New Zealand🇳🇿
New Zealand is a remote, mountainous group of islands in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. Located over 1,000 miles southeast of Australia, its closest neighbor is Australia but it's also relatively close to New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Kiwis, as the locals are called, enjoy a good relationship with their Australian neighbors despite plenty of friendly rivalry. Known for its stunning landscapes, haka dance, rugby team 'All Blacks', and film locations of 'The Lord of the Rings', New Zealand offers a distinct culture with a diverse blend of Maori and European traditions. If you are visiting here, you might want to experience the Maori culture, visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and encounter the Dolphins at Bay of Islands. Also, undertaking an adventure sport in Queenstown and exploring the stunning landscapes of Milford Sound are highly recommended.
⚠️Things you should avoid⚠️
- Avoid disrespecting the Maori culture. It's deeply revered and integral to the country's national identity.
- Avoid leaving your valuables unattended. Although crime is relatively low, petty theft can occur.
- Avoid swimming at unpatrolled beaches. New Zealand's coastline can be dangerous with rip tides and sudden weather changes.
- Avoid taking photos of military installations or government buildings without permission.
- Avoid littering. New Zealand has strict anti-littering laws to protect its environment.
- Avoid outdoor activities without the proper safety equipment. New Zealand’s diverse terrain can be treacherous if unprepared.
- Avoid walking alone in secluded areas at night. Stick to well-lit areas.
- Avoid getting too close to wildlife. New Zealand has strict laws to protect its unique fauna.
- Avoid driving without a valid driver's license. The traffic laws are strictly enforced in New Zealand.
- Avoid illegal drugs. New Zealand has strict drug laws, with severe penalties including imprisonment.
Overall
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Crime 🔫
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New Zealand enjoys relatively low crime rates but petty thefts and burglaries are not uncommon especially in urban centers like Auckland and Wellington. Tourists should remain vigilant in crowded areas and secure their belongings. New Zealand has one of the highest car theft rates in the western world.
Terrorism 💣
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New Zealand has a very low level of terrorism. The most notable terrorist attack occurred in Christchurch in 2019, where a lone gunman attacked two mosques, killing 50 people and injured many others.
War ⚔️
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New Zealand has not been involved in any war or major conflict in recent decades. The country maintains peaceful relations with its neighbours.
Natural Disasters 🌊
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New Zealand is prone to multiple types of natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, and severe storms. In 2011, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch killing 185 people and damaging properties and infrastructures.
Medical Care 🏥
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New Zealand has high standards of health care both in public and private facilities. Emergency treatments are free for visitors who face accident related health issues.
Tap Water Quality 💧
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Tap water in New Zealand is generally of excellent quality and is safe to drink. However, after heavy rainfall, water may get contaminated.
Disease Burden 🤒
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Incidents of endemic diseases are low in New Zealand. However, there have been outbreaks of measles and mumps in recent years. Passive smoking and obesity remain health concerns.
Corruption 💸
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New Zealand is ranked among the least corrupt countries globally. There are stringent laws against bribery and corruption.
Safety for Women ♀️
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Although it's generally safe for women, as with any country, it's recommended that women take certain precautions especially when traveling alone and at night.
Safety for Queer People 👬
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New Zealand is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world. However, there do remain sensitivity issues particularly in rural areas.
Censorship 📺
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New Zealand generally upholds freedom of speech and censorship is low. Notwithstanding, there are certain restrictions on hate speech and discrimination.
Public Transportation 🚌
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The public transportation system in New Zealand is reliable and widely used. Although there have been a few incidents of bus and train accidents, transportation safety is highly regulated.
Other useful information
🔒 How safe is it?
New Zealand is generally a very safe country to visit. However, it's always recommended to take standard travel safety precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.
🏰 Embassies in this Country
Most countries have embassies located in the capital city of Wellington, including but not limited to United States, United Kingdom, China, France, and Australia.
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
Travelers are recommended to be up to date with routine vaccinations like measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and yearly flu shot.
🐍 Dangerous Animals
There are essentially no dangerous wild animals in New Zealand and it's noteworthy for its lack of deadly creatures. However, New Zealand is home to several poisonous spiders like the Katipo spider and White-tailed spider.
🛂 Visa Requirements
Visa requirements vary dependent on the individual’s nationality. Many countries are exempt from visas for visits less than 3 months but some nationalities will need to obtain a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before arrival.
💲 Currency
The currency is New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and money can be exchanged at banks, hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found in most major town and cities.
💳 Credit Card Acceptance
Credit cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.
🧑🏭 Is it possible to work and travel in this country?
Absolutely, many international visitors undertake work and travel programs in New Zealand. It's a great destination to work while exploring the beauty of the country in your spare time.
💵 Cost of Travel and Living
The cost of living in New Zealand can be high compared to other countries. On the flip side, wages can also be high and the Standard of living is high.