Useful Information

General

Climate

April is early autumn in New Zealand. The average daytime temperature in Auckland during April is 20°C (70°F) dropping to 12°C (54°F) overnight. As Auckland has a maritime climate it is recommended that you bring an umbrella and a jacket or sweater.
The South Island extends a further 600 km into the Southern Ocean, so has cooler temperatures.

Electricity

The standard voltage of supply in New Zealand is 230 volts, 50 hertz. Hotels also provide 100 volt a.c. sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only.

Language

English is the common language of New Zealand. Maori, an official language of growing importance, is spoken mainly in the Maori community.

Time

New Zealand time is 12 hours ahead of GMT in April.

Communications

Telephones

In public telephone booths coins and credit cards can be used.
All telephone numbers in New Zealand are composed of seven digits. To call from abroad to New Zealand, it is necessary to dial your international access code and the country code 64.
To call abroad from New Zealand, dial 00, the country code, the area code and then the number wanted. The dialing codes of the various countries are affixed in public telephone booths or your hotel directory.

Mobile Phones

New Zealand has both analogue and GSM digital networks. Check with your phone company before leaving home about international mobile roam facilities available in New Zealand. There are two networks providing this service – Telecom and Vodafone with a good national coverage, although there may be some network failures in mountain or beach areas.

Internet

Internet access is available on payment in hotels and internet cafes.

Laptops

You will need an RJ45 type plug to be able to connect your laptop into a computer socket in New Zealand, and an adaptor with a flat, angled two or three-point power plug to connect to the power supply.

Dress

Money

Currency

The New Zealand dollar is the official currency. For a currency conversion guideline, click here.

Banking

Banks offering currency exchange facilities are located close to the conference venue. Banking hours are 0900-1630hrs, Monday to Friday. The bank at Auckland International Airport is open extended hours for all arriving and departing flights.
All major credit cards are accepted and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are readily available.

Taxes

Goods and services sold in New Zealand are subject to a 12.5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Retail suppliers are required to show the GST inclusive price on goods and services, and must clearly state if the tax is not included in the advertised price.
GST cannot be claimed back on purchases when leaving New Zealand. However, depending on the retailer, some goods can be purchased on a GST exclusive basis at the point of purchase, where it can be demonstrated that the items are leaving the country. The retailer is required to courier the items to the airport for you to collect on departure

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover the duration of your visit to New Zealand and to protect you against cancellation charges, loss or damage to your luggage and personal effects, loss of cash and medical expenses.

Services

Accident & Emergency Clinics

Emergency medical services are available on a 24 hour, 7 day basis at the Ascot Accident and Medical Clinic, Greenlane Road East, Remuera, Auckland, telephone: 520 9555.

In an emergency dial 111 for an ambulance, the police or the fire department.

Pharmacies

The closest pharmacies to the conference venue are:

Post Office (Shop)

The nearest Post Office is in the Bledisloe Building, adjacent to the Aotea Centre. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 0830hrs until 1730hrs.

Shopping

Transport

Buses

There is a frequent bus service (the Airporter) from the airport to the city centre. A one way ticket is NZ$15 per person and a return ticket is NZ$22.

The Link bus service is the most convenient way to move around the central city. It travels both clockwise and anti-clockwise at the same time in a loop. The Link service has a 10 minute frequency (approximately) between 0600hrs and 1900hrs Monday to Friday and Saturday 0700hrs-1800hrs and 15 minute frequency (approximately) in the evenings and at other times on the weekends.

Car Rental

Avis Rent a Car offers a discount off its standard rental car rates to Conference delegates. Just call your local office for a quote giving the booking reference number AWD: Z994400.

Taxis

A taxi fare from the airport into the central city is NZ$55-NZ$60.

Both Regency Cabs and Co-op Taxis offer a meet and greet service. To access this service fax or email details of your arrival to them (date of arrival in New Zealand, flight number, arrival time and number of passengers) and they will arrange for the driver to meet you at the “Meet & Greet” area in the Arrivals Hall. As you enter the Arrivals Hall, walk down the central aisle. Please do not turn left. The person meeting you will be waiting for you at the desk which has a sign above it saying Pre-arranged Transport and Tours. He or she will have a sign-board with your name on it.

Regency Cabs can be contacted by telephone +64 9 377 8844 or by facsimile +64 9 634 0494 or by email regencycabs@xtra.co.nz. They also have a web site at www.regencycabs.co.nz. Contact Co-op Taxis by telephone +64 9 300 3000, by facsimile +64 9 300 3111 or by info@cooptaxi.co.nz. Bookings can also be made on their website: www.cooptaxi.co.nz

Several companies operate shuttle services, which are a shared ride transport option. The average cost for the trip from the airport to the city is NZ$20-$25 for one person, an additional NZ$5 for each person. The shuttles operate from the shuttle rank at the airport (not the taxi rank). Bookings can be made for Co-op Taxis’ shuttles to be at the shuttle rank to meet arriving flights if required. For contact details refer to taxis.