Travel Guide

Travel information
New Zealand
This document has been produced for GHD travellers visiting New Zealand on business trips.
The information below is supplementary to the information contained in the RiskLine Travel Portal, which can
be accessed and printed via the link located on the “HSEQ” page in Compass.
Fast Facts about New Zealand:

CAPITAL CITY: Wellington WEATHER: Temperate climate SURFACE AREA: 268,021 km2
POPULATION: 4,700,000 LANGUAGES: English and Maori TIME: NZST (UTC + 12)
CURRENCY New Zealand Dollar

GHD Travel Insurance Emergency Service:

ACE Assist Tel +61 2 8907 5995 (reverse charges) or SMS +61 If you need assistance or think you will need
427 053 663 assistance, please inform ACE Assist
When calling please try to have the following information: promptly. You or your physician should
1. The number and precise location you are calling from. contact ACE Assist prior to any evacuation
2. Your personal details. or repatriation.
3. The nature of assistance that you require.
4. Policy Holder: GHD Pty Ltd and Policy Number: O1PP531421

General New Zealand Embassy in their home country before

Planning and arranging any travel must be undertaken
in accordance with the GHD Travel and Entertainment
Policy. Note: All visiting staff travelling to offices within
New Zealand are to register their travel itinerary with
their host and a host Travel Co-ordinator (see
contacts) prior to travel.
Visas
Visitors from many countries, including the UK,
Canada, USA and Chile do not need to apply for a visa
to visit New Zealand for stays of less than 90 days as
visas are issued upon arrival. Citizens of other
countries should check visa requirements with the
departing for New Zealand.
Travel security
Most travellers to NZ are not impacted by crime.
Violent crimes and crimes against property are rare,
but do occur. We advise all travellers to take the same
security precautions that one would practice in any
large city abroad.
Water, beverages and food
Water, beverages and food are typically of high quality
and readily available. In some local areas, fluoride is
an additive to the water supply. It is not expected to tip
in restaurants, however it is appreciated.

Strict quarantine requirements apply for food, animal
products or plant material being brought into New
Zealand.
Natural Hazards
There is a potential risk for earthquakes or volcanic
activity in some parts on New Zealand.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local
authorities. Ongoing updates and advice in the event
of any natural disaster response will be found at the
Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management
website.
Climate and weather conditions
In New Zealand, weather conditions can change
quickly and severe weather is sometimes experienced.
Weather conditions, forecasts and warnings can be
monitored at www.metservice.co.nz.
Following heavy rain or high tidal events there is a
potential for localised flash flooding - this risk
increases over the winter months.
Health care
Travelling with medication: If you are intending to
travel to New Zealand with medication, it is
recommended that you consult the New Zealand
Customs Service regarding their requirements.
Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter
medicines) you think you might need during your trip,
including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your
doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you
need to. Bring copies of your prescriptions for
medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
Routine medical care
There is a range of medical care available in New
Zealand. Doctors or General Practitioners (GP’s) are
available for routine medical consultations. For injuries
requiring immediate medical attention go to the
Travel Guide
nearest accident and emergency centre or hospital.
Routine vaccinations
Travellers to New Zealand must hold an international
vaccination certificate before travelling to New Zealand
if they are older than one year of age and have stayed
overnight or longer in a declared yellow fever infected
country within the six days prior to their arrival in New
Zealand.
Recommended routine vaccinations include: Hepatitis
A and B; Rabies; Measles / Mumps/Rubella (MMR);
Diptheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT); Influenza;
Chickenpox; Polio.
Driving in New Zealand
Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Certain roads can be particularly treacherous in wet or
icy weather and in mountainous areas. More
information on driving in New Zealand can be found on
the NZ Transport Agency website.
Driving times may be longer than you expect due to
road conditions. Use this calculator to estimate times
and distances.
Business practices
Normal business hours are Monday – Friday 8:30am-
5:00pm.
When conducting business in New Zealand, you want
to dress conservatively and tend toward a more formal
look.
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Social etiquette

Ask permission before you attempt to photograph

someone. Always be on time or early for all
appointments. Punctuality is part of the culture.
"Fashionably late" is not an option in this country as
most social events start on time

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GHD office contact details Police / Ambulance / 111

Fire:

Auckland Tel: +64 9 370 8000 GHD NZOC contacts:

Hamilton Tel: +64 7 834 7900 Ian Fraser (OCM) T +64 9 370 8100
Taumarunui Tel: +64 7 895 7772 M +64 29 374 8508
Hastings Tel: +64 6 870 9105 Janine Winstanley (Travel) T +64 9 370 8170
Palmerston North Tel: +64 6 353 1800 M +64 272 161 670
Wellington Tel: +64 4 472 0799 Derek Chan (IS) T +64 9 370 8111
Christchurch Tel: +64 3 378 0900 M +64 292 611 545