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New Zealand Information
Travel insurance
We strongly urge you take travel insurance to cover cancellation and curtailment, baggage loss or damage, medical expenses, emergency travel, repatriation and personal accident.
Laundry
There is no need to carry around your whole wardrobe, as there are laundry facilities available at most of the accommodation providers. They will provide laundry detergent and softener at a small charge.
Arriving in New Zealand
If you are flying in to either Auckland or Christchurch there are several different ways to make your way to your hotel.
Auckland Airport to City Centre
Taxi: NZ$40-60 30-40 min
Shuttle: NZ$20-30 40-60 min
Bus: NZ$13 60 min
Christchurch Airport to Central areas
Taxi: NZ$25-30 15-20 min
Shuttle: Approx. NZ$19 15 min
Bus: NZ$7 30 min
The shuttle services in both cities are willing to drop you off wherever you need to go but allow extra time as other passengers may join the ride.
Changing money
There are opportunities to change money at banks during the tour or you may wish to change it when arriving on the airport. A currency converter you may find helpful is www.xe.com
ATM machines are widespread throughout New Zealand, except when traveling through rural areas such as the West Coast. Credit cards such as Visa, Master card and American Express are accepted in most places.
Smoking on tour
In New Zealand smoking is prohibited in all indoor public areas such as restaurants, bars and cafes. When traveling there are some opportunities during stops. Please dispose of all cigarette rubbish into rubbish bins.
Photography
If you own a digital or normal camera we suggest you bring spare camera battery as they can only be purchased from specialist photography shops in the main centers. There are opportunities to develop your digital photos during the tours at the instant development machines that are available in any photo shop. At most overnight stays you will be able to upload your photos to send a vacation update home.
Internet
We can hardly think of a world without Internet and luckily there are plenty of places around New Zealand to check your email and to send updates to friends and family. Most accommodation providers will have computers for you to use for a small fee. Most towns will also have an Internet café.
Communications
New Zealand uses Telecom or Vodaphone as their main cell phone providers. You may want to purchase a pre paid simcard (40 dollars including free top up) to text home, as calling via a cell phone can be rather expensive in New Zealand. If you wish to call home the cheapest option is to buy regular calling cards available at every kiosk, supermarket or convenience store.
Voltage
New Zealand operates on a 230 volt (AC) main supply. The plugs are either 2 or 3 flattened prongs. Check if you need a universal plug adapter.
Luggage
We recommend you pack your luggage in a soft sports bag for easy stowing in the trailer/vehicle. We urge you to keep your luggage to a minimum. If you have extra luggage you do not require for your holiday we can easily arrange to have it stored until the end of the trip.
Culture
The Maori are the indigenous Polynesians of New Zealand and account for approximately 13% of the population. The population is predominantly Europeans/Pakeha (meaning white person). Due to a recent awareness and revival of Maori culture most New Zealanders now accept they are part of a distinctly bicultural community. Culture and cultural activities are an important part of the New Zealand way of life. They are reflected in our museums, libraries, on Maraes (meeting place for Maori people), and through activities such as music, theatre, books, films, paintings, pottery, crafts etc.
Weather
New Zealand enjoys a sub-tropical maritime climate, i.e. a climate with few extremes. However the weather can be changeable. Maximum mid summer temperatures range from 15°-30°C (59°- 86°F) with January and February being the warmest months. The temperatures are cooler in the mountain regions and it does rain at times especially on the West Coast. A good waterproof parka or anorak as well as rain-pants are crucial. Fortunately the weather rolls through quickly and often the next day is stunningly clear! Occasionally however weather conditions on the land may prevent us from completing a scheduled activity. The decision to alter the itinerary is made in the best interest of the group and it’s safety, and alternative plans are made.
Environmental Aspects
New Zealand is a beautiful country and great efforts are made to keep it that way. Adventure South tries very hard to minimize the environmental impact. This is done through waste, water and energy management. We would like to encourage our clients to help us reduce, control waste and to use water sparingly. By joining a group tour, you as a client are already contributing to minimizing the amount of carbon emissions produced by touring vehicles.
National Parks
New Zealand has 15 National Parks. These are areas that have distinctive scenery and/or ecological systems or natural features that are so beautiful or unique or scientifically important that their preservation is considered to be in the national interest. Five of these National Parks form two World Heritage sites. Most of our adventure activities will be enjoyed on conservation land that is maintained by the Department of Conservation. Adventure South is a strong advocate of the work undertaken by the Department of Conservation and we are an approved concessionaire licensed by them. A portion of your fee goes to the Department of Conservation to fund their services.
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