Traveller Information
Christchurch and the Canterbury Region Travel
For travel in Christchurch and the Canterbury region click here
Recommended day trips or overnight trips include the following:
Akaroa – A French-inspired settlement on scenic Banks Peninsula buzzing with seaside cafes, boutique shops and wildlife cruises.
Kaikoura – New Zealand’s eco-tourism capital, from whale watching to wilderness walks.
Mt Hutt ski area – Offering one of the longest snow seasons in New Zealand, Mt Hutt has a well developed trail network suited to all snow lovers from the total beginner through to pro racers and riders.
Arthur’s Pass National Park – Travel the Great Alpine Highway and explore the moutainous landscape of Arthurs Pass National Park. Arthurs Pass is also a stop-off for the scenic TranzAlpine train journey that travels between Christchurch and Greymouth daily.
Hanmer Springs and Hurunui – Waipara’s Wine Valley and our favourite alpine spa village with natural thermal pools.
Aoraki Mt Cook National Park – Experience the alpine grandeur in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. See New Zealand’s highest peaks among a landscape of glaciers, mountain streams, icebergs and glacial lakes.
New Zealand Travel
For general New Zealand travel information see NZ.com or NZ-i-site.
The West Coast – Sparsely populated, the West Coast retains the feeling of a pioneer frontier. It’s a wild place known for rainforests, rivers, mountains and glaciers.
Queenstown, Southern Lakes and Wanaka – Visit Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital where you can choose between skiing, bungee jumping, jet boating or taking in the stunning scenery.
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup kicks off shortly after the conference end, on 9 September. For Rugby World Cup information click here.
VISA information for international travelers
Is your passport ready to travel?
Before you travel to New Zealand, please check that your passport is ready for the trip. Your passport must be:
- Valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date.
- Not damaged, defaced or excessively worn.
- Showing a visa or permit, if you require one.
Do you need a New Zealand visa or permit?
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:
- A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
- An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
- An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
- A British citizen and or British passport holder who can produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK (you can stay up to six months)
- A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months)
Countries that have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand
| Andorra | Liechtenstein |
| Argentina | Lithuania |
| Austria | Luxembourg |
| Bahrain | Malaysia |
| Belgium | Malta |
| Brazil | Mexico |
| Brunei | Monaco |
| Bulgaria | Netherlands |
| Canada | Norway |
| Chile | Oman |
| Cyprus | Poland |
| Czech Republic | Portugal |
| Denmark | Qatar |
| Estonia | Romania |
| Finland | San Marino |
| France | Saudi Arabia |
| Germany | Singapore |
| Greece | Slovak Republic |
| Hong Kong | Slovenia |
| Hungary | South Africa |
| Iceland | Spain |
| Ireland | Sweden |
| Israel | Switzerland |
| Italy | United Arab Emirates |
| Japan | United States of America |
| Korea (South) | Uruguay |
| Kuwait | Vatican City |
| Latvia |
If you come from one these countries, you don’t need a visa to enter New Zealand. However, you are still required to provide:
- Travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements
- Evidence that you can support yourself in New Zealand (approximately NZ$1000 per month per person).
For more detailed information check out the Visa free countries section of the Immigration New Zealand website.
Information regarding visas is available through the New Zealand Department of Immigration website: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/
The following links are a good starting point for visa information:
Visa forms and guidelines – http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/formsandfees/formsandguides/
Visitor Visa Guide - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/AC468617-95B4-48ED-9CBA-586A97836AFE/0/INZ1018.pdf