New Zealand

Limits

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD; symbol: NZ$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of NZ$2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 cents.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are common.

Culture

The culture of New Zealand is a heterogeneous mixture of the native Maori culture, European and American influences and impacts of other cultures such as Asian and Arab influences brought in by travellers and settlers. The country is vibrant and ever evolving and the natives are open to experimenting and innovations in every walk of life.

Arts and Crafts in New Zealand are a huge attraction for tourists, be it Maori craft items such as flax textiles, wood and stone carvings, or more contemporary oil and water colour paintings. The coveted souvenirs of New Zealand are collectors' items treasured worldwide.

Emergency Services

• Emergency 111
• From mobile phones, the international emergency numbers 112, 911 and 08 also work

Weather

Subtropical in the north and temperate in the south. The north doesn't have extremes of heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the south, with snow in the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions in summer; the west, particularly in the South Island, has more rain.

Spring, summer and autumn are very pleasant throughout New Zealand. Winters tend to be wet and cool, but there's great winter skiing in the centre of the North Island, and in the South Island's Southern Alps, where heli-skiing is particularly popular.