Your New Zealand Adventure Starter Pack
- me !
- Jan 20
- 15 min read
Updated: Jan 22
Table of Contents
Introduction
New Zealand has been at the top of my bucket list since I was a little girl. Let me explain.
Back in sixth grade, I was lured into watching what was pitched to me as a “scary” movie. Naturally, edgy tween me was game. The movie? Lord of the Rings. (Spoiler: not that scary—but as one of those “no cable” kids, you can probably connect the dots.) Little did I know, that movie would pull me into a world where my imagination could run wild, sparking a lifelong captivation with the film. A crazy binge of all the behind-the-scenes stuff and a school project on the country later, I also fell in love with New Zealand.
From turquoise blue waters to snow capped mountains that glow with the reflection of the setting sun to rolling hills (with sheep...lots of them), New Zealand is hands down the most astounding country I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to. Whether you're seeking rest, adventure, or something in between, New Zealand truly has something for everyone. There's something healing about New Zealand that is hard to describe, so you're going to have to take my word for it and experience it for yourself.
And that brings us to here. As I (over)prepared for the trip of my dreams, I found it difficult to find an "all-in-one" resource that listed out all the ins and outs of planning a trip to New Zealand. So, I took matters into my own hands. Let's get into it.
Drumroll please!
I present to you your New Zealand starter pack, designed to ensure you kick off your adventure on the right (hobbit) foot!
Before You Leave
Time Change: Depending on where you're departing from (and especially for those of you flying out of the US), be sure to factor in losing 1-2 days due to the time difference. As an Angeleno, I learned this the hard way. After booking all my domestic NZ flights,I realized I’d arrive in New Zealand two days ahead in NZ time compared to when I left the US. Don't make this mistake at 3 a.m. 🗿.
Visa: New Zealand requires travelers to apply for their visa, NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). While my application was processed in under 24 hours, the official website recommends allowing up to 72 hours for processing.
The visa costs about $10 USD and is good for two years (yes, I am already planning my second adventure). Please be mindful as there are third-party sites that try to overcharge you for your visa application (and yes, I learned this the hard way. Shout out to Chase Sapphire for flagging and blocking my uneducated purchase...) To be safe, double check that your URL includes "govt.nz" for those of you who need to calm that OCD tick (you're in good company).
Declaration Form: New Zealand takes biosecurity incredibly seriously to protect its stunning natural environment. Everything from food and medicine to clothing could raise alarm depending on their contents or where they've been. The golden rule? Declare everything and anything you're bringing based on their detailed list. For example, I declared my snacks and hiking shoes, just in case they had any concerns for the species I could inadvertently introduce. I even declared my mineral salt I brought from the US (nothing was going to get in the way of my Kiwi adventure 😤).
While the website might make it seem like almost everything you’re bringing is a potential hazard, the officers were much more relaxed than I expected. None of my items were flagged for inspection, so don't worry too much about this step. Just be honest about the items you are bringing to avoid incurring any fines and, of course, to respect the incredible effort New Zealand has put into protecting their land from invasive species.
Cash or Card?: New Zealand is incredibly card-friendly, with widespread acceptance of credit, debit, and contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay. There's no need to exchange large amounts of cash before your trip. However, as with most international travels, it's always a good idea to carry a small amount of local currency for more rural areas or unexpected situations. Forgot to grab cash? No problem—ATMs are easy to find and convenient for withdrawing NZD.
Weather
Seasons: For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, don't forget that New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere. This means that the seasons are flipped for those of us who are used to a white Christmas! Kiwi winters typically kick off in June and ease into spring by the end of August (so Christmas = 🎅🏽☀️🌴)
Tip: Don't shy away from traveling during the off-season! If anything, I enjoyed my experience all the more traveling in late August. The smaller crowds made for a more local Kiwi experience. And, while it did snow once, the weather was milder than I anticipated. New Zealand's late winters still offer plenty of lush green fields and sunny days to enjoy!
Rain: Keep in mind that New Zealand has a higher than average rainfall. You can expect rain throughout the year so pack accordingly (more on that coming up)!
North vs. South Island: Although New Zealand is a relatively small country, the climates between the North and South Islands can vary depending on the season. North island tends to experience higher rainfall in the winter while the South Island generally stays drier. That said, the North island is usually warmer than the South Island, so keep these temperature fluctuations in mind as well!
Clothing
Dress Code: Sorry ladies (and gents, no exclusions here), time to leave the heels at home! Kiwis embrace a low-fuss dress culture. In general, pack comfort over fashion as you will most likely be spending much of your time walking in nature. Of course, some bars and restaurants may have slightly higher expectations, but even so, fashion tends to lean casual. The dress code really reflects Kiwi culture: relaxed, easy-going, and earthy.
Layering: While I can best speak to dressing for late winter, overall, the general consensus from my research is to dress in layers. Even in the summer, the North Island can get chilly in the evenings. Packing a couple of t-shirts, light sweaters, and comfortable pants or shorts (depending on the season) will give you the best range for comfort. For those of you traveling in the winter, fleece and jumper layers will become your best friends. And don't forget to pack a warm winter coat that blocks out the wind! Again, keep in mind that Kiwi dress code is casual and active-forward, so make sure you're packing clothes that can handle a hike as well!
Shoes: Hiking shoes. Hiking shoes. Hiking shoes. That is all 😌
Rain Gear: You 🤝🏼 Your Rain Jacket. A special ode should be made to the trusty rain jackets that have protected so many of us on our New Zealand adventures. As mentioned earlier, rain can be both an expected and unexpected guest on your adventure. Make sure you have a rain jacket and shoes that repel water on you at all times!
Transportation
Car rentals: While some cities have more robust public transportation systems, we found driving to be much easier. Many of the stunning vistas you'll likely have on your list will take you through more remote areas that are best explored by car.
Car rentals are relatively easy to book ahead of time. I had great success with Expedia and was even able to cancel bookings the same day. Keep in mind that depending on the season snow chains may be required as highway patrol could invoke a fine if you are caught driving in snowy areas without your show chains handy.
Overall, we found that working with the car rental companies in New Zealand was far more pleasant than in the US, thanks to the friendly Kiwi culture (in the US, they'll throw your keys at you and try to upsell you some insane package that drains your life savings). However, some of the additional offers they present may give you some peace of mind. For example, we found that our car insurance company did not cover international car rentals, so for our longer roadtrips, we ended up paying for extra coverage to ensure we were fully protected under all circumstances.
At the wheel: 🚨DRIVE ON THE LEFT SIDE, I REPEAT, DRIVE ON THE LEFT SIDE🚨 Driving on the left side is a doozy at first, but you'll pick it up before you know it. A few rapid-fire tips:
Kiwi's love their roundabouts, so remember to enter from the left side, not the right!
Look down the correct side of the road for oncoming traffic before making a turn. If turning left, make sure you look right before committing to the turn.
Speaking of turns, Kiwi's do not turn on red! (You'll appreciate the safety this rule brings. LA take notes...)
In the US, yellow lines in the road typically indicate two-way traffic....in New Zealand, no such thing exists 😅 Double-check before switching lanes that it isn't a two-way street.
People drive FAST! Not aggressively, but definitely speedily. Be prepared to let people pass you.
Give pedestrians the right of way!
Only honk in an emergency.
Navigation: For those of us directionally challenged (it's okay, this is a safe space), Google Maps will be your friend and confidant. While New Zealand is full of breathtaking landscapes, the downside is that you will often lose service, especially outside the main cities. To save yourself a panic attack, download an offline version of the areas you'll be driving around!
Accommodations
Stays: While there are plenty of hotel options, Airbnbs tend to be more affordable and quite honestly more enjoyable. New Zealand has some of the sweetest Airbnb hosts who genuinely care about their guests (*cough cough America*). Booking through Airbnb also gives you endless options, from breathtaking views to unique vibes. Keep in mind that most hosts are pretty strict about the number of guests you may bring, so be sure to double-check the guest limit when booking your stay.
Lodging Etiquette: Hosting standards are generally high in New Zealand. Kiwi hosts will often go above and beyond to treat their guests with generosity and kindness (at least from the perspective of an American....our standards are admittedly low). Don’t be surprised if you’re welcomed with home-baked cookies or treats!
Given the more personable Kiwi culture, your hosts may want to greet you upon check-in, so be prepared to provide active communication regarding your arrival time. If you're lucky, they may even share a verbal "handbook" of all the go-to local spots to check out! Many hosts are also flexible with checkout times if requested in advance. Overall, you may find that your hosts are more communicative than you may be used to both before your arrival as well as during your stay, but it's all in good faith to ensure a pleasant stay.
As a rule of thumb, embrace the welcoming atmosphere your hosts are likely to cultivate, and reciprocate with kindness and respect as a guest. You may find yourself building unexpected friendships and gaining local insights that will make your trip even more memorable!
Food & Dining
Stay tuned for upcoming New Zealand city guides, where I'll dive into detailed food recommendations and hidden gems! Think of this section as a birds'-eye view to all things food.
Research: While Yelp reigns supreme in America to gauge the quality of a restaurant, in New Zealand, Google Maps is that girl. The reviews are reliable, and it’s the go-to for scoping out must-try spots in any city or town.
Ingredients: In Kiwi restaurant culture, many chefs pride themselves in using local, fresh ingredients. New Zealand's deep roots in agriculture provide more accessibility to the farm-to-table experience that can often be pricier in other countries. This emphasis on quality and sustainability is a hallmark of the dining experience, making each meal feel like a taste of the land itself.
Cuisine Breadth: As a part of the Commonwealth, you may be fully expecting British pub food to dominate New Zealand's culinary scene. And while New Zealand certainly does offer Anglo classics like fish and chips, meat pies, and hearty roasts, you will be pleasantly surprised by the incredible breadth of the nations' cuisine offerings. Thanks to waves of immigration from Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, New Zealand's restaurant scene showcases a rich tapestry of global flavors. So, bring your adventurous palate—you’re in for a treat!
Note: While Kiwis are keen on their meat-heavy comfort food, New Zealand's diverse, international cuisine as well as their general cultural mindfulness of health and sustainability have paved the way for an impressive array of plant-based options. Whether you’re a meat lover or a vegan foodie, New Zealand has something delicious for everyone.
Māori Food: Food is often one of the most meaningful ways to explore and connect with a culture's history. New Zealand's indigenous community, the Māori, have deeply influenced New Zealand's cuisine. Many fusion and fine dining restaurants incorporate ingredients traditionally used in hāngi cooking, such as kūmara (sweet potato), pāua (abalone), and wild berries. If you have the chance, don’t miss trying a traditional hāngi meal. The unique underground cooking method gives a particularly smoky, earthy flavor profile to the dishes.
Must Try's: Add these to your foodie bucket list for a taste of New Zealand's finest! Plug these key words into Google Maps (to find that five-star rating iykyk), and you'll be tasting the best New Zealand has to offer.
Hāngi (mentioned above)
Fish and chips (give snapper a try if it's on the menu)
Indian food
Toasties (never tried an open-faced sandwich I didn't like)
Manuka Honey (try to find a farm if you can!)
Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
Whittaker's Chocolate (still rationing out my trove)
Chicken Chips (ETA brand or bust; Bluebird chips are NOT the same! 😤)
Lamb
Steak
Feijoa sour gummies
Rj's Fabulicious Sweets Duos Sour Gummy Rings
New Zealand dairy (the butter and milk has a particularly creamy yet tangy flavor)
Cheese scones
Happy eating! 🍴
Culture & Tourism
Lord of the Rings Filming Locations: So, as discussed previously, my beige flag is that I'm obsessed with Lord of the Rings. Admittedly, the origin story of booking my flight to New Zealand began with my love for the film. If you're planning your own epic nerdy film tour (without shedding tears like I did when I thought I'd miss a site I’ve dreamed about since middle school 🤡), here's what I learned along the way:
Google maps does have many of the filming locations already marked. HOWEVER, some of them are either vague or inaccurately labeled. So, I would do a quick search online of some trustee folks who have gone before us. The game-changer? Sources that provide coordinates will make your life much easier. A couple I found super useful:
Happy adventuring, fellow Tolkien nerds! 🧙♂️✨
National Parks: If there's one thing you absolutely must do in New Zealand, it's explore the breathtaking natural beauty the country has to offer. Be sure to prioritize visiting a park or two in each city you visit. Although there’s not much I would change about this trip, I do regret not having enough time to explore more parks—because the ones I did experience were absolutely unforgettable. A few of my favorites are below:
Milford Sound
Kaitoke Regional Park (also the set of Rivendell)
Mt. Sunday (also the set of Edoras)
Museums: Museums are an excellent way to dive into the roots and foundation of New Zealand, from the history of the Māori to the country's modern-day stories . While museums may not be everyone's cup of tea, Te Papa Museum in Wellington is beautifully designed and features many interactive exhibits. When I visited, Weta Workshop teamed up with Te Papa to create an extraordinary exhibit about the Gallipoli campaign that took place during World War I. The highlight was the larger-than-life sculptures (2.4 times human size!) crafted by Weta to tell the story of eight New Zealanders caught in the midst of a harrowing moment in Kiwi history.
Tours: While not mandatory for your trip, booking tours in advance will greatly ease and often enhance your experience. As a frugal traveler, I tend to cut the fluff where I can. However, for this trip, I highly recommend booking guided tours. I know, I know. Guided tours get a bad rap. I too am a victim of tours that felt like money down the drain.
But here’s the thing—New Zealand is truly an "island of passions," as my partner put it so perfectly. On nearly every tour we took, we were led by a Kiwi with fantastic energy and insightful knowledge. While I can't vouch for every tour in New Zealand, I can confidently say that the country sets the gold standard when it comes to hosting. These guided tours added a special sprinkle of magic to our adventure. We discovered sights we wouldn't have found on our own, learned little known facts, and immersed ourselves in the true spirit of New Zealand.
For most of our tours and excursions, we booked through Viator. A major tip: we found that booking through Viator often resulted in better pricing than booking directly with the tour providers. If you can, try to book as far in advance as possible since some of these tours fill up quickly! Here are some of my Viator favorites:
Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience (One of the most memorable moments on the trip!)
There are some activities that only offer bookings through the company site, but I found them to be affordable and well worth it. A few to add to your list:
Redwoods Treewalk: If you can, go at night! The walk is truly magical with the lights illuminating the trees. If you're visiting during peak travel seasons, I recommend the fast pass version to avoid the crowds.
Sanctuary Mountain: This special place is the largest pest-proof fenced enclosures in New Zealand, designed to protect many of the nation's endangered species. Learn from my mistake and go early in the morning to catch all the birds going about their day!
Waikite Valley Hotpools: Rotorua is known for its many geothermal hot pools. Perhaps my greatest display of my travel agent genius was booking a private geothermal pool experience. It was the perfect way to unwind at the end of our trip. You're welcome 😌
One last thing! For those of you who are big Lord of the Rings fans, I highly recommend booking guided tours, especially for sites on the South Island. If you've done your homework and found the coordinates for some filming locations, you'll notice that most of them are pretty obscure. There were a couple of times when I found myself wandering aimlessly, desperately searching for a well-anticipated LOTR site, and wishing I had joined one of the tour groups I’d passed by (I may or may not have mooched off a couple of tour guides for their expertise 🤡).
Unexpected Delights: Some of my favorite moments from the trip came from spontaneous stops along our journey to all the destinations we planned out. You'll find yourself pulling over multiple times a day just to marvel at the untouched, divine beauty of the landscapes. So, keep your eyes peeled and prepare yourself to soak in all the little moments, or should I say "the little things" (shameless plug)? 😉
General Etiquette
This is very much so a general overview of the basic etiquette I came across in New Zealand. It's by no means a comprehensive list, but hopefully a helpful guide to start your own personal research so that you can be a respectful visitor!
Cultural Mindfulness: Approach the Māori culture with respect. The Māori's history with colonization is understandably complex and continues to have very real impacts today, so be mindful and openminded in any conversations about the topic. Take off your shoes before entering a Māori home or historical site. Avoid prolonged eye contact. Always ask for permission before taking any photos of Māori landmarks. As with everything, approach with a learning, curious posture.
Manners: Kiwis, in general, are quite polite and friendly. I found that most of them were kind and helpful if I asked a question. So, return the favor and treat locals with the same dignity and respect.
Greetings: When meeting people, you may be greeted with "Kia Ora", which in Māori means "hello", "have life" or "be healthy." It's a warm and welcoming way to start a conversation!
Shoes: Especially in rural areas, it's common to see folks taking off their shoes before entering a store or restaurant. This tradition, deeply rooted in Māori culture, is a sign of respect for the space and its cleanliness. I only came across this when we were out in the country during our drive to Milford Sound, so keep your eyes peeled!
Rubbish: New Zealand places a high value on taking great care of its land and preserving its ecosystem. If you have trash or recyclables, dispose of them properly. Even something as small as littering chewing gum on the street can result in a fine. Be mindful and partner with the country's commitment to environmental conservation and helping maintain pristine public spaces that everyone can enjoy!
Tipping: In general, tipping is not expected in New Zealand. Wages tend to be higher, so service staff do not need to rely on tips. When we did tip, it was often as a gesture of goodwill or appreciation for particularly exceptional service.
Humor: Kiwis are known for their dry, witty sense of humor! Be prepared to join in on the fun and share a laugh or two!
Whew, you made it through! Hopefully this gives you the kickstart you need to start planning your (unexpected) journey to New Zealand. Keep an eye out for more blog posts about my trip to New Zealand and tips on making your own adventure unforgettable!
The End
See ya at the next travel blog! 🌍✈️
