A brief overview for visitors
Getting there – New Zealand has excellent connections to the rest of the world with many major airlines providing direct or code share services (including Air New Zealand, British Airways, Qantas, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, Continental, United, American Airlines). Most of these flights terminate in Auckland but some connect to Wellington and Christchurch
Getting around – New Zealand is about the size of Great Britain (though it only has about 4 million people) so distances must be considered when planning your trip. The country has two main islands, the North and the South Island. The largest city, Auckland is in the north of the North Island, and Wellington, the capital is in the south of the North Island. Christchurch which is about the same size as Wellington is about a third of the way down the east coast of the South Island.
Both islands have an excellent road network and most travel between towns is by coach. Air New Zealand provides a regional air service linking most provincial centres. There is also a ferry service between the Wellington and Picton (at the top of the South Island).
Medical facilities and emergency help – All main centres have excellent hospitals and emergency facilities. For serious conditions, patients are likely to be transferred by road or air to the larger hospitals in the main centres. All medical care as a result of an accident is covered by ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) but you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance.
Safety – By international standards New Zealand is a safe country to travel in. There is of course crime, like any place in the world and it is important to look after valuables, especially in hostel type accommodation. The country side is very safe as there are no dangerous animals such as snakes.
Climate – New Zealand is a long skinny country with the Pacific to the east, the Tasman Sea and Indian Ocean to the west, the Antarctic Ocean south and the Coral Seas some way north. The climate is generally temperate and mild, with winters in the South Island generally being colder than in the North Island. Citrus fruit and grapes are grown on both Islands, and both Islands have glaciers. Summers are very pleasant and the winters provide ample opportunities for skiing on both islands.
Population – There are just over 4 million people in New Zealand and of these about 3.2 million live in the North Island, mostly from the Central North Island north to Auckland. Of the 900,000 who live in the South Island, almost half of them live in the Christchurch area.
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