Below is a selection of useful links and information to make your journey as pleasant as possible.
Travel Insurance provides a range of benefits to ensure that if things do go wrong you are protected - from the simple replacement of lost luggage items to trip cancellation expenses or the potentially huge cost of overseas medical treatment.
Click here to access the Insurance Council of New Zealand's Guide to Travel Insurance.
If you need help abroad New Zealand Embassies, high commissions, consulates, multilateral missions and representative offices may be able to assist.
Tickets, Reservations and Itinerary
Take photocopies of all important travel documents and reservation confirmations and leave them with a family member or friend.
Check with your doctor prior to departure.
Keep a list of all prescription drugs required whilst travelling and check them with your doctor prior to departure. Before leaving home, you should ensure that your medications
are legal in the country you are visiting. You can do this by contacting the country's embassy or high commission.
We recommend you check developments and travel advisories on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) website: www.safetravel.govt.nz. You must ensure you read your policy document as some specific locations are excluded from cover, including but not limited to 'extreme risk' locations.
New Zealand has reciprocal health care agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom. This means that as a New Zealand citizen, you may entitled to assistance with the cost of receiving necessary medical treatment in Australia and the United Kingdom, subject to the rules of the relevant agreement. It should be noted that these agreements do not replace the need for medical insurance for travel overseas.
Take a list of any emergency numbers that you may require including Chartis' Medical Emergency phone number. +64 9 359 1645
Check your card limits (including any daily limits) with your financial institution. Check with your bank for information on international ATM fees.
Travellers Cheques and Local Currency
Ensure you have some local currency on you when you arrive and depart from your destination in case any local arrival or departure taxes are payable.
Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the period for which you are travelling. Take a photocopy and leave it with a family member or friend. Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home. Carry additional copies of your passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Check to see if a visa is required for any of your destinations.
Check coverage is available at your destination with your mobile service provider and if necessary enable International Roaming.
If required, you should find out more about the issuing of an International Drivers Permit and countries where it is essential.
Check with your airline about any baggage allowance limits.
One of New Zealand's greatest assets is its relative geographical isolation. Less than 10% of the world's pests and diseases occur in New Zealand. Being a small island country, known for its lush vegetation, farming and natural beauty, major parts of the economy are dependent on the country's environment. That is why just one new pest or disease could be devastating. You should ensure that you always comply with the relevant biosecurity laws when entering New Zealand or any other country.
Quick guide to customs for travellers.
If you have an email account that you can access whilst overseas, scan a copy of your passport(s), visa(s) or any other relevant documentation, attach to an email and send to this address.
Have a friend or neighbour collect your mail, ask the post office to hold it for you or even redirect to a family member or friend.
Cancel any regular deliveries prior to departure.
Make sure all your bills are paid prior to departure.
Have you put your out of office assistant on and diverted your phone?