Cotton, silk or linen are the best options (or blended) to look for and try to keep away from Nylon, Lycra and the like.

A wide brimmed hat will also come in handy, keeping your head cool and being an extra protection from the sun.

Health and Vaccinations

No Vaccinations will be needed for a trip to New Zealand, though it is common sense to make sure tetanus shots are up to date.

The medical services in New Zealand are up there with the best in the world, though you will need to make sure that your travel insurance covers you for all eventualities.

There are no dangerous or poisonous animals in the country, save for a rarely encountered Spider, but there is a small chance of contracting Giardia ( a waterborne parasite that causes diarrhoea and stomach upsets) from some lakes and streams, but this is very rare indeed.

Before you leave on your trip, a visit to your doctors and dentist is advised to make sure you are fully fit for the strains of the journey.

If you where prescription glasses or contact lenses it is also a good idea to take a spare pair, as if you lose or break your originals it could be difficult to get you prescription.

If you are stopping off on your way to or from New Zealand you should check on that country’s vaccination requirements. For instance if you are planning on spending a few weeks in Thailand on the way, you will probably need vaccinations for Malaria and Typhoid.

Money Matters

Yes, Money definitely matters! 

How you take your money to New Zealand is up to you, though there is a few different options and it may be best to take a mixture.

The main options for carrying your money are travellers cheques, credit/debit cards and cash.

All money, no matter how you carry it should be secured and a money belt worn under your clothes is a very sensible option.

Travellers cheques are a good idea as if any of them go missing you can contact your bank and register the specific cheque missing. They can then issue a replacement with the minimum of fuss. Another plus for carrying travellers cheques is that many exchange bureaus offer better exchange rates for these rather than cash. It is an idea to carry larger denominations in cheques as there is usually a surcharge per each cheque cashed.

Credit and Debit cards are also gaining in popularity with the traveller and can be useful when spending large amounts of money on single purchases. Cash points are all over New Zealand and with them being linked internationally is an easy option for gaining access to your funds. Beware however, of extortionate charges from these ATMs.

Whilst it is not advisable to carry a large amount of cash with you, for obvious reasons, it can be handy to take a small amount. Cash will come in handy if you are stuck in the airport or you cannot get to an exchange bureau straight away. If you are planning to spend some time in another country on route to New Zealand, it may be sensible to take some US$ to exchange as this is the international currency for many countries.

Visas and other Documentation

Visitors from many countries who are visiting New Zealand for a period of three months or less, do not need to apply for a visa as all they need to do is fill in a Visa waiver form on the plane.

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