New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2; notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.

All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travellers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.

New Zealand Bank Notes

New Zealand Five Dollars	New Zealand Ten Dollars
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New Zealand Twenty Dollars	New Zealand Fifty Dollars
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New Zealand One Hundred Dollars
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The cost of living in New Zealand is comparable to all OECD countries.

Consumer goods are of a similar style and standard to those found overseas and are competitively-priced. Imported items such as cars, electrical and computer equipment and petrol cost are on a par with what you'd find in Australia or other similar countries.

Mercer’s 2012 Cost of Living Survey ranks cities worldwide – 1st place being the most expensive place to live. The survey lists Auckland (56) and Wellington (74) far better than many other major cities. Such cities included Sydney (11), London (25) and New York (33) – showing that comparatively, New Zealand’s major metropolitan areas are more affordable than those in other countries.

In New Zealand a Goods and Service Tax (GST) of 15% applies to everything except income and financial transactions.

Cost of consumer items

Useful Facts

Vehicles in NZ drive on the left hand side of the road

It is compulsory to wear seat belts in NZ

Speed limits are in kilometres per hour (kph), not miles per hour (mph)

The average speed in cities/towns is 50kph; on the open roads 100kph

Petrol (gas) is about $2.15 per litre

Travel Distances for the North Island (in kilometres (kms)

Travel Distances for the South Island (in kilometres (kms)

In this section we provide useful information such as electricity, phones and international drivers licence requirements.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only.

For all other equipment an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option. Please note that power outlets only accept flat 3 or 2-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted

Public Call-Phones

Most public call-phones take cards purchased from bookstalls and newsagents, with a minimum value of NZ$2. Some public call-phones also accept credit cards, but very few accept coins.

You can find New Zealand phone numbers online in the White Pages (alphabetical listings) and Yellow Pages (business category listings).

Mobile Phones

Check with your phone company before leaving home about international mobile roaming facilities available in New Zealand.

New Zealand has two mobile networks, Vodafone's GSM network which will work with Vodafone phones from overseas, and Telecom New Zealand's CDMA network which requires a New Zealand specific phone.

Laptops

You will need an RJ45 type plug to be able to connect your laptop into a computer socket in New Zealand, and an adaptor with a flat two or three-point power plug to connect to the power supply.

International Driving Licences and Permits

You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Recent law changes mean all drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their licence or permit at all times when driving. You will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country. The common legal age to rent a car in New Zealand is 25 years.

Make sure your driver's licence is current. If your licence is not in English, you should bring an English translation with you, or obtain an IDP. Contact your local automobile club for further details about obtaining a translation or an IDP.

New Zealand's climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas.

Mountain chains extending the length of New Zealand provide a barrier for the prevailing westerly winds, dividing the country into dramatically different climate regions. The West Coast of the South Island is the wettest area of New Zealand, whereas the area to the east of the mountains, just over 100 km away, is the driest.

Most areas of New Zealand have between 600 and 1600 mm of rainfall, spread throughout the year with a dry period during the summer. Over the northern and central areas of New Zealand more rainfall falls in winter than in summer, whereas for much of the southern part of New Zealand, winter is the season of least rainfall.

Mean annual temperatures range from 10°C in the south to 16°C in the north of New Zealand. The coldest month is usually July and the warmest month is usually January or February. In New Zealand generally there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures, although inland and to the east of the ranges the variation is greater (up to 14°C). Temperatures also drop about 0.7°C for every 100 m of altitude.

Sunshine hours are relatively high in areas that are sheltered from the west and most of New Zealand would have at least 2000 hours annually. The midday summer solar radiation index (UVI) is often very high in most places and can be extreme in northern New Zealand and in mountainous areas. Autumn and spring UVI values can be high in most areas.

Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountain areas. Snow rarely falls in the coastal areas of the North Island and west of the South Island, although the east and south of the South Island may experience some snow in winter. Frosts can occur anywhere in New Zealand and usually form on cold nights with clear skies and little wind.

Visitors are advised to come prepared for all types of weather, as the temperature can change quite rapidly during the day.