Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There have been reports of confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in New Zealand.  You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through New Zealand's Ministry of Health Swine Flu update site:  http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/mexican-swine-influenza-update-270409.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details.  You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. New Zealand's national health authorities are monitoring passengers from incoming flights originating in North America and screening any travellers who have recently been in Mexico or the United States. Any persons exhibiting flu-like symptoms are being diagnosed and offered advice and opportunities for isolation and treatment. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk. 
  
  
• There is no British consular representation on the Cook Islands, or the islands of Niue and Tokelau.  See the General section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• If you are visiting remote areas, you should ensure that your journey details are made known to local authorities or friends/relatives before setting out.  Weather conditions can quickly become treacherous, especially in winter.
  
  
• Motor insurance is not a legal requirement in New Zealand.  Therefore, even though the UK has a reciprocal Healthcare Agreement with New Zealand, private accident insurance is recommended.  This is because New Zealand law has removed the right of accident victims to sue a third party in the event of an accident.  See the Road Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism in New Zealand.  But you should be aware of the global risk of terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Around 300,000 British nationals visit New Zealand each year (source: Statistics New Zealand).  Most visits are trouble-free. 76 British nationals required consular assistance in New Zealand in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (23 cases); hospitalisations (9 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (24 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (717 cases).
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  New Zealand offers an extensive range of extreme activities and if you intend to participate in activities e.g. bungee jumping, water boarding or white water rafting, you should ensure that your travel insurance covers these types of activities.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.   See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.