About New Zealand

Democratic Elections

New Zealand has a very stable political environment. Elections are held every 3 years. Most of the 120 members of parliament represent a particular geographical area (their electorate) and have a lot of personal contact with people in that area. Some MPs represent only a particular party, to ensure that their party has the same weightage in parliament as it received at voting time. There is no “Upper House” in parliament.

Visiting Parliament

Parliament buildings, especially the “Beehive” a round building that contains offices of the party in power, are a Wellington landmark. Members of the public may walk in the grounds and tour the buildings. There is a public viewing gallery and the debates are also broadcasted on the radio.

Legal System

New Zealand does not have a written constitution, but functions on traditions inherited from Britain. Power is distributed between the legislature (parliament), the judiciary (courts) and the executive (government departments, local bodies and the ruling party) so that no branch of government monopolises. A Governor-General represents the Queen. The Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement signed by representatives of Maori tribes and the British Crown in 1840, is regarded by many people as a founding document for modern New Zealand society.

Police

New Zealand police have an impeccable reputation. They do not carry guns. The police are also responsible for traffic control and giving drivers alcohol test. You have the right to a professional interpreter if you have to go to court or are questioned by the police.

A true multi-cultural society, New Zealand offers you religious freedom.

Most major religions are represented in New Zealand. There is no discrimination on the basis of religion, which is seen as a matter of personal choice. Major cities have churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and other centres of worship for most religions. Homestay families and student hostels can ensure that religious dietary requirements are respected.

About 10% of the population is actively Christian and many of the public holidays are from the Christian calendar.

Tertiary institutions have Catholic and Protestant chaplains who can probably link students with their respective faiths. This kind of support is very important when you are away from your own family and country.

Once you have arrived in New Zealand, transportation facilities are good. Domestic airlines ply between major cities and resort areas, and commuter airlines service other towns.

Airlines and bookings

You can fly to the main centres and many smaller cities and tourist destinations – such as New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Hokitika – on one of several different airlines. There are also scenic aeroplane and helicopter flights. Distances between major attractions in New Zealand are short; the flight from Auckland to Wellington takes only an hour. See a travel agent for more information. You can also book through the Internet or over the phone and collect the ticket when you arrive at the airport. This is called electronic ticketing.

Check-in time for domestic flights is usually 30-60 minutes before departure. Security at domestic airports has been increased for travellers’ safty. Mobile phones, computers, calculators and electronic games must be turned off during a flight.

Special deals

Check with a local travel agent about special deals for flights within New Zealand that must be purchased before you leave your home country.In general, however, you get the best deals by booking well in advance and/or online at the airline’s website.

New Zealand is made up of a number of regions which offer their own unique features, landscape and “flavour”. Cities, towns and small communities are spread throughout the country.

The main cities are Auckland (the largest), Hamilton (Waikato region), Palmerston North (Manawatu region), the capitality Wellington, Christchurch (Canterbury region) and Dunedin (Otago region).

New Zealand’s multi-cultural society of today is a result of migration from all parts of the world, beginning with the Maori from the Pacific and, later, the Britishers in the 18th century.

Hospitable Hosts

New Zealanders are famous for their warm hospitality to overseas visitors. We call ourselves “Kiwis”. We’re friendly, welcoming, enjoy meeting people from other cultures and love sharing food and conversation. In daily life, we’re quite informal. First names are used, even in business.

Two Founding Languages and Cultures

Kiwi culture has also absorbed some of the rich elements contributed by people from the Pacific Islands and Asia who settled here, so that weekend markets with Asian and Polynesian food are common.

English and Maori are the official languages, but New Zealanders come from many ethnic backgrounds, including European and African. Multi-cultural influences are evident in “Kiwi” fashion, art and music.

Harmonious Co-existence

The various communities live in relative social harmony, with equal rights for all. Discrimination based on gender, race or disability is prohibited by law. The Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Race Relations Conciliator investigate complaints under the Human Rights Act. If anybody makes you feel uncomfortable, talk immediately to the staff at your institution. They are committed to providing a safe environment for you and trained to deal with any problems.

Freedom to be Yourself

Sexual harassment and gender discrimination are unlawful and unacceptable in New Zealand either at workplaces or education institutes. Even job advertisements must be neutrally worded since there is equality of the sexes.

Outdoors

A feature of the New Zealand way of life is indoor/outdoor living. Individual houses usually have a backyard and sometimes a barbecue area. Picnics with your host family at the weekend are likely to involve walks in the bush or on a beach, berry-picking, cycling, or visiting gardens; you’ll need outdoor footwear and a sunhat. See Climate

The Ministry also funds the Performing Arts Society, the Broadcasting Standards Authority, the Film Archive and Film Commission, the Historic Places Trust, the Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the national museum.

Holidays are your time to relax and enjoy New Zealand splendour.New Zealand’s spacious landscapes, lush forests and amazing wildlife make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to de stress. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. And the great advantage of New Zealand is that there is unity in diversity.

A temperate climate with slight seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday resort.

People

The population of New Zealand is only 4 million and New Zealanders are born travellers. Because of that they understand the importance of travel, welcome visitors from abroad and pride ourselves on our warm and friendly reputation.

Landscape

New Zealand is approximately as big as Japan, Great Britain or Colorado with a fraction of the population, making it one of the world’s least crowded countries. It is a young nation with a diversity of landscape second to none. From sparkling island-studded bays in the Far North to the Southern Hemisphere’s top skiing region in the South Island, New Zealand a wide array of travel and leisure choices

Culture

Twenty-first century New Zealand is a melting pot of cultures and lifestyles. For those keen to learn more about our Maori culture there are a range of experiences on offer. If ‘culture’ to you means art, food, wine and lifestyle, there is also plenty to indulge in, from world class wines and fine cuisine to luxury lodges and spas.

Adventure

New Zealand is a renowned destination for thrill seekers. The country led the way with bungy jumping, jet boating and white water rafting. But you don’t have to jump off a cliff to experience the exhilaration this country provides. Just a walk through native bush or watching a sunset on an untouched beach can provide a lifetime experience.

New Zealand is universally famous for its scenic beauty and exciting activities for thrill seekers and adventurers. People from all over the world visit New Zealand year-round. Tourism is a major industry for the country, which is great for students looking for recreation, opportunities to relax and experience new things.

You can visit glaciers and go bungy jumping.

For information on accommodation, activities, New Zealand regions, timetable planning and other key facts to help you plan a holiday in New Zealand.

Travel to New Zealand is easy, with many cities offering direct flights. The two main international airports are located in Auckland and Christchurch. Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, also has an international service to/from Australia. Security measures at all New Zealand airports are designed to protect travellers from terrorism and to protect our country’s pristine environment from harmful diseases and pests.

Duty Free Goods

You can shop duty free at the airport when you arrive in New Zealand. Goods totalling combined value of NZ$700 are free of duty and tax.

Cash Declaration

If you bring more than NZ$10,000 or the equivalent amount in foreign currency, please tell a customs officer so that you can fill out the required form.

Quarantine Regulations

In order to protect New Zealand’s agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries, The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry enforces very strict quarantine requirements. Live animals or plants, or animal or plant products, including seeds, or perishable eatables, are not allowed into the country. Even dried meat can contain foot-and-mouth disease. Shells, feathers, wooden items and herbal medicines may also have to be inspected

On the incoming flight you’ll be given a quarantine declaration form. Either declare relevant items or put them in the special bin at the airport. It is a good idea to pack everything you think may be inspected near the top of your suitcase for easy removal. Clean all outdoor footwear and equipment, including farm, camping and sports gear, before you pack it. At customs, use the red lane if you have something to declare or are not sure, or the green lane if you have nothing to declare.

At the Airport

Luggage trolleys are free. At Auckland, the volunteer hospitality ambassadors can be identified wearing blue jackets. They offer assistance and a welcoming hot drink when you arrive.

Going Home

You can travel to New Zealand on a one-way ticket. However, to get a visa, you must have sufficient money for your flight home.

New Zealand’s legislation on privacy and official information regulates the collection, holding, use and disclosure of personal data. Information about you cannot be given out without your assent.

This means that:

• Your education institution cannot tell anybody else about you or your results; it is up to you to keep your family up to date with your progress.
• Airlines are not allowed to tell anyone the names of passengers on a flight. This makes it difficult for the person meeting you at the airport in cases of flight change.
• Without your specific authority in advance, friends cannot deal with your bank or the Inland Revenue Department on your behalf while you are out of New Zealand.
• You have the right to see information about you that an institution holds.

To get the best out of your education, schools and institutions work hard to make sure you are comfortable in your learning milieu.

Tertiary institutions provide most or all of the following services:

• Doctors, counsellors, and a chemist
• Fitness centres and sports clubs
• Child welfare
• Career advice
• Budgeting advice
• A cafeteria
• A Students’ Association, which supports a wide range of social, cultural, and sporting activities.
• A student radio station and newspaper
• A Student Learning Centre: for one-to-one and group tutorials on study skills, essay writing, statistics, word processing, planning a thesis, using the library, exam techniques, etc
• An International Office to assist with the student’s native language, if required, for matters concerning illness, visa, accommodation, etc.
• A text book and stationery shop
• A Xerox shop that does black-and-white and colour copying, printing, transparencies, lamination and binding
• Computer laboratories with Internet access and personal email accounts
• A well-stocked library with specialised staff
• Career guidance
• ATM machines
• Dispute mediators
• A student travel office
• Sexual harassment officers
• Games
• A chapel
• Reader/writers and note takers for physically disabled students, sign language interpreters for deaf students

Defining Your Tax Status

If you stay in New Zealand for more than 183 days (six months) in any 12-month period and have what the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) considers an “enduring relationship” with New Zealand, you are a “resident”, for tax purposes. This makes you liable for tax on cash jobs and self-employed income. Employers will deduct PAYE (pay as you earn) tax from any wages or salary you earn. You may be eligible for rebates.

Getting an IRD Number

When you start employment, the employer will ask for your IRD number. This is an individual number, which you should apply for at the Inland Revenue Department. You can phone them from anywhere in New Zealand on 0800 227 774, between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Resident Withholding Tax (RWT)

If you have money in a New Zealand bank, the bank will deduct RWT from any interest you earn, on behalf of the government. If you do not provide an IRD number, this will be deducted at the “non-declaration rate”, which is rather high, so it is beneficial to have your own IRD number even if you are not working.

Less than Six Months Stay:

If you stay for less than 6 months, you are a “non-resident” for tax purposes but still have to pay for tax on income earned in New Zealand. However, you may be entitled to an exemption. The Non-Resident Centre, Inland Revenue Department, P.O. Box Bag 1932, Dunedin, ph: 03 467 7020 (between 9am and 4.30pm – Monday to Friday) fax: 03 467 7083, will help you.

The Financial Year

The financial year is from 1 April to 31 March. Tax is payable by 7 February, or 7 March if an accountant/tax agent helps with your tax return.

Map of New Zealand