HEALTH AND SAFETY

Hiking Ben Lomond
Queenstown
Hiking Ben Lomond, Queenstown

By Destination Queenstown

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

Tips for safe travel in New Zealand

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.

Keeping safe via text messaging

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.

Accidents and health insurance

With a little 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 helping 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.

Medication and vaccinations

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.

No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.