What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to New Zealand, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 19 March 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:Updated information about global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in New Zealand” of the UK government's travel advice for New Zealand, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Telephone: 111 (ambulance, fire, police)
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for New Zealand, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
Importing illegal drugs could result in a prison sentence of up to 12 years.
LGBT+ travellers
New Zealand has an established tradition of tolerance towards same-sex relations, but there are still isolated incidents of homophobia-related crimes. LGBT+ travellers should be aware of local sensitivities, particularly when visiting rural areas. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Travelling with medicines
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for New Zealand, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
You must declare any prescription medicines on your passenger arrival card. All products containing codeine are classified as prescription-only medication (a controlled drug). You can import controlled drugs for personal use, but you must declare them on arrival to the Customs Service and provide evidence that they are for personal use.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for New Zealand, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Natural disasters can happen in New Zealand. If there is a disaster, follow the advice of the local authorities and the National Emergency Management Agency. For more information, see the government’s Get Ready website.
Earthquakes
New Zealand is in a major earthquake zone. Tsunamis can happen along the coastlines. You should:
familiarise yourself with safety procedures. In New Zealand advice in the event of an earthquake is to ‘Drop, Cover, Hold’
take note of instructions in hotel rooms and public areas
find and check your local emergency services social media pages
For more information about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, see the New Zealand government’s Get Ready advice for earthquakes.
If there is a tsunami warning, the Local Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups will have tsunami evacuation zone maps and advice. Familiarise yourself with local arrangements from New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency.
Flooding
Flooding and landslides can happen, resulting in road closures and infrastructure damage.
Volcanic eruptions
There are several active volcanoes on the North Island of New Zealand. Get local advice about where there might be volcanic activity.
What to pack
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesI
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
15 °C (60 °F)
Lows
10 °C (50 °F)
Highs
21 °C (69 °F)
Rain
114 mm (4.5 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
February
Average
16 °C (60 °F)
Lows
10 °C (50 °F)
Highs
21 °C (70 °F)
Rain
102 mm (4.0 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
March
Average
14 °C (57 °F)
Lows
9 °C (47 °F)
Highs
19 °C (66 °F)
Rain
122 mm (4.8 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
April
Average
11 °C (52 °F)
Lows
6 °C (44 °F)
Highs
16 °C (61 °F)
Rain
127 mm (5.0 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
May
Average
9 °C (47 °F)
Lows
4 °C (39 °F)
Highs
13 °C (55 °F)
Rain
143 mm (5.6 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
June
Average
6 °C (43 °F)
Lows
2 °C (35 °F)
Highs
10 °C (50 °F)
Rain
151 mm (6.0 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
July
Average
5 °C (41 °F)
Lows
1 °C (34 °F)
Highs
9 °C (49 °F)
Rain
139 mm (5.5 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
August
Average
6 °C (43 °F)
Lows
2 °C (35 °F)
Highs
11 °C (51 °F)
Rain
146 mm (5.8 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
September
Average
8 °C (47 °F)
Lows
4 °C (38 °F)
Highs
13 °C (55 °F)
Rain
146 mm (5.8 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
October
Average
10 °C (50 °F)
Lows
5 °C (41 °F)
Highs
15 °C (59 °F)
Rain
146 mm (5.7 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
November
Average
12 °C (53 °F)
Lows
7 °C (44 °F)
Highs
17 °C (62 °F)
Rain
120 mm (4.7 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
December
Average
14 °C (57 °F)
Lows
9 °C (48 °F)
Highs
19 °C (66 °F)
Rain
135 mm (5.3 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of New Zealand.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.