Everyday practical information for New Zealand

Local rules and cultural differences

• Freedom camping rules: Camping outside designated campgrounds is tightly regulated under the Freedom Camping Act and local bylaws. Only fully Certified Self-Contained vehicles - with their own toilet and waste-water tank - may freedom camp. Breaching the rules, or camping in a non-certified vehicle, brings an immediate NZD 400 infringement fine.
• Drone rules: Drone flying is governed by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules. It is strictly prohibited over private land without the owner's consent, over national parks (administered by DOC) without a printed permit, and within 4 km of any airport.
• Māori culture (tikanga): When entering sacred places (marae), follow local etiquette. Places marked tapu are sacred. Sitting on tables or on any surface used for preparing or eating food is strictly not done.
• Alcohol in public: Most city centres have Liquor Ban Zones prohibiting drinking in public places, with substantial on-the-spot fines.

Everyday practicalities

• Power sockets: Type I (three flat pins in a V shape). 230 V, 50 Hz. You will need an adapter.
• Time zone: NZST (UTC+12) standard time. During daylight saving - from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April - NZDT (UTC+13) applies.
• Opening hours: Shops and services generally run 09:00–17:30. Supermarkets tend to open 07:00 to 21:00 or 22:00.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available at the international airports, in public libraries and on long-distance coaches. Spark customers additionally get access to the Spark Wi-Fi public hotspot network nationwide.