Search through the range of current accommodation specials to grab yourself a bargain.
The New Zealand Backpackers category includes budget "shared" accommodation in a hostel, lodge, or "hotel". Most offer a mixture of dormitories, double, twin and single rooms. Some rooms may include linen, or offer linen hire. 
Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) provide "home-like" or "character" accommodation; think a garden cottage, converted villa or a 'homestay' arrangement. Bed & Breakfast accommodation will always include breakfast. 
At the top end of the price scale, Exclusive accommodation includes intimate, luxurious and highly individual establishments offering the finest locations, food and wine, facilities, activities and service.
Stay with a New Zealand family, in their home, with Farmstay and Homestay accommodation. Homestays are commonly located in urban areas, whereas farmstays let you experience real Kiwi life on a New Zealand farm!
Freedom camping in New Zealand means pitching a tent or parking a motorhome on public land, without paying. Visitors need to be careful where this is done, as many regions will fine campers staying in undesignated areas.
NZ Holiday Homes are rentable time-share and 'summer house' type accommodation. Typically self contained and un-serviced, holiday homes vary hugely in size and are often located near beaches, lakes and mountains.
The New Zealand Holiday Parks category includes camping grounds and motor camps. All properties provide communal kitchens, toilets, showers and laundries and a variety of additional features.
A New Zealand Hotel is 'a property with at least one licensed bar and restaurant on the premises or adjacent, with charge-back facilities.' All rooms have tea and coffee-making facilities and on-site management at all times.
The New Zealand Motel category includes a wide range of accommodation - from budget to top end. New Zealand motels typically offer a 'unit' or room with a private bathroom and at least tea and coffee-making facilities. 
The Self Contained Units category includes studio units and self contained holiday cottages. 'Self Contained' implies full kitchen and bathroom facilities and can comprise a studio or multi-bedroom layout.
Serviced Apartments range from exclusive luxury suites to affordable family-size accommodation. Serviced daily, apartment accommodation should include a full ensuite bathroom and full kitchen facilities.
Search through the range of current specials on activities to see more of New Zealand, for less!
Adventure is all about getting out into the wild, pushing your limits and going places you only ever dreamed of! New Zealand has plenty of adventure activities to choose from.
From dirt bikes to armoured tanks - New Zealand has some amazing adventure driving experiences to rev you up!
Take to the air! Whether in a balloon, plane, glider or with a parachute attached, New Zealand looks spectacular from the air. You’ll find plenty of airborne activities throughout the country.
Visit New Zealand's array of attractions. Museums and markets, cathedrals and chocolate factories; there's something for everyone.
Take a wild mountain biking tour, try heli-biking, rent a scooter, motorcycle or push bike and explore the cycling paradise of New Zealand!
Bubbling mud, soothing thermal pools, natural hot springs... New Zealand is a geo-thermal wonderland. You’ll find geothermal areas in both the North and South Islands.
New Zealand boasts some of the top golf courses in the world. Try your luck at one of the many courses sprinkled around the country, from the Far North, to the Deep South.
New Zealand's landscape is purpose built for walking. Get the most out of your visit by taking a guided walk - learn about the landscape, the flora & fauna and - best of all - never get lost!
Horse riding and horse trekking are a great, eco-friendly way to see New Zealand’s backcountry. Each region offers vastly different experiences.
Tried and true entertainment for all the family, mini-golf is a popular and fun way to pass the time in New Zealand.
For a unique Kiwi experience, explore and climb New Zealand’s spectacular and diverse mountain ranges with a guided mountaineering expedition.
A great activity for nearly any age, paintball is a popular pastime in New Zealand. Beware of the bruises!
New Zealand is known for its exceptional ski resorts and heli-skiing opportunities. Get amongst it with this list of unforgettable skiing, snowboarding and heli-skiing adventures.
Adventure tours to scenic tours; garden tours to wine & food tours - join a tour to experience your favourite things with like-minded people.
Venture into New Zealand's beautiful landscape on a walk or hike. Home to many world-famous bush walks, New Zealand is a spectacular walking holiday destination.
Get out and on the water! With thousands of kilometres of coastlines, numerous lakes and winding rivers, you’ll never run out of activities, be it diving, jet boating or kayaking.
New Zealand is home to some world-class wines and top restaurants. Sample a selection of wines on a wine tour in some of New Zealand's best wine regions.
Indulge yourself! Sink into a steaming hot pool; enjoy a relaxing massage; or treat yourself to a soothing spa treatment.
Search through the range of current transport specials to grab yourself a bargain.
New Zealand is well serviced with a strong network of domestic flights to all the main centres.
Exploring New Zealand by bus is easy and affordable. Several companies offer commercial, as well as scenic transport for visitor, covering the length and width of the country.
Travel to your own agenda with a New Zealand rental car. The choice and variety are broad to fit your style & budget.
Take a cruise on a New Zealand ferry. Journey between NZ's islands, or cruise Gulf Harbour.
Travel in luxurious style with a New Zealand limousine rental!
Explore New Zealand's back roads and highways on a motor cycle.
Motorhomes, campervans, RVs... whatever you call them, they're an excellent and popular way of discovering NZ.
Make your way around NZ on a multi-day overland package tour!
Sit back, relax and enjoy a train ride through stunning New Zealand.
Whether to the airport, across town or to another city, shuttles are a convenient and affordable transport option.
Taxis are available in all major towns & cities in New Zealand.
Browse through New Zealand event listings to find an event near you. Stay up to date with the best happenings in the country.
Catch up on travel news related to New Zealand and find out about local happenings without having to leave your house!
A selection of travel writers offer insights into some of New Zealand’s most scenic and often, quirky attractions. These stories are sure to amuse and inform you.
New Zealand Customs & Visa Information
New Zealand border control is famously strict! To ensure you don't get fined (or worse!) when you arrive in New Zealand, we have outlined some of the key facts on New Zealand border processes. For detailed information we recommend visiting the New Zealand Customs website and the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) website.
We have included some information on New Zealand holiday visa (visitor permit) requirements. For detailed information or any questions about your visa requirements, please visit the New Zealand Immigration Service website. For information on working holiday visas please visit our New Zealand Working Holidays page.
New Zealand Customs
New Zealand Duty Free Allowances
| Cigarettes, Cigars, Tobacco: | 200 cigarettes, or 250 grams of tobacco, or 50 cigars, or a mixture of all three weighing not more than 250 grams |
| Alcoholic Beverages: | 4.5 litres of wine or beer and one 1125ml bottle of spirits or liqueur. |
Other Limitations and and Allowances
| Weapons: | The importation of weapons and firearms into New Zealand is strictly controlled |
| Cash: | Anyone carrying in excess of NZ$10,000 must complete a Border Cash Report on entry to New Zealand. |
| Medications: | Visitors entering New Zealand with personal medication are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid potential problems with Customs |
| Drug Trafficking: | Drug trafficking is a serious offence in New Zealand. Never agree to carry packages or bags for others, unless you are entirely sure of their contents. |
New Zealand Biosecurity
MAF Restrictions
New Zealand is an isolated country, free from many pests and diseases. To protect our unique environment and agriculture, border controls are strictly enforced and MAF imposes heavy penalties on individuals who break these rules.
Even inadvertently carrying an apple into the country in your carry-on luggage could result in a $400 instant fine – so take care!
On arrival visitors must declare the following goods on their Passenger Arrival Card:
- food of any kind, including fruit or vegetables; meat, fish, poultry; ingredients used in cooking; all dairy products.
- plants or parts of plants (alive or dead) including seeds and straw
- wooden items
- animals (alive or dead) or their products e.g. feathers
- traditional or herbal medicines
- outdoors or sports equipment e.g. camping gear, golf clubs and hiking boots
- sea shells
Dispose of any goods you have not declared in the amnesty bins on arrival. If you're unsure, always declare.
| CITES: | New Zealand adheres to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). View a full list of Prohibited Endangered Species |
Liquids, Aerosols & Gels Regulations
Like many countries, New Zealand now has strict regulations on the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) that can be taken onto international flights. Information on these regulations can be found at FlySmart.
Whilst you can still take duty free liquids on board the aircraft, you must purchase these items after you have cleared airport security, otherwise they will be confiscated. If you purchase your duty free at a downtown duty free store before your flight, ensure the airport pick-up point for your purchases is after the airport security check. Remember that if you stop off at another airport on your way to your final destination, you will most likely need to go through airport security again. So if you are carrying bottles of duty free liquid, it will be confiscated! The best idea is to try and buy duty free when you land, or to ensure you will have a chance to pack any duty free purchases into your check-in luggage during a stopover.
For more information on Customs Regulations contact the New Zealand Customs Service.
New Zealand Visa Requirements
To enter New Zealand you must have a passport valid for 3 months after the date of your intended departure.
You must also be carrying an onward/return ticket to a country you have permission to enter.
British Citizens and passport holders are entitled to enter New Zealand for up to 6 months and do not require a visa or visitor's permit.
Citizens of Australia are also exempt from having to obtain visitor permits when holidaying in New Zealand.
Passport holders from the following countries do not need to apply for visitor visas or permits, and may visit New Zealand for up to 3 months:
| Andorra | Hungary | Poland |
| Argentina | Iceland | Portugal* |
| Austria | Ireland | Qatar |
| Bahrain | Israel | Romania |
| Belgium | Italy | San Marino |
| Brazil | Japan | Saudi Arabia |
| Brunei | Korea (South) | Singapore |
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | Slovak Republic |
| Canada | Latvia* | Slovenia |
| Chile | Liechtenstein | South Africa |
| Cyprus | Lithuania* | Spain |
| Czech Republic | Luxembourg | Sweden |
| Denmark | Malaysia | Switzerland |
| Estonia* | Malta | United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
| Finland | Mexico | Uruguay |
| France | Monaco | USA* |
| Germany | Netherlands | Uruguay |
| Greece* | Norway | Vatican City |
| Hong Kong* | Oman |
*Residents of countries marked with an asterisk should visit the New Zealand Immigration website for further details of their New Zealand visa allowance.
See our New Zealand Working Holidays page for information on working holiday schemes & visas.
Health Requirements
The new immigration health policy came into effect on November 28, 2005. The main change to the health requirements is that anyone intending a stay in New Zealand of more than 12 months (reduced from 24 months) will need to complete health certificates. When applying online, an applicant will automatically receive a request for the appropriate medical documents, based on the length of stay permitted by the scheme for which the applicant is applying. Click here for more details
For further information on visas, immigration and visitor permits contact the New Zealand Immigration Service or private visa assistance company, the Visa Bureau.
Find New Zealand Accommodation
No matter what your budget, style or destination, you'll find the ideal New Zealand accommodation for your holiday.
Find New Zealand Activities
Skiing, bungy jumping, hiking, jet boating... New Zealand is the ultimate destination for fun and adventure!
