HEALTH AND SAFETY

Twin Coast Cycle, Opua
Twin Coast Cycle, Opua, New Zealand

By Camilla Rutherford

We want all visitors to have a safe and enjoyable time in New Zealand.

New Zealand is a safe place to travel - it just pays to prepare and take a few precautions. Here are simple, responsible travel tips to help you keep safe while travelling.

Tips for safe travel in New Zealand

Hiking Abel Tasman National Park
Nelson Tasman
Hiking Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Tasman

By Nelson Regional Development Agency

While travelling around New Zealand, take the same precautions you would in any other country. To make sure you have a comfortable and trouble-free trip, we recommend these steps.

  • Take copies of your important documents (like your passport and credit cards), and keep them separate from the originals.
  • Don’t hesitate to dial New Zealand’s emergency phone number if you feel unsafe or threatened - dial 111. Calls are free.
  • 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.
  • Store valuables securely, ideally in a safe at your accommodation. Never leave valuables or important documents in parked vehicles.
  • 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.

Staying safe in New Zealand's natural environment

Walk through valleys of ice on a trip to Fox Glacier, on the western edge of the South Island. This unique natural wonder is best explored by foot.
West Coast
Fox Glacier, West Coast

By Alistair Guthrie

Most visitors come to New Zealand to enjoy our unique natural environment but visitors can 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 to seek advice from others, especially your local i-SITE or Department of Conservation (DOC) Visitor Information Centre on how to be best prepared.

  1. Changeable weather: New Zealand’s weather can change extremely quickly and can be severe at times. A day that starts out sunny may turn cold, wet and windy. You must always be prepared for wet, cold weather if you are heading out into the bush, the mountains or onto the water. On days when it is sunny, remember that New Zealand’s clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe or North America, so be prepared to wear hats and sun block. Always check the weather forecast and be prepared for four seasons in one day. Check weather conditions and any alerts by DOC(opens in new window) before you set out on a walk or hike. Treat all weather warnings seriously. 

  2. Challenging terrain: Don’t underestimate any “walk” outside of the main centres. You need to be reasonably fit to enjoy our bush, mountains and national parks. Check out the recommended level of fitness required for any walk before you head off. You also need the right clothing and proper footwear. A cheap raincoat will not keep you warm and dry in the bush or in windy conditions. Shoes that you wear on the street will not be good enough when you are walking on muddy tracks or climbing over rocks. 

  3. Tell someone where you are going: Tell someone your plans and leave a date for when to raise the alarm if you haven’t returned. Leave a detailed trip plan with the Department of Conservation (DOC) or a friend including a "panic" date, the more details we have about your intentions, the quicker you’ll be rescued if something goes wrong. You can find a handy Outdoor Intentions form on the AdventureSmart website(opens in new window).

  4. Be prepared for anything and everything: Being well prepared means considering everything above. You need the right clothing, footwear and equipment, and make sure you have enough food and water to cover you in an emergency. Follow all safety precautions as per the outdoor safety tips on the AdventureSmart website(opens in new window). 

  5. If lost, seek shelter and stay where you are. Use a torch/camera flash to attract attention at night. Try and position something highly coloured and visible from the air to help a helicopter search during the day.

For more information visit the AdventureSmart(opens in new window) website.

Safety in the water

Surfing in Raglan
Surfing in Raglan, New Zealand

By Camilla Rutherford

New Zealand’s 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. Never 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.

Volcanic activity

Guided walk on Mount Tarawera
Rotorua
Guided walk on Mount Tarawera, Rotorua

By Kaitiaki Adventures

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. 

Accidents and health insurance

New Zealand’s original off-road cycling adventure is the Otago Central Rail Trail, a 150km journey between Middlemarch and Clyde in Central Otago.
Central Otago
Otago Central Rail Trail, Central Otago

By Hedgehog House

With a bit of care and common sense, your visit to New Zealand should be accident-free. If you are injured here, you may need the help of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) - New Zealand's accident compensation scheme.

In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured. Instead, ACC helps pay for your care - and that means paying towards the cost of your treatment and assisting in your recovery while you remain in New Zealand.

You still need to purchase your own travel and medical insurance because ACC does not cover everything:

ACC only covers treatment and rehabilitation in New Zealand, and usually, you must pay part of the cost yourself.

ACC does not pay any additional costs resulting from an accident, for example, delayed or curtailed travel costs, travel home, treatment at home and loss of income in your home country.
We strongly advise you to arrange your own health insurance. New Zealand's public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service, but it is important to note these services are not free to visitors, except as a result of an accident.

Keeping safe via text messaging

The famous Wellington cable car climbs the hill from downtown Lambton Quay to the Botanic Garden.
Wellington
Wellington Cable Car, Wellington

By Julian Apse

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.

Medication and vaccinations

Auckland Viaduct at dusk
Auckland
Auckland Viaduct at dusk, Auckland

By ATEED

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.

Driving in New Zealand

Important things you need to know about driving in New Zealand.

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