pocket you from behind or by bumping into you. Working as a gang: one person targets you, another distracts, one grabs your possession and passes it to another to escape with, often under a cover. Be aware of being ambushed and targeted from left and right sides. This is more prevalent in Auckland.	Leave valuables in a locked place at your accommodation or keep valuables hidden out of sight. Keep a printed hardcopy of your passport on hand. Do not carry excess cash and credit cards. Zip up and lock the pockets of your daypack/bag. You can carry your bag in front. Never leave your bag unattended or out of sight. If you’re in a restaurant or cafe, put your bag on your lap or in front and between your feet with a strap around a foot. Keep a hand on your front pocket where your valuables could be stored (such as smartphone).
Overcharging taxis	Some independent taxi drivers (some of whom can use old, defunct taxi signs on their cars) overcharge passengers with them not realising they’re been overcharged when using card payment. Receipt for the transaction is not given so passengers have little chance of finding the taxi driver. This can be prevalent in the Wellington area.	Use taxi apps like Uber or Zoomy. Use public transport – it’s cheaper, especially if you have a bus card. If you do decide to take taxi: Take a photo of the car plate and the driver’s license. If you find yourself in an overcharging situation: Contact the NZ transport agency (NZTA) for help (they maintain a national register of complaints against commercial transport services and drivers). You can also contract Wellington taxi – this company leases eftpos machines, renting them to independent taxi drivers to check their records. Check online taxi fare estimators, taxi booking apps, or ask hotel/hostel staff for a fare estimate. You can use this information to negotiate a reasonable fare price if appropriate. Use a map app on your smartphone (GPS) to check the distance and the average time between the airport and your destination, along with seeing if you are being driven in the correct direction.
Sob story scammers (or fake beggars)	You may encounter someone on the street who claims to have been robbed or have a family member sent to hospital. This person proceeds to ask if you can spare some money for help, such as for transport There are also fake beggars around.	Keep on walking to avoid interacting with them.
Unlicensed tour operators	There are unlicensed tour operators targeting Chinese tourists with low priced tours, often advertised on Chinese apps. These unlicensed tour operators exploit tourists’ lack of English skills and lack of travel experience, by charging them for accessing free public spaces, as well as at affiliated shops where they try and force them to buy things.	Research online for information about the tour operator such as a proper website and contact details that work (such as telephone number), along with online reviews of their tours. Refer to the corporate Tourism New Zealand website for licensed operators). You can find things to do and see on the official New Zealand tourism website. Never pay in full upfront (unless it’s a reputable operator) or off the online platform.

Learn more:
Scams in New Zealand