Travel Tips

Language 
English is the common and official language of NZ.  Maori is the second official language and is NZ's heritage language.
  
Common NZ slang words:

"Kiwi"    A New Zealander 
"Good on you mate"  Thank you or approval  
"Aye"    What did you say?
"Cool"   Yes or That's O.K.
"Gidday"   Hello

Driving 
"KEEP LEFT" In NZ we drive on the left hand side of the road.

Electricity 
Electricity is supplied throughout NZ at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz, although most hotels and motels provide 110-volt ac.sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only.  NZ/Australia Socket adaptors can be purchased from "Smith City" Reece Crescent, Wanaka 

Telephone
GSM Digital mobile will work through out NZ.  SHPG has 2 GSM repeaters.  SHPG lines are digital but you will require an analogue modem.  The NZ telephone plug is a BT (British Telecom). Adaptors can be purchased from "Smith City" Reece Crescent, Wanaka. 
To dial from SHPG you are required to place 1 followed by the number.  To call an international number from NZ dial 00 followed by the country code. E.g. Germany 00 49 69 …… America 001 248

Health 
Medical services are not free in New Zealand and a travel insurance policy is recommended.  Visitors are covered under the local Accident Compensation Scheme for personal injury by accident.  This covers most medical and hospital expenses in NZ for accidents only.  Obtaining a New Zealand Work Visa or Permit does not entitle you to free medical care while in NZ.
 
The NZ emergency number is 111
SHPG recommends the Wanaka Medical Centre 21 Russel St Ph 443 7811
Wanaka Pharmacy Helwick Street Ph 443 8000 can advise you on any health questions.  Cold and flu remedies are available over the counter.

Precautions 
Animals: There are no poisonous snakes or dangerous wild animals in NZ; instead there is the sandfly.  These tiny biting insects live in wetter areas, especially Fiordland and the West Coast.  While no threat to your health, they can be very annoying and their bites itchy.  Insect repellent helps to keep sandflies  away.

Water
Metropolitan water supplies are of sufficient quality that it is normal to drink unboiled tap water.  SHPG water is safe to drink from the tap.

However, Giardia is now found in the rivers and lakes of popular tourist destinations.  To avoid Giardia, it is best to filter, boil or chemically treat water before drinking

Sun
The clarity of New Zealand's skies and relatively low altitude means sun block and sunglasses are an important precautions to guard against the sun.

Airports
The closest airport to SHPG (50 minute drive) is Queenstown (ZQN), it is a small airport that only offers international services from Australia.  The two international airports are Auckland International (AKL) North Island or Christchurch International (CHC) South Island.

You can also include a scenic flight on the way see www.flightseeing.co.nz for more information.
There are many rental car companies in Queenstown Airport (see please see the links on the Wanaka and Queenstown pages) to organize your transport from ZQN to SHPG and/or your accommodation.

Vaccinations
No vaccination certificates are required when entering New Zealand.

Departure Fees (Tax)
An airport departure fee of between NZ$20-25, depending on the airport, is required from all passengers over 12 years old.  This fee must be paid at the airport, it cannot be prepaid.
 
Money and Banking
New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2; notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency able to be brought into or taken out of NZ.  All major credit cards may be used and traveller's cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. Trading banks are open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.  The Bank of NZ at 11 Rees Street Queenstown is open 7 days a week from 9am to 8pm for foreign exchange transactions.

A Border Cash Report must be completed if you bring in NZ$10,000 or more (or foreign equivalent) in cash.  Cash does not include traveller's cheques, postal notes, bearer bonds or money orders.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATM's)
International credit cards may be used to obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATM's), provided they are encoded with a PIN number.  Plus and Cirrus international debit cards may also be used in machines displaying these logos.  ATM's are widely available in shopping areas and suburban malls, usually 24 hours a day.  Ask at your bank whether your card(s) can cater for this facility.

Tipping  
Employees in New Zealand do not depend on tips as part of their income.  However, tipping in appreciation for extra-special service, is at the discretion of the visitor.

GST
Goods and Services Tax of 12.5% is added to all goods and services purchased in NZ, it is included in the displayed price.  Visitors cannot claim refunds on this tax, although, when a supplier agrees to export a major item to a visitor's home address, GST will not be charged on either the goods or the freight. 

Post 
Post Shops are found in the cities and most towns.  Stamps are sold in most bookstores and some dairies. 
The Wanaka Post shop is located on upper Ardmore Street.
Post Cards $1.50  world wide
Letter  $1.50  South Pacific, $2.00  USA, Europe, Japan, Korea

Time
New Zealand standard time is GMT plus 12 hours.  There are no time differences within New Zealand.  Daylight saving pushes clocks forward 1 hour from the beginning of October until the end of March.

Measures
New Zealand is fully metric, although it is common to hear people still using imperial measurements for distance, height and weight.

Petrol
All petrol is unleaded and readily available in both 91 and 96 Octane.  Diesel and LPG are also available.  Special fuels can be arranged at SHPG (see Fuel) .

Food
New Zealand offers an extensive choice of fine cuisine with a strong international influence.  Award winning beef and lamb is available at most restaurants.  Crayfish (lobster), paua (abalone) and Bluff Oysters are a must to try while you are in New Zealand.

Wanaka's largest supermarket "New World" is located on Dunmore St and is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm.