New Zealand

SAFETY: good
The whole country is generally considered safe, apart from incidents of petty crime on the outskirts of cities and the risks posed by the country’s wild and at times rugged natural environment. Visitors are therefore advised to move around with care and to contact the local authorities for up-to-date information. In particular, avoid deserted beaches and waters with dangerous currents or where the presence of dangerous animals has been reported.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: good
The local transport system is extensive and well developed. The bus network efficiently connects all urban centres. Main rail links are few, but fast and efficient. Domestic air links are excellent, affordable and widely used. Hiring cars, motorbikes, campervans, bicycles and boats is easy and convenient.

Main airports: Auckland; Christchurch; Dunedin; Paraparaumu; Wellington.
Ports: Auckland, Lyttelton, Manukau Harbour, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington.

HOSPITALITY: excellent
The country offers a very wide choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price. The international hotel classification (one to five stars) applies, alongside motels, farm stays, B&Bs, hostels, campsites, apartment hotels and wellness or spa centres. The range of restaurants is fairly varied, especially in the larger cities.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: New Zealand / Aotearoa. – Location: an island nation in Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean, made up of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and numerous smaller islands such as Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands; – Borders: bounded by the Tasman Sea to the north-west and by the South Pacific Ocean from the north-east round to the south-east. – Time zone: +10 hours during the southern winter and the European summer; +12 hours during the European winter and the southern summer; +11 hours during the changeover between winter and summer time, as the dates do not coincide (from the last Sunday in March to the first Sunday in April and from the last Sunday in September to the last Sunday in October). – Area: 270,534 km² (2 main islands, North and South) – Capital: Wellington (on the North Island). – Population: 4,712,617. – Religion: Anglican (18.4%), Catholic (13.8%), Presbyterian (13.4%), Methodist (3.5%), Baptist (1.6%). – Languages: English and Māori are the official languages, although the latter is spoken mainly within the Māori population. Units of measurement: the metric system is in use.

CURRENCY: New Zealand dollar. Currency and customs formalities: on entering and leaving New Zealand, any traveller carrying more than NZ$10,000 in cash (or the equivalent of NZ$10,000 in foreign currency) must complete a Border Cash Report as part of the entry or customs clearance procedures (“Financial Transactions Reporting Act 1996”). The rules laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture on the import of food products are very strict. Before departure, it is advisable to check with the New Zealand Embassy in Italy. - Credit cards: credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Restaurants, hotels and even small shops accept the major debit and credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

ELECTRICITY: Voltage: 230 V and 50 Hz. – Electrical sockets: type I, bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS. A passport is required, valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from New Zealand, or for one month if the passport-issuing authority has its own diplomatic or consular representation in the country. – Driving: International driving permit (1949 Geneva Convention or 1968 Vienna Convention model). An Italian licence is accepted if translated into English. It is advisable to have the translation done by a professional translator and certified as a true translation of the Italian original. Short-term insurance: visitors are advised to take out additional insurance covering all risks to their vehicle, since the "Accident Compensation Act" does not cover damage to property.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 0064. – Telephone networks: Spark (CdmaOne, UMTS), Vodafone New Zealand (GSM, UMTS), Two Degrees (GSM, UMTS). – Web domain: .nz. – Useful numbers: Emergencies: 111
Police: 111; Ambulance: 111; Roadside assistance: various private companies, e.g.: http://www.towing.co.nz/roadside-assistance/

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT:
Penalties for drug use and/or dealing: sentences range from a minimum of three months’ imprisonment to life.
Penalties for sexual abuse of or violence against minors: imprisonment of up to 20 years. Those who commit offences against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) are also prosecuted on their return to Italy under Italian law.
In the event of problems with the local police (detention or arrest), you are advised to inform the Italian Embassy in Wellington so that the necessary assistance can be provided.

HEALTH SITUATION:
The health system is of a good standard in urban areas. In rural areas the standard of health facilities is lower, partly owing to a shortage of specialist staff.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; 6 February, National Day (Waitangi Day); 25 April, Anzac Day; 15 August, the Assumption; fourth Monday in October, Labour Day; 1 November, All Saints’ Day; 8 December, the Immaculate Conception; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, Boxing Day; Easter.

CLIMATE: ranges from subtropical at the northern tip of the North Island to temperate in the rest of the country, with alpine conditions in the mountain areas. Almost everywhere the weather is subject to extremely rapid change.
Most of New Zealand receives between 600 and 1,600 mm of rain a year, spread throughout the year with a dry spell in summer, except for part of the South Island, where summer is wetter. The rainiest area is the west coast of the South Island, while the area east of the mountains is drier.
Average annual temperatures range from 10 °C in the south to 16 °C in the north of New Zealand. The coldest month is July and the warmest months are January and February. The difference between summer and winter temperatures is small, although inland and east of the mountain ranges the variation is greater (up to 14 °C).

Monthly min/max temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain) /monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES
Italian Embassy, Wellington
34-38, Grant Road, Thorndon WELLINGTON 6011 (New Zealand)
TEL: 0064-4-4735 339 FAX: 0064-4-4727255
Emergency mobile: 0064 (0) 27 4448259
In the event of a disaster that puts the fixed and mobile telephone networks out of service, the satellite number 870776442074 will be activated
E-MAIL: wellington.embassy@esteri.it
wellington.servizio@esteri.it (for emergencies)
WEBSITE: www.ambwellington.esteri.it

Honorary Consulate of Italy, Auckland
Lindsey JONES (lawyer)
28 Marine Parade
Herne Bay
Auckland, 1011
Tel.+64 (0)27 4715057;
E-MAIL: auckland.onorario@esteri.it

ITALIAN HONORARY CONSULAR AGENCIES

CHRISTCHURCH
Belfiore BOLOGNA (architect)
Address: c/o Ara Institute of Canterbury - Department of Engineering and Architectural Studies
130 Madras St. Christchurch Central 8011
Dialling code: 00643
Time zone: +11
Tel.: 00643 379 3334
Mobile: 0064 (0) 21 05 68 161
Email: christchurch.onorario@esteri.it

DUNEDIN
Cav. Sergio Gian SALIS
Address: 230 Forbury Road, St Clair (PO Box 214)
Dialling code: 00643
Time zone: +11
Telephone numbers
Tel.: 0064 (0) 3 477 3123
Office fax: 0064 (0) 3 477 5970
Mobile: 0064 (0) 21 222 8392
Email: dunedin.onorario@esteri.it