Arriving in New Zealand for the 1st Time

Arriving in New Zealand

However you arrive in New Zealand, you will need to complete the formalities of passport, customs and biosecurity controls. Our international airport arrival areas are laid out so that you do this in order and all being well you will be through in no time.

What makes arriving into New Zealand different?

Being an island, New Zealand does not share any land borders with other countries. Therefore it is critical to protect our environment and industries and prevent the introduction of diseases and pests. We have strict rules on what can and cannot be brought into the country.

How can you prepare?

In preparation it is well worth looking at the Ministry for Primary Industries website, so that you know what you can and can’t bring in to New Zealand. If you bring anything that you are unsure of, declare it on arrival to avoid paying a fine.

The Arrival Process

New Zealand Travellers Declaration:
Complete a New Zealand Travellers Declaration (NZTD) prior to arrival. You can fill out the online form or download the app. On it, you will have to declare information about yourself, the purpose of your visit and visa information, and what you are bringing into New Zealand.

Depending on the passport you are travelling on, you may be able to use New Zealand’s ‘eGate’ (electronic immigration gate) to apply for entry permission. Otherwise you will see an immigration officer. The NZTD is linked to your passport and is checked by a border officer or when you arrive at the eGate.

Customs and biosecurity: Next you will collect your baggage and proceed through customs and biosecurity checks. The Ministry for Primary Industries is our biosecurity agency. Quarantine officers will ask you questions, your baggage (or your person) may be sniffed by a detector dog and/or x-rayed, and there may be a search.

Items that may present a biosecurity risk include:

Any food (even if this is commercially packaged please declare it)
Plants
Animal products
Outdoor recreational equipment

Please keep in mind: Some items may be confiscated, and others may need to be quarantined or treated. There are some hefty penalties (starting from $400.00 NZD) if you make a false declaration, so it is better to declare items that you unsure of, or use the amnesty bins you will see along the way to dispose of anything. If you have food left over from the flight get rid of it now.

Allowances and duty free concessions: Visitors to New Zealand may be entitled to duty free concessions on some goods. People over 17 years are entitled to allowances for alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco. For detailed information on duty free concessions and allowances, please visit New Zealand Customs.

All going well, you will be through this process in no time and you will be off to enjoy yourself.

Public Transport

You’ll most likely fly into Auckland International Airport. Auckland Airport is about 20 km south of the center of Auckland. There are plenty of options for getting into the city.

Buses:

SkyDrive is the easiest way to get into the heart of the city by bus. It runs between 5:00am and 11:30pm 365 days a year. It goes straight to the centre of Auckland and stops near most major city hotels, hostels and transport hubs. No booking is required. Buy tickets ($20) at the airport, from the driver, or online.

The Airporter 380 runs from the airport to Papatoetoe and Onehunga Train Stations. This can be useful if it’s rush hour and you don’t mind transferring to the train - it’ll help you beat the traffic! (There’s no train directly from Auckland Airport)

The Intercity bus is a great option if you’d like to get further afield than central Auckland as you can book directly from the airport to other NZ locations. Make sure to book these buses in advance to secure a spot.

Auckland Airport Super Shuttle: The Auckland Airport Super Shuttle is a convenient door-to-door service. It’s a great option if you’re travelling in a group. It’s comfortable and with smaller groups it’s almost as fast, but much cheaper than a taxi. It costs $35 for the first person and $8 per extra person in your group. No need to book in advance as they are outside every major airport in New Zealand.

Rental car: If you plan on renting a car you need an official translation of you drivers licence if it is not already in English. There are plenty of rental car options in NZ: for example, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty. They all offer online or over-the-phone bookings so that you can book in advance. Simply arrive, exit the airport terminal and follow the sings marked 'rental cars' to the Transport Hub. This is just a few minutes walk from the terminal.

Do remember: that driving after a long flight is dangerous. So, if you’re coming off a long-haul flight, a better option could be to pick up your rental car the next day after you’ve had a rest.

Taxi: Taxi’s into the city cost around $80 – $100 NZD. This is the most expensive, but most convenient option. To find a taxi, follow the signs to the taxi rank from Arrivals.

Uber: Uber is also available from the Airport. Uber drivers have a designated pick up and drop off area in Auckland Airport that is separate from the taxi pick up/drop off area. Login to the Uber App when you arrive and you will be guided to the pick up area once your ride has been confirmed.

Now you’ve got your transport sorted. Get it touch with us to help you plan your first night in New Zealand!