Staying safe and healthy in New Zealand

Although New Zealand is a safe place to travel, it pays to prepare and take a few precautions. Here are simple, responsible travel tips to help you and your family keep safe.

To make sure you have a comfortable and trouble-free trip, we recommend following these simple steps.

• Don’t hesitate to dial New Zealand’s emergency phone number if you feel unsafe or threatened - dial 111. 
• If you're out at night, keep to well-lit places where other people are present. Don’t take shortcuts through parks or alleyways. Take a taxi or get a ride with someone you know.
• Avoid accepting drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended.
• Always lock your accommodation and vehicle and keep windows secure when you're not around.
• Never leave bags, backpacks, wallets or cameras unattended in any public place, especially airports, ferry terminals or bus/railway stations.
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash or expensive jewellery.
• If withdrawing money from an ATM, withdraw small amounts only - preferably during the day - and shield your pin.
• If any of your possessions are stolen or valuable items misplaced, advise local police as soon as possible.

While exploring our country, do not underestimate the risks associated with the great outdoors.

A walk in a city park is very different to a walk in a National Park. Take the time to learn about where you are going and seek advice from others, especially your local i-SITE or Department of Conservation (DOC) Visitor Information Centre, to be best prepared.

Our extensive coastline and network of waterways provide ample opportunity for swimming, boating and fishing. However many people are unprepared for the potential dangers of the water.

We recommend that you visit Water Safety(opens in new window) or AdventureSmart(opens in new window) for advice on how to stay safe on New Zealand's beaches and waterways.

1. If in doubt, stay out.
2. Try not to swim or surf alone, or when cold or tired.
3. Swim between the flags. Beaches with potential hazards are often patrolled by lifeguards, who put up yellow and red flags. Between these flags is the safest place to swim. Listen to advice from life guards.
4. If you have children with you, watch over them at all times.
5. Learn to recognise ocean rip currents.

New Zealand is home to active and dormant volcanoes and many geothermal destinations. If you plan to visit a region with volcanic activity, it's essential to keep updated with the latest travel warnings. 

• GeoNet - Volcanic Alert Bulletins(opens in new window)
• Department of Conservation - Volcanic Risk Information(opens in new window)

Thermal pools can be very hot (over 100⁰C or 210⁰F) or have toxic gases or fumes at the surface. Also, thermal pools can form a thin crust over the top of them that looks like a solid surface, but will break if a person stood on it. Thermal pools can be hidden under vegetation.

For your own safety, please ensure you and your children stick to the walkways, stay behind the barriers, and obey the safety signs. We recommend holding hands with young children when walking through the park.

Being an active geothermal area with uneven terrain, sturdy footwear is recommended. Jandals, sandals, flip-flops or high heeled shoes are not suitable.

Vodafone, Spark and 2degrees offer a txt messaging service for visitors.

You can send updates about your location and travel movements via txt to number 7233 [SAFE]. These details are kept on a central database which can be accessed by police if necessary.

Each text message sent to 7233 will be acknowledged by an automated response, which advises you to call 111 and request police assistance if you are in danger.

Police and the New Zealand tourism industry encourage you to use this service as another way of letting people know where you are and what you are doing while in our country.