The Spoken Word
English is the everyday language of New Zealand. Te Reo Māori (our Indigenous language) is also spoken and referenced throughout the country.
Common words and phrases in Te Reo Māori include:
Aotearoa - "Long white cloud" or "Long bright world", the Māori name for New Zealand
Kia Ora – Hello / Thank you
Kei te pēhea koe? - How are you?
Ka kitē - Goodbye
Seasons
New Zealand’s climate ranges from subtropical in the North to temperate in the South. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August, especially in the alpine regions of the deep South.
In New Zealand, as in all southern hemisphere countries, the seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. Summer spans from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November.
Food & Wine
New Zealand’s locally grown food & wine are world class; annually producing and exporting enough food to feed approximately 40 million people per year.
Our South Pacific isolation delivers purity, unrivalled freshness & flavour. Skilled farmers, growers, producers and chefs are creative, resourceful, and passionate. Our spirit of respect and ingenuity ensures our food and beverage quality is of the highest global standard.
For dishes that have a distinctly New Zealand style look out for lamb, pork, venison and kumara (sweet potato) from the land. Our clean oceans and rivers provide salmon, snapper, blue cod, crayfish, oysters, paua (abalone), mussels and scallops. Kiwifruit, feijoa and tamarillo are popular fruits, and our national dessert, pavlova - made from soft meringue and lashings of fresh whipped cream topped with berries - is not to be missed.
While you are here, take the opportunity to savour our fine New Zealand wines, craft beers and distilleries scattered throughout the country. Wines of international recognition include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
New Zealand Time
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day.
We have one timezone across the entire country and are 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
In summer, the clock turns forward one hour to Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Goods and Service Tax
New Zealand has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 15 percent, which is included in the displayed price.
Tax refunds are not available for visitors; however, tax is usually removed when shipping purchases to your international home address.
Shopping Hours
Shops and businesses typically operate from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Many stores and malls in major cities and towns extend their hours until 9pm on Thursday and Friday evenings, opening on Saturdays and some Sundays too. In Queenstown, most stores are open in the evenings.
Safety & Advice
There are no snakes or dangerous wildlife in New Zealand, however you should be aware of the following:
The New Zealand sun is very strong and during summer, sunburn can occur in little as 10 minutes. Be sun smart and use appropriate sun protection.
Additionally, we can encounter four seasons in one day; therefore, pack suitable clothing for variable temperatures.
Surf & water safety is paramount throughout New Zealand. During the months of October – April, swim in patrolled areas and adhere to the advice provided.
Sandflies are prevalent year-round in wetter areas, such as Fiordland and Milford Sound. Carry bug spray if you are prone to insect bites.
Giardia is a water-borne parasite that causes diarrhoea and can be present in our natural waterways. Avoid drinking directly from this source unless boiling or treating it first.
Emergency Assistance
In an emergency dial 111 from any landline or cell phone. This number is free to call.
