Oceania · Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand

Flag of New Zealand
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC-11:00
🏛️ Capital
Wellington
👥 Population
5,324,700
📐 Area
268,838 km²
💱 Currency
New Zealand dollar ($)
🗣️ Languages
English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
📞 Calling Code
+64
🕐 Time Zones
UTC-11:00, UTC-10:00, UTC+12:00, UTC+12:45, UTC+13:00
🌐 Region
Oceania / Australia and New Zealand

About New Zealand

New Zealand is a country of almost impossible natural splendor — a long, thin archipelago flung into the South Pacific where volcanic peaks, ancient glaciers, fjords carved by ice-age forces, and golden surf beaches exist within a few hours of each other. Travelers who make the long journey to this remote corner of the world are invariably rewarded with landscapes of staggering drama and a culture of genuine outdoor enthusiasm that is absolutely infectious. This is a place where adventure is not an optional add-on but the default setting of everyday life.

The North Island pulses with geothermal energy, from the boiling mud pools and geysers of Rotorua to the otherworldly volcanic plateau of Tongariro, whose twin peaks double as the fires of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings films. Auckland, the vibrant Pacific harbor city, offers world-class dining, island day trips, and a cosmopolitan energy shaped by Maori, Pacific Islander, and immigrant communities from across the globe. Wellington, the compact, windy capital on the southern tip, punches far above its size in culture, cuisine, and creative energy.

The South Island is where New Zealand's landscape escalates to the cinematic. Fiordland National Park holds Milford Sound, arguably the world's most dramatic fjord. The Southern Alps offer epic ski fields and the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers descending impossibly close to subtropical rainforest. The vineyards of Marlborough, the boulders of the Catlins, and the historic gold-rush towns of Central Otago add human stories to a natural stage that seems almost too beautiful to be real.

History & Background

New Zealand was the last major landmass on earth to be settled by humans — Polynesian ancestors of the Maori arrived by waka (ocean-going canoes) from eastern Polynesia approximately 700 years ago, developing a sophisticated culture of agriculture, warfare, and artistic expression over the following centuries. Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted the islands in 1642 but was driven off by Maori warriors before landing. British Captain James Cook mapped the coastline in 1769–70, opening the way for whalers, missionaries, and settlers who arrived in growing numbers through the early nineteenth century.

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in February 1840, establishing British sovereignty while promising Maori full rights as Crown subjects — though dispute over the meaning of the Maori-language version fuels debate to this day. European settlement expanded rapidly, bringing conflict over land that culminated in the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s and the confiscation of millions of acres of Maori land. New Zealand was a self-governing colony from 1856 and became the world's first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893. Today New Zealand grapples with the ongoing work of honoring Treaty obligations, addressing Maori land grievances, and building a genuinely bicultural society.

Culture & People

New Zealand's culture is a dynamic and evolving partnership between Maori and Pakeha (European-descended) New Zealanders, increasingly enriched by Pacific Island and Asian immigrant communities. Maori culture — with its powerful haka war dances, intricate ta moko tattoo traditions, wharenui meeting houses, and profound oral literature — is not a museum piece but a living force shaping national identity, language, and law. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between the Crown and Maori chiefs, remains the nation's founding document and continues to be reinterpreted in efforts toward greater equity.

New Zealanders — Kiwis — are known for their self-deprecating humor, egalitarian values, outdoor lifestyle, and fierce sporting passion, particularly for rugby union, where the All Blacks carry national pride with a weight that might seem disproportionate to a country of five million. The arts scene is surprisingly strong: from the internationally celebrated films of Peter Jackson to the literature of Eleanor Catton and the music of Lorde, New Zealand produces creative talent far out of proportion to its population size. The country's relaxed, informal social culture makes visitors feel welcome quickly; an invitation to a backyard barbecue should always be accepted.

Food & Cuisine

New Zealand's food culture is defined by exceptional quality ingredients from clean pastoral land and pristine coastal waters. Lamb and venison raised on lush pastures are world-renowned for their flavor; a simple grilled New Zealand lamb rack with fresh herbs is an experience in itself. Green-lipped mussels, Bluff oysters, crayfish (rock lobster), and paua (abalone) represent the extraordinary bounty of New Zealand's unpolluted seas. The wine regions of Marlborough (world-famous Sauvignon Blanc), Central Otago (Pinot Noir), and Hawke's Bay complete a food-and-drink picture of exceptional local provenance.

Maori cooking tradition centers on the hangi — a feast cooked in an earth oven using heated stones, where meats and vegetables wrapped in wet cloths steam for several hours to produce a deeply flavored, smoky tenderness unlike anything else. Experiencing a hangi at a Maori cultural event in Rotorua is a highlight of any New Zealand trip. The country's café culture is among the world's best, with flat whites and single-origin filter coffees taken seriously in even small towns. Pavlova — a meringue dessert topped with whipped cream and fresh kiwifruit — is the dessert claimed with passionate pride as New Zealand's own invention.

Top Attractions

  • Milford Sound, Fiordland — Sheer cliff walls rising 1,200 meters from black water, thundering waterfalls, and resident dolphins make this arguably the world's most dramatic fjord.
  • Tongariro Alpine Crossing — New Zealand's most popular day hike crosses volcanic craters, emerald lakes, and ancient lava flows on the North Island's volcanic plateau.
  • Queenstown — The self-styled adventure capital of the world offers bungee jumping, skydiving, jetboating, skiing, and some of New Zealand's finest fine dining and wine experiences.
  • Bay of Islands, Northland — 144 subtropical islands offering sailing, dolphin watching, and the historically significant site of the Treaty of Waitangi.
  • Rotorua — The steaming geothermal heartland of New Zealand offers geysers, boiling mud pools, Maori cultural performances, and the famous Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland.
  • Abel Tasman National Park — Golden-sand beaches, clear blue lagoons, and a world-famous coastal track accessible by kayak or water taxi in Nelson/Tasman region.

Practical Travel Tips

  • New Zealand distances are deceptive — driving between destinations takes much longer than maps suggest due to winding mountain and coastal roads; build in generous time for road travel.
  • Book accommodation, Milford Sound cruises, and popular Great Walks (Tongariro, Routeburn, Kepler) months in advance, especially for December through February.
  • New Zealand's UV radiation is among the world's most intense due to the thin ozone layer — apply SPF 50 sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days.
  • The weather changes rapidly, especially in Fiordland, the Southern Alps, and Wellington; always carry a waterproof jacket and layered clothing regardless of forecast.
  • New Zealand has strict biosecurity laws — declare all food, plant, and animal products at customs or face substantial fines; compliance protects the pristine environment.
  • Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country; freedom camping is permitted in many areas but always check local council rules before setting up.
  • Respect the Maori custom of hongi (pressing noses and foreheads together) if offered as a greeting — it is a profound gesture of connection and should be accepted graciously.

Visa Overview

New Zealand requires most visitors to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before arrival, including citizens from Australia (who are exempt), the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and many others. The NZeTA is applied for online and costs NZD 23, plus an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD 35. Citizens of countries not eligible for the NZeTA must apply for a visitor visa at a New Zealand embassy. Always check the Immigration New Zealand website for the most current requirements before booking.

Getting Around

New Zealand has two main international airports at Auckland and Christchurch, with Wellington also receiving some international flights. Air New Zealand and Jetstar operate frequent domestic flights between major cities. Self-driving is the most popular and recommended way to explore — roads are well-maintained and driving is on the left. Campervans and motorhomes are extremely popular. InterCity buses connect major towns along scenic routes. Scenic rail journeys including the TranzAlpine (Christchurch to Greymouth) and Northern Explorer are tourist highlights in their own right.

Safety Notes

New Zealand is a very safe travel destination with low crime rates. The main safety risks are environmental: flash flooding, earthquakes (the country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire), and sudden mountain weather changes. Always check weather forecasts before hiking, register your intentions with DOC or a friend, and carry emergency supplies. Ocean swimming carries strong rip current risks — swim between the flags at patrolled beaches. Sandflies in Fiordland and the West Coast are not dangerous but are aggressively irritating; insect repellent is essential in those areas.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in New Zealand.

New Zealand dollar (NZD) $
Updated: 2026-05-20
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 6.320741
AAVE 0.006600
ADA 2.341478
AED 2.156157
AFN 36.896858
AGIX 6.948457
AKT 0.741227
ALGO 5.005408
ALL 48.203525
AMD 215.982404
AMP 696.621260
ANG 1.058286
AOA 538.323120
APE 4.010511
APT 0.613298
AR 0.263179
ARB 5.188030
ARS 820.770729
ATOM 0.291649
ATS 6.950188
AUD 0.820542
AVAX 0.062697
AWG 1.050925
AXS 0.482053
AZM 4,990.423713
AZN 0.998085
BAKE 675.440137
BAM 0.987870
BAT 5.903576
BBD 1.174217
BCH 0.001573
BDT 72.171771
BEF 20.375275
BGN 0.987870
BHD 0.220753
BIF 1,748.252885
BMD 0.587109
BNB 0.000903
BND 0.750344
BOB 4.056527
BRL 2.938692
BSD 0.587109
BSV 0.038950
BSW 791.834946
BTC 0.000008
BTG 1.836706
BTN 56.761179
BTT 1,821,176.034407
BUSD 0.587360
BWP 7.964086
BYN 1.608684
BYR 16,086.840618
BZD 1.182111
CAD 0.807306
CAKE 0.400247
CDF 1,347.410432
CELO 7.172999
CFX 9.892608
CHF 0.462224
CHZ 12.782059
CLP 527.662384
CNH 3.992815
CNY 3.993001
COMP 0.025680
COP 2,179.272103
CRC 265.497683
CRO 8.472568
CRV 2.442362
CSPR 197.805053
CUC 0.587109
CUP 14.090904
CVE 55.696259
CVX 0.339824
CYP 0.295616
CZK 12.273318
DAI 0.587461
DASH 0.011655
DCR 0.033632
DEM 0.987870
DFI 649.597038
DJF 104.647101
DKK 3.774475
DOGE 5.612685
DOP 34.577719
DOT 0.468811
DYDX 3.841964
DZD 77.919623
EEK 7.902959
EGLD 0.147983
EGP 31.366474
ENJ 12.994905
EOS 7.203429
ERN 8.806630
ESP 84.039882
ETB 94.772544
ETC 0.064668
ETH 0.000274
EUR 0.505090
EURC 0.504713
FEI 0.590655
FIL 0.605393
FIM 3.003128
FJD 1.292334
FKP 0.436761
FLOW 16.253604
FLR 70.261316
FRAX 0.591346
FRF 3.313172
FTT 1.789115
GALA 171.560137
GBP 0.436761
GEL 1.566690
GGP 0.436761
GHC 67,796.501616
GHS 6.779650
GIP 0.436761
GMD 43.221937
GMX 0.087778
GNF 5,150.566980
GNO 0.004911
GRD 172.109371
GRT 23.237661
GT 0.082906
GTQ 4.476506
GUSD 0.588369
GYD 122.819006
HBAR 6.560065
HKD 4.598816
HNL 15.616955
HNT 0.707162
HOT 1,453.763269
HRK 3.805600
HT 4.071680
HTG 76.874936
HUF 181.650755
ICP 0.229481
IDR 10,365.734997
IEP 0.397791
ILS 1.705688
IMP 0.436761
IMX 3.393577
INJ 0.115567
INR 56.761179
IQD 769.208728
IRR 775,999.480929
ISK 72.430686
ITL 977.990352
JEP 0.436761
JMD 92.909828
JOD 0.416260
JPY 93.287166
KAS 16.795404
KAVA 9.948293
KCS 0.073231
KDA 71.000111
KES 76.030072
KGS 51.356056
KHR 2,355.030927
KLAY 11.480291
KMF 248.487924
KNC 4.084838
KPW 528.408595
KRW 878.709199
KSM 0.117143
KWD 0.181338
KYD 0.488249
KZT 277.274378
LAK 12,882.094665
LBP 52,411.666508
LDO 1.621969
LEO 0.058390
LINK 0.060768
LKR 202.312540
LRC 34.840316
LRD 107.471426
LSL 9.669696
LTC 0.010801
LTL 1.743974
LUF 20.375275
LUNA 9.171113
LUNC 7,649.973196
LVL 0.354977
LYD 3.737454
MAD 5.415920
MANA 6.564321
MBX 15.004234
MDL 10.205719
MGA 2,465.398457
MGF 12,326.992285
MINA 10.234623
MKD 31.135330
MKR 0.000343
MMK 1,232.774160
MNT 2,100.847997
MOP 4.736780
MRO 234.696402
MRU 23.469640
MTL 0.216835
MUR 27.831380
MVR 9.068107
MWK 1,018.077430
MXN 10.156480
MXV 1.153494
MYR 2.330476
MZM 37,497.204086
MZN 37.497204
NAD 9.669696
NEAR 0.351247
NEO 0.201647
NEXO 0.664393
NFT 2,078,121.192454
NGN 805.300297
NIO 21.607535
NLG 1.113072
NOK 5.441444
NPR 90.860458
OKB 0.007229
OMR 0.226010
ONE 289.118756
OP 4.514495
ORDI 0.136982
PAB 0.587109
PAXG 0.000130
PEN 2.006983
PEPE 156,673.552704
PGK 2.560358
PHP 36.100048
PI 3.866279
PKR 163.604680
PLN 2.145444
POL 6.451951
PTE 101.261426
PYG 3,621.571630
QAR 2.137076
QNT 0.007953
QTUM 0.651809
ROL 26,457.468137
RON 2.645747
RPL 0.335662
RSD 59.309189
RUB 41.978915
RUNE 1.329673
RVN 106.494670
RWF 859.407599
SAND 8.087874
SAR 2.201658
SBD 4.718073
SCR 8.585127
SDD 35,238.130080
SDG 352.381301
SEK 5.483058
SGD 0.750344
SHIB 100,966.875627
SHP 0.436761
SIT 121.039735
SKK 15.216337
SLE 13.415385
SLL 13,415.384763
SNX 1.848491
SOL 0.006762
SOS 335.051459
SPL 0.097851
SRD 21.802592
SRG 21,802.591976
SSP 2,763.793917
STD 12,473.514274
STN 12.473514
STX 2.407877
SUI 0.544019
SVC 5.137201
SYP 64.904534
SZL 9.669696
THB 19.116051
THETA 2.898324
TJS 5.457552
TMM 10,300.427116
TMT 2.060085
TND 1.706165
TON 0.284511
TOP 1.413958
TRL 26,762,015.376443
TRX 1.638520
TRY 26.762015
TTD 3.981386
TUSD 0.587920
TVD 0.820542
TWD 18.546338
TWT 1.267426
TZS 1,534.318899
UAH 25.991808
UGX 2,214.665763
UNI 0.162511
USD 0.587109
USDC 0.587413
USDD 0.587449
USDP 0.588021
USDT 0.587802
UYU 23.677057
UZS 7,098.975640
VAL 977.990352
VEB 30,444,020,926.5746
VED 304.429478
VEF 30,442,947.750387
VES 304.429478
VET 87.937249
VND 15,481.074457
VUV 69.840732
WAVES 1.510560
WEMIX 2.096780
WOO 34.070721
WST 1.589781
XAF 331.317232
XAG 0.007725
XAU 0.000129
XAUT 0.000130
XBT 0.000008
XCD 1.589556
XCG 1.058286
XCH 0.162309
XDC 16.754673
XDR 0.429730
XEC 80,709.344615
XEM 873.870886
XLM 4.065057
XMR 0.001452
XOF 331.317232
XPD 0.000426
XPF 60.273254
XPT 0.000300
XRP 0.426442
XTZ 1.715193
YER 140.094543
ZAR 9.669696
ZEC 0.000898
ZIL 147.637151
ZMK 11,150.473764
ZMW 11.150474
ZWD 212.474632
ZWG 15.408514
ZWL 38,501.627184

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Cities in New Zealand 263
Browse all cities and towns
Ahipara Akaroa Albert-Eden Alexandra Amberley Aotea Great Barrier Arrowtown Ashburton Ashhurst Auckland Balclutha Beachlands Bethlehem Blenheim Bluff Brighton Brightwater Bulls Burnham Cambridge Carterton Christchurch Clarks Beach Clive Clyde Coromandel Cromwell Dannevirke Darfield Dargaville Devonport-Takapuna Diamond Harbour Drury Dunedin Edgecumbe Eltham Fairlie Featherston Feilding Ferrymead Flaxmere Foxton Foxton Beach Franklin Geraldine Gisborne Gore Greerton Greymouth Greytown Hamilton Hanmer Springs Haruru Hastings Haumoana Havelock Havelock North Hāwera Helensville Henderson Henderson-Massey Hibiscus and Bays Hibiscus Coast Hikurangi Hillcrest Hillsborough Hokitika Hope Hornby Howick Huapai Huntly Inglewood Invercargill Johnsonville Kaiapoi Kaikohe Kaikōura Kaipātiki Kaitaia Kapiti Katikati Kawakawa Kawerau Kerikeri Kihikihi Kinloch Kumeū Lake Hāwea Leeston Levin Lincoln Linwood Lower Hutt Lynfield Lyttelton Maketu Mangawhai Mangawhai Heads Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Manukau Manurewa Māpua Maraetai Marsden Point Martinborough Marton Masterton Matamata Mataura Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Maungatapere Methven Milton Miramar Moerewa Morrinsville Mosgiel Motueka Mount Maunganui Mt. Roskill Muriwai Murupara Napier Nelson New Brighton New Plymouth Ngāruawāhia Ngatea Ngongotahā Ngunguru Normanby North Shore Ōakura Oamaru Ōamaru Ohakune Ōhope Ōmokoroa Onehunga Onerahi Ōpōtiki Opua Ōpunake Ōrākei Orewa Otahuhu Ōtaki Ōtaki Beach Ōtara-Papatoetoe Ōtorohanga Oxford Paekākāriki Paeroa Pahiatua Paihia Palmerston North Panmure Papakura Papamoa Papanui Papatoetoe Parakai Paraparaumu Pātea Patumāhoe Pauanui Pegasus Picton Picton Pirongia Pleasant Point Pōkeno Ponsonby Porirua Prebbleton Pukekohe Pukekohe Puketāpapa Putāruru Queenstown Raetihi Raglan Rakaia Rangiora Reefton Renwick Riccarton Richmond Riverhead Riverton / Aparima Rodney Rolleston Rotorua Royal Oak Runanga Sandringham Shannon Snells Beach Stokes Valley Stratford Sumner Taihape Tairua Tākaka Takanini Taradale Taumarunui Taupō Tauranga Tawa Te Anau Te Aroha Te Awamutu Te Kamo Te Kauwhata Te Kūiti Te Puke Temuka Thames Timaru Tokoroa Tuakau Tūrangi Twizel Upper Harbour Upper Hutt Waiheke Waihi Waihi Beach Waikanae Waikouaiti Waimate Wainuiomata Waipawa Waipū Waipukurau Wairarapa Wairoa Waitakere Waitākere Ranges Waitara Waitematā Waiuku Waiuku Wakefield Wānaka Warkworth Warkworth Wellington Wellsford West Melton Westport Whakatāne Whangamatā Whanganui Whangārei Whau Whitby Whitianga Winton Woodend Woodville

Other Time Zones in New Zealand

Detailed local time across various regions of the country.

Local Time
--:--:--
UTC-10:00
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+12:00
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+12:45
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+13:00

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of New Zealand needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of New Zealand?
The capital of New Zealand is Wellington.
What currency does New Zealand use?
New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar ($) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in New Zealand?
The official language(s) of New Zealand include English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language.
What is the population of New Zealand?
New Zealand has a population of approximately 5,324,700 people.
What region is New Zealand in?
New Zealand is located in Oceania, specifically in the Australia and New Zealand subregion.
What is the international calling code for New Zealand?
The international dialing code for New Zealand is +64.
What time zones does New Zealand observe?
New Zealand observes the following time zone(s): UTC-11:00, UTC-10:00, UTC+12:00, UTC+12:45, UTC+13:00.
What is the current time in New Zealand?
The local time in New Zealand is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of New Zealand?
New Zealand covers a total area of 268,838 km².
How many states or provinces does New Zealand have?
New Zealand is divided into 19 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in New Zealand in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for New Zealand in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of New Zealand?
Visa requirements for citizens of New Zealand vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.