New Zealand is generally a safe place to visit, but it’s important to plan ahead and follow some health and safety precautions.

Staying Healthy in New Zealand

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not list any travel health notices for New Zealand at this time, or any special food or water precautions.

However, it does advise that when visiting rural or remote areas that are served by unregulated water sources, such as private wells, travelers should take special precautions to ensure the safety of their drinking water.

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Common Diseases Found in New Zealand

With traveling to New Zealand, the risk of contracting diseases is low, but there are some common travel-related illnesses to be aware of. These preventable diseases include:

  • Rheumatic fever: A serious illness that primarily affects children and young adults, it’s caused by a reaction to untreated strep throat or scarlet fever infections. Certain populations, particularly Māori and Pacific communities, are at a higher risk of developing rheumatic fever in New Zealand.
  • Leptospirosis: In rural areas of New Zealand, where farming and outdoor activities are common, there is a small risk of exposure to leptospirosis. This bacteria infection could be contacted through water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals. It’s important to practice proper hygiene and avoid contact with potentially contaminated soil or water.
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Required New Zealand Vaccinations for US Travelers

The CDC recommends staying up to date with routine vaccinations and keeping an eye on the latest COVID-19 vaccine requirements for travel to New Zealand.

You should get any recommended or required vaccinations at least a month before your trip.

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Hospitals in New Zealand

If you find yourself in need of medical services during your time in New Zealand, you’ll have several options. New Zealand has both public and private hospitals.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation can in part pay for your care for physical injuries.

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Emergency Assistance in New Zealand

The emergency number in New Zealand for police, fire, and ambulance is 111. If you need to contact the police for any urgent matter, dial 105.

New Zealand Police has a safety guide with specific information for visitors, as well as a list of police stations within New Zealand’s main towns, cities, and rural areas.

New Zealand’s mobile carriers, such as 2degrees Mobile, offer a text-messaging service for visitors. Visitors can text their location and travel movements to 7233 (SAFE). These details are not monitored but rather kept on a central database, which can be accessed on request to help police find you.

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Bringing Medications Into New Zealand

Visitors bringing in a quantity of prescription medication are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid possible problems with New Zealand Customs on arrival. Doctor’s prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in New Zealand.

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Travel Insurance

It’s best to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for any loss of expensive items, like laptops or cameras, and cover any medical or travel costs associated with illness, accidents, or injuries. If you think you may need a medical evacuation, you’ll need extra coverage.

For COVID-19, make certain that your plan includes coverage relating to medical expenses, trip amendments, and cancellations.

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Travel Insurance

It’s best to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for any loss of expensive items, like laptops or cameras, and cover any medical or travel costs associated with illness, accidents, or injuries. If you think you may need a medical evacuation, you’ll need extra coverage.

For COVID-19, make certain that your plan includes coverage relating to medical expenses, trip amendments, and cancellations.

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Water and Swimming

Generally, the tap water in New Zealand is safe to drink and use in activities like brushing your teeth, especially within the larger cities. Quality in certain rural areas might vary after natural disasters such as earthquakes. The quality of the water can also depend upon its source location, due to minerals or being treated with chlorine.

If you prefer to err on the side of caution, bottled water is available for purchase in most locations. Restaurants and hospitality businesses in New Zealand are required by law to provide free drinking water to customers who request it.

It’s best to avoid drinking water from rivers, lakes, and other natural sources, as they might contain contaminants.

As for swimming, New Zealand has beaches and waterways aplenty. However, these waters can also be deceiving, as their conditions can change quickly. Exercise caution at the beach, where currents, rips (a strong channel of water with a strong current heading out to sea), and other events can occur. Rivers may also have strong currents, and lakes may have rocky or uneven bottoms.

If you see red and yellow flags at the beach, stay between them—these flags indicate which spots are safest for swimming. Never swim alone, and especially watch out for children; listen to the on-duty lifeguard’s instructions as well.

Practicing personal safety while in the water in New Zealand is crucial. Surf Life Saving NZ has tips on staying safe at the beach, with information on spotting hazards including rips, tides, waves, and holes (a deep area of the shore bed).

Through Safeswim, you can get up-to-date information on lifeguard patrol times, beach hazards, safety warnings, water quality, and swimming conditions at various locations.

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Mosquitoes and Other Insects

New Zealand has 15 species of mosquitoes, as well as “exotic mosquitoes” imported from overseas through various means of transport.

As mosquitoes can carry illnesses like malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya, you’ll want to take steps to protect yourself. Carry and use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and long pants, and sleep under a mosquito net at night.

Sandflies can cause discomfort and itching, especially in certain regions, like the West Coast of the South Island. To prevent insect bites, it’s recommended to use insect repellent and wear protective clothing.

New Zealand also has certain areas where ticks could be prevalent; in particular, forested or grassy regions. If you plan on going hiking or spending time in rural areas, wear long sleeves, tuck pants into your socks, and use insect repellent.

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Air Quality

According to Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA), New Zealand has relatively good air quality on average. However, at certain times of the year, some areas of New Zealand can have undesirable levels of air pollution.

You can check on your location’s air quality via sources such as IQAir, a company that tracks air quality worldwide. If the quality is bad, try to avoid being outdoors for long periods of time or wear a mask.

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Staying Safe in New Zealand

As New Zealand is a major adventure-sports destination, it’s best to practice caution and pre-planning. Here’s what you as a traveler should know about staying safe in New Zealand.

Outdoor Safety In New Zealand

Sunburn should be of serious concern, as New Zealand has a high ultraviolet index, especially during the summer months. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses and seeking shade during peak UV hours.

Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. As sunlight can also reflect off of snow, sand, and water, be mindful of the possibility of increased sun exposure while doing things like skiing, swimming, and sailing.

If you’re planning to head out into bush or mountain areas, it’s best to talk to staff members at a local visitor information center or Department of Conservation (DOC) visitor information center on how to best prepare for your excursion.

New Zealand is also home to geothermal pools and dormant volcanoes. If you plan to visit a region known for volcanic activity, it’s best to stay updated on the latest warnings with GeoNet’s Volcanic Activity Bulletins and the Department of Conservation’s Volcanic Risk Information page.

Thermal pools can be extremely hot or have toxic gasses and fumes at the surface. If you’re near an active geothermal area, wear sturdy covered footwear, stay behind barriers, and observe safety signs.

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Resources for Outdoor Safety in New Zealand

The Plan My Walk app aids in planning treks into nature through filtering categories, including length of time, range of difficulty, and geographical regions, along with accessibility and if dogs are allowed. The app can also provide weather alerts and a gear list.

AdventureSmart is another resource for heading into the great outdoors on land or water and has a feature for sharing your plans with others in case of emergency.

A highly suggested option is to purchase a personal locator beacon that produces a location signal for help and enables emergency personnel to respond to your distress. You can register your locator beacon at no cost with the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, the island country’s largest search-and-rescue organization.

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Wildlife Safety in New Zealand

With wildlife, it’s best to give New Zealand’s birds, reptiles, and marine mammals some space and leave them untouched and undisturbed.

New Zealand’s native Kauri trees are at risk for Kauri dieback disease, a fungus-type pathogen that damages the tree’s root system. It’s advised to prevent its spread by cleaning your footwear with disinfectant and scrubbing brushes at the beginning of any Department of Walking tracks.

When visiting pest-free islands, or islands that are becoming pest-free, make sure you check your gear before you leave the mainland for pests, such as insects. Clean your footwear and gear to remove any possible soil or seeds, and ensure that your bagged gear is zipped up. Upon arriving on a pest-free island, it’s possible that rangers will have you recheck your gear.

Crime in New Zealand

Generally, New Zealand is a safe place to visit. Violent crime isn’t a major issue in New Zealand, but petty crimes can happen in major cities, such as Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, and around tourist attractions. If you’re driving around, store your valuables within the trunk of your car or camper van.

Pickpocketing isn’t common, but it can be more likely to occur in public places that travelers often frequent, including bus, ferry, and train stations, scenic spots, urban shopping streets, and bar and restaurant centers.

In case you need police assistance, there are police stations in all of New Zealand’s main towns and cities and in many rural areas. The emergency number for police, fire, and ambulance is 111. For non-emergencies, including theft, dial 105. New Zealand Police has a guide to safety for visitors.

New Zealand has a culture of drinking and drug-related behavior, and if it gets out of hand it can lead to arguments or fights. If you happen to be at a bar, do not leave your drink unattended.

You should also be alert to common scams, like overcharging taxis or fraudulent accommodation, government or tourism websites, or new “friends” who want to show you around town.

Exercise common sense and keep yourself safe from petty crime in New Zealand by:

  • Staying in busy, well-lit areas
  • Avoid badly lit and unfamiliar areas at night
  • Don’t carry large amounts of cash or valuable personal belongings
  • Be aware of your surroundings
  • Take a cab or a rideshare service, like Uber, if it’s late at night
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Crime Against Women

New Zealand is usually a safe destination for women, but they too should also be mindful of their surroundings. There have been newspaper reports of women experiencing street harassment in major city centers and on public transportation. On trains or buses, women are advised to alert drivers or conductors if they are being harassed.

Women should also let someone they trust know of their travel plans, especially if going on a remote hike or adventure activity.

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LGBTQ+ Safety

New Zealand is considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the world, with legal protections and a generally inclusive society. Among many milestones, New Zealander Georgina Beyer was the world’s first openly transgender member of parliament upon her swearing in in 1999.

Same-sex civil unions have been recognized in New Zealand since 2004, and same-sex marriages and adoption by same-sex couples since 2013.

There are pride festivals in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, along with a Winter Pride Festival in Queenstown.

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Civil Unrest

New Zealand is not unaffected by social or political issues that can lead to public demonstrations, such as various protests during the former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s term.

Stay alert to potential civil unrest during your travels by reading local news. Monitor local media, and if strikes or riots do take place in the area you’re traveling, stay away from the affected areas and stay indoors.

It’s also best to avoid demonstrations or protests, as New Zealand authorities could misinterpret your presence as participation, potentially leading to arrest and legal issues.

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Terrorism

In the wake of the March 2019 mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, officials in New Zealand took measures to strengthen the country’s security. The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service details what is being done to counter potential threats and the rank of current terrorism threat level.

Avoid terrorist attacks by:

  • Stay informed of local news and events
  • Avoid strikes, protests, demonstrations, and riots
  • Stay indoors and safe during attacks
  • Contact emergency services and your country’s embassy

Climate and Natural Disasters

Depending on where you’re traveling in New Zealand, you may encounter natural disasters.

Due to New Zealand’s positioning on the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, the island country is subject to earthquakes, with most being too small to be felt. However, large and damaging earthquakes do occur, such as the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.

Earthquakes happening under or near the ocean can trigger tsunamis. The east coast of North Island and the northern part of the South Island are especially at risk for tsunamis.

There are several active volcanoes in New Zealand, the most being White Island (Whakaari), Mt Ruapehu, and Mt Tongariro. Eruptions can occur without warning, as seen with the eruption on White Island in 2019.

Cyclones occasionally can hit the North Island and the northern part of the South Island, bringing in heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal inundation.

While traveling around New Zealand, monitor local media and weather reports to try and avoid disaster areas. If you do find yourself experiencing a natural disaster, follow instructions from local authorities and contact your country’s nearest New Zealand embassy for consular assistance as soon as possible.

Local Laws in New Zealand

While traveling in New Zealand, it’s important to obey the local laws—including those regarding alcohol consumption—to avoid getting fined, arrested, or deported.

When driving in New Zealand, you drive on the left side of the road and adhere to strict laws involving drinking and driving and speeding. Drivers and all passengers are required by law to wear seat belts at all times. The use of cell phones while driving is also prohibited.

You must have a current and valid driver’s license or international driving permit. If in New Zealand for more than 12 months, you’ll need to gain a New Zealand driver license.

The New Zealand government has tough laws on littering, with fines given for discarding trash in public places. For example, in Auckland a fine for a first offense can be between NZ$100 and $400. A fine for subsequent offense within a 365-day period is $400.

The legal drinking age is 18, and you must provide a valid photo ID (such as a passport or New Zealand–issued driver’s license) to purchase alcohol. Most towns and cities in New Zealand have liquor bans in designated public places, such as the central business district or around sports stadiums. Drinking alcohol or having an open alcohol container in a liquor ban area could lead to arrest or a $250 fine.

Embassies and Consulates in New Zealand

If something happens to you during your time in New Zealand, reach out to your country’s embassy or consulate for assistance. While they can’t provide legal assistance, they can offer guidance and advice for next steps.

Stay Safe and Have Fun in New Zealand

Obtaining the proper visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a New Zealand visa. Start your visa application process.

Doing your research before traveling helps you avoid issues and be prepared in case of an emergency. For more information on other aspects of travel to New Zealand, including local laws, health and safety, local customs and culture, and the visa types available, visit our New Zealand content hub.