"Need to know" that's not in guidebooks

My bf and I will be traveling to New Zealand next week. I have read guidebooks, searched websites, etc. What, if anything do we need to know about New Zealand as far as culture, safety, etc. that's not addressed in guidebooks or on websites?

Thanks.

Seeing as we dont know what you do know, bit hard to say. I'd hazard a guess and say most stuff is either in those guide books or on the internet.
Make sure you pick up a copy of Arrivals magazine when you get off the plane. There's other free booklets as well worth getting.

Well, I was looking for something on the order of what we encountered in South Africa. My bf had his ATM card picked from him by a group of men who crowded him at the ATM in front of a store. After this happened, we were told that it is a known scam where they target foreigners. Things to be aware of. NO money was lost, btw. We called and cancelled the ATM card right away.

Hi,
It's a very safe country as long as you follow basic common sense that you would do at home(ie don't walk down dark alleys alone in the middle of the night, don't leave valuables sitting out for all to see on the front seat of your car when it's parked in the street).
The only thing I would be a bit careful of is staying in a campervan on the roadside or freedom camping. Over the years there have been a few cases of people getting attacked, mainly seems to happen in the upper north island. It's probably rare as I'm sure many people camp like that and those few incidents that have happened have been widely publicised in the media. Just something to think about. Campgrounds and department of conservation campsites seem to be ok though.
Occasionally cars may get broken into at tourist sites which are isolated, eg at some of the walking tracks car parks. That's probably the most common crime problem.
Hope you enjoy your trip.

Hi

Firstly all the above is exactlt what you need to do common sense and all of that like you would in your own home, im currently living in Nz and this is after travelling here 4 times.
Nz is voted the 3rd safest country to live in in the world, if tht can ease your mind a bit. obviously as the person says above be cautious of dark alleys etc i mean who wouldnt anyway.

Youll be fine, this place is amazing the scenery is breath taking you will really enjoy it.
Enjoy your holiday feel free to ask anything else.

Thanks
Janice

Thanks so much. I know that New Zealand is safe, but it never hurts to ask.

How is the weather in New Zealand? What type of clothing should we bring?

#4, as a Kiwi, I wouldnt say NZ was the 3rd safest country in the world. Doesnt even make the Top 10 anywhere I looked.

I was scared prior to the first time.
Am in Christchurch.
Nothing to be scared of.
Westwood was so right.
6th time here, 2 more times next year.
Just be sensible, I'd don't speed while driving, drive on the tight side, don't illegal park, don't bludgeon a fare, ...
You will be right/ok.

Christchurch now warm, a very light jacket will do, or even a sleeveless vest.
On a side note, a lot of Asians around, sushi and Indian eateries abound.
Sad to see the emptiness of Chrustchurch, but major works are being done.
If flying from Sydney to Christchurch, be prepared fir the sudden drop and major shaking as plane comes over the NZ landfall.
No one told me, it felt the plane was going down fast!
The NZ govt is very strict on foods of fruits, so be aware if that.
At least Fuish en Chuirps are easy to irder.
Black currant cider is mmmm.. . the best.
Supermarkets here can sell liquor and food on sane premises, never seen in Australia!

very safe country, the most likely crime to affect a tourist is vehicle break-in. NEVER leave anything valuable in a vehicle even for 10 mins, and hide what you do leave. That said, in several long trips I never had any trouble. Many remote car parks are carpeted with broken glass. The problem is much worse on the north island.

freedom camping isn't allowed in many places, but you can afford campsites, all tourists can.

driving standards aren't great - expect tailgating and stupid overtaking. Try not to drive at night, and don't contribute to the problem by driving tired or too far.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.

spotty-dalmatian - That's good to know that they sell liquor and food in the same stores. We do that as well here in California.

neverwinter - Thanks for the info about driving habits. We encountered that as well in South Africa. Safety is always at the forefront.

I don't think we are going to be able to make it to Christchurch this time around. Our schedule is very tight.

You can go to the supermarket at 7.30 in the morning and buy beer or wine if you wanted. Note that they dont sell spirits-- only liquor outlets can.And in Auckland, theres usually one of those at every set of suburban shops.Probably a dozen or so within a km or so from my house.

#4, as a Kiwi, I wouldnt say NZ was the 3rd safest country in the world. Doesnt even make the Top 10 anywhere I looked.

FYI
In fact, according to the 2013 Global Peace Index, we're the 3rd safest place to live in the world (after Iceland and Denmark). Up against 144 countries, New Zealand was followed by Austria (4th) and Switzerland (5th

But you've only been in NZ 4 months. Live here permanently and you might see the other side.

Hey relax I'm not stating your wrong I was simply showing you what you couldn't find. For the record I do live here permanently now and I'm married to a kiwi. Simply comparing this country to others which I've lived and travelled to saying it's safer! That's all.

Thanks so much. I know that New Zealand is safe, but it never hurts to ask.

How is the weather in New Zealand? What type of clothing should we bring?

What date are you arriving? Its still very much spring so the weather is on and off but definitely warming up.

You will love NZ I fell in love with it on my first trip here, the scenery is amazing, I have family visiting in Dec from Northern Ireland ( my home ) and we are organising a full road trip north to south before we head to Oz.
I can't wait as I know this holiday will be completely different and breath taking compared to what they have experienced ever before on their travels I describe it as a huge Jurassic Park lol I'm sure ppl will disagree but you'll see what I mean by the landscape, my husband is Kiwi he laughs when I say this!
I have to say I find Kiwis the most genuine friendly ppl compared to anywhere ive been they remind me of irish ppl very friendly and very laid back, anything goes. ( I maybe biased though ;) )

We are arriving the 21st of October. Thanks for all of your positive comments. We are so looking forward to it

Driving is made worse by idiots like Spotty Dalmatian trying to drive on the RIGHT!
Tired tourists are a constant problem on SI roads. Do not try to drive more than 5 hr per day (say max 350 km). NZ roads are not like Autobahns of Europe, or Interstates in the US.

Do be aware that NZ is a first world country with a high standard of Social Welfare & a minimum wage policy - it is NOT ac heap destination like SEA. On the good side, National parks & most public museums, churches etc are free to enter, unlike UK & Europe; and tipping is not required like North America.

If you are camping and something goes missing, go looking for a guilty weka.

If you are scared of spiders, steer well clear of wetas and weta hiding places.

And lastly, kiwis talk funny. Have you learned any of their colloquialisms?

Just kidding. Enjoy your trip and don't worry too much.

don't bludgeon a fare, ...

Really? Have you done this previously?

What is a weka? What are wetas? What does "bludgeon a fare" mean?

They charge for ketchup(sauce) .....annoying ...otherwise it is awesome

Travelmaven, you can look both wetas and weka's up on Google. Feel free.

As for "bludgeon a fare" - I have no idea either what that is supposed to mean. However bludgeon means to "Beat (someone) repeatedly with a thick stick with a heavy end or other heavy object".