Auckland Travel Tips

Banks: 09:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday; 10:00 to 13:00 Sundays
Museums: 10:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sundays
Business Offices: 08:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 12:30 Saturdays

Auckland is, generally, a safe city to live and holiday in. However, like any big city and popular tourist destination, it has its fair share of undesirables and areas which are best avoided. Karangahape road and Fort street are fine to wander during the day, but are seedy at night. Visitors should also be wary of Aotea square at night as drunks have a tendency to congregate here.

Petty criminals operate in busy areas, just as they do in any big city, and visitors are advised to exercise caution when out and about. Keep cash and valuable items in hard-to-reach places and wear bags in a manner that makes them difficult targets for snatchers.

The city presents no immediate health risks from viral or bacterial sources, and visitors from developed countries run no higher a risk of getting ill here than they would at home. Tap water is safe to drink and standards of hygiene in public eating and drinking establishments are rigorously maintained.

Healthcare in public and private hospitals is of a high standard. UK visitors are able to take advantage of a reciprocal health agreement which provides free emergency treatment in public hospitals although any treatment provided as an out-patient is subject to a fee.

Auckland City Hospital: +64 9 367 0000
Emergency services: 112

Officially, New Zealand has three languages: Maori or Te Reo, English and New Zealand sign language. Te Reo was given official status in 1987 with the passing of the Maori Language Act and is used alongside English in written form on official documentation and at important public and government buildings. In spoken form, Te Reo is not especially common although citizens who speak it are entitled to do so for official purposes such as in court, when dealing with government agencies, or when making public addresses. Interpreters are often necessary in such situations. Most of Auckland’s Maori population speaks English.

Auckland uses the New Zealand dollar (NZ$) as its official currency. Notes are issued in denominations of NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are issued in denominations of NZ$2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 cents.

Foreign currency and traveller's cheques can be exchanged at almost all of the city’s banks as well as at major hotels and some shops. Traveller's cheques are best bought in US dollars, Australian dollars or pounds sterling. ATMs are widely available and most accept cards from overseas. Cards issued by major credit companies such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are the most readily accepted. Credit cards issued by the same companies are widely accepted in stores and for payment of services.

According to New Zealand’s customs regulations, travellers aged 17 years or older are permitted to bring the following into the country: 200 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars, or a combination of the three to a maximum weight of 250 grams. Alcohol allowances permit 4.5 litres of wine, 4.5 litres of beer or three bottles of spirits each containing not over 1125ml to be imported. Gifts and other duty-free goods to a total value of NZ$700 may also be brought in.

There are restrictions on the importing of certain goods including prescription drugs, food and organic products, pets and firearms. If you are in any doubt as to whether something you are carrying is subject to restriction, then it’s wise to declare it on arrival.

New Zealanders are polite, slightly reserved people and visitors should adopt the same demeanor when meeting Auckland locals for the first time. A handshake is considered an appropriate greeting. A smile accompanying the handshake will always be well received. Be sure to be punctual if you have a social or business meeting with a local; tardiness is not well tolerated and the concept of being ‘fashionably late’ is absent from New Zealand culture. Titles are best used in the early stages of business relationships or until the person in question tells you otherwise.

Should you be invited to meet local Maoris in a tribal setting, it’s wise to seek information and advice from a guide so as to avoid making any cultural faux pas.

Dining Etiquette
Arrive on time for dinner appointments at an individual’s home and consider bringing your host a small gift such as chocolates, flowers, wine or something from your own country that is perhaps unavailable in New Zealand.

At the dinner table, conversation is conducted before and after the meal, with very little talking done during eating. Business is a topic for lunchtime meetings only and business isn’t commonly discussed at the dinner table. Food is generally served on a plate, although vegetables, sauces and side dishes are often presented in dishes that are then placed in the middle of the table for guests to help themselves to.

New Zealanders often have afternoon tea between 15:00 and 16:00. Dinner is often referred to as ‘tea’ and is served between 18:00 and 20:00, while ‘supper’ refers to a light snack eaten later in the evening, generally shortly before retiring.

Citizens of the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and most European countries are permitted entry to New Zealand on arrival upon presentation of their passport, which must be valid for a minimum of three months from the date of entry. Exceptions include Bulgarian and Romanian citizens who are required to have a visa before entering the country. Australians are permitted indefinite periods of stay, UK citizens may stay for up to six months and all other nationals may stay for up to three months.

All other visitors must have a valid tourist visa to enter New Zealand. Visas can be applied for from New Zealand embassies.

There are a number of offices serving the needs of tourists in Auckland, providing information on important topics such as sights and attractions, accommodation, and transportation as well as practical advice on what to do in emergencies and how to contact your embassy should it be necessary.

Auckland i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Atrium, SKYCITY Auckland, Corner Victoria and Federal streets
Phone: +64 9 363 7182

New Zealand i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
137 Quay street, Princes Wharf, Downtown Auckland
Phone: +64 9 307 0612