The remote island of New Zealand (or Aotearoa as known by the Māori people), nestled in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, never fails to capture the hearts of all who visit. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, diverse culture, and thrilling adventure activities, this island nation offers a truly unique and unforgettable travel experience.
Many countries are blessed with thriving and unspoilt nature, but the Land of Kiwis has something uniquely special which stirs the soul and ignites the spirit of adventure in all who set foot on its shores.
Sparsely populated, and as remote as it gets, visiting it feels like entering Nature’s private playground. Snow-capped mountains meet lush forests with shades of green that do not seem possible. The Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean beat on the cliffs that make up its coast, while inland livestock peacefully grazes on the shores of tranquil still lakes. Dramatic fjords in the south, waterfalls, geothermal vents, underground caves filled with glow worms that seem stars in the night sky, the country’s natural beauty is truly unique and awe-inspiring.
The few large modern cities are very progressive and New Zealand may also be one of the countries that respects and co-exists the most with the indigineous Polynesian people.
When visiting New Zealand you will find that everybody, from the original Maori, to the descendants of the European settlers, agree that Aotearoa is a special place that needs to be respected and preserved, and as a visitor you will soon understand the reason and the magic of this beautiful land.
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New Zealand Info & Stats
5 million
268,021 km2
19.5/km2
$279 billion
Aotearoa
At a Glance
- Language: English, Māori
- Population: 5,355,620 (May 2024 est.)
- Timezone: UTC +12
- Political System: Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- Ethic Groups: European 70.2%, Māori 16.5%, Asian 15.1%, other 1.2%
- Religions: No religion 48.2%, 36.5% Christian, 8.3% other
- Currency: New Zealand Dollar ($ – NZD)
- Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely accepted
- Electricity: 230 volt / 50 hertz (AS/NZS 3112)
- Tipping Customs: Not customary
- Haggling Culture: Not common
Climate & Seasons
New Zealand has a climate which is very varied because of the influence by both the ocean and mountainous terrain. The country experiences four distinct seasons – summer, autumn, winter, and spring (clearly inverted with respect to the northern hemisphere) – but each season can be experienced differently depending on the region and altitude.
The North Island has a subtropical climate with with warm, humid summers and mild winters. he central and southern regions of the North Island have a temperate climate, with moderate rainfall and temperatures that can fluctuate throughout the year. The South Island, on the other hand, experiences a more temperate to cold climate, especially in the mountainous regions where snowfall is common in winter.
Entry Requirements
With the exception of Australia and New Zealand citizens (which include inhabitant of Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue), everyone entering the country needs to apply for the New Zealand electronic travel authorisation (NZeTA).
Input your passport citizenship and quickly see the requirements that apply to you:
Safety
Safety: New Zealand is very safe and the little crime that exists amounts to petty theft and bag snatching in large cities
Natural risks: Given that the country sits on the Ring of Fire, the natural risks amount to earthquakes and volcanic activities.
Emergencies number: 111 unique emergencies number (also 911, 999)
Safety Indices
Learn more on the data source and the methodologies of ranking in the Global Safety Indices page.
