Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Thursday; 09:30 to 17:00 Fridays
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 17:00 Saturdays
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

New Zealand is typically listed as one of the safest travel destinations in the world. Instead of assuming that your visit will be trouble-free, however, it’s recommended that you take precautions with your important documents and valuables so that you don’t become the victim of theft.

Nelson’s crime statistics largely match those of the rest of the country, with instances of petty crime against tourists being consistently low. Incidents that do occur tend to include purse-snatching and pick-pocketing. This type of crime typically occurs around sights of interest to tourists and around transportation centres. Your important travel documents, valuable jewellery and excess cash are best left in your hotel safe.

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. Plugs that in use here feature obliquely-positioned flat blades.

Although no particular health risks for visitors are prevalent, it is advised that you use caution when participating in adventure-type activities or extreme sports. Activities such as white-water rafting and bungee jumping carry significant risk, so it’s important to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance to cover this kind of pastime.

Medical care in Nelson is of a high standard, as is true throughout New Zealand. Complex cases may be referred to a larger medical centre in Christchurch or Wellington, as necessary. There is a countrywide accident compensation scheme in place that covers urgent care for all, including visitors to New Zealand. It’s still advised, however, to have adequate travel insurance to cover the unexpected such as emergency medical evacuation.

Nelson Hospital: +64 3 546 1800
Emergency services: 111

There are three languages officially recognised by the government of New Zealand: English, Maori and New Zealand sign language. English is the most commonly-spoken and is the language of business. Maori is still spoken by indigenous peoples: the language is quite similar to a number of other languages of the South Pacific such as Samoan, Tongan and Hawaiian. Today, more than 150,000 people in New Zealand speak Maori.

The country’s currency is the New Zealand dollar, normally abbreviated as NZ$. The New Zealand dollar ranks in the top eight of the world’s most-traded currencies. One dollar is subdivided into 100 cents. Banknotes are found in circulation in the following denominations: NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5, and coins are found in the denominations of NZ$2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 cents.

Main branches of banks in the city of Nelson, the currency exchange offices at the airport, and cashiers at most hotels all exchange major foreign currencies and foreign currency-denominated travellers’ cheques for New Zealand dollars. ATMs are conveniently located throughout the city and most businesses, including hotels, restaurants and shops, accept major credit cards.

Any visitor to New Zealand that is 17 years or older is permitted to bring in to the country a variety of duty-free items. Included on the list are: 200 cigarettes or the equivalent in cigars or loose tobacco; 4.5 litres of beer or wine; and one litre of spirits. Personal effects may also be brought in to the country, as long as they are declared on entry and taken out of the country when you depart.

Items that may not be brought in to the country include: live animals and plants, meats, animal and plant products and concealed firearms. Most Maori antiques, greenstone and natural paua shells may not be taken out of New Zealand.

New Zealanders are generally quite friendly, outgoing people, although they may seem to be reserved on first meeting. Their casual, informal nature is reflected in how they address each other when meeting: first names are generally used, even among people who haven’t previously met. Standards of dress are casual as well, but neat.

When you come in contact with Maori, you’ll also find them to be friendly although somewhat reserved when you first meet. They place a high degree of importance on being hospitable. If you are their guest, they will look after your needs, possibly to the point of inconveniencing themselves. An unusual Maori characteristic is breaking into song during conversations and group discussions: the songs are used to emphasise points that are made. Visitors are likely to be asked to share a favourite song from their home country.

Dining Etiquette
The casual lifestyle of New Zealanders is seen in their dining etiquette. Although table manners can be quite formal when the situation calls for formality, typically eating is family-style and informal. If you’re invited to someone’s home for a meal, you should wait to be shown where to sit at the table. Whether you’re a guest at a restaurant or at someone’s home, you should keep your elbows off and your hands above the table.

Table manners follow the European style, meaning that your fork is held in your left hand while you are eating and your knife is held in your right. The American standard of cutting a small piece of food, placing the knife back on the plate and moving the fork to the right hand is also acceptable here. When you are finished, you should place your knife and fork parallel to each other, on top of the plate, and pointing to the left.

Maori etiquette requires that after a powhiri is held, visitors are invited in to a dining room in a building separate from the meeting house. All those present will be seated at long trestle tables. Guests should not eat until the food is blessed, or until an elder invites everyone to begin.

Thousands of visitors come to New Zealand each year as tourists, students and visiting professionals. The government encourages young people to study or participate in working holidays, and professionals in various occupational categories to come to the country to work. Visas are issued for these various purposes, and the type of visa you receive will depend on the duration of the proposed visit as well as the purpose.

Tourists who are citizens of the following countries may visit New Zealand for a period of up to 90 days without obtaining a visa in advance: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Tuvalu, the UK, the US and Canada.

Three main tourist information offices are found in Nelson, and all offer helpful assistance for visitors on accommodation, dining options, events and area attractions. Nelson Tourism Services is located on Trafalgar street (phone: +64 3 546 6338); Nelson Visitor Information Centre is located at the junction of Halifax and Trafalgar streets (phone: +64 3 548 2304); and Nelson Tourist Activities is found at Bridge street (phone: +64 3 548 7803).