All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.

Visa Exemptions

You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:

• A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
• An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
• An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
• A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand.

Visa Waivers

Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a Visitor's Visa for stays less than three months. You do require:

• A passport that is valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
• An onward or return ticket to a country that you have permission to enter
• Sufficient money to support yourself during your stay - approximately NZ$1000 per month per person
• if you have stayed in New Zealand for up to three months previously you may need to apply for a visa

To find out if your country qualifies for a visa waiver, check out the Visiting New Zealand section of the New Zealand Immigration Service website, where you will find a list of all eligible countries and other useful visa information. Your travel agent, airline or nearest New Zealand Embassy will also be able to advise you if you require a visa.

British citizens and other British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the UK may be allowed to stay in New Zealand for up to six months.

Visitor's Visa Applications

If your country is not on the visa waiver list, or you wish to stay longer than three months, you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa. You can download application forms from the New Zealand Immigration Service website, or contact your nearest New Zealand Embassy.

Study and Work Visas

The New Zealand Immigration Service also has information on work, business or student visas. If you are interested in studying in New Zealand, check out the websites of the New Zealand Independent English Language Schools and Education New Zealand Trust.

Immigration

If you're thinking about living permanently in New Zealand, read the Migration section of the New Zealand Independent English Language Schools and New Zealand Immigration Service website. It contains a brief summary of immigration requirements and information on obtaining a residence application pack.

WorkSite is a government website all about work in New Zealand. If you've got any work-related questions this is the place to go. You'll find useful links and information on everything to do with employment, training & work in New Zealand. www.worksite.govt.nz

New Zealanders living overseas should visit newzealandnow.info, a one-stop information source connecting you with the information and services you need to relocate to New Zealand. Find out about kiwi businesses, arts, music, lifestyle, recruitment agencies, events and more.

International Gateways

New Zealand's international airports are at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Some flights from Australia also land at Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Dunedin.

Arrival Cards

Every person arriving in New Zealand must complete the arrival card handed out on the aircraft.

Customs

Comprehensive advice for travellers is available on the New Zealand Customs Service, website.

Agricultural Restrictions and Quarantine

New Zealand's agricultural industries are free of many insect pests, and plant and animal diseases common elsewhere in the world. We put a lot of effort into minimising the risk of these being introduced at ports and airports. For information on New Zealand's biosecurity policies, see Protect New Zealand.

Heavy fines may be imposed on people caught carrying prohibited materials. On arrival visitors should place any questionable items, particularly fruit, in the bins provided.

You will find details of restricted items on the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry website.

Domestic pets such as cats and dogs also pose disease and pest risks, and entry requirements are strictly enforced. Import requirements for live animals differ according to the country of origin, so please check with your nearest Embassy before attempting to bring your pet to New Zealand.

Other Prohibited Items

You should not bring the following items into New Zealand:

• Firearms and weapons, unless a permit is obtained from New Zealand Police on arrival at the airport (includes sporting firearms). The New Zealand Police website has more information on importing firearms.
• Class A drugs, certain drugs (e.g. diuretics, depressants, stimulants, heart drugs, tranquillisers, sleeping pills) unless in their original bottle with a Doctor's prescription
• Ivory in any form; tortoise or turtle shell jewellery and ornaments; medicines using musk, rhinoceros or tiger derivatives; carvings or anything made from whalebone or bone from any other marine animals; cat skins or coats.

Duty Free Goods

Visitors to New Zealand may purchase duty-free goods, which are not subject to local taxes, from airport duty free shops on arrival and departure. Duty-free stores in downtown Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will deliver purchases to aircraft departure lounges.

Apart from your own personal effects, and as long as you are over 17 years of age, you are allowed the following duty-free concessions:

• 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars, or a mixture of all three weighing no more than 250 grams
• 4.5 litres of wine or beer (six 750ml bottles) and one 1125ml bottle of spirits, liqueur or other beverages

Goods up to a total of NZ$700 are free of duty and tax, but goods in excess of this may attract both duty and tax.

Departure Tax

A tax of NZ$22-NZ$25 has to be paid at the airport when you leave New Zealand. Please note that this tax is not included in your ticket price.