Wellington Travel Tips

Banks: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 16:30 Saturdays; 10:00 to 14:00 Sundays
Museums: 10:00 to 18:00, daily
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Even in the big capital city of Wellington, there is very little crime in New Zealand. Visitors to New Zealand will be pleasantly surprised to find that wherever they go, they will enjoy a distinct feeling of safety. Naturally, you will want to exercise the usual precautions when visiting a new destination. Keep an eye on your personal belongings and be extra cautious if you are walking around the city late at night. Crime does occasionally occur in Wellington, but it is almost always petty theft and not violent.

Police: 111
Electricity: 230V AC, 50Hz with oblique flat plugs

The quality of life in New Zealand is among the highest in the world. New Zealanders take an enormous amount of pride in protecting their environment, resulting in clean cities, relatively low pollution levels and tap water that tastes good. Visitors to Wellington should encounter no health problems during their stay. It’s safe to drink the water from the tap. Even the most modest restaurants in Wellington keep their hygiene at the highest standards, but use common sense when eating shellfish and seafood.

Minor illnesses can be handled at any of the late-night pharmacies along Adelaide road or High street. For more serious medical problems, Wellington has excellent medical facilities. New Zealand has reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK and Australia, so citizens of these countries can take advantage of limited free medical care. Travellers from other countries are advised to buy travel insurance to cover the costs of any unexpected medical emergencies. 

Ambulance: 111
Wellington Hospital: +64 4 385 5999

The official languages in New Zealand are English and Maori. Only four per cent of the population speak Maori therefore visitors will have no trouble in finding someone who can speak English at all times.

New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar (NZ$) as its official currency. There are 100 cents in a dollar. Notes come in denominations of NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5, while coins come in denominations of NZ$2, 1, and 50, 20, and 10 cents.

Travellers to Wellington will need to exchange some of their foreign currency into local New Zealand dollars for payment for transport, sundry purchases and the like. Money can be changed at most bank branches, the airport, and at exchange offices such as Travelex or Thomas Cook. There is also a good exchange bureau at the Cable Car complex at Lambton Quay.

ATMs are readily available anywhere there are shops, banks or tourism. Many ATMs accept international debit and credit cards, providing a convenient way to withdraw small amounts of local currency. Major credit cards are widely accepted in Wellington. All but the smallest stores accept credit cards, but if you want to use traveller’s cheques, it is best to cash them in first at a bank or at the American Express office at Lambton Quay.

All visitors to New Zealand over the age of 17 years can import: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits and 4.5 litres of wine or beer. Prohibited items include plants, raw food, animals and firearms. New Zealand has very strict quarantine laws and enforces them diligently. Be very careful what you bring into the country as custom officials check thoroughly. Visitors may not export Maori antiques, paua shells or greenstone.

Despite being the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington exudes a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere. There are plenty of business people donning suits flitting around the central business district and the Parliament Buildings, but in general New Zealanders are relaxed about life and dress. They pride themselves in their egalitarianism, arguing that all New Zealanders are equal regardless of social status, wealth or race. This is generally true, perhaps even more so in the cosmopolitan environment of Wellington.

When you meet a New Zealander, expect a firm handshake and a smile. They are generally very outgoing and will likely enquire where you are from, where you are going and if you like their country. Dress is casual just about everywhere you go, though you should put extra effort into choosing your attire if you go out on the town at night, or to a performance or an upscale restaurant.

Dining Etiquette
There is no real etiquette when it comes to dining out in Wellington. Every restaurant has waiter service, and many employ a host to seat you. Dress can be casual at cafés and the like, but nicer attire is requested at the more upmarket eateries in the city. Interestingly, tipping is not a normal part of the dining experience in New Zealand. However, it’s perfectly acceptable for you to leave a gratuity if you enjoyed the service.

All visitors to New Zealand must have a passport, but citizens from many countries are allowed to enter without obtaining a tourist visa in advance. Nearly all European, North American and Asian nationals such as Japanese and Singaporeans may enter New Zealand on holiday without a visa. You may stay for up to six months without a visa if you are a British citizen. In order to qualify for the visa waiver, each traveller must have an onward ticket to a country where they will be allowed entry, proof of sufficient funds for the length of their stay, and a passport valid for at least three months past the date they plan to depart New Zealand. Anyone who wishes to stay longer can apply for a visitor’s visa.

The main tourism information centre in Wellington can be found in Civic square in the heart of the city. It offers a vast array of free maps, brochures and useful information about the city and its attractions every day from 08:30 until 17:30 and from 09:30 to 16:30 at weekends.

Wellington i-Site Visitor Information Centre
101 Wakefield street
Civic square
Phone: +64 4 802 4860