10 Things To Take Note When Travelling to New Zealand
1) Dial 111 for police, fire and ambulance It is the same number for all 3 departments.
Try to speak clearly on what you need.
Different accents can sometimes cause miscommunication.
2) Keep NZD$200 cash in wallet Many smaller cafes and shops do not use credit cards.
Most shops have EFTPOS machines, which might not be compatible to your debit cards.
Plus, the ATM can be some distance away or even out of cash! 3) Speak & pronounce proper English Pronunciation and words usage differ in various English-speaking countries.
Take note that Kiwis pronounce their 'a' and 'e' as it is.
Pen sometimes sound like pin, and data is pronounced as 'da-ta'.
4) Bring a jacket/hoody when going out Not many countries, especially those from the tropics, get to experience literally '4-seasons in a day'.
Wake up to spring temperature, summer heat in early afternoon, autumn winds in late afternoon and winter chill at night.
5) Apply sunscreen New Zealand gets really strong Ultraviolet rays, likely to be due to the clear skies and pollution-free air.
Pros and cons to it.
Just slap on sunscreen daily, high chances of developing freckles if you don't.
6) Go early, most shops close around 5pm If you are used to cities that don't sleep, New Zealand cities do sleep! Many shops closes around 5pm, except restaurants, pubs and supermarkets.
Going to shopping malls in evening is not much of an option.
7) Say thank you to service providers Kiwis are friendly and polite.
Greeting and thanking on buses are normal.
Even at small family-styled cafe and backpackers, the customer service is as good, if not better, than famous hotels.
8) Kiwis do smile at strangers and have small talks - it is normal Don't be surprise when the cashier at the supermarket start asking about your day.
Might be a little shocking for some, but that's just their culture and style.
Most of them are genuinely friendly.
9) Ladies, don't go out alone at night New Zealand is a safe place, but anything can happen.
In fact, the streets are relatively empty after sunset.
This is just advice, it is up to your own judgment.
10) Keep your passport and valuables with you at all times Kiwis are very trusting, many of them don't lock or close their doors even when they are not in.
A good culture, but can put their valuables at risk for theft.
Try to speak clearly on what you need.
Different accents can sometimes cause miscommunication.
2) Keep NZD$200 cash in wallet Many smaller cafes and shops do not use credit cards.
Most shops have EFTPOS machines, which might not be compatible to your debit cards.
Plus, the ATM can be some distance away or even out of cash! 3) Speak & pronounce proper English Pronunciation and words usage differ in various English-speaking countries.
Take note that Kiwis pronounce their 'a' and 'e' as it is.
Pen sometimes sound like pin, and data is pronounced as 'da-ta'.
4) Bring a jacket/hoody when going out Not many countries, especially those from the tropics, get to experience literally '4-seasons in a day'.
Wake up to spring temperature, summer heat in early afternoon, autumn winds in late afternoon and winter chill at night.
5) Apply sunscreen New Zealand gets really strong Ultraviolet rays, likely to be due to the clear skies and pollution-free air.
Pros and cons to it.
Just slap on sunscreen daily, high chances of developing freckles if you don't.
6) Go early, most shops close around 5pm If you are used to cities that don't sleep, New Zealand cities do sleep! Many shops closes around 5pm, except restaurants, pubs and supermarkets.
Going to shopping malls in evening is not much of an option.
7) Say thank you to service providers Kiwis are friendly and polite.
Greeting and thanking on buses are normal.
Even at small family-styled cafe and backpackers, the customer service is as good, if not better, than famous hotels.
8) Kiwis do smile at strangers and have small talks - it is normal Don't be surprise when the cashier at the supermarket start asking about your day.
Might be a little shocking for some, but that's just their culture and style.
Most of them are genuinely friendly.
9) Ladies, don't go out alone at night New Zealand is a safe place, but anything can happen.
In fact, the streets are relatively empty after sunset.
This is just advice, it is up to your own judgment.
10) Keep your passport and valuables with you at all times Kiwis are very trusting, many of them don't lock or close their doors even when they are not in.
A good culture, but can put their valuables at risk for theft.
