New Zealand Travel Safety
Travel Safety in New Zealand
General travel safety in New Zealand on a scale of 1 to 4 — where 1 is safe and 4 is dangerous. Data compiled on the basis of Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Country
New Zealand
Updates
Updated: 4 Oct 2024 • Still current at: 13 Oct 2024
Status
LEVEL 1 - Exercise normal safety precautions
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour. Monitor the media and other sources for changes to local travelling conditions, safety and security concerns. Laws and social customs could differ significantly. You could face terrorist attacks, civil unrest, violent crime, or unique health threats - but overall, the risks are not great.
Safety and Security Tips
Road safety
Travel times by car are easy to underestimate. Weather conditions can change quickly, particularly during winter. Snow, ice, fog, rain and strong winds can lead to dangerous driving conditions. Roads can be narrow, curvy and cover hilly terrain. Landslides caused by heavy rain can block or wash away roads. Mountain roads, including those leading to ski hills, may be narrow, unpaved and without safety barriers. Look out for roaming animals in rural areas. Dairy herds often cross main roads at milking time. Railway crossings may not have barriers, and bells may ring only during daylight hours, especially in rural areas. For Information on road closures and warnings contact New Zealand Transport Agency, tel. 0800 108 809
Adventure tourism
Although many tourists participate in adventure activities in New Zealand without problem, serious accidents can occur. Never do these activities alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company. Buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation. Ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity. Ensure that you are properly equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard. Inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to be back to cam. You should Know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal. Obtain detailed information on trekking routes or ski slopes before setting out and do not venture off marked trails.
Women's safety
New Zealand is generally safe, however women should exercise normal precautions during travel.
Crime
Theft generally occurs in the following places:hotel rooms, tourist sites, recreational area, sun attended vehicles, Ensure that your personal belongings including passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Street crime takes place in major cities.
Terrorism
The current threat level is set to low. The Government of New Zealand maintains a public alert system on terrorism.
Update 1 November 2020Emergency Calls
- Police111
- Fire111
- Ambulance111
Embassy of us
American Embassy in Wellington
Address29 Fitzherbert Terrace
Local Law and Culture
LGBT
New Zealand has an established tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality, but there are still isolated incidents of homophobic related crimes. LGBT travellers should be aware of local sensitivities, particularly when visiting rural areas.
Driving
Traffic drives on the left. International Driving Permit is required. The use of mobile telephones while driving is illegal, unless the phone is fitted with a hands-free device. As per New Zealand's Accident Compensation Act, you can't sue for losses stemming from personal injury resulting from accidents. This includes car and sporting accidents. Report New Zealand Transport Agency Information in case of an accident 0800 108 809.
Update 1 November 2020Vaccinations and Medications
A doctor's consultation is required prior to any vaccinations being administered. This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Please contact your doctor for complete information on this subject.
Stay Healthy and Safe
Act in advance of to prevent. Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least 4-8 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in New Zealand.
Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.
It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
We have made every effort to ensure that the information presented reliably reflects the general safety situation in a given place. However, the data is provided for informational purposes only and we do not take responsibility for any damages or losses resulting from incorrect risk assessment. Before each trip, we recommend checking the current situation in the country of destination on the websites of the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
