 New Zealand |
Travel Guide
| LANGUAGE | ETHNIC MIX | NATIIONAL BIRD | NATIONAL & PUBLIC HOLIDAY | CLIMATE |
| CURRENCY | BANKS | TELEPHONE | WATER | |
| POWER | TIPPING | EMERGENCY | DEPARTURE TAX | NEW ZEALAND SOUVENIR |
| LANGUAGE |
There are two official languages in New Zealand ,English and Maori . However, English is the language spoken by all New Zealanders. Maori is often found in the place names around the country.
MAORI LESSON
| MAORI | ENGLISH |
|---|---|
| KIA ORA | HELLOW |
| RANGI | SKY |
| TAHI | ONE |
| TANE | MALE |
| WAHINE | FEMALE |
| ETHNIC MIX |
About 70% of New Zealanders are descended from white Europeans. You may hear the Maori word Pakeha used to describe these people. About 25% of the population are native Maori or Pacific Islanders from countries like Tonga and Samoa. The rest of the population is from all the other parts of the world.
The national bird and most important symbol of New Zealand is "KIWI". The Kiwi is a very unique bird,it cannot fly and is nocturnal. There are three different things in New Zealand called Kiwi. The first is the bird, the second is the delicious Kiwi fruit and the last is a nickname for New Zealand.
| NATIONAL & PUBLIC HOLIDAY |
| New Year | 1 JANUARY, 1998 |
| New Year's Holidays | 2 JANUARY,1998 |
| Waitangi day | 6 FEBRUARY,1998 |
| Good Friday | 10 MARCH,1998 |
| Easter Monday | 13 MARCH ,1998 |
| Anzac Day | 25 APRIL, 1998 |
| Queen's Birthday | 1 JUNE,1997 |
| Labour Day | 27 OCTORBER, 1997 |
| Christmas Day | 25 DECEMBER, 1997 |
| Boxing Day | 26 DECEMBER, 1997 |
| CLIMATE |
New Zealand has four seasons, but many people say four seasons in one day because the weather can change so quickly. The most important things to remenber is that the seasons are the opposit of the Northern Hemisphere and that at any time of the year it is a good idea to have a sweater or jacket with you and something in case of rain.
WEATHER IN THE MAIN CITIES
| CITY | AVARAGE TEMPERATURE | AVARAGE SUN HOURS | AVARAGE RAIN HOURS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGHEST | LOWEST | Hour Per Year | Per Year(mm) | |||
| JANUARY | JULY | JANUARY | JULY | |||
| AUCKLAND | 23 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 2,102 | 1,185 |
| WELLINGTON | 20 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 2,019 | 1,240 |
| CHRISTCHURCH | 22 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 1,974 | 666 |
| CURRENCY |
New Zealand money is called the dollars. There are 100 cents in a dollar. There are six different coins 5c ,10c ,20c ,50c ,$1 and $2. There are five different notes $5 ,$10 ,$20 ,$50 and $100. Most places take major credit cards. Many tourist centers also take US dollars. New Zealand dollars are not always easy to exchange overseas so it is better to change them before you leave the country atany bank or money exchange. It is also possible to change money in your hotel, but the rate will not be as good.
| BANKS |
The bank at the International airport is always open one hour before and after any international flight arrivals. Banks around the country are open between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
The post office is open between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
| TELEPHONE |
There are two kinds of public phone in New Zealand ,coin phones and card phones. It is a good idea to buy a phone card from a book shop or dairy as these phones are more common and $50. If you want to make an International call the number for the operator is 0170.
| COUNTRY CODE | 64 | |
|---|---|---|
| AREA CODE | AUCKLAND | | 09 |
| WELLINGTON | | 04 | |
| CHRISTCHURCH | | 03 |
| WATER |
New Zealand has great pure water, so you could drink water anywhere in New Zealand.
| POWER |
230 V and 50 cycles is the electrisity voltage.
| TIPPING |
Tipping is not customary in New Zealand. It is only necessory to tip when someone has done you an extra or usual service.
| TAX |
There is a goods and services tax(GST) in New Zealand of 12.5%. This is usually already added to the price of an item.
| EMERGENCY |
For any emergency where you need the police ,fire ,ambulance dial 111.
| DEPARTURE TAX |
The departure tax from New Zealand is $20.
| NEW ZEALAND SOUVENIR |
SHEEP SKIN
Sheep Skins are veery popular souvenirs as well as things made out of them like car seat covers, rugs, slippers etc. These are always very high quality and long lasting.
PAUA SHELL
Paua Shell also known as "opal from the sea" is made into many kinds of jewelry and other ornaments. New Zealand prosuces some of the world's most beautiful paua shells.
GREEN STONE
Green stone is another product used to make jewelry.
The hardness is almost the same as diamonds.
Traditionally the Maori kept them as a good luck charm, especially for pregnant woman.
SUEDE
Suede and leather are used to make a variety of high quality garments.
HAND KNITTED SWEATER, CARDIGAN
Hand knitted sweaters are also very popular and of high quality.
The wool usually retains the natural oil ao that the sweaters are waterproof and very warm.
The become softer and softer with each wash.
MAORI CARVING
Maori carvings are a very traditional souvenir and come in all sizes.
RUGBY JERSEY
The New Zealand national rugby team, the "All Blacks" are world famous.
The all blacks rugby jersey and other rugby clothing is very popular souvenir.
HONEY
Honey and jams are very good and pure.
These are a great gift.
BEEFCLAMCSEAFOOD
New Zealand's famous and delicious beef, lamb and seafood can be taken home with you
if you have an agricultural certificate.
There are a few shops that can do this for you or purchase your meat at the International airport.
WINE
New Zealand is also famous for its excellent wines, especially the white wines such as Savignon Blance have won many international awards.
Copyright(c)T.T.L.(TAKAMASA TRAVEL LIMITED),1996. All rights reserved.
