New Zealand Traveller Information

New Zealand shopping

Shopping hours in New Zealand vary a great deal but are generally 9.00am-5.30pm, Monday-Saturday. Most stores in larger towns and cities are open on Sundays for slightly limited hours (typically 10.00am-4.30pm). Stores catering to tourists are generally open every day, often with extended hours.

New Zealand has a goods and services tax (GST) of 15% which is charged on almost all goods and services and is typically included in the displayed price.

Please be aware that unlike many other countries, you cannot claim back tax on any purchases made in New Zealand. The only solution is to make your large purchases at duty free stores. To make a purchase you will need your passport and airline ticket or boarding pass.
 

New Zealand duty-free shopping

New Zealand has some of most affordable duty and tax free shopping in the world. There is duty and tax free stores in the major cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch at their international airports, as well as Hamilton, Rotorua, Dunedin and Queenstown. You will also find they are located in many city and tourist centres.
 
You can purchase your duty free goods online before you arrive and save at Duty Free Stores New Zealand.

Telephony services

New Zealand enjoys a very high standard of telephony services including extensive coverage for both analogue and digital mobile phones. Additionally, there is an extensive network of public telephones which operate with coins, credit cards, or prepaid phone cards.

• In an emergency dial 111

Mobile phones

If your mobile phone has roaming capability, you will be able to use this in New Zealand. Please check with you mobile phone company that it is activated. You can also hire mobile phones from all international airports on arrival.
 

Phone numbers

New Zealand's telephone numbers comply with the international format of country code, area code, telephone number. All phone numbers listed in this web site are displayed +64 9 123 4567, where +64 denotes the country code, 9 the area code, and 123 4567 the telephone number.