Due to the recent earthquakes in Christchurch the 2011 census has been put on hold until further notice. All information in this document regarding statistics in New Zealand will be taken from the 2006 census.

A Guide for New Residents

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1. Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to provide accurate, up-to-date information to incoming migrants to New Zealand on topics ranging from geography and wildlife through to social and political issues.

New Zealand is a multi-cultural society located in the South Pacific ocean to the east of Australia. New Zealand is also known by the Maori name, Aotearoa, literally translated as “The Land of the Long White Cloud”.

The broad range of subject matter covered in this guide means that most topics are presented at an overview level only. Elemensa is able to provide its clients with additional, more detailed information on many aspects of New Zealand life.

The information in this guide is maintained on a regular basis, and we aim for the highest standards of accuracy. However, Elemensa Limited provides this information to assist clients in making their own decisions, and accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or inconvenience incurred as a result of errors or omissions in this document.

Some government policy information is provided, but we strongly recommend that clients recheck any official government policies and procedures with the department concerned before acting on such information.

2. Geography

2.1 Location

New Zealand is situated in the south-west Pacific Ocean, with the major part of the country lying between 34° and 47° south latitude, and between 166° to 180° east longitude. The country’s nearest significant neighbour is Australia, some 1900 kilometres to the west.

2.2 Size

New Zealand is 270,534 sq km in area, similar in size to the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Colorado. The country consists of two major islands, the North Island at 116,000 sq km and the South Island at 151,000 sq km, which are separated by Cook Strait. A third island of 1700 sq km, Stewart Island, lies directly south of the South Island. The remaining land area is made up of many smaller outlying islands, some of which are as much as 900 kilometres from the mainland.

New Zealand is long and narrow, being 1600 km long and only 450 km wide at its widest part. As an island nation, the country has extensive coastline in comparison to its area, some 15,811 kilometres in all.

3. Major Cities

The major cities are Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington in the North Island, and Christchurch and Dunedin in the South Island. Wellington is the capital city, and is located at the southern tip of the North Island.

4. Landscape

International publications and commentators have made the following comments about New Zealand:

• A 2010 Gallup polling found New Zealand the 8th happiest country out of 132 countries.
• In the 2010 Quality of Living Survey, out of 221 cities, Auckland was given the 4th position in the world’s top five cities and Wellington kept its 12th position.
• New Zealand has been chosen as one of the top 10 destinations in the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2010 Guide.
• New Zealand was voted the favourite destination of readers of the British Guardian and Observer in the annual Readers’ Travel Awards in 2009.
• New Zealand was voted to be ‘the best at destination branding’ by national tourism organisations in a survey published by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and European Travel Commission in 2009.
• In 2008, Conde Nast Traveller (UK) magazine readers voted New Zealand as their favourite country to visit.
• The 2008 Sunday Times (UK) Travel magazine reader awards voted New Zealand as Best Worldwide Country.
• In 2008, a TripAdvisor internet survey voted New Zealand destinations Milford Sound and Queenstown as the first and second best travel destinations in the world.
• In 2007 and 2008, Wanderlust magazine gave New Zealand its “Top Country” award.
• In 2007, the International Living travel website ranked New Zealand as the 4th best country to live out of 193. It described New Zealand as “jaw-droppingly beautiful”.
• A 2006 survey of international tourists rated New Zealand’s top three attributes as friendly people, the scenery and safety.
• A Cool Brands (UK) poll in 2006 ranked New Zealand as the “coolest” travel destination ahead of Morocco and Fiji.
• New Zealand ranked first in the world for environmental performance on the Pilot 2006 Environmental Performance Index.

The country’s stunning landscape is now in high demand for film industry locations, as it offers great variation within a small geographical area. The Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings film trilogy was filmed on location in New Zealand and provides a good introduction to some of the more spectacular scenery. The Last Samurai, King Kong and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were also largely filmed in New Zealand.

The long sea coast provides many beautiful harbours, spectacular rocky cliffs, and long sandy beaches. The interior of both major islands is variously hilly and mountainous, with more than 220 named peaks higher than 2300 metres. The country is not only surrounded by water but also has many rivers and lakes. New Zealand is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, but experiences only moderate volcanic and earthquake activity in comparison to other countries. There are several active volcanoes (White Island, Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe), many more dormant ones, and significant thermal activity (particularly in the central North Island). The last significant eruptions, (Ruapehu, 1995 & 1996) were predominantly ash and steam. Earthquakes are fairly common in some areas, but these are generally minor with damage or injury occurring only rarely.

Highest Mountain Mt Cook/Aoraki 3,754m

Longest River Waikato 425 km

Largest Lake Taupo 606 sq km

5. Climate

New Zealand’s climate is significantly influenced by its oceanic location and its narrow, mountainous geography. The climate is generally regarded as mild with few extremes, although weather conditions can vary greatly over different parts of the country.

Most parts of New Zealand experience more than 2000 hours of sunshine annually. The temperature does not usually rise above 35°C or below -10°C anywhere in the country (and few areas reach these extremes). In January 2009, the highest recorded temperature was 37.2°C in Waione, (Wairarapa, North Island), and in June 2009 the lowest was -8.9°C at Hanmer Springs, (South Island).

Rainfall varies in different parts of the country, because of the impact of the major mountain ranges, and is generally higher in the western parts. In 2008, Cropp River in Westland (South Island) was the wettest place with 10,940mm of rain for the year, while Alexandra (Central Otago, South Island) was the driest with 376mm of rain.

Arrivals from the northern hemisphere should note that the seasons are reversed in New Zealand, i.e. Spring is September through November, Summer is December through February, Autumn is March through May (although March is still regarded as summer in many parts of the country), and Winter is June through August.

In the North Island, winters are generally mild and it is rare for snow to fall outside the mountainous areas. In the South Island winters are colder, with snowfalls in both the major cities of Christchurch and Dunedin.

Annual climatic averages for the four main centres are as follows:

Location	2009 Mean temp.(°C)	2009 Sunshine (hours)		2009 Rainfall (mm)
Auckland	14.6	2176	above normal	955	well below normal
Hamilton	13.2	2120	above normal	1088	below normal
Wellington	12.4	2079	near normal	1274	above normal
Christchurch	11.1	2170	near normal	589	below normal
Dunedin	10.8	1704	above normal	736	below normal

Source: NIWA, www.niwa.co.nz

The 2007 and 2008 figures for rainfall and sunshine in the four main centres were:

Centre	2009 Rainfall (mm)		2009 Sunshine (hrs)		Mean temp.(°C)
Auckland	955	well below normal	2176	above normal	14.6	below average
Wellington	1274	above normal	2079	near normal	12.4	below average
Christchurch	589	below normal	2170	near normal	11.1	below average
Dunedin	736	below normal	1704	above normal	10.8	below average

Source: NIWA, www.niwa.co.nz

6. Population

The source of population statistics in this section and throughout this document is Statistics New Zealand surveys, including the 2001 Census of Population and Dwellings. For further information check www.statistics.govt.nz.

People

New Zealand’s latest population estimates (Department of Statistics, September 2007) indicate a total resident population of about 4.24 million.

The largest population group at the time of the March 2006 Census was of European origin (Pakeha) (67.6%), while 14.6% were indigenous Maori, 9.2% were Asian, and 6.9% were of Pacific Island origin. 11% describe themselves as New Zealanders. (Note – respondents to the Census may identify with more than one ethnic group so totals may exceed 100%).

About 23% of New Zealand residents were born overseas at the time of the Census.

Population density is low compared to other countries of a similar land area. In latest OECD figures, New Zealand has the fifth lowest population density of all OECD countries, with 15 people per square km compared with 243 in the United Kingdom, and the OECD average of 33. However, it should be noted that there is not an even spread of population throughout the country, with 2006 Census figures indicating that 76% live in the North Island. Nearly one third of all New Zealanders live in the greater Auckland urban region.

New Zealand is also a highly urbanised country, with 85 % of the population living in urban centres according to United Nations 1997 figures. This compares with 89% in the United Kingdom, 85% in Australia and 76% in the United States.

The estimated resident populations of the major cities as at June 2008 (Statistics New Zealand, Subnational Population Estimates, Provisional) are:

• Auckland 1,313,100 (Auckland, North Shore, Waitakere, Manukau, Papakura)
• Wellington 381,900 (Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, & Porirua)
• Christchurch 382,200
• Dunedin 114,900
• Hamilton 194,800

The median age of the population as at March 2006 was 36 years. Life expectancy at birth for males is 76.7 years and for females is 81.2 years (Statistics New Zealand 2002).

7. Language

English is the mainstream language used.

New Zealand English has a distinctive accent when spoken, and its own peculiarities in the use of words and colloquial expressions. Spelling generally follows English rather than American usage, eg colour, cheque, centre, neighbour etc.

Maori is also an official language. Although spoken by only just over 4% of the population, its growth and use are actively encouraged by state policy and legislation. Te reo Maori (the Maori language) is now taught in an increasing number of schools.

Kohanga reo and kura kaupapa are pre-schools and schools in which children learn Maori values and culture, and are taught all subjects in te reo Maori. Most government departments have a Maori name as well as an English title, and many government advertisements and documents are published in both languages. Many organisations greet callers with the Maori greeting, “Kia Ora”. Many New Zealand names for places, flora and fauna are Maori words.

In Maori, there are 8 consonants (h,k,m,n,p,r,t,w). There are also two special consonants “ng” (which is pronounced like “n” if found at the beginning of a word, such as “Ngaio”, but more like the English “-ing” if found in the middle of a word, such as “Rongotai”) and “wh” (which is normally pronounced as “f”, but may be pronounced as a “w” in some regions, and by many people out of habit).

There are long and short versions of the 5 vowels, but a general guideline for beginners is to pronounce them as follows:

“a” – as in “bar”

“e” – like the “a” in “say”

“i” – like the “ee” in “see”

“o” – as in “hot”

“u” – like the “oo” in “moon”

The vowels are often represented as dipthongs – “ao”, “oa”, “ae”, etc. You will find many New Zealanders who still do not pronounce Maori words correctly, but a good guide is to listen to how radio and television presenters speak as they have been trained in the correct pronunciation. Many well-known place-names have been shortened in colloquial use, e.g. Paraparaumu is often referred to as “Paraparam” and Paekakariki is often called “Paekak”.

Following are some Maori expressions that are commonly used in New Zealand:

• Aotearoa New Zealand, “the land of the long white cloud”
• Haka War dance, challenge
• Hangi Feast prepared in a pit in the ground
• Haere mai Welcome
• Hui Meeting
• Iwi Tribe
• Kai Food
• Kaumatua Elder
• Kia ora Hello, good health
• Koha Donation
• Marae Meeting place
• Ngati Tribe
• Pakeha White person, European, non-Maori
• Tangata whenua People of the land, indigenous people, i.e. Maori
• Taonga Treasure
• Tiki Usually a carved, greenstone symbol, often representing an ancestor
• Whakapapa Genealogy
• Whanau Family group
• Whare House

8. History

8.1 Polynesian Migration

It is generally accepted that the Maori were a Polynesian race who came to New Zealand (Aotearoa – “The Land of the Long White Cloud”) by canoe in a series of migrations from Hawaiki, the location of which is unknown.

Maori legends tell of the discovery of Aotearoa by Kupe in around 950AD, and then of the Great Migration in 1350, and archaeological evidence establishes that Polynesians had settled in New Zealand by at least 1300.

It is thought the original settlers (known as “moa-hunters”), were nomadic, following the huge flightless bird, the moa (now extinct), which was their staple food. The later Maori settlers pursued an agricultural and hunting lifestyle, growing kumara (sweet potato), and hunting birds and fish. They developed a strong bond with the land, which is still intrinsic to today’s Maori culture, and practised their own forms of conservation.

The Maori developed very complex artistic, religious and cultural traditions. They also produced very effective and elaborate tools, weapons, ornaments and canoes. While they had no written language until the arrival of the Europeans in the 19th century, they had a very strong oral history which was passed down from generation to generation.

Maori society is tribal, and inter-tribal conflicts were common until the commencement of European settlement in the 1830s.

8.2 European Explorers

The first European explorer was the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman, who discovered the west coast of New Zealand in 1642 and gave the country its name – Nieuw Zeeland, later anglicised to New Zealand. His one attempt at landing was met with resistance by the local Maori.

The next European to visit was the British explorer, Captain James Cook, in 1769. His three voyages completed a circumnavigation and mapping of New Zealand. He made some friendly contact with Maori, aided by a Polynesian interpreter, and claimed the country for the British crown.

Further explorations were conducted by French explorers such as de Surville.

8.3 European Settlement

The earliest European settlers (Pakeha) were engaged in whaling and sealing, and their settlement was of a transitory nature. They introduced diseases and firearms, with the result that the Maori population was already declining by the early 19^th century.

The first significant European settlement was established by the missionary Samuel Marsden after his arrival in 1814.

Settlement by Europeans continued throughout the 19^th century. This period was marked by significant conflict between Maori and Pakeha (the Land Wars), particularly during the 1860s. Much Maori land was confiscated by the Crown, stolen by settlers, or bought under unfair circumstances. It was only in the late 20^th century that attempts were made to compensate Maori for the loss of their land, and this process is continuing.

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed by the British Crown and 500 Maori chiefs over a period of some months in 1840, gave the British the right to settle and govern in New Zealand, and gave the Maori authority over their lands and affairs, along with the rights of British citizens. Maori rights under this document were not respected for many years, but the Treaty is recognised today as the founding document of New Zealand. The Treaty continues to be the basis for partnership between the Maori and Pakeha cultures, and is the reference point for tribal land claims that are now being considered by the Waitangi Tribunal. Refer to the Treaty Of Waitangi section for more details.

The European settlers were responsible for significant destruction of the natural habitat of New Zealand, in their desire to convert the land to agricultural purposes.

The South Island prospered in the 19th century, with the discovery of gold and the development of sheep and dairy farming, with the latter leading to a major agricultural export industry that is still the backbone of the New Zealand economy today.

The end of the 19th century saw many major social reforms, including the vote for women in 1893, the introduction of old-age pensions, and other social legislation impacting on education, labour and health.

8.4 Twentieth Century to Current Day

New Zealand was constituted as a Dominion in 1907, and became fully independent in 1947 when the statute of Westminster was adopted by the New Zealand parliament. New Zealand is still a member of the British Commonwealth today.

For New Zealand, like most of the world, the first half of the 20th century was dominated by the major events of the Depression and two World Wars. New Zealanders participated in both World Wars and also in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The New Zealand population has experienced steady growth since 1900, increasing fourfold since the turn of the century. That growth has now slowed.

New Zealand has been at the forefront of world attention on various issues in recent times. These include the introduction of nuclear-free legislation in 1987, and significant economic reforms since the mid-1980’s. Some key dates in New Zealand’s history are as follows:

c.
1300	Polynesian settlement is known to have been established by this date, although Maori oral history suggests the Polynesian migrations to New Zealand (Aotearoa – “The Land of the Long White Cloud”) may have started as early as 800AD.
1642	Dutch explorer Abel Tasman discovers west coast of “Nieuw Zeeland”.
1769	First of three voyages by Captain James Cook that circumnavigate New Zealand, and claim the country for the British.
1790s	Commencement of sealing & whaling, with associated temporary settlement.
1814	Anglican mission station established by Samuel Marsden. Domestic farm animals introduced.
1815	First non- Maori child born in  New Zealand.
1821	Commencement of “musket wars” between Maori tribes
1833	James Busby appointed British Resident to establish law.
1839	William Hobson instructed to establish British rule in New Zealand as dependency of New South Wales.
1840	Treaty of Waitangi signed by over 500 Maori chiefs. British sovereignty proclaimed, and capital established at Kororareka.Significant settlement of Wellington.
1841	Capital shifted to Auckland.
1843	Commencement of New Zealand Land Wars between Maori and the European settlers. These wars continued until 1872.
1865	Capital transferred to Wellington.
1867	Four Maori seats established in Parliament.
1869	First university established, University of Otago in Dunedin.
1879	Vote given to all males, 21 and over.
1886	Mt Tarawera eruption, 153 deaths.
1893	Vote given to women, 21 years and over.
1898	Old age pensions introduced.
1907	New Zealand became a Dominion.
1908	Population reached one million.
1914-18	New Zealanders involved in fighting for the British in World War I, predominantly in Europe and North Africa.
1918	Influenza epidemic causes 8,500 deaths
1931	256 deaths in Napier earthquake
1939-45	New Zealanders involved in fighting for the Allies in World War II, predominantly in Europe, Middle East & Pacific.
1952	Population reached two million.
1953	151 deaths in rail disaster at Tangiwai, caused by volcanic eruption of Mt Ruapehu. New Zealander Edmund Hillary is one of the first two men to climb Mount Everest.
1960	Commencement of scheduled television services
1961	Capital punishment abolished.
1967	Introduction of decimal currency.
1968	Ferry, the Wahine, sank in Wellington harbour, 51 deaths.
1969	Vote given to 20 year olds.
1973	Population reached three million.
1974	Vote given to 18 year olds.
1975	Treaty of Waitangi Act. Waitangi Tribunal established to consider Maori land claims.
1985	New Zealand Dollar floated.
1986	Goods & Services Tax (GST) introduced.
1987	Sharemarket crash, with share  prices falling by 59% in 4 months.Anti-nuclear legislation passed.  Maori Language Act passed.
1996	First MMP election. Coalition government formed between National & New Zealand First parties.
1997	Jenny Shipley becomes first female Prime Minister
1999	Second MMP election. Coalition government formed between Labour & Alliance parties. Helen Clark is first elected female Prime Minister. Drinking age lowered to 18 years.
2003	Population reaches 4 million.
2004	Maori Fisheries Bill passed, allocating $750 million of fisheries assets to Maori tribes. Supreme Court established, replacing Privy Council.
2007	Legislation passed to outlaw use of force to discipline children.
2009	Law that forbids text messaging while driving became effective.

8.5 The Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed by the British Crown and 500 Maori chiefs over a period of some months in 1840, gave the British the right to settle and govern in New Zealand, and gave the Maori authority over their lands and affairs, along with the rights of British citizens.

Maori rights under this document were not respected for many years, but the Treaty is recognised today as the founding document of New Zealand. The Treaty continues to be the basis for partnership between the Maori and Pakeha cultures, and is the reference point for tribal land and resource claims that are now being considered by the Waitangi Tribunal.

The Treaty of Waitangi impacts on all areas of life in New Zealand today, and affects all New Zealanders – Maori, Pakeha, and new migrants. If you are applying for a job you may be questioned regarding your knowledge of the Treaty, and in schools children will be taught about the Treaty, Maori language and culture.

There are two versions of the Treaty, one in English and one in Maori. As the two texts convey somewhat different meanings, there has been much controversy as to the exact implications of the document, for both Maori and Pakeha.

The majority of the Maori chiefs who signed the Treaty in 1840 signed the Maori version, which preserved the control Maori had over their own affairs and resources whilst giving the British the right to govern. In the English version, Maori gave up sovereignty to the British. Both versions guaranteed Maori the continued possession of their property and resources – such as land, forests and fisheries.

Maori rights under the Treaty were honoured only for about 10 years before pressures and demands for land from the incoming British and European settlers resulted in the Land Wars of the 1860’s. By the 1870’s, the Maoris’ control of their lands and their previously independent economic base had been severely reduced. From the 1870’s to 1975, the Treaty held no legal status in New Zealand law.

In 1975, the Treaty of Waitangi Act was passed. This Act set up the Waitangi Tribunal to investigate Maori claims against the Crown, and the Act was amended in 1985 to include all claims dating back to 1840.

While there is still debate regarding the various interpretations of the Treaty by Maori and Pakeha, the process of redressing the wrongs of the past has begun, and some significant settlements have already been made with major tribes.

A notable settlement was negotiated in 1992 with regard to Maori fisheries claims, whereby the New Zealand government funded Maori in a joint venture with a private company, Brierley Investments, to purchase New Zealand’s largest fishing company, Sealord. In 2004, the Maori Fisheries Bill was passed, allocating $750 million of fisheries assets to individual tribes.

Other significant settlements include the negotiation in 1995 of a $170 million payment (land and money) to the Waikato Tainui tribe, and a $170 million settlement with the South Island Ngai Tahu tribe in 1997.

9. Wildlife & Vegetation

9.1 A Unique Environment

New Zealand has been separated from its larger neighbours for over 80 million years. This extended isolation has meant that many unique species of flora and fauna have developed, and that certain species common elsewhere did not migrate to New Zealand before the arrival of the European settlers in the 19^th century.

9.2 Vegetation

New Zealand’s varied landscape of forest, wetland, duneland, grassland and alpine areas supports a wide range of plantlife.

The arrival of humans brought about major clearing of the dense bush and forest that covered most of the country, with only some 23% of the native forest cover remaining today. The native forest species are predominantly podocarps, kauri and beech. Exotic forests have also been planted for commercial reasons, predominantly radiata pine.

Most native trees are known by their Maori names, including pohutukawa (the New Zealand “Christmas tree” which flowers in December), kauri (which grows to 30 metres), and kowhai (the bright yellow national flower).

9.3 Wildlife

The most notable feature of New Zealand’s wildlife before the arrival of humans was the total absence of land mammals (except for bat species) and snakes. The arrival of the Maori before 1300AD introduced the rat and dog, and a further 33 land mammal species have been brought in since the arrival of European settlers in the 19^th century. There are still no land snakes in New Zealand, and these animals are prohibited even from zoos.

The absence of land mammals for so long allowed for the development of many unique species that are endemic to New Zealand, such as the tuatara (a prehistoric reptile), the moa (a huge flightless bird, now extinct), the kakapo ( a large flightless parrot), the kiwi (the flightless nocturnal bird that is New Zealand’s national emblem), and the weta (a large insect).

New Zealand has 141 native bird species, roughly half of which are seabirds. Many more species have been introduced by man.

The ocean around New Zealand supports a wide variety of marine fish and mammals, including seals, whales and dolphins. 400 species of marine fish reside in New Zealand waters, and 32 whale species have been recorded.

Many New Zealand native species are totally protected by law, and New Zealand leads the world in developing conservation programs to protect and regenerate its endangered species.

The exotic land mammals introduced and released into the wild since the 19^th century include deer, cats, goats, rabbits, possums, ferrets, wallabies, rats, mice, stoats, hedgehogs, weasels, horses and pigs. Most of these feral animals are now regarded as significant pests, both from the view of conserving the native flora and fauna and also from protecting agricultural interests.

Ironically, as an agriculturally-based nation, New Zealand also relies on introduced animals such as sheep, cattle and deer for much of its export income.

10. Economy

10.1 Policy

As a small country with a population of around 4 million, New Zealand is heavily reliant on its exports and tourism for economic wealth.

From the mid-1980’s there was a significant shift in New Zealand’s economic policies. The direction of these policies has been towards greater efficiency, deregulation, improved competitiveness, and free market principles.

Key strategies have included tax reform, the introduction of Goods & Services Tax, privatisation of state-owned assets, removal of traditional subsidies, relaxation of import licensing and tariffs, price stability, and labour market reform. Since 1999, the “centre-left” government led by Labour has changed government economic direction and strategy somewhat, but the economy is still very much market-driven and deregulated.

The 2007 Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal Index of Economic Freedom rated New Zealand as the fifth most free economy in the world out of 157.

A World Bank study in 2008 ranked New Zealand in second place on its 2009 Ease of Doing Business Survey, out of 181 countries.

Annual growth in GDP was -1.4% in the year to December 2009.

Responsibility for the implementation of monetary policy rests with the Reserve Bank, which is targeted with maintaining inflation at between 1 and 3%. Annual inflation to April 2010 was 2.0 %.

The unemployment rate as at March 2010 was 6.0 %.

The Reserve Bank official cash interest rate is 2.50% (as at April 2010).

10.2 Trade

New Zealand still relies on the primary sector (agriculture & horticulture) for the majority of its export trade. In the year ending December 2008, exports totalled $43 billion. Proportions of some major commodities exported were dairy products, meat and forestry products.

Other significant export commodities include fish & seafood, mechanical & electrical machinery, and horticultural products.

The major categories of goods imported to New Zealand include mechanical machinery, vehicles and vehicle parts, mineral fuels, electrical machinery, and plastic products.

New Zealand’s major trading partners are Australia, the USA and Japan. In the year 2008, the top 20 of New Zealand’s trading partners accounted for 79% of New Zealand’s exported goods.

10.3 Primary Production

New Zealand is well known as a primary producer. The agricultural, forestry and horticultural sectors are the main export providers. There are around 10 sheep and around 2 beef or dairy cattle for every member of the human population.

New Zealand is a significant world player in exports of sheep meat products, strong wool (used for carpets and furnishings), and dairy products.

Alongside the traditional agricultural products of lamb, beef, wool, butter, cheese and milk powder, there has been significant diversification of the primary sector. Other notable products include kiwifruit, apples, wine, honey, cut flowers, deer products and forestry products.

New Zealand farmers receive no government subsidies, which places them in a unique position among the developed nations.

10.4 Manufacturing

The largest manufacturing industries in New Zealand are food and beverage processing and engineering. A programme of tariff reduction has seen a downturn in some manufacturing sectors (particularly the vehicle assembly and clothing industries), in response to cheaper imported goods. All vehicle assembly plants were closed by the end of 1998.

11. Political System

11.1 Government

New Zealand is an independent state with a democratically elected Parliamentary government.

As a member of the British Commonwealth, New Zealand recognises Queen Elizabeth II as its reigning monarch. She is represented in New Zealand by the Governor-General, currently His Excellency Anand Satyanand. The Governor-General arranges for the leader of the majority party to form a government following an election, and his assent is required before bills passed by Parliament can become law. This assent would only be withheld in extraordinary circumstances.

Democratic elections are held in New Zealand every three years. The last election was held in November 2008, and this was the fifth election to be held under the mixed member proportional representation (MMP) system. The next parliamentary general election will be held in 2011.

Persons over 18 years and over have the right to vote. It is compulsory to enrol as an elector (this can be done through New Zealand Post PostShops, and also through mailouts prior to elections), but it is not compulsory to vote. To enrol you must be over 18 years of age, be a New Zealand citizen or a Permanent Resident, have lived continuously in New Zealand for at least a year at some stage, and have last lived continuously for one month in the electorate you are being enrolled in.

Under MMP, voters have two votes – one for an individual to represent the voter’s electorate, and one for the voter’s preferred party. It is not necessary to cast both votes, and the two votes can be split between parties.

Parliament normally consists of 120 Members of Parliament (MPs). Of these, 63 represent the general electorates (allocated geographically), 7 represent Maori electorates (ie those New Zealanders who have elected to vote on the Maori roll), and the remaining 50 are list MPs elected on the basis of the percentage of votes received by their respective parties in the Party Vote.

As a result of the 2008 election, the National Party replaced the Labour Party as the leader of the government. A coalition government has been formed with support from ACT, Maori and United Future parties. This government is regarded as “centre-right” and the Prime Minister is Mr John Key.

Other parties represented in the current Parliament are Labour, Progressive and the Greens.

The number of MPs in Parliament by party after the 2008 election result was:

• National 58
• Labour 43
• ACT 5
• Greens 9
• United Future 1
• Progressive 1
• Maori Party 5

Total 122 (This total exceeds the usual 120 because the Maori Party won more electorate seats than its proportion of the vote entitled it to).

Women are well-represented in New Zealand government and politics. One third of MPs are women.

New Zealand’s ethnic diversity is also represented in the current Parliament, with about 15% of MPs being Maori, and 9% being Pacific Islanders or Asian. The Governor-General is of Indian heritage. Parliament is located in central Wellington, in Parliament Buildings and the Beehive.

11.2 Local Body Government

While the powers of local authorities are conferred by Parliament, the local government system operates to a large extent independently of the national government system.

There are 12 regional councils and 74 territorial authorities (city councils and district councils).

The regional councils administer regional facilities and concerns such as bulk water supply, conservation and resource management, civil defence, pest control, transport planning etc.

The territorial authorities provide municipal and district functions such as roading, parking, building consents, water supply, rubbish collection, the development of civic facilities such as libraries and swimming pools, etc.

There are also numerous community boards and special purpose local authorities.

Regional councils, territorial authorities, community boards and special purpose local authorities are elected by the public. Local government elections are held by postal vote in October every third year, with the latest election held in 2007.

Property owners pay “rates” to their respective territorial authorities, usually based on the value of their property. These rates are an annually assessed fee, that generally covers services such as rubbish collection and water supply, although some districts are moving towards “user-pays” charges for some services (e.g. water is individually metered in Auckland). You do not pay rates if you are renting – your landlord will pay these and recover it as part of the rent.

12. Legal System

The New Zealand legal system is based on the British one. It is independent of the politics of government, with judges appointed by the Governor-General.

The law of New Zealand consists of Common Law (case law built up from previous court decisions), statute law (enacted by the New Zealand Parliament), some United Kingdom statutes still in force, and subordinate legislation such as regulations and by-laws (such as those passed by local authorities).

There are different levels of courts, as follows:

District Courts are located throughout New Zealand, and deal with less serious criminal and civil cases

The High Court addresses major criminal and civil cases. Cases are held before a High Court judge and a jury

Specialist courts have also been set up to address particular areas of the law – Employment Court, Family Courts, Youth Courts, Environment Court and Maori Land Court

Specific tribunals have been set up to address specific disputes. The most significant of these is the Waitangi Tribunal (which considers Maori claims under the Treaty of Waitangi).

There are also appeal courts, the Court of Appeal, and the final appellate court, the Supreme Court, which replaced the Privy Council in July 2004.

Anyone aged between 20 and 65 may be called up for jury service, although there are certain exceptions and exemptions. As jury rolls are drawn from the Electoral Rolls, only those who are eligible to vote would be considered (refer Political System above).

The following table shows the minimum legal age in New Zealand for various activities:

Activity	Minimum Legal Age
Buying or drinking alcohol on restricted licensed premises (i.e. a bar, bottle shop or supermarket)	18 years
Buying cigarettes	18 years
Hold a driver’s licence	15 years
Jury service	20 years
Leaving school	16 years (must attend from 6 years to 15 years)
Qualify for unemployment benefit	18 years
Sexual intercourse	16 years
Voting	18 years
Qualify for government superannuation	65 years
Age at which children can be left at home unsupervised (and the age at which a child can legally mind other children)	14 years

12.1 Taxation

Personal Income Tax

New Zealand residents are liable for New Zealand tax on all income including income from overseas.

The key applicable criteria for New Zealand tax residency are that you are deemed a resident if you have been in New Zealand for more than 183 days in any 12 month period, or you have a permanent place of abode in New Zealand, or some other form of “enduring relationship” with New Zealand.

Double Tax Agreements (DTAs) are in existence with many countries, including Australia, Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom, and many more. The existence of a DTA provides rules to cover possible double taxation of income for individuals who are tax resident in more than one country. We recommend you check with your local IRD office or a specialist tax accountant to assess the implications for your own situation. The IRD produces useful free booklets covering these rules – “New Zealand Tax Residence (IR292)” and “Taxes and Duties – an Introduction to New Zealand’s Tax System (IR295)”, which will help determine your own status. These booklets are available on the web, www.ird.govt.nz.

The current personal income tax rates in New Zealand are:

• Income up to and including $14,000: 12.5c in the dollar
• Income from $14,001 to $40,000: 21c in the dollar
• Income from $40,001 to $70,000: 33c in the dollar
• Income over $70,000: 39c in the dollar

Tax on salaries and wages is taxed at source by PAYE deductions, and tax on bank account interest is deducted by the bank as Resident Withholding Tax.

Working families may also be entitled to some tax relief depending on their income.

Individuals whose income derives from salary and wages subject to PAYE, and bank interest payments, do not need to file tax returns provided their total income has been taxed at the correct rate. The onus is on individuals to check that they have been taxed correctly. All others must still file tax returns. We suggest you check with the Inland Revenue Department about your own status, and request a Personal Tax Summary to check that you have paid the correct tax.

If you receive income from overseas, or from self-employment, a business, or property, or received income that has not been taxed, you must file an IR3 return.

Rebates for donations to charities, childcare and housekeepers, are claimed on a separate Rebate Claim form. If you are not sent one of these automatically by Inland Revenue you can request one.

All employees and tax residents must have an IRD number. You apply for one on form IR595. Download one off the internet (www.ird.govt.nz) or phone the Inland Revenue Department who will post one to you. (Phone general enquiries 0800 227 774). The internet is recommended as there can be lengthy wait times on the phone. You then have to take the completed form and the required identity documents to an IRD approved verifier. The requirements and verifier details are listed on the form and the website.

There is generally no capital gains tax in New Zealand for private individuals who are not deemed to be trading in property, shares, etc, although there are some exceptions to this.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 15.0% is charged on all goods and services (by those suppliers registered for GST) with the exception of certain transactions, such as financial transactions and residential property rentals.

GST is almost invariably included in the prices shown in consumer retail outlets and in restaurants, but is not normally included at outlets that primarily sell to businesses. When obtaining quotes for household services such as plumbing, painting, gardening, etc., it is important to confirm whether the price quoted includes GST.

As most residential property deals are transacted between private individuals, GST does not normally apply to the sale, although it will apply to fees charged by lawyers and real estate agents relating to the sale.

13. Health System

13.1 Eligibility for Free and Subsidised Healthcare

New Zealand has a comprehensive public health system, complemented by private practitioners. This section will describe what is available to New Zealand citizens and those persons who are “ordinarily resident” in New Zealand under the publicly funded health system. To be “ordinarily resident”, you will need to meet one of the following criteria:

1. Hold a residence permit. In addition, you must hold a current returning resident’s visa, or, immediately prior to seeking health services, have been in New Zealand for a period of at least two years.
2. Hold a current work permit (and any renewals) that entitles you to remain in New Zealand continuously for two years or more. Any dependent children aged 19 or under are also eligible, but not the partners of eligible work permits (who must obtain a work permit in their own right to qualify).
3. Be a citizen of Australia, and be able to demonstrate you have been, or intend to, remain in this country for at least two years.

Certain other categories are also eligible. These include citizens of Niue, the Cook Islands and the Tokelaus who are treated as New Zealand citizens in receiving publicly funded healthcare, refugees, and some other specific categories.

Citizens of Australia and the United Kingdom who are visiting New Zealand on a temporary basis (less than two years) are covered for certain forms of urgent medical care by specific reciprocal agreements with their countries.

People staying in New Zealand on visitor and study permits, and migrants who hold immigration permits to stay in New Zealand for less than two years, and do not qualify under any other criteria, should be aware that they will have to pay extra for most services. These migrants and visitors can be denied some services if they cannot demonstrate their ability to pay. Traveller’s medical insurance or private medical insurance is therefore advisable for these individuals, and this is discussed below.

Medical and travel insurance is compulsory for individuals holding student permits.

13.2 Age and Cardholder Subsidies

All age-groups of eligible individuals now qualify for higher subsidies on their general medical care.

Low income families and high use patients qualify for higher subsidies, but must hold a Community Services Card or a High Use Card. Community Services Cards are applied for through the Income Support Service of the Department of Social Welfare. High Use Cards are applied for through your doctor.

The family planning centres in New Zealand are free to all under age 22.

13.3 Hospital Services

Public hospital and community-based health support services are funded by government through the Ministry of Health. The funding and delivery of public services in particular regions are governed by 21 District Health Boards, which operate certain facilities, such as public hospitals, and also purchase services from private healthcare service providers.

Both in-patient and out-patient services at public hospitals are free to New Zealand citizens and residents.

The standard of care at New Zealand’s public hospitals is generally of a high standard. Urgent and critical surgery is normally accommodated within the public system, but waiting lists can be lengthy for non-urgent and elective treatments.

Waiting lists can be avoided by utilising a private hospital. Private hospitals perform a range of surgery and medical treatments, but charge for these services. Note that the level of care in private hospitals in New Zealand is not regarded as superior to that provided in the public hospitals. The main reasons for choosing a private hospital are to have your treatment more quickly, and to enjoy more pleasant surroundings.

13.4 Medical Practitioners

Primary care medical services in New Zealand are provided by General Practitioners (GPs). GPs normally operate in private practices, often in partnership with other doctors in a Medical Centre. The cost of GP visits is subsidised, with higher subsidies applying to certain age-groups, and to Community Services and High Use cardholders. GP visits for children under six years will usually be free (although some doctors are charging a fee), and routine services for pregnant women are free.

Specialist medical practitioners and surgeons are available through both the public and private systems. You will normally be referred to a specialist by your GP. There may be a significant wait to see a specialist for certain medical conditions under the public system. Most specialists have both a private and a public practice, so there is effectively no difference in the quality of the care between the two systems – the only differences are the price and the waiting list.

After-hours care is usually provided by local GPs working together from a designated after-hours clinic, often with an after-hours pharmacy (Urgent Pharmacy) nearby, or from an accident and medical centre that may be associated with a hospital.

For free telephone advice on general medical issues, call Healthline on 0800 611 116. Plunketline also offers a service for advice on early childhood health issues, telephone 0800 933 922. In an emergency dial 111.

GPs, specialists and hospitals are listed at the front of the Telecom Telephone Book.

Other health practitioners such as dentists, physiotherapists, midwives, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors etc operate private practices, and can be sourced through the Telecom Yellow Pages telephone directory.

13.5 Prescriptions

Prescription medicines are fully subsidised for children under six years of age. Adults pay up to $15 per item depending on who prescribed it. Community Services and High Use cardholders pay $3 per item. There is a maximum of 20 chargeable prescriptions per family per year, then non-cardholder families pay $2 per item and prescriptions are free to cardholders.

Note that only some brands of generic drugs are subsidised, i.e. if you choose to use a different drug you may have to pay more. If you do not qualify for subsidised health care, some prescription drugs can be very expensive.

13.6 Maternity Care

There is little or no cost for maternity services to women who are New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents. In general this covers pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care services provided by GPs, midwives, public hospitals and the Plunket Society. There will be charges for seeing private obstetric specialists.

13.7 Dental Treatment

Routine dental treatment is free for children up to the age of 16, and also for those adolescents over 16 who are still attending school. These services are provided either by school dental clinics or by dentists as appropriate.

13.8 Accident Rehabilitation & Compensation Insurance (ACC)

In 1974, New Zealand introduced a system of comprehensive, no-fault insurance cover for accident-related injuries and disabilities, the ACC scheme.

The ACC scheme covers all New Zealand residents, New Zealand residents temporarily overseas, and overseas visitors while they are in New Zealand (although there are some restrictions on cover for non-residents).

ACC has removed the common law right to sue for damages, in return for providing a system of support for all injured people regardless of fault.

ACC is funded by all New Zealanders, through levies collected from earners (employees and self-employed), employers, and motor vehicle registrations. This is topped up by government allocations and fund investment earnings.

ACC contracts with service providers such as doctors, physiotherapists, hospitals, and occupational therapists to provide a range of subsidised services to injured people.

13.9 Medical Insurance

Many New Zealanders have taken out private medical insurance to cover some of the costs of private medical care. Some employers offer medical insurance as part of their employee benefits packages.

There are several companies offering medical insurance, so it is important to shop around to find a policy that best suits your circumstances. Most will not cover pre-existing conditions. Some companies offer “hospital-only” policies, which only provide cover for major surgery. The major providers are Southern Cross, Tower, UniMed and Sovereign.

As we have stated previously, note that the real benefit of medical insurance in New Zealand is to assist you financially to have treatment for which you would have to wait under the public system. There is no recognised difference in the “quality of medical care” provided by private hospitals.

Medical and travel insurance is compulsory for individuals holding student permits.

14. Banking System

14.1 Banks

The New Zealand banking system is advanced by world standards, with full overnight inter-bank electronic settlement and a high degree of technological automation.

There are 18 registered banks in New Zealand, although several of these address niche markets. The major trading banks, i.e. those that operate national branch networks, are:

• Westpac
• Bank of New Zealand (BNZ)
• ANZ Banking Group
• National Bank of New Zealand (owned by ANZ)
• ASB Bank
• KiwiBank
• TSB Bank (limited branch network).

With the exception of KiwiBank, which is owned by the New Zealand government, and TSB Bank all of the above banks are owned by offshore organisations.

Some banks will not open accounts for you as a new customer until you are resident in New Zealand, and require that you open the account in person at a branch. Others will open certain accounts for offshore residents by fax or postal communication of the appropriate documents and identification, or via a branch of the bank’s off-shore parent.

It is not difficult to open an account on arrival in New Zealand if you have an immigration status that allows you to stay in the country for longer than six months, and have employment that means you have salary credited to your account on a regular basis. Some banks may not open an account if you have a short-term immigration permit, do not have a regular income or do not have a permanent address. You will need to take two forms of identification (definitely your passport plus a drivers licence, or credit card) for all account holders. Banks also like to see some evidence of your banking record from your previous bank, such as recent bank statements or a reference letter, and some evidence of your employment and salary.

The process takes about an hour at a bank branch, and eftpos (debit) and ATM cards may be issued on the spot by some banks. Others will ask you to call back in a few days to collect your cards or will post them to you. If you want a cheque book on the account, make sure you order this as cheques are not widely used in New Zealand and some banks do not issue them unless the customer requests it.

Banks may require a minimum deposit to open the account. This varies between banks. You can use travellers cheques or cash to open the account, or else arrange a telegraphic transfer from your own bank. Both methods are treated as “cleared funds”. We do not advise bringing a bank draft from your own bank as this can take some weeks to clear.

We recommend that you make a prior appointment with the bank concerned when you want to set up your accounts to avoid delays.

Banks in New Zealand normally charge a monthly account management fee, and transaction fees for all transactions made on an account. These fees are waived or limited on some accounts. There are extensive branch networks operated by the major players, however banks strongly encourage their customers to automate their transactions by charging higher fees for over-the-counter transactions than for electronic transactions.

There are many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) available for 24-hour banking. In general, it is possible to use another bank’s ATM to draw funds and access your account, although your bank may charge a higher fee for this.

14.2 EFTPOS

New Zealand has one of the highest uptake rates on eftpos (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) in the world. In 2005, there were 119,651 eftpos terminals in use in New Zealand, and eftpos transactions accounted for almost 40% of all non-cash transactions.

The sophisticated nationwide systems in place mean not only can an eftpos card be used to debit your account instantaneously with the price of your purchase, but can also be used to draw cash from your account at the same time. Even very small retailers usually have eftpos. Your bank will charge you a fee for each eftpos transaction made.

14.3 Cheques

Cheques are still used but their use is declining quite rapidly with the rise of eftpos and ATM transactions, and with the banks discouraging the use of cheques by the introduction of higher fees for paper transactions. Some stores are reluctant to take cheques, preferring eftpos and credit cards. Cheques accounted for only 9% of non-cash payment transactions in New Zealand in 2005.

14.4 Credit Cards

Credit cards are popular. The major banks will issue Visa and Mastercard cards, and often the same card can be used as a credit card, an ATM card, an eftpos card and cheque ID card. GlobalPlus Mastercard and GlobalPlus American Express, issued by BNZ, are linked to the Air New Zealand frequent flyer programme, and ANZ/Telstra/Qantas also operate a joint card.

Other credit cards are American Express and Diners. Both Diners and American Express operate rewards programmes, with points transferable to some airline frequent flyer programmes. Diners Cards are less widely accepted than other cards.

Credit cards are now accepted at most major supermarkets, generally Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

14.5 Fly Buys

“Fly Buys” is a customer loyalty programme that allows members to accumulate points towards a travel reward through purchasing at selected retailers. Major participating retailers include Shell Oil, New World supermarkets, and Telecom.

15. Employment Issues

15.1 Statutory Entitlements

Employment issues in New Zealand are regulated by the Employment Relations Act, introduced October 2000.

Employees are free to decide whether or not to join a union or any other employees’ organisation. No employer can prevent an employee from joining a union, and neither can they compel an employee to join.

Individual or collective (union) employment contracts are possible under the act, and “good faith bargaining” between the parties (employers, employees, and unions) is required. Certain statutory minimum entitlements apply to all employees. These include:

• Statutory minimum wage of $12.50 per hour before tax for workers aged 16 years and over.
• Eleven paid public holidays per annum, where the holiday would otherwise be a working day.
• Four weeks paid leave (20 days) after 12 months employment.
• Five days special leave per annum after six months employment. This is effectively the minimum sick leave entitlement.
• Parental leave (paid and unpaid, conditions apply).
• Equal pay for men and women, and other human rights protection.

For further details please refer to the Department of Labour – Employment Relations Service website, www.ers.dol.govt.nz.

15.2 Unemployment

The unemployment rate in New Zealand in the September 2009 quarter was 6.5% of the population 15 years and over. New migrants must be resident in New Zealand for two years before they qualify for unemployment and other welfare benefits.

15.3 Working In New Zealand

To be eligible to work in New Zealand you must either be a New Zealand citizen, a Permanent Resident, hold a valid work permit, or be admitted under another immigration category that entitles you to work in New Zealand (i.e. such as being an Australian citizen).

Note that the different immigration categories may determine your eligibility to work and the flexibility you have in changing your employment, e.g. some work permits may restrict you to working for a particular employer.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to work without a valid immigration permit, or while waiting for a permit. You will almost certainly be caught as soon as you register for tax purposes, and you may be permanently declined a work permit, or even asked to leave the country.

You should confirm the exact details of your eligibility and your status with the New Zealand Immigration Service.

15.4 Finding a Job

To find a job in New Zealand the following options may be used:

• Many employers and agencies advertise directly in the Situations Vacant columns of the daily newspapers.

In Auckland, the main days for advertising are Saturday and Wednesday, in the morning paper, the New Zealand Herald.

In Wellington, general vacancies are normally advertised on Saturday and Wednesday in the morning paper, the Dominion Post). Managerial and business vacancies are often advertised on Wednesday in the Dominion Post business section.

Information technology industry vacancies are also advertised in the Dominion Post’s Infotech section, published Mondays. Managerial and executive positions are also advertised in the two weekly business newspapers, the National Business Review and The Independent.

• Employment agencies will assist candidates to locate a job. Many specialise in certain industries and professions. Employment agencies do not charge the prospective employee for their services. Please refer to the end of this section for details of particular agencies.
• The internet is becoming increasingly popular for job search activities. Some site addresses are:

www.netcheck.co.nz

www.nzjobs.co.nz / www.nzjobs.com

www.seek.co.nz

www.trademe.co.nz (www.jobstuff.co.nz)

www.jobsearch.co.nz

• You may wish to submit a Curriculum Vitae direct to prospective employers, on the chance that there may be a vacancy. Many employers are inundated with CVs, and as most positions are either advertised, or placed with an agency, they will often return your CV with a polite letter. However, you may strike it lucky and get a more positive response!
• Work and Income New Zealand is a government agency providing services to assist job-seekers, particularly the long-term unemployed.

In all cases you will be expected to submit a full Curriculum Vitae and details of references. If applying directly for a position you should enclose a covering letter that explains why you want the job and why you are the best candidate for it.

New Zealand employers expect your CV to be detailed, and to emphasise your results and performance in your job as much as the tasks you have undertaken. They will want to know what your educational qualifications mean, as these may not relate directly to a New Zealand qualification. If you have had your qualifications ratified by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, include any supporting documentation.

The recruitment process can take some time, and varies from employer to employer. There may be a closing date for applications, or this may be open-ended until the right candidate is found. Employers will review the applicants’ CVs, and draw up a shortlist for interview. This is unlikely to be more than 5 candidates.

Interviews are generally intensive, sometimes involving a panel of interviewers. You will be expected to provide practical examples of how you go about your work, rather than just describing the general approach. You may be required to attend more than one interview.

After interviews, the shortlist will be reduced to 2 or 3 candidates, who may be subject to further interviews and reference checking. Your references will normally be checked by telephone, and you will normally be advised of this in advance.

Some organisations also subject short-listed candidates to psychological testing before making a final decision.

After this point an offer of employment will be made to the successful candidate by way of an employment contract. This may be an individual employment contract or a contract based on a collective agreement that has previously been negotiated for a group of employees by a union or other organisation, if one applies to your place of work and position. Where a collective agreement exists, you will be employed under this for an initial period while you decide whether to continue with the collective agreement or to negotiate an individual employment agreement with your employer. Note that collective agreements and union membership are not the norm for many clerical and senior positions. You should make sure you are aware of all terms and conditions before accepting or declining an offer. Some negotiation may take place on salary, and particular terms and conditions before the parties agree.

Some jobs may only be for a specified contract term, and, even in a permanent position, terms and conditions such as salary and objectives may be renegotiated each year.

Note that under the terms of the Privacy Act, an employer should return your CV to you or destroy it in the event you are unsuccessful.

Applicants for public sector positions should note that they will be expected to understand the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi, and something of relevant New Zealand government policies.

15.5 Employment Agency Websites

General Clerical, Administration etc

Adecco www.adecco.co.nz

GBL Personnel www.gbl.co.nz

Manpower www.manpower.co.nz

Drake International www.drake.co.nz

Information Technology

Candle www.candle.co.nz

Duncan Ryan www.duncanryan.co.nz

www.it.seek.co.nz

Accounting & Finance

Clayton Ford www.claytonford.co.nz

Executive & Management

Wheeler Campbell www.wheelercampbell.co.nz

Momentum Consulting www.momentum.co.nz

Sheffield Consulting www.sheffield.co.nz

Health

Clinical One www.clinicalone.co.nz

Health Recruitment New Zealand www.healthrecruitment.com

Tonix NZ www.tonix.co.nz

Legal

Hughes-Castell www.hughescastell.co.nz

LawStaff www.lawstaff.co.nz

16. New Zealand Society

16.1 Societal Attitudes

New Zealand is a multi-cultural society, with its own unique Pacific flavour driven by the influence of the many races that have chosen to settle here.

The two main cultures are that of the New Zealand European (Pakeha) and the Maori. The government encourages diversity, and particularly the acceptance and growth of Maori culture and language as part of everyday life in New Zealand.

New Zealand is not without prejudice and racism, but the high rate of intermarriage between races, some proactive government legislation, and developing education programmes, all serve to encourage the various races to live together as New Zealanders.

New Zealand has always had a reputation as a relatively classless society. While there are certainly large economic differences between the very rich and the very poor, New Zealanders do not generally make any class distinctions about ancestry, education, income etc in their interactions with each other. Access to higher education and jobs is based on ability and performance, rather than any other factors.

Women are well-represented at senior levels in society in New Zealand. The senior government positions of Prime Minister and Chief Justice have been held by women. The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in New Zealand on the grounds of age, colour, disability, employment status, ethical belief, ethnic or national origin, family status, marital status, political opinion, race, religious belief, sex, or sexual orientation. This applies to access to public places, vehicles and facilities, education, employment, industrial and professional associations, partnerships, the provision of goods and services, and to land, housing and accommodation.

New immigrants should also be aware of recent legislation covering the discipline of children. This law effectively outlaws the use of physical force to discipline children and removes a previous possible defence of “reasonable force”. The law is intended to give a clear message that violence against children is unacceptable.

As the inhabitants of a small country in an isolated location, New Zealanders, or “Kiwis” as they are often called, are quite nationalistic, and take a fierce pride in the their country’s successes on the world stage. A 2006 University of Chicago survey of the national pride of 34 countries ranked New Zealand 2^nd in terms of national pride in sporting achievements, and 3^rd in terms of national pride in arts and literature.

There is a strong, and good-humoured, rivalry between Australia and New Zealand. While there are many similarities between the way of life in the two countries, both populations enthusiastically celebrate their differences and their respective successes over each other, particularly when teams from both countries meet on the sports field.

16.2 Standard of Living

New Zealanders enjoy a comparatively high standard of living by world standards.

New Zealand has always been regarded as a relatively inexpensive place to live by worldwide standards. A Mercer Consulting March 2009 survey of the cost of living in 143 cities worldwide ranked Tokyo as the most expensive at number one. In comparison, New Zealand’s capital, Wellington ranks in 139th place and its largest city, Auckland, ranks 138th. London ranked 16th and Sydney 66th.

A 2009 Quality of Life Survey of 143 cities (Mercer Human Resources Consulting) ranked New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland in 4th position for overall quality of life. The capital, Wellington was in 12th position. By comparison, Vienna ranked 1st and Baghdad ranked last.

The 2006/2007 Household Economic Survey (Statistics New Zealand) found 65% of New Zealand households have access to a desktop computer and 27% have a laptop computer. About 73% of households have access to a cellphone and 99% of households have a television. The same survey found that 75% of households were satisfied or very satisfied with their material standard of living. Only 10% were dissatisfied.

The 2006 Census found 89% of households have access to at least one vehicle, and almost 16% of households have three or more vehicles.

Population density in New Zealand is low compared with other countries of similar size, and the average number of people per household is 2.7 according to the 2006 Census. 67% of all private dwellings are owned by their occupiers (2006 Census).

A United Nations World Water Development Report surveying the water quality in 122 countries ranked New Zealand third, behind Finland and Canada.

A 2006 UBS study found a worker in Auckland works on average 14 minutes to buy a Big Mac hamburger, compared with a global average of 39 minutes, putting their buying power in the top ten countries of the world.

An Axa survey in 2006 of 12 countries found New Zealanders to be the second happiest population, after the United States. A University of Leicester study in 2006 ranked New Zealand as the 18th happiest nation out of 178 countries.

16.3 Personal safety

New Zealand is not inherently an unsafe environment. However, new migrants should be aware of the following potential hazards, and take appropriate precautions. The emergency phone number in New Zealand is 111. Use this number in an emergency to call the Police, the Fire Service, or an ambulance. 111 calls are free from payphones.

Crime

Although the newspapers appear to report crime in some detail, New Zealand does not have a high crime rate by international standards. However, the usual security precautions should be taken to secure property, and individuals should be careful when walking alone, particularly at night.

The New Zealand Police are regarded as honest and generally efficient. Police handle both criminal and traffic safety offences. Any crime should be reported to the police, although there is sometimes a delay in responding to minor crimes against property as priority is placed on crimes against the person.

Neighbourhood support groups exist in some areas. These are groups of people living in the same area who get together to help improve security in their local area.

It is against the law in New Zealand to carry a firearm or other weapon for your personal protection. You are permitted to own firearms only for recreational and pest destruction purposes. All owners of firearms must be registered, and must undergo an assessment by the police before being issued a licence. Any firearms imported to New Zealand must be declared at the border. New Zealand police do not carry firearms as a matter of course, only under special circumstances.

Sun

The strength of the New Zealand sun will be a surprise to many newcomers, particularly those from the Northern Hemisphere. Sunburn can occur very quickly (after only 10 minutes) during the hottest part of the day in summer. The expected level of the UV index is generally published in newspaper and television weather forecasts in summer. Sunburn is extremely painful, but the longer term effects of exposure to the sun can lead to melanomas (skin cancer). New Zealand has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Dark-skinned people burn less quickly, but are still susceptible to the prolonged effects of over-exposure to the sun. You should take the following precautions:

• Reduce your exposure to the sun by staying in the shade, especially between 11am and 4pm in summer.
• Cover up with a long-sleeved shirt and a broad brimmed hat when undertaking outdoor activities such as golf, gardening, sailing etc.
• Use a New Zealand or Australian-made sunscreen that meets the AS/NZS 2604 standard and is of at least SPF30 on any exposed areas of skin. Reapply this frequently, at least every 2 hours.
• Remember the sun will be reflected off water, increasing its intensity, so take extra care when near water. Snow has the same effect.
• Do not expose babies and very young children to the sun. Note that New Zealand pre-schools will generally require children to have a hat and sunscreen before they are allowed outside in summer.
• Note that you can burn on cloudy days too.
• Remember to use sunscreen and sunglasses during winter on sunny days, particularly when near snow.

Bush

The New Zealand bush is very beautiful, but also dense and rugged, which means it can be very dangerous for the inexperienced and unprepared. Tramping (bush-walking) is very popular in New Zealand, but make sure you take the following precautions when going into the bush:

• Watch the weather, it can be very changeable. Take warm & waterproof clothing.
• Stay on marked tracks. Choose an appropriate track for your level of fitness and experience.
• Do not tramp alone.
• Take sufficient food, water, clothing and first aid materials for your journey. A cellphone is also useful, although it may not work in remote or mountainous areas.
• Tell someone where you are going, the route you intend to take and when and where you will come out of the bush. Make sure you advise them of your safe return!
• Never cross a flooded river.
• Protect the environment – remove all rubbish, use a portable stove rather than a fire, leave no trace of your visit. Familiarise yourself with, and observe, the Environmental Care Code.
• Obtain and read the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council pamphlets on bushcraft and survival. The Department of Conservation can also provide information on bush survival skills.

Water

New Zealand is surrounded by ocean, and has many lakes and rivers so you will never be far away from water. Note the following:

• When swimming in the sea, keep to beaches that are patrolled by surf lifeguards, or where other people are swimming. Stay near to other people in the water, and always swim between the flags at a patrolled beach. Check for signs that may restrict certain activities on the beach and in the water, such as boating, board-sailing, water-skiiing and jet-skiing.
• When boating observe the usual safety measures, watch the weather (which can change very quickly in New Zealand) and always wear a lifejacket.
• When on rocks or reefs be aware that sudden swells can be dangerous.
• Residential swimming pools must be fenced in an approved manner. Even as a tenant, you are responsible for ensuring a swimming pool fence meets the required standard at all times.

Health hazards

New Zealand experiences high rates of certain medical conditions by world standards. These include skin cancer (see above, The Sun), asthma and cot death. The reasons for the latter two are not fully understood.

As asthma is aggravated by certain climatic conditions, anyone moving to New Zealand with this condition should check the nature of the area in which they will be living for its suitability. Most New Zealand homes have carpeted floors which can harbour dust mites that aggravate asthma and related conditions such as eczema and allergies. There are also many trees in New Zealand and a mild climate, which means pollen counts are high at certain times of the year.

Tap water is regarded as safe to drink in all parts of New Zealand, although it tastes better in some places than others.

It is not safe to drink water in lakes, rivers and streams without purification, because of the risk of giardia.

For urgent information regarding poisons or hazardous chemicals, ring the National Poison Information Centre on 0800 764 766.

Wildlife

New Zealand is pleasantly free of wildlife dangerous to humans, but note the following.

Firstly, there are no snakes, not even kept in zoos.

Various spiders can inflict a venomous bite, these include the native katipo (rarely seen), and the Australian redback and whitetail spiders. Spider bites can have serious reactions in some people so have any bites seen to quickly by a doctor.

The rather fearsome looking native insect, the weta, is basically a shy creature. It may bite if handled wrongly, but it is not venomous. Some species of weta are endangered, and therefore protected by law.

Those who live near bush or enjoy bush-walking should note that possums, and feral deer, pigs and goats can be aggressive if cornered or surprised.

Various species of jelly-fish, sharks and rays inhabit New Zealand coastal waters, so swimmers and divers should be alert at all times.

Traffic hazards

New Zealand has a relatively high death and injury rate resulting from automobile accidents. The main factors are speed, alcohol, driver capability and road conditions.

New residents should obtain and study the New Zealand Road Code and Licence Guide. Some road rules are unique to New Zealand and may be confusing for new arrivals. Take care when driving and observe the following:

• Keep left.
• Obey speed limits. Maximum speed in urban areas is 50km/hour and on open roads is 100km/hour. Speed cameras and laser guns are operated by the New Zealand Police.
• Do not drink and drive. The legal limit is 80mg alcohol per 100ml of blood for persons of at least 20 years of age, and 30mgs alcohol per 100ml blood for persons under 20 years of age. The law is strictly enforced, and checkpoints are often set up to test all drivers passing through. You must stop at a checkpoint, or at any other time when requested to do so by a police officer. You will be initially tested by a device that checks your breath for any evidence of alcohol. If this is positive, you will be required to take a breath screening (breathalyser) test. If this shows your alcohol level to be high you will be required to accompany the officer to take an evidential breath test. You can ask to speak to a lawyer at this point, and you can elect to take a blood test rather than an evidential breath test. If you are above the legal limit, your keys will be taken from you.
• Always wear your seatbelt – it is a legal requirement for drivers and all passengers (including those in the rear seats) to wear seatbelts if they are fitted. Children under five years must be in an approved child restraint.
• Be particularly careful on roads where the shoulder may be gravel, or the entire road is unsealed. Slow down.
• Always carry your driver’s licence with you when driving.
• Familiarise yourself with the New Zealand Road Code.

Note that if you are staying in New Zealand longer than 12 months you must sit your New Zealand licence, and you should commence this process well in advance of the 12 months falling due.

Natural Disasters

The types of natural disasters likely to affect New Zealand include storms and cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods.

Full Civil Defence emergency instructions are published in the back of the Yellow Pages Telephone Directory, which should be present in any household with a telephone.

You should also prepare an emergency survival kit, and a plan for all members of your household in case you are separated at the time of the disaster. City councils may provide information on emergency preparation and planning.

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in many parts of New Zealand, and while most cause no injury or damage it is important to know what to do when one strikes.

It is important to emphasise that most earthquakes are of only light to moderate strength, causing no injury or damage. Even when a stronger earthquake occurs their overall impact is often lessened if they are centred away from populated areas. New Zealand buildings have been for many years been built using earthquake-resistant techniques, such as lead-rubber bearings. Reports of significant damage or injury are very rare.

In an earthquake you should:

• Stay indoors
• Take cover (eg under a strong table)
• Keep away from windows, chimneys, and unsecured heavy items
• Do NOT go outside, unless you must do so to avoid fire

16.4 Smoking

There is a strong trend against smoking in New Zealand, supported by government programmes. A 2008 update of the  Ministry of Health survey of tobacco use showed that only an estimate of  21% of the adult population smoke.

All workplaces, restaurants and bars are required to be smokefree. All domestic airlines and other forms of public transport (trains and buses) are smokefree. Most taxis are also smokefree, and some rental car companies have a totally smokefree policy. Many hotels are 100% non-smoking although some hotels may still permit smoking in some rooms.

Many public areas such as shopping malls have also banned smoking.

It is definitely considered polite to ask “Do you mind if I smoke?” if you are out with other people. Many New Zealanders who do not smoke (and even some that do) will strongly prefer that you do not smoke in their cars or homes. Always ask before lighting up, or go outside!

Most landlords will not allow smoking inside their rental properties.

16.5 Tipping and Etiquette

Tipping

Tipping is not expected or required in New Zealand. You may however tip for exceptional service if you wish to do so.

Etiquette

New Zealanders often entertain in their own homes. When invited to someone’s home note the following:

• If invited for lunch or dinner it is common practice to take a bottle (not a cardboard cask) of wine. If you don’t drink alcohol, take some chocolates or flowers.
• Always check what time you’re invited for. This avoids any cross-cultural misinterpretation of the terms “dinner”, “tea”, “supper” etc.
• Arrive 5-10 minutes late rather than 5-10 minutes early. Most New Zealanders do their own cooking, and when entertaining prefer to have a few minutes grace rather than be surprised in the shower! However, if you’re going to be more than half an hour late, it is polite to phone your host and advise them of this.
• Dress is usually fairly casual, even for dinner, unless your host indicates it is a more formal occasion, or it is a business related function. Shorts and tee shirts are fine for a casual lunchtime barbecue.
• If you smoke, do not light up in someone’s home. Always ask if there is somewhere outside you can smoke.
• If you have children, don’t just assume they are invited as well. Check with your host if you are not sure. Most New Zealanders will get a babysitter to mind their children when they are invited out at night rather than bring them along.
• If asked to “bring a plate” this means you should take an appropriate dish of food to share.

When dining out with others at a restaurant (not in a business context), it is common practice to split the bill between you. Note that most restaurants will provide only one bill per table so you need to do your own splitting of the bill. The bill is normally split equally unless someone has had a disproportionate amount to eat or drink.

16.6 Radio and Television

Radio

New Zealand has an extensive network of radio stations – public and private, national and local, AM and FM, commercial and non-commercial. These stations cover music (some specialised), news, talkback, sport, Maori language and culture, and community interests. Parliament is broadcast live when it is in session.

Television

There are four major “free to air” channels in New Zealand. Television New Zealand is government-owned, and operates TV One and TV2, plus additional digital channels on Freeview. CanWest MediaWorks operates TV3 and C4.

In addition to the major channels, Prime TV broadcasts on a UHF frequency, Maori Television operates a channel, and the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) runs Trackside which broadcasts racing. There are also local channels in some areas.

The “free to air” channels are mainly funded by commercials.

The Freeview digital service is a joint venture between the various operators. There are start-up and equipment costs to obtain the service. Check www.freeviewnz.tv for more details.

Pay channels are provided by SKY Television to subscribers, who must have a decoder and a special aerial or satellite dish. SKY provides 20+ channels through satellite, and a more limited UHF service.

Cable television (30+ channels) is available in many parts of Wellington and Christchurch (but not elsewhere in New Zealand) from Telstra Clear.

It is not advisable to bring appliances such as television sets and video recorders into New Zealand from countries other than Australia. This is because such devices do not always work to the same frequencies and standards. Some devices may requireadjustment, and others may not work at all. In addition, some overseas brands that are not popular in New Zealand may result in difficulties in obtaining service and parts.

Arrivals from the US and Canada are particularly warned of the differences in voltage (see Electricity in New Zealand Standards section), and of the New Zealand video standard, which is VHS PAL.

16.7 Sport

New Zealanders have a reputation for being sports-mad, both as spectators and active participants. An analysis of medal winners from the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games ranked New Zealand in ninth place when medals won is compared to population. The New Zealand Football team, The All Whites won against Bahrain in November 2009 and have now secured a place in the FIFA world cup which will take place in 2010 in South Africa.

While there is strong interest in international sporting events, (and good coverage of these through SKY Television), the top five sports participated in by New Zealanders are:

Men

• Golf
• Tennis
• Touch rugby
• Cricket Rugby Union
• Football

Women

• Netball
• Golf
• Tennis
• Touch Rugby

The names of the main national teams are:

• All Blacks (rugby union – the name relates to the colour of the uniform)
• Silver Ferns (netball)
• Black Caps (cricket)
• Kiwis (rugby league)
• All Whites (soccer – the name relates to the colour of the uniform)
• Tall Blacks (basketball)
• Black Sox (softball).

Betting on sports events and horse/greyhound racing is available only through the government agency, the TAB. There are no independent bookmakers allowed by law in New Zealand. The TAB offers fixed odds betting on many sporting events, and totalisator betting on racing. TAB agencies are found in hotel bars, and also on their own separate premises.

New Zealand has excellent skifields, readily accessible from all major centres. In the North Island these are situated at Mt Ruapehu (in the centre of the island) and at Mt Taranaki (Egmont), on the west coast. It is 5 to 6 hours drive from either Auckland or Wellington to these skifields. In the South Island, there are multiple fields in the Southern Alps. One of the most popular, Mt Hutt, is only 100km from Christchurch.

Fishing and hunting are popular recreational activities, but note that there are strict regulations covering these, with quotas, bag limits, and seasons which are strictly enforced. Licences are required for freshwater sports fish, such as trout and salmon. All owners of sport firearms must be registered by the New Zealand police after an assessment of suitability. Native animal, bird and fish species are protected. Contact Fish & Game New Zealand (04 499 4767), the Ministry of Fisheries, or the Department of Conservation for further details.

16.8 Cultural activities

The arts are well supported in New Zealand, and are well served in the major cities. Wellington and Christchurch are regarded as being the cultural centres of New Zealand. Wellington holds an International Festival of the Arts over a whole month every second year, with the latest festival being held in February/March 2006. This event has a wide variety of acts and events, ranging from the experimental to the classical. A smaller festival is held in Auckland in alternate years.

Maori Arts

Maori have a long tradition with very sophisticated art forms, such as bone carving, weaving, dance and music. While these traditional skills are still practised, they have also been adapted to develop modern art forms. This has brought a very distinctive Maori and Polynesian flavour to all aspects of the arts in New Zealand.

Art

New Zealand has many artists, but few are internationally renowned. The most well-known would be Charles Goldie, Frances Hodgkins, and Colin McCahon. Interest in New Zealand and international art is high, with frequent touring international exhibitions, which are generally well-attended.

Drama

There are professional theatre companies in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Wellington is perhaps best served, with four professional companies, including a Maori drama group. In addition there are many amateur drama societies, and also tours by international companies on a regular basis. Professional New Zealand actors are also supported by NZ On Air, the public broadcasting funding agency that produces many local television and radio programmes.

Opera

New Zealand has produced many fine international opera singers such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Malvina Major, the late Inia Te Wiata, and Donald McIntyre. The National Business Review New Zealand Opera produces several operas a year in both Auckland and Wellington.

Music

For lovers of classical music, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is a well-regarded professional orchestra which tours the country. Many international artists also visit the country.There is a thriving local rock music industry, with several artists well-known overseas, such as Neil Finn and Bic Runga. Again, many international rock acts visit the major centres on a regular basis.

Dance

Modern and classical dance are very popular. The Royal New Zealand Ballet Company is a professional company, headquartered in Wellington.

Literature

While New Zealand writers are not particularly well-known overseas, there is an active literary scene, with many new authors emerging every year.

New Zealand’s best-known author is probably Katherine Mansfield, who spent much of her life in Europe and died in 1923. Other writers of note include Janet Frame, Keri Hulme (Booker Prize winner for The Bone People), Frank Sargeson, Maurice Gee, the crime writer Ngaio Marsh, and Elizabeth Knox, who won Australia’s top literary award for The Vintner’s Luck. Lloyd Jones was short-listed for the 2007 Man Booker Prize for Mister Pip.

Several writers for children are internationally renowned, including Margaret Mahy, Joy Cowley, Linley Dodd and Patricia Grace.

Film-Making

New Zealand is highly regarded for the quality of its film-makers and actors. Well-known directors include Oscar-winners Jane Campion (The Piano, A Portrait of a Lady) and Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures, The Lord of the Rings, King Kong, The Lovely Bones), plus Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors, The Edge) and Niki Caro (Whalerider, North Country, The Vintner’s Luck).

Internationally-known New Zealand actors include Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider, Star Wars- Revenge of the Sith.) Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, The Horse Whisperer, Merlin, The Piano, The Dish), Anna Paquin (The Piano, Fly Away Home, X Men) and Russell Crowe (LA Confidential, The Insider, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind). Paquin and Crowe are Academy Award winners.

New Zealand has also become popular for the variety of locations it can offer film-makers. The popular TV series Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules were filmed on location near Auckland, and the Oscar-winning The Lord of The Rings movie trilogy was filmed on location around New Zealand with much of the production based in Wellington. The Last Samurai was filmed in Taranaki. Much of King Kong and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe were filmed here.

17. Education System

The New Zealand education system is well-regarded internationally, with New Zealand rating in the top third of OECD countries for most education indicators. About 40% of adult New Zealanders have post-school qualifications (2006 Census).

17.1 Types of Schools

Early childhood education for children under 6 years old is non-compulsory, and available through kindergartens, playcentres, kohanga reo and childcare centres. These organisations are generally licensed private organisations, receiving some government funding. Many providers (but not all) participate in a government scheme that offers 20 hours of free childcare a week for 3 and 4 year olds.

School attendance is compulsory from the age of 6 years through 15 years (i.e. the school leaving age is 16 years), although most children commence school at 5 years of age. Home-based schooling is an option in approved circumstances.

“Primary” covers Year 1 (J1) through Year 8 (Form Two), (ie generally from age 5 years through age 12 years). Some schools cover only to Year 6. “Intermediate” covers Years 7&8 (Forms One & Two) only. “Secondary” covers Year 9 (Third Form) through Year 13 (Seventh Form), (ie generally from age 12 or 13 years through to age 17 years).

“Free” education is provided in state primary and secondary schools. State schools will normally charge an activity fee or request a donation per child (usually under $300), and may also charge for additional activities and resources. State schools are generally co-educational at primary and intermediate level, but may be single-sex at secondary level.

Private schools are available as an alternative, but these charge much higher fees. Integrated schools are schools that were previously private, and continue to operate as before, but now receive state funding. Typically fees are lower at the integrated schools than at the private schools, where fees may be as much as $18,000 a year.

State primary schools do not generally have a uniform. Most state secondary schools do have a uniform, although some do not. Private schools generally have a uniform. Uniform costs vary, but can be as much as $1500 to outfit a student.

The choice of schools is a very individual decision. We can provide advice as to the location and reputation of particular schools for academic quality, school culture, sporting opportunities, and education in the arts.

Some state and private schools offer boarding facilities. Kura kaupapa Maori are state schools where the whole curriculum is taught in the Maori language.

17.2 School Qualifications

NCEA

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) has been phased in from 2002, replacing the previous school qualifications (School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Bursary and Scholarship).

The purpose of NCEA is to provide a qualification system that will recognise and report a broad range of achievement. It is a system of internal and external assessment in seven curriculum areas, (Language & Languages, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Social Sciences, Health & Physical Well-being, and The Arts), conducted at three levels, and directed at 16-19 year olds.

NCEA is achievement-based, according to national standards. Each student will receive a certificate when they have achieved a range of standards, and earn credits toward their NCEA qualification. Standards can be achieved at three levels – Achieved, Merit or Excellence.

In each area of learning, different aspects of skill, knowledge and understanding are assessed separately. For example, in Mathematics, a student could achieve Merit in one topic, Algebra, but the lesser achievement of a Credit in Geometry.

The three NCEA qualifications are:

• Level 1: A student must achieve 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 1 standards. 8 credits must be in prescribed literacy standards and 8 credits must be in prescribed numeracy standards. Level 1 NCEA replaces School Certificate for Year 11 students.
• Level 2: A student must achieve 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 2 standards. Level 2 NCEA replaces Sixth Form Certificate for Year 12 students.
• Level 3: A student must achieve 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 3 standards. Level 3 NCEA replaces Bursary for Year 13 students.

There is also a Scholarship Award, achieved by passing additional examinations based on Level 3 standards. Entrance to university requires a set number of Level 3 credits, and tertiary education providers will use NCEA results for entry selection.

17.3 School Holidays

Primary schools are required to open for at least 394 half-days each year and secondary schools for at least 380 half-days. The following dates are the official state school terms as published by the Ministry of Education. You will need to check with your school to verify actual dates, and dates for any mid-term breaks. Private schools generally have term dates that vary from the dates below, and many state schools also vary the dates.

New Zealand School Terms 2010
Term One	A date between February 2 and February 5 – April 1 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)
Term Two	April 19 – July 2 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)
Term Three	July 19 – September 24 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)
Term Four	October 11 – no later than December 20 (Primary & Intermediate)
Secondary	October 11 – December 14
New Zealand School Terms 2011
Term One	A date between January 31 and February 7 – April 15 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)
Term Two	May 2 – July 15 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)
Term Three	August 1 – September 7 (Primary, Intermediate & Secondary)
Term Four	October 25 – no later than December 20 (Primary & Intermediate)
Secondary	October 25 – December 13

17.4 Tertiary Education

There are seven universities (at Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch (2) and Dunedin), five teachers’ colleges, and 24 polytechnics in New Zealand. In addition there are private training establishments and industry training organisations (ITOs). The Open Polytechnic and Massey University offer distance learning programmes. Massey also operates significant campuses in Wellington and Auckland. Student allowances and student loans are available to assist with funding students through their tertiary education. About 11% of the population over 15 years is enrolled at New Zealand tertiary institutions.

17.5 Careers, Salaries and Wages

The level of education has an major impact on the salary of a person. For a salary survey guide, the occupations of the highest and lowest earners, employment market trends and educational statistics on the impact of education with relation to earnings, visit www.2.careers.govt.nz, www.hays-hps.co.nz and www.educationcounts.govt.nz.

18. Housing

The majority of New Zealanders aspire to own their own home. The 2006 census indicated that approximately 67% of households owned their own home (either with or without a mortgage).

By far the majority of dwellings in New Zealand are detached houses, generally on at least 1/8 of an acre of land. Older homes are often on larger blocks of land (“sections”). There is a current trend in urban areas towards inner city apartment living, with many older buildings being converted into apartments.

The typical New Zealand house is a single-storey bungalow, built of wood, although other materials are now being used. It has three or more bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge, a dining area which may be attached to the lounge or kitchen, a bathroom, separate toilet, and a laundry. There is often a garage, which may be integrated as part of the house or detached.

Modern houses are often now being built as multi-level with a double garage underneath, and often with an ensuite bathroom attached to the master bedroom. Many new homes have four bedrooms.

Houses must have a stove when they are sold. Other integrated appliances such as dishwashers may be left by negotiation with the vendor. New Zealanders leave light bulbs, light fixtures, carpet, and drapes in houses when they are sold, unless otherwise negotiated.

Central heating, double-glazing and air-conditioning are not common in most New Zealand homes, although many people are now installing reverse cycle air conditioners (“heat pumps”). Electricity is the most commonly used form of heating, but gas is also available in many areas. Reticulated gas is available only in the North Island. Open fires and wood burners are also popular. Insulation is generally provided in modern homes by fibreglass pads (“Bats”) that are installed inside the walls and ceilings. Newcomers should note that the interiors of many New Zealand houses may be colder than they are used to because of the lack of central heating and double-glazing.

Many New Zealand suburban areas are large and do not have facilities close to all housing areas, so transport options should be a consideration when choosing a place to live.

18.1 Renting a Property

Rental properties in New Zealand are usually unfurnished, although some furnished places are available.

Rental properties are advertised through the internet, the newspaper, or through a letting agent or a real estate agent. You may have to pay a fee to an agent.

In addition, you will have to pay bond money (up to four weeks rent), which is held by the Ministry of Housing Bond Processing Centre. This money is refundable when you leave the property provided it is in good condition.

You will normally be required to pay rent in advance, and will need to sign a lease agreement. The landlord will normally pay the rates and dwelling insurance on the property. The tenant will pay for their own contents insurance, electricity, gas, telephone etc. Note that it is very important to take out contents insurance to cover your personal effects, even if you are renting a fully furnished property. Apart from the obvious need to protect your property, contents insurance policies will also generally provide protection in case you are responsible for damaging someone else’s property, i.e. personal liability cover.

Many landlords will not permit pets on the property, or smoking inside.

18.2 Buying a Property

Most houses in New Zealand are sold through real estate agents, although some private sales occur. There are many real estate agents, some of which have Internet web sites (see References section for details).

Conveyancing (the legal aspects of house purchasing) in New Zealand is done by solicitors, and it is advisable to get an independent valuation from a professional valuer.

Mortgages are relatively easy to obtain from the banks and other financial institutions. Rates and conditions vary between lenders. Some lenders will loan up to 90% of the house’s value, whereas others will only lend to 80%. Mortgage rates are volatile, and you have the choice of a floating or fixed rate mortgage. Refer to www.interest.co.nz for details of current mortgage interest rates.

A brief summary of the process follows:

Find a Property to Purchase

Properties are advertised in the newspaper, the most popular edition being Saturday. There are also usually local real estate inserts in the free local newspapers that are delivered weekly to houses in certain city areas. The free papers, “Property Press” and “The Real Estate”, can generally be picked up from bins outside real estate agents and in shopping malls etc. Some agents produce their own brochures to advertise properties currently on the market as well, and these can often be picked up from bins in shopping areas.

Most real estate agents also show photos of properties for sale in their office windows, so it is worth a visit to the agents in the housing areas of interest.

Most real estate agents operate in a very localised geographical area, so you need to contact an agent in the localities of interest to you.

Note that Real Estate agents in New Zealand are paid by the vendor upon sale of the house, and their commission is a percentage of the price paid. Therefore, it is important to remember that they are acting for the vendor, rather than the buyer. As a buyer, you do not pay commission to a real estate agent.

Most real estate agents now have Internet web sites. These may be useful before arrival for just getting a general feel as to what is available, and for price comparisons. There is a list of some agent web sites in the Useful References section at the end of this guide.

Properties may also be listed as “private sale”. In this case, you will be dealing with the vendor directly, rather than through an agent.

Real estate agents will show you round the properties on their books likely to interest you. They are unlikely to give you a general tour of the area. Another way of viewing potential properties is to attend an “Open Home”. This is a set time period for potential buyers (and sightseers!) to view the property in question.

Open Homes are generally held on a weekend and are advertised in the newspaper. You will normally be requested to register with the real estate agent on arrival at the Open Home, and you can expect to be contacted by them afterwards.

Use of Lawyer

In New Zealand the legal process of transferring ownership of property is called conveyancing. This is carried out by a lawyer (also known as a solicitor).

You are strongly advised to engage a solicitor before making any offer. You should select a solicitor who is independently recommended, rather than one recommended by your real estate agent.

Find out how much you will pay your solicitor in conveyancing fees in advance, as some firms charge more than others. Your solicitor can do the following:

• Check out the offer and sale contract, before you sign it.
• Advise on any conditions you should include in the contract.
• Obtain a guaranteed search document from the Land Titles Office.
• Check the title and any Land Information Memorandum (LIM), for any covenants and encumbrances.
• Prepare and submit the transfer of ownership papers.
• Arranges the completion of settlement with the vendor’s lawyer, including the payment of the balance of the purchase price at the appropriate time.

Types of Sale

Properties in New Zealand are generally sold either by a negotiated deal between buyer and seller, or by tender, or by auction.

Negotiated deals Negotiated deals are actioned through the buyer making a formal written offer to purchase, subject to certain terms and conditions, such as arranging suitable finance within a certain time period, getting an independent valuation (if this has not already been done) , having the property inspected by a builder, searching the title, etc. Real estate agents have standard agreement forms for such offers but you are strongly advised to get advice from your solicitor before signing anything. Most standard agreement forms do not have the buyers’ conditions included, and these are often handwritten as additions.

The buyer may accept the offer, decline the offer, or commence negotiations to agree a price with the buyer. The written offer will be amended and initialled to reflect the changes in price. The buyer and seller agree a date for settlement.

Once terms and conditions are agreed, the buyer pays a deposit to the vendor, via the real estate agent. This is normally 5 to 10% of the purchase price, and this money is held in the agent’s trust account for a minimum of 10 working days. The agent will take their commission out of this deposit once the deal becomes “unconditional”, ie once all conditions on the contract have been met.

The balance of the purchase price is paid via the buyer’s and vendor’s solicitors on the settlement date, and the keys are handed over to the buyer.

Your solicitor will then process the formal transfer of title.

Tender Tenders differ from negotiated deals in that the vendor manages a tender process whereby written bids are received from prospective buyers, which the vendor then considers alongside each other. “Closed” tenders have a deadline by which date tenders must be submitted. In a tender situation, there may be no negotiation with a prospective buyer, so it is important to bid at a realistic and competitive price. The bids are not made public to the various buyers.

Auction Auctions are a public bidding process, whereby the buyers can see what other bids are made. There is usually a “reserve” price, which is the minimum the vendor will accept, although this is not disclosed to buyers prior to the auction. If the property does not sell at auction, the vendor may seek to negotiate a price with one or more bidders.

At auction, sales are unconditional, ie you cannot purchase subject to finance, valuation etc. All the necessary checks on title and on the property must have been completed before the day of the auction. A deposit will be required at the time the bid is accepted. This is normally 10%.The completion of the settlement process is the same in all types of sale.

Arranging Finance

Housing finance in New Zealand is called a “mortgage”. There are multiple mortgage lenders, (banks, building societies, insurance companies and direct telephone mortgage lenders), with varying interest rates and conditions.

It is not necessary to have an existing banking record with any particular lender, although this may speed up the process of arranging finance, but it will be necessary to undergo the usual credit checking process. Credit checking may take longer if you do not have a New Zealand credit history.

It is often possible to get a certain level of finance pre-approved before finding a property to purchase. This is essential when purchasing at auction, as sales there are unconditional.

There is no tax relief for residential mortgages in New Zealand, so you are advised to take your mortgage for as short a term as you can manage.

19. Business

19.1 Business Protocol

New Zealanders are generally quite informal in their personal interactions. First names are used in most circumstances, where there is a level of personalised communication, such as at a business meeting. It is common practice to telephone for an appointment, rather than just visiting without prior notice.

19.2 Business Hours

Business hours vary between organisations, but most offices, including government departments, are open from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Banks are generally open from 9.00am to 4.30pm , Monday to Friday, with some branches of some banks opening on weekends, particularly in shopping malls. Additional banking services are available outside these hours through telephone and internet banking, Automatic teller machines (ATMs) , and eftpos.

New Zealand shops can open on any day of the year, except for Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and before 1pm on Anzac Day. Shops such as service stations, dairies and restaurants may open on any day. Shopping hours are generally 9.00am to 5.30am, Monday to Friday, with one late night on Thursday or Friday with shops open till 8pm or 9pm. Most shops also open on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm, although some may close earlier. Many shops now open on Sundays in the major cities and holiday areas.

Large supermarkets generally open seven days a week, with evening shopping Monday to Friday. “Dairies” (small local grocery shops) open for extended hours seven days a week, and many service (petrol/gas) stations have an attached grocery shop that may well be open 24 hours.

Urgent pharmacies are open during weekends and in the evening.

19.3 Business Dress

Usual business dress in New Zealand is a suit & tie for men , and a business suit or smart dress or trousers for women. Tailored pants suits are generally acceptable for women although some organisations may have a specific dress policy.

Some firms have introduced casual dress on one day a week (often Friday), and some firms are introducing casual dress policy as standard, although it is generally expected that business dress will be worn when dealing with external customers.

20. New Zealand Standards

20.1 Flag

New Zealand’s flag has the Union Jack in the top left quarter, and the rest of the flag has a deep blue background, with the four five pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation in red with white borders.

20.2 National Emblems

New Zealand has two national emblems, the kiwi (the unique flightless bird) and the silver fern. New Zealanders are colloquially called “kiwis”.

20.3 National Anthem

New Zealand has two official national anthems. “God Defend New Zealand” is most commonly sung (usually only the first verse, with the Maori version sung first followed by the English), with “God Save the Queen” reserved for appropriate official occasions. The first verse of each anthem follows:

God Defend New Zealand

E Ihowa Atua

O nga iwi matoura

Ata whakarongona;

Me aroha noa

Kia hua ko te pai;

Kia tau to atawhai;

Manaakitia mai

Aotearoa.

God of nations at thy feet

In the bonds of love we meet.

Hear our voices, we entreat,

God defend our free land.

Guard Pacific’s triple star

From the shafts of strife and war,

Make her praises heard afar,

God defend New Zealand.

God Save the Queen

God save our gracious queen

Long live our noble queen

God save our Queen.

Send her victorious

Noble and glorious

Long to reign over us

God save our Queen.

21. Statutory Holidays

The following holidays are observed on the actual day:

• New Year’s Day (or following Monday if falls on weekend)
• Day after New Year’s Day (or following Monday or Tuesday if falls on the weekend)
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Christmas Day (or following Monday if falls on the weekend)
• Boxing Day (or following Monday or Tuesday if falls on the weekend).
• The dates for the following holidays vary from year to year, but these are observed on a Monday in the month indicated:
• Queen’s Birthday (usually first Monday in June)
• Labour Day (usually fourth Monday in October).
• The following holidays are observed on their actual day, and there is no provision made for a holiday on the following Monday if the actual day falls on the weekend. Both holidays are marked by official ceremonies:
• Waitangi Day February 6 (Commemoration of signing of Treaty of Waitangi in 1840)
• Anzac Day April 25 (Commemoration of soldiers who died in WWI & WWII).
• A further provincial “Anniversary Day” holiday is also observed by region in the months shown below. Actual dates vary from year to year so check in a New Zealand diary for details:
• Auckland & Northland 4th Monday in January
• Wellington 3^rd Monday in January
• Nelson 1^st Monday in February
• Taranaki 2^nd Monday in March
• Otago 4^th Monday in March
• Southland 4^th Monday in March
• Hawkes Bay 4^th Friday in October
• Marlborough 1^st Monday in November
• Westland 3^rd Monday in November
• Canterbury 3^rd Friday in November.

Please refer to the Education System section for details of school holiday dates.

22. Currency

The currency is the New Zealand Dollar, sometimes referred to as the Kiwi Dollar. The standard $ symbol is used.

There are 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, $1 and $2 coins. There are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Note denominations are easily identified by the colour of the note.

The five cent coin has recently been removed from circulation, but goods are still priced to the nearest cent, e.g. $7.99. When you make a purchase and pay by credit card, eftpos or cheque you pay the exact amount, but if you pay by cash the amount will be rounded up or down according to the shop’s policy. E.g. if the bill comes to $7.43 you will normally be charged $7.40 in a cash sale. If the bill is $7.48 you would pay $7.50.

For more details on New Zealand’s currency, go to www.rbnz.govt.nz and www.newcoins.govt.nz.

23. Time Zone

New Zealand is located just to the west of the International Date Line, so is first in the world, along with some smaller Pacific island nations, to see the new day.

New Zealand Standard Time is 12 hours ahead of UTC & Greenwich Mean Time (the United Kingdom), 20 hours ahead of Los Angeles, 17 hours ahead of New York, 10 hours ahead of Johannesburg, and 2 hours ahead of Sydney.

Daylight Saving (with clocks put forward one hour ahead of standard time) generally operates from 2am on the first Sunday in October through to 2am on the third Sunday in March.

24. Weights & Measures

Officially, New Zealand uses the metric system for weights and measures, so kilometres are used for distance, kilograms for weight, celsius/centigrade for temperatures etc. Old habits die hard though and many New Zealanders still refer to the Imperial system in certain circumstances, such as their own vital statistics! Some handy conversion factors are:

1 centimetre = 0.39 inches

1 inch = 2.54 centimetres

1 kilometre = 0.62 miles

1 mile = 1.6 kilometres

1 hectare = 2.47 acres

1 acre = 0.4 hectare

1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds

1 pound = 0.45 kilogram

1 litre = 1.76 pints

1 pint = 0.57 litre

1 litre = 0.22 imperial gallon

1 imperial gallon = 4.55 litres

1 litre = 0.26 US gallon

1 US gallon = 3.79 litres

To convert temperatures quickly from Celsius to Fahrenheit, double the Celsius value and add 30, e.g. 20°C approximates to 70°F.To convert temperatures quickly from Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 30 from the  Fahrenheit value and halve the result, e.g. 86°F approximates to 28°C.

25. Date Formats

In New Zealand, dates are usually expressed in dd/mm/yy format.

26. Telecommunications

Telecommunications services in New Zealand have been deregulated and are delivered by private service providers.

The major residential service provider is Telecom New Zealand, although Telstra Clear is now also offering local residential service packages to many parts of the country and is also providing services for local business calls.

Local residential calls are free, after payment of a monthly rental and maintenance charge, (currently around $42 per month). Telecom now offers options on paying for local calls in return for a reduced monthly rental. Additional services such as Call Minder (voicemail), Call Waiting, Caller Display, Faxability and Call Diversion are available.

The major players in residential toll services are Telecom and Telstra Clear, although several new players have entered the market recently. These include WorldXChange, Global One, and In Touch. Most offer competitive plans for domestic and international call savings, and run specific promotional campaigns. Domestic toll calls within New Zealand are currently subject to a $3 limit (regardless of the length of the call) on evenings and weekends, and this is sometimes extended to peak hours by the providers.

There is a high penetration of cellular (Mobile) telephones in New Zealand. Both analogue and digital (GSM) are supported. Telecom (025 & 027 prefix) Vodafone (021 prefix) and Telstra Clear (029 prefix) and 2 Degrees (027, 021 & 022 prefix) provide cellular services. Calls to cellular phones are charged on a length of call basis to the caller. Call charges and plans for cellular phones are considered expensive in comparison to many other countries. In 2009, Telecom launched their new XT Mobile 3G network, which includes benefits of a faster internet on mobile and roaming to more countries.

New Zealand also ranks highly on Internet connections per capita and it is estimated 75% of New Zealanders use the Internet. There are multiple Internet service providers, including Xtra, Clear, Paradise, and many more smaller providers. Broadband internet is available, with the most common access method via ADSL modem. Wireless and satellite services are available in some areas.

Note that any equipment (phones, fax machines, modems) connected to the New Zealand phone network will require a New Zealand telepermit, so it is recommended that such equipment is purchased in New Zealand.

27. Postage

Postal services in New Zealand are delivered by a state-owned enterprise, New Zealand Post Limited, although this has been deregulated, and competition from other service providers is available in some areas.

In addition to specific “PostShops”, stamps may be purchased at supermarkets, service stations and other outlets.

Standard post within New Zealand costs 50 cents for a standard letter and $1 for a large envelope. This provides next-day delivery within the same town, and two to three days elsewhere in New Zealand.

FastPost costs $1 for a standard letter and $1.50 for a large envelope. This provides next-day delivery between major towns.

Letters are delivered to residential addresses once daily, Monday through Saturday.

New Zealand Post also provides courier services, as do many other private suppliers. Bicycle couriers are common in the major cities.

28. Electricity

Electricity is 240 volts AC, 50 hz cycle. This is the same as in Australia, Europe, and Singapore, but not the US and Canada. Migrants from countries with other voltages such as 110 volts should note that their appliances will not operate in New Zealand without a voltage convertor, and it would be extremely dangerous to connect such appliances to the New Zealand electricity supply. Never use just a plug adapter to connect 110 volt appliances to the New Zealand power supply. Voltage convertors can be purchased from Dick Smith and other electrical component stores, but note that these are generally more expensive than buying the appliance you want to use it for!

Plugs are of the angled three-pin variety, like Australia. Migrants from most other countries will need to have their plugs rewired on arrival, or will need to buy the appropriate pin adapters.

In New Zealand it is illegal (and dangerous) to attempt to do your own electrical maintenance work, apart from rewiring fuses and changing plugs. Always engage a qualified tradesperson to undertake electrical maintenance work.

29. Immigration Issues

29.1 Immigration Criteria

There are multiple categories of entry for incoming migrants. Some of these are for temporary residence for a set period, such as work-permits, and others cover permanent migration, leading to Permanent Residency.

Your own personal circumstances will determine what category and associated conditions apply to you and your family.

Under New Zealand immigration rules, married, defacto and same-sex couples are treated the same, and the term “partner” is used. For most categories couples must prove they have been living in a genuine or stable partnership for at least 12 months.

Immigration and work-permit criteria are subject to change, and we strongly recommend that the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) is treated as the sole definitive source of immigration policy and procedure. We recommend the NZIS website, www.immigration.govt.nz, as a useful source of official information.

29.2 Customs & Bio-security (MAF) Restrictions

Customs Concessions

The NZ Customs personal concession allows you to bring in the following to New Zealand free of duty:

• Goods obtained overseas and/or duty free in NZ with a combined value of not more than NZ$700 (excluding clothing, toiletries and jewellery intended for your own personal use); and
• If you are over 17 years of age, one bottle containing not more than 1125 ml spirits or liqueur; and 4.5 litres wine or beer; and 200 cigarettes or 250grams tobacco or 50 cigars or a mixture of these.

(Note that if the duty and/or GST combined on all items is less than NZ$50, the duty/tax is not collected. Effectively this means each adult individual can bring in additional bottles of spirits provided these are declared and the combined duty due does not exceed $50. Ask at the duty free shops at Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch airports for further details on this.) You can purchase duty free items on arrival in New Zealand.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

New Zealand has very stringent quarantine regulations to protect its agriculture and horticulture industries, so many food and plant items cannot be brought into the country. As an island nation, we are free of many diseases and pests, and it is important to our economy that this status is preserved.

It is common to see dogs in the airport baggage and arrival hall, these are used both to detect drugs and to detect illegal food items. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) food detection dogs are particularly keen, so do not be surprised if one takes a liking to your bag if you have any food items, legal or otherwise! You will need to open your bags, even before the normal customs checks, if requested to do so by a MAF official.

Instant fines of $200 apply on detection of undeclared items, such as food items or dirty footwear, including sports and golf shoes.

The following items are prohibited and must not be brought into New Zealand:

• Weapons such as firearms (police permit required), flick knives, sword sticks
• Indecent publications, films and materials
• Illicit drugs
• Endangered species of flora and fauna, and any derived products from these species, including those listed under the Cites agreement.

The following classes of goods must be declared:

• food of any kind (many items prohibited)
• plants or parts of plants (alive or dead)
• animals (alive or dead) or their products
• equipment used with animals
• equipment such as camping gear, golf clubs, and used bicycles
• biological specimens.

Travellers who fill out the quarantine section of the arrival card incorrectly risk an instant fine of $200. Serious breaches of the New Zealand biosecurity laws may also result in a fine of up to $100,000, or a prison term of up to five years.

Many food, plant and animal items may not be imported into New Zealand and will be confiscated at the border. Some items such as cane and wooden items may be taken away for fumigation and then returned to you.

Check the New Zealand Customs Service website, www.customs.govt.nz, before departure for more detailed information on what can and cannot be brought into New Zealand, and also check the documents provided on your incoming flight to see what you must declare.

Immigrants arriving as Permanent Residents may bring in their household effects (including vehicles and boats) free of duty and GST, subject to certain conditions.

30. Airline and Airport Information

The following airlines operate services to New Zealand, some under codeshare arrangements:

• Air New Zealand (to/from Australia, Pacific, Asia, UK and USA)
• Qantas (to/from Australia, Pacific, USA and Argentina)
• Emirates (to/from Dubai via Australia and Singapore)
• Singapore Airlines (to/from Singapore)
• Cathay Pacific (to/from Hong Kong)
• United Airlines (to/from USA)
• Thai Airways (to/from Thailand)
• Garuda Indonesia (to/from Indonesia)
• Malaysia Airlines (to/from Malaysia)
• Korean Air (to/from South Korea)
• Air Pacific (to/from Fiji)
• Air Calin (to/from New Caledonia)
• Polynesian Airlines (to/from Samoa & Tonga)
• Aerolineas Argentinas (to/from Argentina)
• Air Vanuatu (to/from Vanuatu)
• Air Tahiti Nui (to/from Tahiti)
• Asiana (to/from South Korea)
• Lan Chile (to/from Chile)
• Pacific Blue (to/from Australia)
• Jetstar (to/from Australia)

The various airline alliances in place mean there is significant code-sharing on routes to New Zealand. The following airlines operate services on a code-share basis only – American Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Air Canada, EVA Air, Mexicana, KLM, and Lufthansa.

The majority of international flights into New Zealand terminate at Auckland International Airport. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Pacific Blue run flights from certain Australian destinations directly into Wellington and Christchurch, and there are also other carriers that service Christchurch directly on a limited basis. Air New Zealand also operates services between Hamilton and Dunedin and various Australian destinations.

Although you may hold a boarding pass to another New Zealand destination, you will have to pass through immigration and customs at the point of entry, ie your bags must be collected and presented.

Check-in time for international flights is usually two hours prior to departure, although some airlines are now recommending three hours.

30.1 Auckland Airport Information

Auckland International and Domestic Airports are co-located at Mangere, although there is some distance between the terminals (about 15 minutes walk). The airport is 21 kilometres or 35 to 60 minutes drive from central Auckland, depending on traffic conditions (so don’t try to explore the city in between flights unless you have several hours to spare!).

If arriving in New Zealand on an international flight at Auckland, you will arrive at the international terminal.

Auckland International terminal has recently undergone a major upgrade, and has excellent facilities.

You can purchase duty free items on arrival. Duty free goods in Auckland are generally well-priced compared to other ports. Baggage carts are free, and there is no need to tip airport staff. Note the strict regulations banning the import of many plant and food items.

If you are staying in Auckland, various forms of ground transportation are available:

• Taxi (metered, around $70 to city centre)
• Airbus (runs every 20 minutes to city centre from early morning to early-evening, then runs every 30 minutes till 10pm)
• Door-to-door shuttle (mini-buses that do not run to a fixed route, but take multiple passengers, and drop passengers off wherever they wish to go. Cheaper than a taxi for a single passenger, but journey takes longer.)
• Hotel transport (some hotels operate free shuttle buses between airport and hotel).

If you are catching a flight onto another destination, such as Wellington, you will either need to catch the free shuttle bus to the domestic terminals (Air New Zealand or Qantas) or take a 15 minute walk (which is well-marked and pleasant on a fine day). The shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes from early in the morning to late evening between the International terminal, and the domestic terminals.

You can check-in (including baggage) for your domestic flight at the Air New Zealand or Qantas domestic transfer (Interline) desk in the International terminal, provided you have sufficient time between connections (about one hour). This will save you taking your baggage on the shuttle bus.

Air New Zealand and Qantas operate business class/member lounges for their executive club members and business class passengers at their domestic terminals. Other airlines may have lounge-sharing arrangements with these carriers.

Both the international and domestic terminals are non-smoking areas (apart from in designated smoking lounges). For further details about facilities at Auckland Airport, www.auckland-airport.co.nz.

30.2 Wellington Airport Information

Wellington Airport is located at Rongotai, 10 kilometres or a 15-25 minute drive from the city centre, depending on traffic conditions. A single terminal handles both domestic and international flights.

The transport options for transfer to the city centre are metered taxis, shuttle minibuses, and a scheduled bus service. A taxi into the city costs about $30.

The International arrivals hall is part of the main terminal complex. You pass through immigration before collecting your bags beyond the duty free shop, then pass customs and MAF inspection. Baggage carts are free. You exit the arrivals hall on the ground floor. If transferring to a domestic flight, take the lift or escalator upstairs to the check-in counters and departure gates.

If arriving at the domestic terminal, proceed downstairs from the arrival gates to ground level to claim your bags. Taxis leave from outside the baggage claim area at the front entrance to the terminal.

When departing from Wellington, all check-in counters (domestic and international) are located on the first level of the terminal building. A passenger drop-off zone is located outside at this level. All terminal areas are non-smoking.

30.3 Domestic Airline Operators

The major domestic carrier is Air New Zealand. Other operators are Jetstar (operating between main centres) and Origin Pacific (operating smaller aircraft between major and provincial centres). Air New Zealand’s Express domestic services are a single class service with no meals or alcohol served. While flights between major cities will usually be on a jet such as a Boeing 737, many flights to regional centres and at non-peak times are on smaller aircraft.

Note that cabin and check-in baggage restrictions are strictly enforced on Air New Zealand’s domestic services. These limits are generally more restrictive than on international flights, particularly if you are flying business class to New Zealand. You may be charged an excess baggage fee if your bags are overweight, or required to check-in unacceptable cabin baggage. Current limits are: Cabin Baggage 1 piece, maximum 7kg, must meet certain dimensions. (Note that these dimensions are smaller than allowable dimensions for cabin baggage in some countries.) Checked Baggage Maximum 20kg.

We recommend you check with your travel agent or airline website for latest baggage information.

Check-in time for domestic flights is usually 30 minutes prior to departure.

Elemensa Tip When arriving at New Zealand domestic air terminals, do not delay going to the baggage claim to collect your bags, as the baggage claim will be in an area accessible to the general public. Thefts are not common, but better safe than sorry! This is not as much of an issue when arriving on an international flight as you will pick up your baggage within the restricted customs area.

31. Useful References

31.1 Organisations

New Zealand Government Departments

New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS)

National Office

PO Box 3705

Wellington

Tel: 64 4 473 9100

www.immigration.govt.nz

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)

Head Office

PO Box 2526

Wellington

Tel: 64 4 474 4100

New Zealand Customs Service

Head Office

PO Box 2218

Wellington

Tel: 64 4 473 6099

Inland Revenue Department

National Office

PO Box 2198

Wellington

Tel: 64 4 473 0920

ww.ird.govt.nz

New Zealand Qualifications Authority

Head Office

PO Box 160

Wellington

Tel: 64 4 802 3000

New Zealand Representative Offices

New Zealand Consulate-General – Australia

Level 10,

55 Hunter Street

GPO Box 365

Sydney

Australia

Phone: 02 8256 2000

New Zealand High Commission – Australia

Commonwealth Avenue

Canberra ACT 2600

Australia

Phone: 02 6270 4211

New Zealand High Commission – Canada

Suite 727, Metropolitan House

99 Bank Street

Ottawa K1P 6G3

Canada

Phone: 613 238 5991

New Zealand Consulate-General – Canada

Suite 1200-888 Dunsmuir Street

Vancouver BC V6C 3K4

Canada

Phone: 604 684 7388

New Zealand Consulate-General – Hong Kong

6501 Central Plaza

18 Harbour Road, Wanchai

GPO Box 2790

Hong Kong

Phone: 2 2525 5044

New Zealand High Commission – India

50-N Nyaya Marg

Chanakyapuri

New Delhi 110021

Phone: 11 688 3170

New Zealand High Commission – Singapore

391A Orchard Rd

#15-06/10 Ngee Ann City

Tower A

Singapore 238873

Phone: 235 9966

New Zealand High Commission- South Africa

Block C (2^nd Floor) Hathfield Gardens

1110 Arcadia St

Private Bag X17

Hatfield

Pretoria 0028

Phone: 12 342 8656

New Zealand High Commission – United Kingdom

New Zealand House

The Haymarket

London SW1Y 4TQ

United Kingdom

Phone: 207 930 8422

New Zealand Consulate-General – U.S.A (Los Angeles)

Suite 1150, 12400 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles CA90025

U.S.A

Phone: 310 207 1605

New Zealand Embassy – U.S.A (Washington DC)

37 Observatory Circle NW

Washington DC 20008

U.S.A.

Phone: 202 328 4848

New Zealand Consulate-General – U.S.A (New York)

Suite 1904

780 Third Avenue

New York NY10017-2024

U.S.A.

Phone: 212 832 4038

Other Useful Organisations

Citizens Advice Bureau 0800 367 222 (free advice on many aspects of life in New Zealand)

31.2 Internet (WWW) Sites

New Zealand Government Sites

www.govt.nz

Providing access to many New Zealand government departments.

www.immigration.govt.nz

New Zealand Immigration Service Site. An excellent site providing details on the New Zealand immigration process.

www.minedu.govt.nz

New Zealand Minstry of Education site, very informative regarding New Zealand education system.

www.ers.dol.govt.nz

New Zealand Department of Labour Employment Relations Service. Provides details on employment legislation.

www.ird.govt.nz

New Zealand Inland Revenue Department site.

www.statisphere.govt.nz

Collection of useful statistics on New Zealand.

Real Estate Sites

www.realenz.co.nz

Maintained by Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. Useful general information on the property market, mortgage interest rates etc. Multiple agents list properties on this site.

www.property-press.co.nz

Online Property Press site, multiple agents listings.

www.homebuying.co.nz

ANZ Bank site with information and links for homebuyers.

www.open2view.co.nz

Multiple agents list properties on this site.

31.3 Other Useful Sites

www.yellowpages.co.nz

New Zealand Telecom directory site, yellow pages.

www.whitepages.co.nz

New Zealand Telecom directory site, white pages.

www.consumer.org.nz

New Zealand Consumers’ Institute site.

www.searchnz.co.nz

New Zealand www domain search engine.

www.accessnz.co.nz

Search engine for New Zealand websites.

www.akcity.govt.nz

Auckland City council site.

www.aucklandnz.com

Auckland tourism site.

www.wcc.govt.nz

Wellington City Council site.

www.smartwellington.co.nz

Wellington City Council migrant support site.

www.wellingtonnz.com

Totally Wellington, tourism site.

www.trademe.co.nz

Very popular online auction and classified listing site. Lists houses for sale or rent, vehicles and jobs.

www.wises.co.nz

A business directory and map site.

www.mercer.com

Human Resource consulting site.

www.2.careers.govt.nz, www.hays-hps.co.nz, www.educationcounts.govt.nz

Career and Salary Information sites.

31.4 Newspapers

The Dominion Post (PO Box 1297, Wellington): Wellington morning daily. www.stuff.co.nz (Independent Newspapers site), www.dompost.co.nz

The New Zealand Herald (PO Box 32, Auckland): Auckland morning daily.www.nzherald.co.nz

The Sunday Star Times (PO Box 11-347, Wellington): Sunday paper.

National Business Review (PO Box 1734, Auckland): Weekly business paper.

The Independent Financial Review:(PO Box 105-192, Auckland): Weekly business paper.

31.5 Magazines

While there are many excellent New Zealand magazines, the following are recommended as giving new residents a good feel for New Zealand lifestyle, current events and issues.

• The New Zealand Listener (PO Box 1820, Wellington): Articles and opinion on current issues in New Zealand.
• North & South (Subscriptions: Private Bag 92 615, Symonds Street, Auckland 1035): New Zealand lifestyle magazine.
• Metro (Subscriptions:Private Bag 92 615, Symonds Street, Auckland 1035): Auckland lifestyle magazine.

31.6 Books

Note: There are several books published on living and working in New Zealand. These can provide some useful general background but we do warn against following any of the “official” policies and procedures that may be quoted therein. Do check all official policies and procedures with the government department concerned at the addresses above.

• Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit – New Zealand (P Turner, J Williams, N Keller & T Wheeler)
• Lonely Planet: Oriented towards the tourist, but contains much useful information on New Zealand generally. Highly recommended as background reading before arrival
• New Zealand Official Yearbook 2006 (Statistics New Zealand, 2006): An official publication documenting statistical facts (including trend data) alongside the events and achievements of the previous year. Information also available online at www.statistics.govt.nz
• Community Help (C R McPhail Ltd (PO Box 2091, Palmerston North)): A directory of community and government services and contacts
• The Treaty of Waitangi (Claudia Orange, Bridget Williams Books, 1987)
• The Native Trees of New Zealand (JT Salmon, Reed,1980)
• The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Wildlife (Geoff Moon, Reed Books, 1994): A good overview of New Zealand wildlife (native & exotic)with colour photographs
• Native Animals of New Zealand (A W B Powell, Auckland Institute & Museum, 1993): Contains descriptions of a wide variety of native species, including fish and insects. B&W drawings
• Readers Digest Complete Book of New Zealand Birds (Readers Digest/Reed Methuen, 1985): Unfortunately out of print, but this is the definitive book on New Zealand birdlife
• The Natural World of New Zealand (Gerard Hutching, Viking, 1998): A beautifully produced book, covering New Zealand’s flora,fauna,geography and weather
• The Penguin History of New Zealand (Michael King,Penguin, 2003): A informative and comprehensive work by a renowned historian.

32 Table of Contents

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