New Zealand
About
| New Zealand is a unique land of breath-taking scenery: craggy coastlines, golden beaches, lush rainforests, snow-capped mountains, bubbling volcanic pools, rivers jumping with rainbow trout, and glacier-fed lakes. This is the world's prime destination for bungee jumping. Famous jump-off points include the Kawarau River Bridge, the Nevis, the Pipeline, the Ledge (near Queenstown), Taupo and Mangaweka (North Island) and Hanmer Springs (South Island). New Zealand is also the birthplace of zorbing, which involves being strapped into an inflatable transparent plastic ball, or diving into a zorb with a bucket of water, which is then rolled down a grassy hill or onto a river. Cruise Wellington harbour in tall ships or sailboats, visit vineyards on neighbouring islands, or go further afield on an excursion to the remote maritime reserves in the Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf and Marlborough Sounds. A great place to enjoy some fruit of the vine is in the wine-growing region of Hawke's Bay. Around 70 wineries allow visitors in to sample the region's respected red wines, particularly Pinot Noir. |
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| Capital: | Wellington (WLG) |
| Currency: | New Zealand Dollar (NZD) |
| Language: | English and Maori |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 64 |
| Time Zones: | UTC/GMT +12 hours (10 hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday of September – first Sunday of April: UTC / GMT +13 (11 hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Public Holidays: |
Jan 1-2; Feb 6; Apr 18, 21, 25; Jun 2, 20; Oct 28, Dec 25-26 |
| Side of the Road: | Left |
| Best Time to go: | November – February |
| Best For: | Ecotourism |
| Plugs: | 230/240 volts (angled two or three pin plugs) |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. Visitors bringing in a quantity of medication are advised to carry a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with New Zealand Customs. Doctor's prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in New Zealand. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into New Zealand by persons of 17 years of age and over without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a mixture of all three weighing no more than 250g • 4.5L of wine or beer • 3 bottles of 1.125L of spirits or liqueurs • Other goods to the value of NZ$700 |
| Prohibited Imports: | Because of the importance of agriculture and horticulture to the New Zealand economy, it is illegal to import most foodstuffs (meat, meat products, honey, fruit and dairy). Customs and agricultural officers view any breach of the laws extremely seriously and travellers are fined on the spot. Take care when importing wood products, such as golf clubs, shoes and items made from animal skin and feathers. For further information, contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate. The import of the following items is also prohibited: drugs, counterfeit goods, firearms and weapons (unless a special permit is obtained from the New Zealand police), ivory in any form, tortoise or turtle shell jewellery and ornaments, medicines using musk, rhinoceros or tiger derivatives, carvings or anything made from whalebone or bone from any other marine animals, cat skins or coats, and certain drugs (eg diuretics, depressants, stimulants, heart drugs, tranquillisers, sleeping pills) unless covered by a doctor's prescription. The New Zealand Customs Service website (www.customs.govt.nz) contains comprehensive advice for travellers and details all restricted items. There are heavy fines in place for those caught breaking these rules. |
| Prohibited Exports: | There are export restrictions on firearms and ammunition, drugs, wildlife, plant life, antiquities and works of ar |
Issuing Authorities
New Zealand High Commission
125 Middel Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, 0181
Tel: 012 435 9000
Email: enquiries@nzhc.co.za
Web: www.mfat.govt.nz
Visits by appointment only. The High Commission does not deal with visa enquiries.
Accredited to: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Visa Requirements
SA Passport Holders do require a visa
- Visas can be applied for online at: www.immigration.govt.nz. Online applications may be subject to additional passport handling by VFS.
- Alternatively, you can submit your application and supporting documents at VFS. This can be in person, via an authorised person or postal.
- You can include your partner and children (up to age 19) in the application.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Two passport-sized colour photographs for everyone included in the application.
- Passport for everyone included in the application.
- Evidence of financial support / sufficient funds to support yourself (NZD 1000 per month or NZD $400 per month if you have already paid for your accommodation).
- Return Tickets.
- Evidence of your intent to return home (letter from employer / student enrolment).
- Travel itinerary.
- If staying for longer than 6 months, you may be requested to have a medical exam or chest x-ray.
- If applying online, you may be requested to submit your passport to VFS for passport handling.
VFS - visa applications and passport handling
1st Floor, Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Pretoria
Tel: 012 425 3004
Email: info.nzza@vfshelpline.com
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/nzl
Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:00
Applications by appointment only. If multiple people are included in the application, an individual appointment must be made for each applicant.
NOTE: Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 it is an offence to provide immigration advice without being licensed or exempt. This includes completing the application form on a clients behalf. If your immigration adviser is not licensed when they should be, Immigration New Zealand will return your application and there will be a substantial fine.
For more information and to view the register of licensed advisers, go to the Immigration Advisers Authority website at www.iaa.govt.nz or email info@iaa.govt.nz.
Lawyers provide immigration advice and are exempt from licensing under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007. For more information and to view the register of immigration lawyers, go to the New Zealand Law Society website www.lawsociety.org.nz.
Visa Processing Time
Approx 4 weeks. Average processing time should be checked online.
Visa Cost
Online application: NZD 441
VFS Fees:
Paper Applications: ZAR 1150
Passport Handling (online applications): ZAR 1000
SA Representative
SA High Commission
Midland Chambers, Level 11, 45 Johnston Street, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 815 8484
E-mail: wellington.dha@dirco.gov.za
Web: sahighcommission.co.nz
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
