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Living in New Zealand
 Arrangements
before Leave for New Zealand
Things
to bring with You
Reaching
New Zealand
Animals
Official
Language is English
Weather
Banking
system
Telecommunication
system
Shopping
Transportation
Motor
Vehicle Insurance
Driving
in NZ
How
to meet People
Leisure&
sports
Religion
Citizens
Advice Bureau
Births,
Deaths & Marriages
Human
Rights
New
Zealand Citizenship
Arrangements
before Leave for New Zealand
You have to arrange some things before you leave:
Bring credit references from your power, petrol and telephone companies.
This will help you set up accounts for these services in New Zealand.
If you are bringing a car or household contents, keep
a record of what they are and their insurance policies.
Learn about New Zealand’s driving rules – this will
help if you are intending to drive in New Zealand. If you have a driver’s
license in your home country and also have an international driving permit, you
can drive in New Zealand for a maximum of one year Remember to
bring your international driving permit with you.
If you do not have anyone to stay with when you
arrive, you can book temporary accommodation (such as a motel). If you
want to rent flat, get copies of New Zealand newspapers and look under the “To
Let” column in the “Classified Advertising” section However, it is often best
to see the accommodation first, to see whether it meets your needs. You
can also arrange to have the power, gas and telephone connected before you get
there.
If you want transportation when you arrive, you can
hire a vehicle. Major car companies are represented in New Zealand and
can be contacted through your travel agent.
If you are expecting mail to arrive for you, and don’t
have a permanent address, you can arrange a “private box”. New Zealand
Post is the main organization providing this service, but private companies can
also organize a post office box for you. All your mail is sent to the
post outlet, and you collect it from there. Many organizations (such as
banks) accept private boxes as your official address (which you need if you
want to open a bank account).
If you will be looking for a placement when you get
here, you can to contact employment agencies before you leave. You will
need to have a good curriculum vitae (CV) and references, written or translated
in English. You will also need to get an IRD (tax) number before you start a
job will have more information about this.
Things to bring with You
If you are coming to New Zealand to take up permanent residence for the first
time and have the legal permit to do so, you do not need to pay tax or duty on
your belongings, as long as they are for your personal use and not imported for
other people or for sale or exchange.
Clothing and other personal things (such as jewellery)
do not have to have been worn or used, but they must be for your personal
use. Other household goods, such as furniture, stereos, refrigerators and
house ware, must have been owned and used by you before you come to New Zealand
in order to qualify for duty-free entry.
There are no restrictions on importing motor vehicles
or boats to New Zealand. If you are importing a motor vehicle, you will
need to make sure that it complies with safety and design regulations before it
can be registered in New Zealand. We strongly advise you to get a copy of
the relevant and most recent Fact Sheet
You can import a motor vehicle or boat duty free, as
long as it has been personally owned and used by you for at least 12 months
before the date when it was sent for shipping to New Zealand, or the date when
you leave for New Zealand, whichever is the earlier.
When your vehicle arrives here, it will be
inspected. If is found to be dirty , it will be steam cleaned before
being back to you. You will have to pay for this.
You will have to keep any motor vehicles and boats for
two years after the date of importation – otherwise, you will have to pay
customs charges.
Do not bring drugs into New Zealand. If you
bring medicines that contain narcotics, you will need a doctor’s prescription
saying that the medicine is necessary and being used under the doctor’s survey.
Do not bring sexual articles, including videotapes and
magazines.
Do not bring metals such as flick knives.
Reaching New Zealand
New Zealand is lucky to be free of many of the world’s serious and
diseases. Insects and diseases can arrive in New Zealand in your baggage
and can pose a serious threat to New Zealand’s agriculture and environment.
As you enter the country, you are required by law to
“declare” all plant and animal material you bring with you. You should
fill out an “Agriculture and Customs Declaration”. If you have any of the
following:
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Food;
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Plants and parts of plants (alive or dead);
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Animals (alive or dead) or products of animals;
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Equipment used with animals;
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Camping gear, golf clubs and used bicycles;
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Biological specimens.
You have to declare all of your items. You will
not be in any trouble if you declare them – even if they turn out to be
something you are not supposed to bring in. If you have goods to declare,
you will need to go through the RED channel at the airport, Quarantine Service
officer will inspect them. MAF officers are experts, so it is best to let
them decide.
If you have items, which cannot be brought into New
Zealand, and you have declared them as requested, the goods will simply be
taken from you and you can go on your way. It is possible some items may
be returned to you after they have been treated (for example, evaporated).
However, if you try to bring these things into the
country illegally, without declaring them, you will be prosecuted and could pay
a heavy fine.
Contact your airline, travel agent, a New Zealand
embassy, commission or consular office, or MAF for a full list of what you can
and cannot bring into New Zealand.
Animals
Cats and dogs from many countries can come to New Zealand. However, they
will need to meet certain requirements before they come here and may have to be
put in “quarantine” when they arrive. Australia is the only exception to
this; pets can be moved freely between New Zealand and Australia. It is
best to start planning in plenty of time as the preparation process can take up
to six months even before you arrive in New Zealand.
Pets from Hawaii and the United Kingdom need a series
of tests but do not need to be quarantined. For all other countries, how
long your pet needs to be quarantined depends on which country you come from,
but it is at least 30 days.
Cats and dogs must have an “Import Health Permit” to
be allowed into New Zealand. Before you apply for a permit you will also
need to contact a quarantine facility in New Zealand to reserve a space for the
animal. There are only two catteries and one kennel quarantine station in
New Zealand.
Contact MAF office for more information. Nearly
all other animals (such as turtles and monkeys) are forbidden from coming to
New Zealand.
Official Language is English
You need to be able to speak
and understand English if you are to settle into New Zealand easily.
You may have some difficulty with the New Zealand
accent, you have to be patient when it comes to listen and getting used to the
accent. New Zealanders are also well known for speaking quickly, so you
may have to ask people to slow down a little!
The New Zealand spoken English may be very tough from
the English you have been taught. Be patient – you will soon get used to
the different way of speaking. Ask someone to repeat what he or she has
said or explains it, if you don’t understand what he or she are saying.
There will be some New Zealand expressions that you
will not understand. It’s all right to ask what they mean!
Weather
New Zealand’s seasons are opposite to the northern hemisphere – January and
February are the warmest months, and July is the coldest. This can take
some getting used to. The climate is temperate, with averages ranging
from 8°C in July to 17°C in January. However, summer temperatures reach
the low 30s in many areas.
The mountain ranges that extend for most of New
Zealand’s length act as a barrier to weather approaching from the west.
This means there is a lot of difference in climate between regions east and
west of the mountains.
The average annual rainfall varies from 330millimetres
in Central Otago to about 14,000 millimeters in the Southern Alps.
Northland and Auckland have a subtropical climate, and most of the country
experiences at least 2000 hours of sunshine a year. On the West Coast of
the South Island and much of inland Canterbury, Otago and Southland winter is
the driest season. Some areas, particularly the mountainous areas and the
south of the South Island, experience heavy snowfalls in the winter.
Sometimes the Desert Road (part of the main north/south route in the North
Island) is closed in winter because of snow.
Time
All parts of New Zealand are in the same time zone. During summer, New
Zealand reverts to “Daylight Saving Time”. At 2 am on the first Sunday in
October, you need to put all clocks and watches forward one hour (so 2 am
becomes 3 am). On the third Sunday in March, put all your clocks and
watches back one hour. These changes are well publicized when they
happen.
Banking system
You will probably want to open a bank account as soon as you arrive in New
Zealand. Opening an account is easy – most banks will open one for you
within seven to 10 days.
You do not need to be a resident of New Zealand to
open a bank account. If you earn any income you will need an IRD (tax) number
to give to the bank
You will need to give the bank your “permanent”
address details. They will not accept motel addresses, so it may be a
good idea to open a post office box.
New Zealand has a wide variety of banks, including
trading banks, merchant banks and trustee banks (which return some of their
profits to the community). You will find banks throughout New Zealand –
there are more than 1400 branches of about 15 banks. Look in the Yellow
Pages under “Banks”, for branches near you.
The normal opening hours for banks are 9 am to 4:30
pm, although some may have different hours. Most banks also operate
automatic teller machines (ATMs), which means you can access your account any
time, using a special card and a “PIN” (Personal Identity Number). You
should never tell anyone your PIN, as this is a secret number that lets you
access your accounts. You will find ATMs wherever you go . Some
banks have also introduced “telephone banking”, which means you can access your
accounts 24 hours a day by telephone. You’ll also find some banks
offering access to your accounts through the Internet.
Telecommunication system
New Zealand has many competing providers of telecommunications services – the
most well known are Telecom NZ and clear communications Telecom operates most
of the “local call” network, although several firms compete in this market now,
as well as in the market for national and international toll calls. There
are about 20 telecommunications companies providing international toll or
long-distance services to New Zealand, including a large number of “call-back”
operators – companies that usually connect calls through the United States.
All offer very competitive pricing plans – it’s a good
idea to make comparison about prices prices, especially for international
toll calls. The more often you call and the longer you talk, the cheaper
it can be per minute.
Mobile Phones
Many New Zealanders now choose to carry mobile phones. If you want to do
so, many retail shops sell them for very competitive prices and with flexible
payment options. You will be connected to one of the available networks
and have to pay a monthly fee for the connection. You then pay for every
call you make on the mobile phone. Remember, it is not always possible to
take your phone overseas and use it there. Check with the retailer on
which countries are compatible with your mobile phone.
Shopping
Shops in New Zealand can open every day of the year, except on Christmas Day,
Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and up to 1 pm on Anzac Day (25 April).
Some shops (such as petrol stations) can open any day.
Most shops open at 9 am and close at 5:30 pm Monday to
Friday, although supermarkets usually open earlier and close later. Some
shops have a late night during the week when they stay open until 9 pm.
Most shops open at least on Saturday during the weekend. Some shops (such
as some takeaway food outlets and petrol stations) stay open 24 hours a day.
Transportation
Cars are the most popular way of getting around in New Zealand, particularly
for long distances. Most cities operate a public transport system
(usually buses) and there is a national bus and train transport service.
However, most New Zealanders find they need their own vehicle for convenient
transportation
Motor Vehicle Insurance
Motor insurance can cover you against the accidental loss of, or damage to,
your vehicle up to its market or agreed value. It can also cover you
against any damage you might do to someone else’s vehicle or property.
Even if you have no other motor insurance, you should
have “Third Party Property Damage”. This only covers you for damage you
cause to someone else’s car or property.
There are two important things to bear in mind about
motor insurance:
-
You are only covered up to the limit stated in your
policy.
-
You should have your international driving license.
-
You will not be entitled to any insurance cover if
you have an accident after you have been drinking more than the legal alcohol
limit. See the “Driving and Alcohol” section below for more information.
Driver’s Licenses
If you want to drive, make sure you learn about New
Zealand’s road rules (the “Road Code”).
Contact the Land Transport Safety Authority on 0800
108 809 for more information on driver’s licenses.
If you have a driver’s license in your home country
and also have an international driving permit, you can drive in New Zealand for
a maximum of one year. Remember to bring your international driving
permit with you. After one year, you will need to apply for a New Zealand
driver’s license and pass a theory test and a practical test. However, if
you come from Australia, Canada, Norway, countries in the European Union, South
Africa, Switzerland, or the United States, you can apply for an exemption from
sitting the practical part of the license test as long as you can:
-
produce a current overseas driver’s license (or one
that has expired within the last 12 months)
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Prove you have enough driving experience (i.e., hold
and have held a full overseas driver’s license for at least two years)
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Sign a declaration stating that your overseas license
is valid (i.e., that you have not been disqualified from driving).
You still need to pass the theory test – if you don’t,
you cannot drive here. The Land Transport Safety Authority has
Application for Exemption from New Zealand Driving License Test forms and will
be able to provide you with more information.
You will need to get specific licenses if you ride a
motorcycle or drive a heavy transport (HT) vehicle.
Driving in New Zealand
If you are driving in New Zealand, there are some important rules you must
follow. We recommend you buy a copy of the “Road Code” from a bookshop
before you drive on New Zealand’s roads.
Road conditions in New Zealand are generally
good. Auckland and Wellington operate motorway systems, while “state
highways” throughout the country are generally one lane going each way with a
maximum speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour. Some rural roads are not
sealed and many are winding, so you need to take special care.
New Zealanders drive on the left side of the road.
Here are some of the most important rules:
Speed limits:
1- the maximum speed on the open road is 100
kilometers per hour.
2- The maximum speed in a Limited Speed Zone (LSZ) is
50 kilometers per hour in bad conditions, and 100 kilometers per
hour in good conditions. The LSZ is being phased out.
3- The maximum speed in urban areas is 50 kilometers
per hour.
4- more variable speed limits of 60, 70 and 80
kilometers an hour are being introduced. All speed limits are well
signposted.
On a motorway:
1- You must not walk, cycle, stop your vehicle or make
a U-turn.
2- Keep to the left lane unless you are passing.
3- Always indicate at least three seconds before you
change lanes.
Intersections:
1- Always use your indicator.
2- Always obey the traffic lights, signs and arrows
marked on the road.
3- If you are turning; give way to all traffic that is
not turning.
4- Give way to all traffic crossing or approaching
from your right.
If you see a “Give Way” sign, be ready to stop and give way to all traffic
you see a “Stop” sign, stop completely then give way
to all traffic. "
Driving & Alcohol
Do not drink and drive.
Drinking and driving is a very serious offence in New
Zealand. You will not be entitled to any insurance cover if you have an
accident while driving over the legal limit.
The police can test any driver for alcohol at any
time. It is a serious offence to drink and drive – if you are convicted,
you will automatically lose your license and will be fined. Sometimes you
may be put in jail.
If you are stopped by the police, they will usually
give you a breath test, when you blow into a plastic bag through a glass tube
or speak into a special machine that records whether you have been
drinking. If you fail this test or refuse to take it, the police officer
will ask you to go to a testing centre, where you will blow into an electronic
device that measures the alcohol in your breath. You may also need to
have a blood sample taken.
If you are charged with an offence, you should see a
lawyer.
Traffic Offences
You should make sure you drive within the speed limit
at all times. The police use speed cameras (including hidden cameras in
some areas) throughout New Zealand to catch people who exceed the speed
limit. These areas, which are often places where accidents happen, are
usually marked with signs saying “Speed Camera Area”. If you drive above
speed camera and are exceeding the speed limit, it takes a photograph of the
vehicle’s registration plate and the registered owner of the vehicle is
automatically sent a fine notice.
Many traffic offences (such as speeding) are dealt
with through minor offence notices, which will be sent to you by the District
Court. You should read the notice carefully and decide what you want to
do. If you are not sure, talk to a lawyer.
You will usually pay a fine for a minor traffic
offence, but you may be disqualified from driving.
More serious offences may involve a fine,
disqualification or imprisonment. You may also have to do a defensive
driving course. If you are charged with a more serious offence you will
need to appear in the District Court
How to meet People
When you meet someone for the first time, it is usual to shake his or her right
hand with your right hand. Look them in the eye, and make your handshake
firm. The traditional Maori greeting – where you gently press your noses
together – is called a “hongi”. It is most often used on the marae.
New Zealand is an informal society, where people often
call each other by their first names. However, it’s a good idea to call
somebody by their family name (surname) until they invite you to use their
first name (Christian name).
Many women prefer to be called “Ms” (pronounced
“miz”), as this is a neutral title. If you’re not sure what to call a
woman, it is all right to ask what she prefers.
New Zealand is an “equal opportunities” society, which
means that men and women are treated as equals. Speaking or writing in
“sexist” language (which treats women as inferior to men, or vice versa) is
unacceptable to many people.
Impolite Behavior
Like all cultures, there is some behavior that New
Zealanders find ill mannered.
This includes:
1- Spitting in the street
2- Belching and breaking wind (“farting”)
3- Blowing your nose onto the pavement
4- Pushing in front of people in a queue
Unacceptable Behavior
In New Zealand you are breaking the law if you hit,
punch, kick or in any way assault another person, or have sexual contact
without the other person’s consent. This includes violence within the
family, such as abusing elderly relatives, partners, girlfriends or boyfriends,
children or adopted family members. Teachers are also not allowed to hit
children, even if the children’s parents say they can.
An organization called the child, youth &
family with care of children, including complaints about violence against
children. It recommends that instead of hitting children, parents
discipline them by giving them time on their own, or taking things away from
them that they enjoy, such as watching television.
The Police in New Zealand take family violence very
seriously and can arrest people who have been violent.
Leisure& sports
New Zealand is a great country for sports and leisure – its countryside offers
limitless possibilities, and New Zealanders enjoy playing sport.
You can explore the outdoors with tramping, skiing and
cycling, or take up team sports such as rugby, basketball and netball (tennis
is the most popular sport in New Zealand). Gymnasiums operate throughout
the country if you want to start a personal fitness programme. If you
enjoy fishing, swimming or golf, you’ll find plenty of opportunities. And
for the adventurous, there’s always bungee jumping, white-water rafting and
skydiving
Religion
New Zealand has a wide variety of religions. Anyone can attend any place
of worship they choose.
The largest religion is Christianity (including
Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches), which was
brought to New Zealand by the first European settlers. Many ethnic groups
also have their own places of worship. Look in the telephone book under
the name of the religion you are looking for.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Your local CAB is a great place to go for free, up-to-date information.
Anyone can use his or her services – you do not need to be a New Zealand
citizen. The CAB will help you find the services you need, or provide
answers to difficult questions or problems. The CAB has information on:
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Interpreting and translation services
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Education and training
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free legal services
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Employment rights
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Unemployment problems
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Housing and tenancy issues
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Free budgeting services
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Health and welfare matters
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Consumer rights
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Personal and family issues.
There are more than 90 CABs in New Zealand.
Their service is confidential.
Births, Deaths & Marriages
The Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Registry keeps
records of all births, deaths and marriages registered in New Zealand. Up
to the end of 1997, all registrations were made manually on a paper-based
registration system. On 1 January 1998, a centralized, computer-based
registration system was introduced. All births, deaths and marriages
taking place on or after that date are recorded on the new computer system.
If you want a copy of a birth, death or marriage
certificate you can:
1- get a copy (for a fee) from the office where the
information was registered; or
2- write to Central Registry, P.O. Box 31-115, Lower
Hutt, including the appropriate fee ($21 as at 5 January 1999), the details of
the birth, death or marriage for which you want a certificate, and a return
postal address; or
Get a form from your nearest BDM office or agency,
fill it in and send it to the above address with the fee, or
Telephone free on 0800 22 52 52 and give the operator
the details of the certificate, the return mailing address and the details of
your major credit card.
BDM can only issue certificates for events that have
been registered in New Zealand.
Most BDM records are open to the public. Anyway,
there are some records you cannot look at – these include sensitive records
(such as adoption papers) and records that have been closed to protect people
from domestic violence.
Births
All births that take place in New Zealand, including
stillbirths, must be registered as soon as possible after the birth.
Hospitals, doctors or midwives notify BDM of the birth within five days, and
parents post the information for birth registration to BDM. There is no
fee for this service, although there is a fee for obtaining certificates.
If someone you know has a baby, it is usually
better to send them a card to congratulate them, and perhaps a small
gift. There will probably be a “birth notice” in the “Births” section of
the newspaper. If you are invited to a “baby shower” before the baby is
born, you should take a small gift for the baby (such as a small toy or item of
clothing).
Marriages
If you want to marry in New Zealand, you and your
partner must be over 16 years old, not closely related by blood or marriage and
be legally free to marry. If you or your partner are under the age of 20
and have not been married before, you must get consent to marry – this is
usually given by the parents of the person who is under 20 and wishes to marry.
You must go to a BDM office and complete a “Notice of
Intended Marriage” form. After three days you get a license, which is
valid for three months. You have to pay for this service. Your
marriage must be conducted by either a Registrar of Marriages in their office
during normal hours, or by a person authorized as a marriage celebrant in New
Zealand, at any place agreed by the parties, such as a church or garden.
BDM registers marriages on the basis of the
information supplied by the marriage celebrant after the wedding has taken
place.
Married women do not always take their husband’s
surname. Their children can take either parent’s name or any other name.
If someone you know is getting married, you may
receive an invitation to the wedding. This is usually a card, and you
should reply to let them know whether you are going (the invitation will
probably have an RSVP date – the latest date that you should reply). The
invitation may or may not include your children. If you are unsure, it’s
a good idea to check.
It is normal to buy a gift for the wedding couple and
take it to the wedding. It is acceptable to ask if they would like
something specifically. After the service, there is a wedding
“reception”, which usually includes a meal and drinks, and speeches. The
bridal couple or their families usually pay this for.
Can I change my name?
If you want to change your name you can apply to BDM
and pay the appropriate fee.
You have to provide your birth certificate or similar
identification papers.
Parents can change the name of their child up to the
age of 18 years, but must have the child’s agreement if the child is more than
16 years old. People who are married or over the age of 18 can change
their own name without consent from their parents.
The new name will be added to the birth registration
of the person if their birth is already registered in New Zealand. Any
birth certificates issued after the change has been made will show all changes
of name as well as the person’s name at birth. Otherwise, you can get a
certified copy of the statutory declaration form that you completed.
Either the new birth certificate or the certified copy
can help show that the person is using the new name. If the person’s
birth is not registered in New Zealand, you can still get a certified copy of
the statutory declaration for a fee.
Homosexuality
It is legal in New Zealand for two people of the same
sex to live together. However, they cannot marry and are not protected by
our matrimonial property law. They cannot legally adopt children.
Your Rights as a “Consumer”
This is a general overview of your consumer rights in
New Zealand. Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Community Law
Centre for more information.
New Zealand has laws to protect the rights of
consumers. If you need help on a consumer rights issue, talk to the
Citizens Advice Bureau, your Community Law Centre or your lawyer.
If you want to protect your rights, always keep
receipts, papers, documents and advertising clippings about the goods or
services you buy. They are useful to have if something goes wrong and you
want to complain.
New Zealand has two important pieces of legislation
that protect consumer rights:
The Fair Trading Act 1986 covers advertising and
selling. It phorbids misleading and deceptive conduct, false
representations and unfair practices.
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 gives you rights when you buy faulty
goods. It also makes sure you have rights when work you pay to have done
is not done properly.
Human Rights
New Zealand has laws to protect people against unfair discrimination. The
Human Rights Act 1993 says people have the right not to be treated less
favorably than others because of:
Sex, marital status, age, religious belief ethical
belief (meaning lack of a religious belief) Disability, political opinion,
employment status (meaning being unemployed or on a benefit) family
status, race, color ethnic or national origin sexual orientation.
Sexual and racial harassment are also
prohibited. It is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of any of these
grounds in:
-
employment or access to public places, vehicles and
facilities
-
providing goods and services
-
access to educational institutions
-
providing land, housing and accommodation, or
-
partnerships, industrial and professional
associations
New Zealand Citizenship
If you have chosen New Zealand as your new
home, you may consider becoming a New Zealand citizen (a “New Zealander”).
Becoming a New Zealand citizen means you have the same
rights as a person born in New Zealand. These include:
-
Foreign travel and the freedom to return on a New
Zealand passport
-
Full access to education
-
Access to international sport (you can represent New
Zealand in sport).
You cannot apply for a New Zealand passport unless you
are a New Zealand citizen.
As a New Zealand citizen you are expected to:
-
Obey and promote the laws of New Zealand
-
Not act in a way that is against New Zealand’s
interests
Who Can Become a New Zealand Citizen?
To become a New Zealand citizen you need to meet some general requirements,
such as:
1- you must have the right to reside in New Zealand
indefinitely
2-you must have made your permanent home base here for
the last three years (or two years if you are married to a New Zealand citizen)
3-you must intend to continue to live in New Zealand
4-you must be able to understand and speak English
5- you must be “of good character” (having court
convictions may affect your application)
6-you must know the responsibilities and privileges of
New Zealand citizenship.
Dual Nationality
New Zealand allows dual citizenship. That is, a person may become a New
Zealand citizen and still keep the citizenship of their birth country.
However, many other countries do not allow it, so you should check with
authorities in your own country before applying.
Getting a New Zealand Passport
You must be a New Zealand citizen to hold a New Zealand passport.
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