From mountain peaks to deep fiords to rolling plains, New Zealand’s landscapes offer incomparable beauty with a relatively small - yet very hospitable population. It’s an unspoiled nation of remarkable vistas, with more than half the country protected as national park or reserve land.

About the same size as California, the country is made up of three islands: the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island. Each area is home to its own special treasures.

Time Zones
Pacific Standard Time + 19 hours (+18 hours during Pacific Daylight Time).

Entry Formalities
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months following your departure from New Zealand. A visa is not required for US citizens for stays under 90 days.

Currency
New Zealand dollar. Decimal currency system. Notes: $5, $20, $50, $100. Coins: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢ and 50¢, $1 and $2.

Bank Hours
Banks are open Monday to Friday, 9:30am-4pm.

Departure Tax
NZ$25 per person.

Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz. Most hotels provide 110V outlets for electric razors. Most power outlets accept three-pin flat plugs or similar adapters.

Language
English is the common language of New Zealanders. The Maori people have their own tongue, which is the country's only indigenous language.

Shopping
Monday through Thursday, 9am-5:30pm. Fridays, 9am-9pm. Exceptions: In some areas, late night shopping is Thursday, and in most cities shops are open Saturday mornings. Some shopping malls are open Sunday. New Zealand is perhaps best-known for its sheepskin products, but you will also find paua shell (abalone) and greenstone (jade) jewelry, woodcarvings, and many other handicrafts.

Tipping
Tipping is not the custom, nor are service charges added. In restaurants, for special service, 10% is an appropriate amount. For taxi drivers or porters, NZ$1 will suffice for normal service.

Climate
Temperate climate - subtropical in the north,and colder in the alpine regions of the south.

Food
The traditional Maori feast is the hangi - food cooked in baskets, in the ground, over hot stones, similar to a luau. There's no shortage of good meat and fresh vegetables. Fish and shellfish are always available, although if you are a trout lover, you must catch your own. The Bluff oyster is seasonal (April to July), but cultivated rock oysters are available fresh almost year 'round. A traditional dessert is the pavlova - meringue covered in loads of whipped cream, topped off with fresh fruit. The major cities have a wide range of excellent restaurants serving cuisine of many different nationalities.