travelling to new zealand via australia

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New Zealand

Latest update.

Exercise normal safety precautions in New Zealand.

New Zealand (PDF 764.52 KB)

Pacific (PDF 1.27 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services.

Call 111.

Medical emergencies

Call 111 or contact the nearest police station.

Call 105 or go online for Police non-emergencies.

Advice levels

• The State of Emergency for Wairoa and Heretaunga Ward in Hastings has now ended. Wairoa is entering a local recovery transition period. Check the Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management website for up-to-date information.
• Earthquakes are a constant risk. Large, damaging quakes can happen at any time. Know what to do during and after an earthquake.
• All of New Zealand's coastline is at risk of a tsunami. Know the tsunami warning signs and move to high ground immediately. Don't wait for official alerts.
• New Zealand has several active volcanoes. Volcanic alert levels may rise quickly. You may be ordered to evacuate at short notice. Stay informed and follow the advice of local authorities. 
• Weather conditions can change quickly. Severe weather could leave you stranded or injured, especially in an isolated area. If you're climbing, hiking or in a remote area, register your trip with the Department of Conservation. Carry a personal locator beacon.
• Crime rates are similar to those in Australia. Thieves often target vehicles. Don't leave valuables in your car or campervan.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.

Medical facilities and services are of a similar standard to those in Australia.

• New Zealand and Australia have a reciprocal healthcare agreement. This lets Australians access public medical facilities and care. However, there are some things it doesn't cover. Ensure you get comprehensive travel insurance.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties may include fines and prison sentences, including for small amounts.
• Carry approved identification if you want to purchase alcohol or enter licensed premises. Approved ID includes your passport, a New Zealand driver's licence, an existing Hospitality NZ 18+ Card, or a Kiwi Access Card. An Australian driver's licence is not an approved form of ID under the NZ Sale and Supply of Alcohol Regulations.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

You must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration Form (NZTD) before passport control on arrival. You need to answer questions about your trip and what you’re bringing into the country. You can complete it  online  or by using the NZTD app, there's no cost. 

• Most Australian citizens don't need a visa to enter unless you have a criminal record or if you've been deported from any country. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You can contact the nearest New Zealand embassy or consulate for the latest details.
• Before you travel, check Immigration New Zealand's website for current entry restrictions and requirements.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the High Commission’s social media accounts.

For consular help, contact the  Australian High Commission in Wellington , or the Australian Consulate-General in Auckland.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Petty crime.

Crime rates in New Zealand are similar to those in Australia.

Thieves often target valuables left in cars and campervans.

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk. 

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards.

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Civil unrest and political tension

Demonstrations and protests.

Protests are generally peaceful. However, public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Follow the advice of local authorities.

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

• New Zealand police
• New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Climate and natural disasters

New Zealand experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including:

• earthquakes
• volcanic activity
• flash flooding

To protect yourself in a natural disaster:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in contact with friends and family

Monitor local media and other sources, including:

• Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management
• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• GetReady website  (New Zealand government)

Severe weather

The State of Emergency for Wairoa and Heretaunga Ward in Hastings has now ended. Wairoa is entering a local recovery transition period. Check the  Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management website for up-to-date information.

Weather conditions can change quickly. Severe weather can occur.

Creeks and rivers can experience  flash flooding  after heavy rains.

Rapid weather changes could leave you stranded or injured, particularly if you're in a remote area.

Monitor weather conditions, forecasts and warnings from  Metservice .

Take extra care if you're climbing, hiking or in a remote area.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes  are a constant risk in New Zealand.

Most quakes are too small or deep in the earth to feel. However, about 150 to 200 quakes are big enough to feel each year.

Large, damaging earthquakes have occurred and could happen again at any time. Aftershocks can continue for days or weeks.

When an earthquake happens, you're advised to drop, cover and hold. If an earthquake is long or strong, and you're near the coast or large body of water, you should go to higher ground immediately.

If you're indoors during an earthquake:

• move no more than a few steps to a heavy, solid object you can get underneath, and hold onto it
• don't try to run outside
• stay indoors until the shaking stops
• stay away from windows, chimneys, and shelves with heavy objects

If you're in bed:

• hold onto the bed and stay where you are
• protect your head and body with a pillow and blankets

If you're outdoors:

• move to the nearest clear spot
• keep away from buildings, trees, and power lines
• drop to the ground

If you're in a car:

• drive to a clear place away from buildings, trees, and power lines
• stay in the car with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops

If you're in a lift:

• stop at the nearest floor and get out

After the earthquake finishes:

• be aware of possible tsunami risks (see below)
• prepare for travel delays
• reconfirm your travel arrangements
• check your accommodation with travel agents and tour operators

Because of the region's earthquake risk, tsunamis could happen.

All of New Zealand's coastline is at risk of a tsunami. New Zealand is a member of the Pacific Tsunami Warning System.

The National Emergency Management Agency manages the National Tsunami Advisory and Warning Plan and issues tsunami alerts on its website. These are also broadcast by New Zealand media.

A tsunami could arrive within minutes. There may not be time for an official warning.

Move immediately to high ground, or as far inland as possible, if you're near the coast and you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings.

Walk or bike if possible because of potential road congestion.

New Zealand's active volcanoes can erupt at any time. Volcanic alert levels may rise quickly. You may be ordered to evacuate at short notice.

If there's volcanic activity:

• follow the instructions and advice of local authorities
• follow evacuation orders
• take official warnings seriously

If you plan to visit active volcanoes or surrounding areas:

• monitor the  GeoNet  website
• get local advice first

Visit  GeoNet  for information about volcanic activity at:

• Mt Tongariro
• White Island
• other active volcanic sites

Parts of New Zealand experience  bushfires  in hot, dry conditions.

If there's a bushfire, follow local advice.

Adventure activities

Most people enjoy adventure activities safely in New Zealand. However, these activities carry risks.

Several serious accidents involving Australians and other travellers have occurred. People have died.

Some operators have been found to be negligent.

Safety standards can differ both between individual operators, and from standards in Australia.

If you plan to do an adventure activity:

• be aware of the risks of individual or group activities
• check the safety standards of operators
• check to see if operators meet industry standards

Safety risks can increase in severe weather and remote areas.

Before you do any adventure activities :

• make sure your  travel insurance  covers your planned activities
• understand what your travel and other insurance doesn't cover
• only book with operators with appropriate safety equipment and practices
• always use the safety equipment, even if others don't

If you're trekking or travelling in a remote area:

• get updates on local weather from the  Department of Conservation
• check conditions with the local DOC visitor centre
• register your trip with a DOC visitor centre
• tell your family and friends your plans
• carry a personal locator beacon
• avoid creeks and rivers after heavy rains

You can hire personal locator beacons throughout New Zealand.

When you return from a hike, check in with:

• the DOC visitor centre
• your family and friends
• anyone else who knew your plans
• AdventureSmart
• Mountain Safety Council

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. 

Your policy must cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away (including if stopovers on the way to your destination are covered) 

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you need counselling services in New Zealand, contact:

• Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or free text HELP (4357)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
• Healthline – 0800 611 116
• Samaritans – 0800 726 666
• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in New Zealand. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use
• New Zealand Customs Service
• Medicare Australia

Health risks

Health risks are broadly similar to those in Australia.

Medical care

Medical facilities, reciprocal health care.

New Zealand and Australia have a  reciprocal health care agreement . This lets Australians access public medical facilities and care.

It doesn't:

• include ongoing treatment of existing health conditions
• cover extra accommodation costs or flights for family members
• cover flights to Australia
• replace the need for travel insurance.

To access services under the agreement:

• show your current Australian passport or evidence of permanent residency
• show your valid Medicare card.
• New Zealand Ministry of Health
• Reciprocal health care agreement (Services Australia)

Accident Compensation Corporation

If you're injured in an accident, the  Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)  covers the costs of hospital treatment.

The cover provided by ACC:

• offers injury cover on a 'no-fault' basis — this means accident victims don’t have a legal right to sue a third party
• ends once you've left New Zealand
• doesn't replace your need for  travel insurance .

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for possessing and using drugs may include fines and prison sentences.

• Carrying or using drugs

Alcohol laws

You'll need photo ID to buy alcohol or enter licensed premises.

You can't use your Australian driver's licence.

Approved IDs include:

• current passport
• current New Zealand driver's licence
• Kiwi Access Card
• Approved ID

Quarantine regulations

New Zealand has strict biosecurity rules.

If you don't declare items for quarantine, you'll get an instant fine.

If you make a false statement, you'll face heavy fines and prison sentences.

Customs requirements 

When you arrive, customs officers may check electronic devices they suspect are being used in criminal activity. Devices may include:

• mobile phones
• portable tablets
• hard drives
• digital cameras

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

New Zealand recognises dual nationality.

If you're an Australian-New Zealand dual citizen, use your  Australian passport  to enter and leave Australia.

• Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. Contact  NZ Immigration  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules. If you don't meet the conditions, the Australian Government can't help you.

Visa conditions 

Most Australian citizens don’t need a visa to enter unless you have a criminal record or if you've been deported from any country.

Australian permanent residents need to apply online for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to enter New Zealand. Australian citizens are exempt from this rule.

For more information refer to the NZ Government Immigration website .

If you've been:

• convicted of any crimes, or
• deported from any country

Contact a  New Zealand Visa Application Centre  for advice well before you travel.

New Zealand Visa Application Centre

Level 6 66 Hunter Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: +61 2 8278 4529 or 1800 388 718 Website:  www.immigration.govt.nz Email:  [email protected]

Border measures

If you are a New Zealand visa or NZeTA holder you still need to complete an NZTD.

For more information see the  NZTD website . 

Maritime border

New Zealand's maritime border is open to all vessels, including foreign flagged vessels, cruise ships, recreational vessels (such as yachts and small craft) and specialist vessels used in research and exploration. 

For more information see the  New Zealand Customs Service – Travelling to New Zealand webpage . 

• Travelling to New Zealand  (New Zealand Government)
• Information for visa holders  (New Zealand Immigration)

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

New Zealand Immigration requires you to have 3 months of validity on your passport after the date you plan to leave. If you're planning to travel to another destination after leaving New Zealand, you may need more than 3 months validity on your passport after your departure date.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

• NZ Immigration

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. 

New Zealand Immigration recognises gender 'X' on passports. If in doubt, contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

More information: 

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

The local currency is the New Zealand Dollar ($NZ).

Declare all amounts over $NZ10,000 or equivalent on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

ATM availability is similar to Australia.

You can use debit or credit cards in most places as you would in Australia.

Contact your bank to let them know you'll use your cards overseas.

Local travel

Driving permit.

You can drive for up to 12 months with your Australian driver's licence.

After that, you'll need to get a local licence.

• Driver licences

Road travel

Ice, snow, fog, high winds and roaming animals can cause hazardous conditions. Heavy rain can cause landslides across roads.

Outside major cities, there aren't many motorways. Overtaking opportunities are limited.

Prepare for longer travel times than in Australia.

Railway crossings don't always have barriers, particularly in country areas.

If you're driving in mountain areas or to ski fields, be aware that roads:

• are often narrow and unpaved
• may not have safety barriers
• may require you to use snow chains
• may only be accessible by 4WD

It’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, but there is an exemption for 111 calls in genuine emergencies. Hands-free devices and 2-way radio are permitted.

If you plan to drive in New Zealand:

• learn the  local road rules  before driving
• be careful if there's ice, snow, fog or high winds
• check for road closures and warnings with the  New Zealand Transport Agency
• equip yourself for current and possible weather conditions
• Driving or riding
• Driving in New Zealand

Motorcycles

Make sure your travel insurance covers using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis and rideshares are generally reliable. The standards are similar to Australia.

The  New Zealand Transport Authority  regulates taxis and rideshare apps.

Public transport

Buses, trains and ferries operate throughout New Zealand. State-run services are also regulated by the New Zealand Transport Authority.

Take care of your belongings on public transport.

• Transport and getting around safely

Several international cruise lines stopover in New Zealand. 

• Going on a cruise

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  New Zealand's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australian High Commission, Wellington

72-76 Hobson Street Thorndon Wellington, New Zealand Phone: +64 4 473 6411 Fax: +64 4 498 7103 Website:  newzealand.highcommission.gov.au Facebook:  Australia in New Zealand Twitter:  @AusHCNZ

Australian Consulate-General

Level 7, HSBC Tower  186-194 Quay Street Auckland City, New Zealand Phone: +64 9 921 8800 Fax: +64 9 921 8820

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to New Zealand?

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Travelling or returning to New Zealand

Passports and visas for entry into new zealand.

• You will need a valid passport .
• If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or a  New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for traveling to or transiting New Zealand.
• Don't forget to check travel requirements for any  countries/regions  you will pass through in transit and on your return journey.
• All passengers entering New Zealand have the option to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration instead of a paper Passenger Arrival Card. Passengers transiting internationally do not need to complete a declaration.

Transit in New Zealand

• If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or a  New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for transiting through New Zealand
• Remember to check your final destination's entry requirements .
• Travellers do not require proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test to enter New Zealand.
• Air New Zealand does not require passengers to provide proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test. We do ask that if you're feeling unwell and test positive for COVID-19, please consider changing your travel plans. 

International travel requirements

Visa and border entry requirements for international travel.

Each destination may have different requirements and it is your responsibility to understand what you need to do for your entire trip,  including connecting flights, transit points and your return journey . Failure to meet these requirements may result in denied boarding at the airport. 

• Check if you need to apply for any entry visas or border declaration forms and what timeframe applications need to be completed in. 
• Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended travel.
• Protect yourself from unexpected medical costs by purchasing travel insurance with COVID-19 cover.

Entry requirements for Air NZ's direct destinations

We've put together these guides to help you understand the travel requirements for Air New Zealand's direct destinations. If your destination isn't listed below, you can visit the IATA Travel Centre to search visa and passport requirements.

Mainland China

• New Zealand and Australian passport holders are eligible to enter Mainland China visa free for stays up to 15 days, for tourism or business.
• Other travellers who are not citizens of Mainland China may require a tourist or business visa .
• Passengers are no longer required to complete an Electronic Health Declaration Form.
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Mainland China have been removed.
• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Hong Kong .
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Hong Kong have been removed.
• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Japan .
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Japan have been removed.
• See official requirements for entering, transiting, or departing Singapore.
• All passengers must submit a digital Singapore Arrival Card with a Health Declaration via the SG Arrival Card e-Service .
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Singapore have been removed.

South Korea

Passengers travelling on passports from visa-waiver countries may require a K-ETA.

If eligible, please apply for a K-ETA at least 24 hours prior to boarding.

• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to South Korea have been removed.
• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Taiwan .
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Taiwan have been removed.
• Ensure you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for travel to and transit through Australia.
• Check if you need an  Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter or transit Australia. Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. New Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country. All other passport holders, regardless of age, must apply for a visa before leaving home.
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Australia have been removed.

Bali, Indonesia

Travel eligibility .

 Check you meet entry and immigration requirements for Indonesia .

Before departure:

• For customs clearance, all passengers must complete the Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD) which will generate a unique code which must be presented upon arrival.
• To minimise delays during immigration clearance, we recommend all eligible passengers apply for a Electronic Visitor Visa (E-VOA) prior to arrival.
• All eligible passengers are required to pay a Bali Tourist Levy. You can pay this in advance or on entry to Bali but this may delay your arrival process.

COVID-19 health & entry requirements

• You no longer need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter Indonesia or travel domestically.

Reminder: If you're returning to New Zealand, please check the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries enhanced procedures in response to the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Bali.

New Zealand

• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for New Zealand .
• If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or a  New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) at least 72 hours before travelling  to or transiting New Zealand.
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to New Zealand have been removed.
• All passengers entering New Zealand need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration . It's free and can be completed before you travel. Passengers transiting internationally do not need to complete a declaration.
• If you are a New Zealand visa or NZeTA holder, you still need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

North America

• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Canada .
• Find out if you need a visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for entry or transit.
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Canada have been removed.
• Travellers transiting or entering the USA on the non-immigrant Visa Waiver Program must obtain an ESTA at least 72 hours before travel . 
• If you already hold a valid United States visa, then you do not need an ESTA.
• An ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• For check-in, all travellers need to provide their intended accommodation address in the USA, a primary and secondary phone number, and personal email address.
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to the USA have been removed.
• If you are a US citizen or resident departing or transiting through select US airports, you may be eligible for TSA PreCheck ®. 

Pacific Islands

Cook islands.

• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for the Cook Islands . 
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to the Cook Islands have been removed.
• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Fiji . 
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Fiji have been removed.

New Caledonia

• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for New Caledonia .
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to New Caledonia have been removed.
• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Niue .
• Flights to Niue are only available through New Zealand. Travellers wanting to visit Niue from outside of New Zealand must meet the border entry requirements for both New Zealand and Niue.
• It is strongly advised that all visitors to Niue are covered by travel insurance.
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Niue have been removed.
• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Samoa .
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Samoa have been removed.
• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Tahiti .
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Tahiti have been removed.
• Check you have the appropriate travel and identification documents for Tonga .
• All COVID-19 health requirements for travel to Tonga have been removed. 

International travel requirements FAQs

Can my children travel as unaccompanied minors.

Yes, children may travel as unaccompanied minors to all Air New Zealand's direct destinations 

It is the parent or guardian's responsibility to manage any entry requirements for the child's destination and transit.

For further information, please see Children travelling alone .

What if I want to postpone my travel to a later date?

You can change your booking before the day of your flight.

All our NZ domestic and international fares come with the flexibility to make changes to your travel plans prior to departure. Refer to the fare rules of your ticket to check eligibility and note that change fees and fare difference may apply.

Air New Zealand does not require passengers to provide proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test. We do ask that if you're feeling unwell and test positive for COVID-19, please consider changing your travel plans.

How do I supply proof of a negative pre-departure test?

Most international destinations have removed the need for a pre-departure test. 

For the destinations that do require a negative pre-departure test:

• if you're departing from New Zealand, you can call Healthline on  0800 358 5453  or your doctor to find out where you can get tested.
• If you are departing from other international locations, please check your local COVID-19 government website for information on where to get a pre-departure test.

Helpful tips

Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Best things to do in the North Island
• Best things to do in the South Island
• Other Islands
• Best ways to travel around
• Calculate travel times and distances

Covid-19 travel safety and information

Know what to expect while travelling and follow some simple guidelines to stay safe in New Zealand.

On this page, you'll find helpful information on what you need to know:

Before travelling to New Zealand

• When in New Zealand

Leaving New Zealand

1. check your eligibility.

Before planning your travel to New Zealand, make sure you are eligible for travel, meet the visa requirements and have taken the right steps.

Everyone entering New Zealand needs to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) (opens in new window) including babies and children. It’s free and you can complete it on the NZTD website or by downloading the NZTD app ahead of your travel.

2. New Zealand’s vaccination requirements

COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for all travellers arriving in the country, including air crew, are no longer required.

However, all travellers are strongly encouraged to remain up to date with their vaccinations before travelling to New Zealand. Vaccination remains a significant tool for preventing infection, reducing COVID-19 symptoms and severe illness.

3. Pre-departure test

To enter New Zealand, travellers no longer need to get a pre-departure test. 

4. Other things to consider before leaving 

For peace of mind during your trip in New Zealand, you may also want to consider medical and travel insurance.

When you're in New Zealand

Once you arrive in new zealand.

Antigen tests

Travellers entering New Zealand do not need pre-departure tests or proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand. Check with your travel provider as they may still require proof of vaccination. If you have COVID-19 symptoms when you arrive in New Zealand, it is recommended to take a rapid antigen test (RATs). COVID-19 tests are free and widely available in New Zealand. Find more information on how to get a free RAT or PCR test (opens in new window) . Find more  information on taking your test (opens in new window) .

COVID-19 safety practices in place

With COVID-19 case numbers falling, a highly vaccinated population, and increased access to antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19, New Zealand has removed most COVID-19 restrictions. It is still recommended to practice healthy habits when travelling around New Zealand.

Practice healthy habits

• While travelling around New Zealand, you should try to physically distance yourself in airports or busy transport hubs.
• Wearing a face mask is no longer required, although masks are still encouraged in some places such as hospitals.
• Find further information on face mask requirements (opens in new window) here.

What to do if you develop symptoms

• Find a COVID-19 testing centre (opens in new window) in your current location
• Order a rapid antigen tests (RATs) home testing kit
• Isolate for seven days. Find more information on self-isolation requirements (opens in new window) .
• Find more information on what to do if you  test positive while travelling (opens in new window) .

Helpful links

• New Zealand emergency information and numbers
• List of public hospitals in New Zealand (opens in new window)
• Testing centre locations (opens in new window) across New Zealand

Check entry requirements

The country you are travelling to may have entry requirements in place. Be sure to check the requirements of the country you are travelling to.

• the official website of the country you wish to enter
• that country’s diplomatic representative in New Zealand
• More information if you require a pre-departure test before leaving (opens in new window) New Zealand
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New Zealand Traveller Declaration Whakapuakanga Tangata Haere ki Aotearoa

The New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information. It is free and everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a declaration.

What you need to know

• Everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a declaration.
• It is free and you can do it on the online form or the NZTD app.
• A declaration needs to be completed for each traveller, including babies and children.
• You can start your digital declaration at a time that suits you. The earliest time you can submit your declaration depends on whether you are travelling by air or sea.
• Your declaration is linked to your passport and is checked when you arrive at the eGate or by a border officer.
• There is a paper declaration form available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
• If you are a New Zealand visa or NZeTA holder, you still need to complete an NZTD as well.

When you can submit your declaration

Travelling by air.

The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time you reach passport control in New Zealand.

Long-haul journeys and stopovers

Travelling by sea

The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before departing the vessel’s last foreign port prior to arriving in New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time the vessel has berthed at its first port in New Zealand.

Travelling by different vessel types

Welcoming you to Aotearoa New Zealand

Kia ora, nau mai haere mai.  Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand.  We want to help you understand what you need to do to travel here.  Our home is precious – a taonga. Please help to keep our tangata and our whenua – our people and our land – safe.   We ask everyone travelling to, or returning to New Zealand, to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.  You can do this on our website travellerdeclaration.govt.nz or by downloading the NZTD app.  You’ll be asked some questions about your trip and what’s in your bags. Some items can’t be brought into New Zealand. If in doubt, declare it for inspection. Please answer the questions honestly, otherwise you could be fined. We look forward to welcoming you to Aotearoa New Zealand.   Ka kite anō

Support and resources in other languages .

About the NZTD

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What you will need to complete your digital declaration

Passport details

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What you need to declare

Visa or NZeTA, if you need one

Travellers arriving by sea on any maritime vessel can complete a digital New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD):

• Recreational vessel, yacht or small craft
• Diplomatically-cleared
• New Zealand Defence Force

Passports and visas when you go to Australia

Most NZ citizens can visit, live and work in Australia without applying for a tourist or work visa. NZ permanent residents need to apply for visas to Australia.

You need a valid NZ passport to go to Australia.

Most adult New Zealanders can get and renew their passports online. All children under 16, including babies, need their own passport.

If you’ve legally changed your name, and it does not appear in your passport, update your passport with your new name by renewing it online.

Get or renew a passport online

If you’re an NZ citizen

If you’re an eligible NZ citizen you get a Special Category visa on entry into Australia. The Special Category visa allows you to live, study and work in Australia for as long as you like.

Special Category visa

If you’ve got a criminal conviction or untreated TB, you’ll need to apply for permission to enter Australia from the Australian High Commission.

Australian High Commission character requirements

If you’re not an NZ citizen

If you’re not an NZ citizen and want to move to or travel in Australia, you need a visa. This includes NZ permanent residents who are not entitled to a Special Category visa. There are different types of visas and different rules for each. Find the Australian visa that applies to your situation.

Find the right Australian Visa

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Australia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Australia’s High Commission in the UK.

COVID-19 rules

You do not need a pre-departure COVID-19 test to enter or transit Australia regardless of your COVID-19 vaccination status. See the Australian government’s website for advice on COVID-19 and travelling.

COVID-19 quarantine requirements

Each state and territory determines its own quarantine rules. You should check requirements for specific states and territories .

Passport validity requirements

For entry into Australia, your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. If you’re transiting another country on your way to or from Australia, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport.

Visa requirements

British citizens can usually get the following types of electronic visitor visa:

• eVisitor visa . There is no visa application charge or service fee
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via the iOS App or Android App . There is no visa application charge, but a service fee of A$20 may apply

Information on all other types of visa is available from the Department of Home Affairs .

Working holiday visa

Thousands of Britons travel to Australia each year on a working holiday visa and the vast majority have no issues. Working conditions, accommodation and medical facilities are generally of a good standard.

You can find information about your rights as an employee in Australia and how to report any concerns about unfair or unlawful treatment on the Fair Work Ombudsman website , or by calling 131 394.

Get more information about working in Australia .

Dual nationals

If you’re a British national living in Australia with Australian citizenship, or a dual national, it is best to leave and enter Australia on your Australian passport. You could face difficulties and delays if you do not. See Australian government advice for dual nationals .

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Australia guide .

Quarantine of goods

Australia has strict quarantine rules to keep out pests and diseases that could affect plant, animal or human health.

You must fill out an Incoming Passenger Card and either:

• declare any risk goods including food, animal products and plant material (including wooden articles)
• dispose of any risk goods in the bins at the airport or sea port

All luggage is x-rayed on arrival. Any items of concern are further inspected, treated and if necessary confiscated and destroyed. You can be heavily fined for breaches of quarantine regulations.

You can find more information on the Department of Agriculture website .

You will also be asked to declare whether you have ‘visited a rural area, or been in contact with, or near, farm animals outside Australia in the past 30 days’.

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• How to get to New Zealand

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The quickest, easiest and cheapest way to get to New Zealand is to fly. It is possible to arrive by sea, but there are no international passenger ferries, so unless you own a boat this means joining a cruise, crewing on a private yacht, or paying for your passage on a cargo ship (a rewarding experience for those who like sea journeys – find out more at w freightertravel.co.nz ).

Flights from the UK and Ireland

Flights from the us and canada, flights from australia and south africa, agents and operators, travel ideas for new zealand, created by local experts.

From North to South - Auckland to Christchurch Self Drive

Explore both the North and the South Island in this compact itinerary. Your own rental car allows you the freedom to go at your own pace and scenic rail journeys break up the driving times. Explore glaciers and cities, thermal springs and panoramic hiking trails.

Discover the South Island: a self drive trip from Christchurch and back

The larger of the two major island in New Zealand, South Island is best to be explored at your own pace in a rental car. From massive mountains to beaches, panoramic waterfalls to challenging hiking trails, this itinerary shows you the best of South Island.

North Island: A self drive trip from Auckland

Discover the beauty of North Island on a roundtrip from Auckland in your own vehicle. Visit thermal springs, enjoy delicious wine tastings, and explore remote beaches and hiking trails. North Island has plenty to offer travelers and a rental car makes for the perfect discovery.

Air fares depend on the season, with the highest during the New Zealand summer (Dec–Feb); prices drop during the shoulder seasons (Sept–Nov & March–May) and you’ll get the cheapest rates during the low (ski) season (June–Aug).

Arriving in New Zealand, your only real choice, unless you’re coming from Australia, is between the international airports at Auckland and Christchurch . Christchurch receives fewer direct flights but many scheduled airlines have a codeshare shuttle from Auckland at no extra cost. The most desirable option, an open-jaw ticket (flying into one and out of the other), usually costs no more than an ordinary return.

Tourists and those on short-term working visas (see Safety) are generally required by New Zealand immigration to arrive with an outward bound ticket , so one-way tickets are really only viable for Australian and NZ residents.

If you’ve purchased a return ticket and find you want to stay longer or head off on a totally different route, it’s possible to change the dates and, more rarely, route with the airline or travel agent, depending on the conditions of your ticket, though there is often a fee.

Over a dozen airlines compete to fly you from Britain to New Zealand for as little as £757, including British Airways ( w ba.com), but prices depend upon the time of year, and can be double that amount at Christmas. Going for the cheapest flight typically means sacrificing some comfort (multiple stops, longer layovers), which you may regret, given that even the shortest journey will last at least 24 hours including an obligatory refuelling stop. There are no direct flights to New Zealand from Ireland , and prices are proportionately higher, since the short hop to London (around £100 return, cheaper with internet deals) has to be added to the fare.

Most scheduled flights allow multiple stopovers either in North America and the Pacific, or Asia and Australia. The vast majority of direct scheduled flights depart from London Heathrow, though some services operate from London Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle.

Direct trans-Pacific flights to Auckland operate from Los Angeles with Air New Zealand ( w airnewzealand.com), Qantas ( w qantas.com), Virgin ( w www.virginatlantic.com), Singapore Airlines ( w singaporeair.com) and various US airlines including American ( w aa.com). Air New Zealand and Virgin fly from San Francisco, while your best option from Vancouver is with Air New Zealand, a flight of 12–16 hours. Assorted codeshare partners – Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways – sell tickets to New Zealand, usually offering several connections a day to Wellington and Christchurch.

From the US a direct LA–Auckland or San Francisco–Auckland round-trip fare goes for around US$1400 during the southern winter, rising to around US$1800 or more in peak southern summer season. Flights from all other US cities are routed via California. Off-peak you might expect to pay US$1800–2000 from New York or Chicago, but shopping around could save you money.

From Canada , Air New Zealand runs direct Vancouver–Auckland flights three days per week, and codeshares with Air Canada for links to provincial capitals. Depending on the season, fares from Vancouver are around Can$1600; from Toronto, around Can$2100; and from Montréal, around Can$2300; substantial savings can often be made through discount travel companies and websites.

Apart from a RTW ticket, an alternative approach from North America is to fly via Asia , which may work out cheaper. Korean Air, for example, has flights from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington DC, all changing at Seoul (Incheon) before continuing to Auckland. An equally exotic option is to stop off at a Pacific island or two along the way. Air New Zealand visits half a dozen islands and often charges less than US$100 per stopover.

Qantas ( w qantas.com), Jetstar ( w jetstar.com), Air New Zealand ( w airnewzealand.com) and Virgin ( w virginaustralia.com) all fly between Australia and New Zealand, as do Thai ( w thaiairways.com ), Emirates ( w emirates.com), Aerolineas Argentinas ( w aerolineas.ar ) and LanChile ( w lan.com). Prices vary enormously depending on demand (book well in advance in summer), but the level of competition generally keeps them reasonable – as low as Aus$300 return from Australia’s east coast (including a basic baggage allowance) if you’re prepared to go for non-refundable tickets. Return flights from Perth start at around Aus$760.

Flying time from Sydney or Melbourne to New Zealand is around three hours. Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Rotorua, Queenstown and Wellington international airports all have direct flights to/from Australia.

From Australia, there’s a huge variety of package holidays to New Zealand. Air New Zealand’s holiday subsidiary offers short city-breaks (flight and accommodation), winter skiing packages and fly-drive deals for little more than the cost of the regular air fare.

Travelling to New Zealand from South Africa invariably involves flying via Australia. Qantas ( w qantas.com) flies Johannesburg–Sydney then on to New Zealand. South African Airways ( w flysaa.com) operates the same route as a codeshare with Qantas and Air New Zealand. Expect to pay around Zar16,000–27,000 depending on the season.

Round-the-world flights

If New Zealand is only one stop on a longer journey, you might consider buying a Round-the-World (RTW) ticket. An “off-the-shelf” RTW ticket will have you touching down in about half a dozen cities (Auckland is on many itineraries), or you can assemble one tailored to your needs, though this is liable to be more expensive.

If time is limited and you have a clear idea of what you want to do, numerous companies offer organized tours , from backpacker excursions to no-expense-spared extravaganzas. Full “see-it-all” packages, with most meals and transport included, can be good value, considering what you’d be spending anyway. Some companies offer tours specifically for those aged 18–35, such as Contiki (UK w contiki.co.uk ; US w contiki.com ); or seniors, such as Road Scholar ( w roadscholar.org ); while others are adventure specialists, such as UK-based The Adventure Company ( w primeadventures.co.uk) or US-based Adventures Abroad ( w adventures-abroad.com). You can also find tours to suit your interest (such as hiking or kayaking).

A number of companies operate flexible bus tours , which you can hop off whenever you like and rejoin a day or two later when the next bus comes through (see Backpacker buses).

Pretty much all the major tour operators can also book you onto tramping trips , including some of the guided Great Walks; you’ll still need to book way in advance, though. For skiing trips , the cheapest option is usually to contact ski clubs at the fields directly: check out contact details at w snow.co.nz .

Even if an all-in package doesn’t appeal, it still may be worth investigating potential savings by pre-booking some accommodation, tours or a rental vehicle.

Backpackers World Travel Australia t 1800 676 763, w backpackersworld.com .

North South Travel UK t 01245 608 291, w northsouthtravel.co.uk . Competitive travel agency, offering discounted fares worldwide. Profits are used to support projects in the developing world, especially the promotion of sustainable tourism.

STA Travel UK t 0871 2300 040, US t 1-800 781 4040, Australia t 134 782, NZ t 0800 474 400, South Africa t 0861 781 781; w statravel.co.uk . Worldwide specialists in independent travel; also student IDs, travel insurance, car rental, rail passes and more. Good discounts for students and under-26s. Experts on NZ travel with branches in major Kiwi cities.

Trailfinders UK t 0207 368 1200, Ireland t 01 677 7888, Australia t 1300 780 212; w trailfinders.com. One of the best-informed and most efficient agents for independent travellers.

Travel Cuts Canada t 1 866 246-9762, US t 1 800 667-2887; w travelcuts.com. Canadian student-travel organization.

Ireland t 01 602 1906; Northern Ireland t 028 9032 7111; w usit.ie . Ireland’s main student and youth travel specialists.

The Rough Guides to New Zealand and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for New Zealand

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to New Zealand

• Eating and drinking in New Zealand
• Getting around New Zealand: Transportation Tips
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• Culture and Etiquette in New Zealand
• Shopping tips for New Zealand
• Spectator sports
• Travel Tips New Zealand for planning and on the go
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• Best time to visit New Zealand

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updated 05.05.2021

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Immigration information New Zealand citizens automatically receive a non-protected Special Category Visa (SCV) when they arrive in Australia provided they meet certain security, character and health requirements.  We encourage you to check your eligibility for entry to Australia by visiting the  Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website  or by contacting your nearest Australian immigration office to discuss your plan to travel to Australia. 

Getting an arrival stamp in your passport is the only physical evidence that you hold this visa.  If you use SmartGate (an automated border processing system that allows you to self-process through passport control) you are granted an SCV but you do not get an arrival stamp in your passport.  If you wish to obtain a stamp you can do so by asking a Customs and Border Protection Officer.

You can then stay and work in Australia indefinitely as long as you remain of good character, do not present a serious health risk (such as untreated tuberculosis) and retain your New Zealand citizenship.

Non-protected SCV holders do not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents.  Australian authorities can also cancel an SCV if a person fails certain character and health requirements, such as committing a crime or untreated TB. 

If your SCV visa is cancelled, you may be placed into an immigration detention centre before being deported from Australia.   If you arrive in Australia and border authorities refuse to grant you a SCV on character grounds, then you may also spend time in detention followed by removal.  Short-term visits New Zealanders making short-term visits to Australia should buy comprehensive travel insurance to cover non-emergency health care costs, including repatriation and ambulance costs.

New Zealanders are eligible to receive free emergency hospital treatment under the  Reciprocal Health Agreement , but New Zealanders without an Australian Medicare card have to pay the full cost of any non-hospital treatment such as doctors’ visits or pharmaceuticals.

For information about visiting Australia while receiving New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super), a benefit or other payment, read the  "Going overseas"  information on the Work and Income website.  

Living in Australia - entitlements New Zealand citizens who intend to live in Australia long term should apply for a Medicare card on arrival, which enables access to medical and hospital services.  For more information, see the  Services Australia website .

If you receive NZ Super, Veteran’s Pension or Supported Living Payment and intend to live in Australia you may qualify for payment in Australia.  You must advise Work and Income of your plans and apply to the Australian authority (Centrelink) within a set time of arrival.  

For more information about NZ Super and Veteran's Pension, see the  Living in Australia  page on the Work and Income website.  For information about Supported Living Payment, see the  Social security agreement  with Australia page. 

Automatic permanent residence for New Zealanders ceased in 2001.  

From 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for four years or more will be eligible to apply directly for Australian citizenship. They will no longer need to first apply for and be granted a permanent visa. These changes apply to New Zealand citizens holding a SCV who arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001

For information on the Special Category Visa or applying for Australian citizenship, please see the  Australian Government Department of Home Affairs  website.

Purchasing property in Australia Liability of non-Australian citizens for property related taxes, such as surcharge purchaser duties and surcharge land taxes, may vary between states. Please get advice before purchasing to ensure you are not caught out.

What the New Zealand Government can do New Zealanders who get into difficulties overseas, including in Australia, are eligible for consular assistance but there are limitations.  See  Our Services  for more information.

New Zealand Government offices in Australia have no funds to assist New Zealanders in financial difficulty.  New Zealand agencies such as Work and Income NZ are unable to pay emergency benefits to assist people outside New Zealand.

Further information for New Zealanders in Australia is available on the  "Living in Australia" page on the New Zealand High Commission website.

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Travel By Sea From Australia to New Zealand Ferry, Boat or Cruise?

This post should not be taken as financial, legal, taxation or migration advice. Consult a registered professional . Oh, Nomad! accepts no liability or responsibility to any person for actions taken as a consequence of this information, which is correct at the time of writing. We earn commission from trusted affiliates on selected purchases you make via ohnomad.com (at no cost to you). Prices are in AUD unless indicated and may exclude 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Are you considering sea travel from Australia to New Zealand? Want to know if there is an Australia to New Zealand Ferry? The trans-Tasman trip is longer and more expensive than flying but if you want to take to the ocean, this is what you need to consider before travelling to New Zealand by ferry, boat or cruise.

Australia’s East Coast and New Zealand’s West Coast (Including the capital city, Auckland) are separated by a large body of water called the Tasman Sea (Māori: Te Tai-o-Rēhua ). The shortest distance between Australia and New Zealand (from Sydney and Auckland) is ≈1,339 miles (or ≈ 2,156 kilometres ).

It is not possible to swim across ‘the ditch’, despite many tongue-in-cheek forum posts online!

Is There An Australia To New Zealand Ferry?

No, there is no Australia to New Zealand ferry for passengers at this time . There are other options, though.

Passenger boat travel to New Zealand from Australia was common until the 1960s. Now, with regular flights, there isn’t enough demand. As I wrote about in this post , more vehicles than people make the journey.

Yet, there are still ways to travel by sea between Australia to New Zealand, including cruise and cargo ships, private boats and sailboats.

Let’s explore each of these in more detail.

How To Travel To New Zealand By Sea

Cruise ship.

Cruises are a great option for those who want a slower, scenic route by sea from Australia to New Zealand. Just like hotels, they range from 2.5 to 5 stars, with luxury cruises including everything from theatre productions, gourmet dining and even ice-skating rinks! Operators include Princess, Carnival, Viking and P&O Cruises.

Searching on Cruise Critic , the cheapest cruise was an 11-day round trip from Sydney, stopping at Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington, among others – for $963 AUD. I found an 8-day one-way trip from Sydney to Auckland for ≈$2000 AUD and a 15-day one-way trip from Sydney to Auckland for ≈$9000 AUD. You may be able to find a short, cheaper cruise without additional tourist stops. Consider Repositioning Cruises , one-way trips where cruise ships move from one destination to another in the off-season.

How Long Is A Cruise From Australia To New Zealand?

A cruise from Australia to New Zealand takes, on average, 7-14 days.

Many cruises stop at a number of destinations along Australia’s East Coast and the New Zealand coastline. You can choose to only travel one way, alighting in NZ, or stay on board for the return journey. Just be aware that if you book a round trip (called a ‘closed loop’) from Australia to New Zealand, you cannot leave the ship and disembark in New Zealand without making this arrangement beforehand, so mention this (“I want to travel one-way ONLY”) when booking.

Cargo Ship/Merchant Ship/Freighter Voyage Travel

An alternative to a cruise is to travel with a cargo, merchant (or ‘freighter’) ship.

You will travel alongside cargo en route to Australasia and Asia, for approximately half the price of an organised passenger cruise. This type of travel, known as freighter travel, has been negatively affected by the pandemic and is still not to pre-pandemic travel levels of operation, with Freighter Travel NZ stating that they are still not running in 2023.

Some companies still have passenger services listed, including a 5-day journey between Brisbane – Auckland (and onto China) for ≈$1000 AUD (Including meals/cabin) departing every 7 weeks, but I can’t confirm this 100%.

Travelling to New Zealand from Australia this way may become increasingly common again in the next few years.

Sail/Hire a Boat/Yacht

Experienced sailors can hire a boat to travel from Australia to New Zealand.

Sailing alone is not an option for beginners due to distance and challenges regarding water conditions. If you’re really keen – you can hire a captain for the journey. Costs and duration vary widely but expect to spend $1000 AUD or more per day for your own sailing captain, according to quotes. If you want to sail from Australia to New Zealand yourself, you might find this guide from Improve Sailing helpful.

Sailo “ …make boat rentals easy and accessible to everyone, [with] 30,000+ [boats and yachts] in over 700 locations worldwide.” Check them out and compare prices.

Be Part of a Yacht/Sailing Crew

Experienced sailors can work or volunteer to be part of a sailing crew. Aussie & Kiwi Yacht Crew list crewing opportunities. To maximise your chances, join as many online groups/forums as you can and ask around to find out who is leaving from your location. You may need to be flexible with your dates and departure location.

Kayak from Australia to New Zealand

Theoretically, you can kayak from Australia to New Zealand, but only a handful have ever done so successfully. Some who tried, sadly, didn’t make it. Only recommended for the truly adventurous and prepared.

Can you travel to New Zealand by sea?

As you’ve seen, yes, you can travel to New Zealand by sea but it is slower and more expensive than flying. Economy flights cost between $300 – $1000 AUD one way, while sea travel starts from ≈$1000-2000 AUD.

There are also a few considerations before travelling to New Zealand by sea:

According to the New Zealand Government (as of 2022), “ New Zealand’s maritime border is fully open “, but check the Unite Against COVID-19 website for more information regarding vaccination requirements.

See the Unite Against COVID-19 website for more information regarding visa requirements, which are different depending on the type of vessel that you arrive on: Cruise Ship, Commercial Vehicle or Recreational Vessels, Yachts and Small Craft.

How to travel from Australia to New Zealand?

Most travellers avoid expensive sea travel from Australia to New Zealand, choosing to take a flight from the East Coast cities of Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne (flights from Adelaide, Darwin and Perth are also available).

How long is a direct flight to New Zealand?

A direct flight from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand is approximately 3 hours.

Is sea travel from Australia to New Zealand a good idea?

If you’re looking for a scenic alternative to flying, sea travel may just be for you.

Cargo/Freight travel has been restricted during the pandemic but if you can still find a provider, this is a different option for those who don’t want to fly.

Cruises from Australia to New Zealand are good for those who are happy to take a week or more to travel slowly. Depending on the cruise, you may be able to stop in multiple ports and/or participate in activities along the way.

Sailing there yourself (solo or as part of a crew) is only an option for experienced sailors or those who are willing to take the time to learn. While not a common choice, if you are really determined to travel by sea to New Zealand – there is significant private sea traffic in both directions – but this is not readily advertised. You would need to research further into requirements and costs.

Now you know a bit more about how to travel by sea to New Zealand from Australia, you can compare and consider your options… and you never know, you might be admiring the blue horizon before you know it.

Mega-Guide to Australia for Digital Nomads . Complete Guide to 50+ Digital Nomad Visas. Want digital nomad support? Get in touch.

Kate is a teacher and blogger at ohnomad.com and teachenglishonline.com.au.

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Entering or leaving Australia

Australia welcomes millions of overseas visitors each year. Anyone who is not an Australian citizen needs a valid visa to enter the country.

International passenger caps have been removed for all international passenger arrivals into Australia.

All travellers should be aware that: People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status Unvaccinated visa holders do not ​ need a travel exemption to travel to Australia Mask wearing on international flights to Australia is no longer mandatory . It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

Australian Citizens

All Australian citizens must enter and exit Australia on an Australian passport. Your Australian passport must be valid (not expired) on the day of your arrival in Australia. It does not need to have six months remaining validity to enter Australia unless you are passing through a third country that requires it. Citizens are not entitled to a visa, even if you are also a citizen of another country. Please see the  Department of Home Affairs website  for more information. 

Immigration and Visas

All foreign travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia.

»    Immigration and visas

If you have a specific question, please contact the Department of Home Affairs .

You will also need to know what you can and cannot bring into Australia, knowing the duty-free concession limits and what to experience when travelling through Australian airports and seaports.

Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

Plan your trip with  australia.com , the official Tourism Australia website, offering a wide range of travel information and planning tools including over 2000 images, a currency converter, daily weather updates, interactive maps, suggested holiday itineraries, holiday deals, specialist travel agents and more. Available in nine languages.

Tourist Refund Scheme

The  Tourist Refund Scheme  enables you to claim a refund, subject to certain conditions, of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia.

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China’s visa-free policy for new zealand visitors starts next month.

Tourists from New Zealand will be able to visit China for up to 15 days without a visa from 1 July. Photo: 123RF

China's pilot visa-free policy for New Zealanders will take effect from 1 July, according to an announcement by the Chinese Embassy on social media late Tuesday.

The visa-free policy will be in place for travellers from New Zealand, Australia, and Poland through the end of next year, the embassy said.

"From 1 July, 2024, to 31 December, 2025, ordinary passport holders from the above countries who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days can enter China without a visa," the embassy post said.

"People from the above-mentioned countries who do not meet the conditions for visa exemption still need to apply for a visa before entering China."

The visa-free policy was announced by Chinese premier Li Qiang during his official visit to New Zealand earlier this month.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson welcomed the announcement.

"This is a welcome development for short-term visitors to China travelling for business or leisure," the spokesperson said. "It will further strengthen people-to-people connections between New Zealand and China."

Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said China's visa-free policy has attracted attention from "all walks of life in New Zealand".

"The number of people searching for information about traveling to China has increased sharply, and they look forward to an early implementation of the visa-free policy," Wang said.

"This fully demonstrates the strong will of all walks of life in New Zealand to further strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and promote people-to-people connectivity."

Copyright © 2024 , Radio New Zealand

RNZ Chinese is a dedicated initiative producing content for and about the diverse Chinese community in New Zealand. RNZ is an independent public service multimedia organisation that provides audiences with trusted news and current affairs in accordance with the RNZ Charter . Contact the team by email at [email protected] .

RNZ 中文 (RNZ Chinese) 是新西兰广播电台 (Radio New Zealand, RNZ) 推出的专项版块, 致力于关注新西兰多元华人社区,提供相关的新闻报道和内容服务。 RNZ 是一家独立的公共服务机构,依据 RNZ 章程,通过多媒体平台提供值得信赖的新闻和时事报道。欢迎联系中文团队,电子邮箱: [email protected] .

中国对新西兰的15天入境免签政策下月开始实施

从7月1日开始，前往中国的普通护照持有者若入境不超过15天可以享受免签政策。

免签可能最多达15天：李强到访，中国将向新西兰开放入境新政

中国将为新西兰公民提供最多15天（单次入境）的免签入境政策。

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Travellers eligible to transit without a visa (TWOV)

​If you are from an eligible country (see eligible countries listed below) you can transit Australia on your way to a third country. You can do this without an Australian visa, provided you meet all of the following criteria:

• will arrive in Australia by aircraft
• have a confirmed ticket to leave Australia to travel to a third country, by aircraft within 8 hours of arriving
• have a valid travel document to enter the country of destination
• must not need to clear immigration or leave the airport transit lounge for any reason before boarding your onwards flight. If you need to clear immigration, for example to collect baggage or to board an onwards flight, you will need an Australian visa.  This includes people from eligible countries who meet all other criteria. For more information, see  Transit facilities at Australian airports .

Eligible countries

If you are:

• a citizen of Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (including its colonies), United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Vatican, who is the holder of a valid travel document. The valid travel document must be acceptable for entry into the destination country, this may include, but is not limited to a passport, permanent resident card, National Identity Card or Military ID and a visa (if required).
• a resident of Hong Kong who holds a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport or a British National Overseas (BNO) passport
• a resident of Taiwan who holds a passport issued by the authorities of Taiwan (other than passports purported to be official or diplomatic passports)
• an Indian official passport holder, that is, an official passport issued by the authorities of the Republic of India, that is issued to officials of the Government of India
• a diplomatic passport holder (This does  not include diplomatic passport holders of Arab Non-National Passports and diplomatic passports from Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and Zimbabwe. Passport holders of these mentioned countries must get an appropriate visa to enter Australia.)

This information is not applicable to stateless persons and refugees.

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Australian Resident Visa

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand. If you are an Australian permanent resident you will need an NZeTA.

Length of stay

Processing time, with this visa you can.

• Visit, live, work, and study in New Zealand.
• Travel to New Zealand without first applying for a visa as long as you meet the character and entry permission requirements.

Things to note

• Australian temporary residents are not eligible for this visa.
• You can only apply for this visa when you arrive in New Zealand – you cannot apply for it before you travel.
• If you leave New Zealand your resident visa will expire — you can apply for a variation of travel conditions to allow you travel without affecting your New Zealand residence status. 
• If you are an Australian permanent resident you must hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel. You do not pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

Use the filters below to display relevant tips as well as detailed fees and receiving centre information

Who can apply

The criteria and evidence below will provide you with the information you need to meet the requirements of this visa.

View All Evidence

You must provide proof of your identity

We use your passport details to check your identity.

Australian immigration status

You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

We’ll use your passport to check your Australian citizenship or immigration status.

If you have a valid Australian passport, use it to travel to New Zealand.

Otherwise you can use a foreign passport that confirms you’re both an Australian permanent resident, and hold either:

• a valid Australian Permanent Resident Visa
• a valid Australian Resident Return Visa.

Australia temporary residents aren’t eligible for this visa.

If your Australian Permanent Resident or Resident Return Visa has been issued electronically, it’s a good idea to check your visa is linked to the passport you’ll be travelling on. You can do this by contacting the Australian immigration authorities.

You must be of good character

When you complete your arrival card, you’ll be asked some questions about your character. You may not meet our good character requirements if any of the following apply:

• you have a criminal conviction,
• you have been deported, removed or excluded from another country.
• we have reason to believe you may be a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest.

Good character

People who may be considered a risk to New Zealand’s security, public order or public interest, include those who are registered sex offenders or associated with a gang.

If we have reason to believe you are not of good character, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand at check-in, or refuse you entry permission when you get here.

If you are not sure you will meet our requirements for good character, you should apply for a visa before coming to New Zealand.

Process and cost

The information below will help you understand the process, timeframes and costs involved in applying for this visa, so you can plan ahead and have the best chance of submitting a complete application.

1 Check you meet the requirements for visa waiver travel

To be granted a visa when you arrive in New Zealand you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and be of good character.

If you do not meet our requirements for good character, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand at checkin or refuse you entry permission when you arrive.

If you are not sure you meet our requirements for good character, apply for a visa before you travel to New Zealand.

2 Check if you need to request an NZeTA

If you are a permanent resident of Australia you must hold an NZeTA before you travel, but you do not need to pay the International Visitor Levy (IVL).

Information for NZeTA

Australian citizens do not need to hold an NZeTA or pay the IVL.

3 Apply for a resident visa on arrival

On your way to New Zealand, you will be given an arrival card to complete. It includes questions about your character and intentions.

When you arrive, we check your arrival card. If we can confirm you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and meet our requirements for good character, we grant you a New Zealand resident visa.

Immigration costs

Application cost – You do not need to pay fee when granted a resident visa (as an Australian citizen or permanent resident) on arrival in New Zealand.

Timeframes - Processing

Your visa is granted when you arrive in New Zealand.

These are the conditions that you must meet once you have your visa.

Entry permission

You must apply for entry permission when you arrive in New Zealand. You can do this by completing a digital New Zealand traveller declaration (NZTD), or an NZTD paper declaration.

New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.

Arriving in New Zealand

You can be refused entry permission if:

• you don’t meet our character requirements
• you refuse to let us to take your photo or to provide us with your fingerprints or an iris scan, if asked for them.
• You provide  false or misleading information in a visa application, to an immigration officer or on any part of your arrival card

If you are refused entry to New Zealand

You can travel to and from New Zealand as often as you wish, but each time you leave New Zealand your Resident Visa will expire.

You can work in any occupation for any employer in New Zealand.

You can study in New Zealand.

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Australia Letter

Australian author’s novel-turned-film goes global.

Lily Brett’s delight is bittersweet as “Too Many Men,” her story about traveling with her father, becomes a movie he did not live to see.

By Julia Bergin

The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. This week’s issue is written by Julia Bergin, a reporter based in the Northern Territory.

On a film set in Berlin, Lily Brett cried as she watched the novel she’d written about her father come to cinematic life. Stephen Fry was essentially playing her father; Lena Dunham played the character Ms. Brett had based on herself.

“Stephen looked so like my dad. Which is just phenomenal, because Stephen is 6-foot-5 and my father at his peak was 5-10,” she said.

The film, “Treasure,” premieres in Melbourne in a few weeks. Based on Ms. Brett’s 1999 autobiographical novel “Too Many Men,” it tells the story of Edek, a Holocaust survivor, and Ruth, his daughter, on a journey to Poland, where Edek was born.

Ms. Brett says the adaptation, directed by Julia von Heinz, is true to her book and its main characters — versions of her father, Max Brett, who died in 2018 just shy of his 102nd birthday, and herself.

“When Lena did some of the weirder things that my character was required to do, all I could think of was, ‘Oh my God, did I do that?’” she groaned, recounting a scene in which her character sits down at the breakfast table and pulls out container after container of dried food. “Oh no, I did do that. Why did I do that?”

Ms. Brett’s true tales of traveling Tupperware include a customs delay in Vienna.

Officials there were so concerned about the shriveled orange sticks she’d packed in clear plastic boxes that someone from her publishing company was summoned to the airport to explain that they were, in fact, dried carrots cut into absurdly thin slices.

“I was carrying five pounds of dried carrots for a three-week book tour,” she said incredulously. “The two customs guys just looked at the woman from my publishing company and said almost simultaneously, ‘Does she think that we don’t have any carrots in Vienna?’”

The film is full of similar moments that bring her story to life, says Ms. Brett, 77, the author of six novels, seven books of poetry and three collections of essays.

From the outset, Ms. Brett’s attitude was that it wasn’t her movie — “It was Julia’s movie, it was the actors’ movie” — but she considers herself “incredibly lucky” that she was included in round after round of script writing and production, and that the film turned out as well as it did.

One thing missing from the film version, however, is the Australian connection.

After World War II, Ms. Brett’s parents left Poland and built a life for their family in suburban Melbourne. Until she started school, Ms. Brett genuinely believed she lived in a country called Paradise, because that was what her father always called Australia. As an adult, she moved to New York, and a plan for six months there turned into 35 years.

Ms. Brett had been to Poland but had never been able to persuade her father, a survivor of Auschwitz, to accompany her. But finally, he agreed to go.

The opening scene of the film is set in Warsaw, at the airport, where a stressed Ruth sternly tells her father to stand still and not wander off.

Edek’s character seems at ease, talking to anyone and everyone in Polish — just as he did when Ms. Brett traveled with him in Poland in the early 1990s.

“He talked to every single taxi driver about their car, which were mostly Mercedes,” she said. Although he immediately appeared comfortable, she could tell he was at the same time deeply troubled to be back in Poland.

In the film, that manifests as a constant mission to divert his daughter’s carefully planned itinerary. He insists on taxis instead of trains, takes her to an unremarkable crumbling brick wall rather than the ruins she’s hoping to see, and waits in the car while she looks around his old factory and home on her own. All the while, he tells everyone he meets that this is his “famous journalist” daughter.

Now, as she stands on red carpets for the premieres of “Treasure” in places like Berlin and New York, Ms. Brett said her father would have been “thrilled” (and a “hilarious nightmare”) had he been there by her side.

Ms. Brett said she’d received messages from friends and family around the world saying that the film had made them feel as if they’d spent an evening with her father.

“Dad would have loved it,” she said. “He believed that every novel I wrote was about him. Sometimes I had to remind him that he didn’t, for example, marry a big-busted blonde and open a meatball shop. He just said, ‘Ahhh, maybe.’”

Here are this week’s stories.

Australia and New Zealand

A Wish From All Sides to Move On Ends With Liberty for Assange . The WikiLeaks founder spent years in captivity in London before talks accelerated this spring, allowing him to go home to Australia as a felon, but a free man.

The Digital World Is a Powder Keg. Julian Assange Lit the Fuse . In his brazen quest for total transparency, the WikiLeaks founder paved the way for a world in which no secret is safe and no institution trusted.

Around The Times

How Science Went to the Dogs (and Cats) . Pets were once dismissed as trivial scientific subjects. Today, companion animal science is hot.

Two Kings Battle for a Millennium-Old Throne in Nigeria . Two men claim to be the emir of Kano, an ancient kingdom in northern Nigeria. Their struggle for power and influence is feeding into a wider competition ahead of the country’s next election.

Time Traveling Through London With an Impressionist Painter . A writer used Camille Pissarro’s paintings of suburban London and a “lost” railway as a lens for exploring the city’s history — and settling an arcane mystery.

Why We Still Want to Hear the ‘Ode to Joy,’ 200 Years Later . Beethoven’s aspirational vision of unity and peace can be applied to virtually any situation or place. The music makes sure of that.

Are you enjoying our Australia bureau dispatches? Tell us what you think at [email protected] .

Like this email? Forward it to your friends (they could use a little fresh perspective, right?) and let them know they can sign up here .

Netflix, Paramount ask Canada court to quash Trudeau’s new levy

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Streaming service apps on TV. Photo / Getty Images

US streaming-service giants are asking a Canadian court to block Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new 5% tax on their revenues in the country, which is supposed to help fund local news.

The Motion Picture Association-Canada - which represents studios including Netflix Inc., Paramount Global and Walt Disney Co. - want the Federal Court of Appeal to quash new obligations forcing foreign streaming platforms to contribute to local media funds as part of the Online Streaming Act.

The new requirement “is a discriminatory measure” and “contradicts the goal of creating a modern, flexible framework that recognises the nature of the services global streamers provide,” the association’s president Wendy Noss said in a statement on Thursday.

It’s the latest pushback by US companies against Trudeau’s effort to funnel money from foreign companies into the Canadian media and news sectors.

Meta Platforms Inc. has blocked news on Facebook and Instagram in Canada since last year to avoid making payments under a separate law.

The country’s broadcast regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, estimated last month that the new tax on foreign streaming companies would raise C$200 million (NZ$240m) annually, which would support the production of local news as well as other content.

In their court application dated Tuesday, the companies allege the regulator “acted unreasonably in compelling foreign online undertakings to contribute monies to support news production” and that requiring them to fund news programming was “unreasonable.”

“The requirement is neither appropriate in consideration of the nature of the services they provide, nor equitable.”

The CRTC has not yet filed a response in court and did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

-By Randy Thanthong-Knight of Bloomberg, via Washington Post News Service.

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‘Couldn’t believe it’: Wild Macca’s goes viral

Tourists have been left stunned by a very unique McDonald’s restaurant that’s been dubbed the “coolest” in the world for one very good reason.

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A McDonald’s in New Zealand is all rave with the fast-food restaurant dubbed the “coolest Macca’s in the world”.

Taupo, a town near the centre of NZ’ North Island, is home to the only McDonald’s location that includes a decommissioned DC3 plane as part of the store.

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary Macca’s store with a drive-through. However, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft is parked next to the location, painted in a dark green McDonald’s livery.

And what’s more, diners can sit inside to enjoy their meal with a view of the original cockpit.

The unique Macca’s has blown tourists away with TikToks showing off the one-of-a-kind restaurant.

“What would you do if you put into your maps ‘McDonald’s’ and this is what it took you too,” British tourist and travel blogger Katie asked in TikTok showing off the plane.

“That is what happened to me. Here in Taupo, New Zealand is home to the world’s coolest McDonald’s. I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

@travelsbytash Second RTW McDonald’s review!! The coolest McDonald’s in the world 🤩 - keep watching for the actual review! #aroundtheworldtrip #mcdonaldsnewzealand #mcdonaldstastetest #mcdonaldsworldtour #coolestmcdonalds ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Katie was eager to order her food and head inside the plane.

After using the kiosk to place her order she headed outside to the restaurant’s garden where a set of stairs took her up to the plane part of the eatery.

“You can sit and enjoy your ‘Maccis (sic) inside the plane. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. And there’s even a real cockpit you can have a look at too.”

It made the “10 coolest McDonald’s around the world” list for a reason with the decommissioned DC3 plane used by South Pacific Airlines between 1961 and 1966.

Before that it served during the Second World War. It was constructed in Long Beach, California, in 1943 as a military transport aircraft. During the war, the aircraft operated transport flights around the Southwest Pacific, according to Simple Flying .

After the aircraft was surplus to the requirements of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), it was stored in the Philippines and deleted from the Army Air Force’s inventory on the last day of 1945.

More Coverage

The publication reported that between February 1947 and October 1961, the aircraft was registered in Australia, flying for a range of now historic carriers.

And after that it was used by South Pacific Airlines of NZ. It then flew another 12 years until its bankruptcy in 1966 before making its final flight in 1984.

Now, the decommissioned DC3 plane is what makes the Taupo Macca’s the “coolest” in the world.

A lone Aussie has angered thousands of Americans after she revealed what “pisses her off” the most about people born in the US.

A man looking to take his family on a Disney World trip has expressed his shock over the cost of the stay – causing a pile on.

The family of an Australian woman who received horrific injuries in an incident in Bali is desperately trying to bring her home for medical care. Warning: Graphic content

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The world’s most liveable cities for 2024

The ranking of the world’s most liveable cities for 2024 has just been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and a European city has come out on top.

By Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN

Published Jul 3, 2024 7:12 AM PDT | Updated Jul 3, 2024 7:12 AM PDT

Vienna has been named the most liveable city in the world on the EIU’s Global Liveability Index. (Emmanuele Contini/NurPhoto/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

(CNN) — It’s considered among the most beautiful cities in the world to visit, and it seems that Vienna may also be an unbeatable place to live.

The Austrian city has been crowned the most liveable city in the world yet again in the annual list from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which was released today.

The EIU, a sister organization to The Economist , ranked 173 cities across the globe on a number of significant factors, including health care, culture and environment, stability, infrastructure and education.

Vienna topped the list for the third consecutive year, receiving “perfect” scores in four out of five of the categories — the city was marked lower for culture and environment due to an apparent lack of significant sporting events.

Perfect scores

Just behind the Austrian capital, Denmark’s Copenhagen retained its second place position, while Switzerland’s Zurich moved up from sixth place to third on the list.

Swiss city Zurich scored impeccably in the education and health care categories. (Gaetan Bally/Zürich Tourismus via CNN Newsource)

Australia’s Melbourne fell from third to fourth place, while Canadian city Calgary tied for fifth place with Swiss city Geneva.

Canada’s Vancouver and Australia’s Sydney were in joint seventh place, and Japan’s Osaka and New Zealand’s Auckland rounded out the top 10 in joint ninth place.

Vancouver ranks No. 7 on this year's list. (Drazen Zigic/iStockphoto/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

While Western Europe performed well, with 30 cities scoring an average score of 92 out of 100, the region saw an overall decline in stability scores, which was attributed to “increasing instances of disruptive protests” and crime.

In 23rd place, Honolulu, Hawaii was the highest US city on the list, while Atlanta, Georgia moved up four places to number 29.

Los Angeles was further down the list in 58th place, while New York came in at No. 70.

‘Acute housing crisis’

North America achieved the highest average score for education. However, marks for infrastructure were lower than the previous year in Canada due to “an acute housing crisis,” which has affected several regions.

Canada's Toronto dropped out of the top 10 most liveable cities list this year, coming in 12th. (Destination Toronto via CNN Newsource)

“The situation is particularly worrying in Australia and Canada, where the availability of rental properties is at an all-time low and purchase prices have continued to rise despite interest-rate increases,” reads the report.

Vancouver fell backwards while remaining in the top 10, and Toronto (ninth on the list in 2023) dropped out of the top 10 to 12th place.

UK capital London was ranked as the 45th most liveable city in the world.

Over in Asia, Hong Kong saw the largest score improvement since last year, climbing from 61st place to 50th thanks to an improvement in its stability and health care scores.

UAE cities saw some of the biggest score increases this year, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai climbing up the list, and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar also making significant gains.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Tel Aviv experienced one of the biggest declines, dropping 20 places to 112th due to the Israel-Hamas war.

Stability decline

“Global liveability has risen fractionally over the past year but risks to stability remain,”  said Barsali Bhattacharyya, deputy industry director at EIU.

“Still-high inflation accompanied by high interest rates and other economic headwinds led to another year of frequent protests across the world.”

There was little change at the bottom of the list, with Damascus, Syria still ranking as the least liveable in the world, with Libya’s Tripoli, Algeria’s Algiers and Nigeria’s Lagos ranking just above.

The study noted that none of the bottom four cities had seen any improvement in its overall score since 2023.

“Since we conducted our survey, there have been more instances of civil unrest and demonstrations around the world, such as the campus protests across the US, suggesting continuing stress on liveability that is unlikely to ease in the near future,” said Bhattacharyya.

2024’s Global Liveability Index: The top 10

1. Vienna, Austria

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

3. Zurich, Switzerland

4. Melbourne, Australia

5. Calgary, Canada

5. Geneva, Switzerland

7. Sydney, Australia

7. Vancouver, Canada

9. Osaka, Japan

9. Auckland, New Zealand

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The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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New Zealand – step by step guide for cats and dogs

​Cats and dogs coming to Australia from New Zealand do not require an import permit. There is no Australian post entry quarantine period.

Cats and dogs coming to Australia from New Zealand do not require an import permit however, import conditions apply.

• The conditions on the required health certification take precedence over any other source of information. This step-by-step guide explains what you must do to prepare your animal for export; it is not a substitute for the health certification.
• Cats and dogs must comply with all conditions on the health certification.
• moved to and held in post entry quarantine
• subject to additional testing
• A registered veterinarian must perform all veterinary procedures listed below.
• There is no mandatory quarantine period for cats and dogs from New Zealand.

Step 1: Contact the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries Timeframe: Before starting the export process

Contact the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to find out:

• which veterinarians and laboratories are approved to prepare your cat or dog for export
• if New Zealand has any requirements in addition to those stated on this webpage

The department recommends that you take this information to your government approved veterinarian or pet transport agent to help you understand the requirements.

Step 2: General eligibility

• Cats and dogs must have been continuously resident in New Zealand since birth or direct importation from Australia or for 180 days immediately before the date of export if it has been imported into New Zealand from any other country.
• Cats and dogs must not be under quarantine restrictions at the time of export.
• Cats and dogs must not be more than 40 days pregnant nor be suckling young at the time of export.
• Cats and dogs must be at least eight (8) weeks old at the time of export.
• Microchip numbers starting with 999 are not acceptable because they are not unique.
• Savannah cat, domestic cat ( Felis catus ) crossed with serval cat ( Felis serval )
• Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat ( Oncifelis geoffroyi )
• Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat ( Felis chaus )
• Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian leopard cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis ).

Note – in certain circumstances, the Department may permit the import of Bengal cats that are five generations or more removed from their wild ancestor. If you plan to import a Bengal cat, please contact Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water at [email protected] to confirm your cat satisfies the requirements before you apply for an import permit.

• Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound
• Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
• Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog.

Please contact the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water at [email protected] for more information on hybrid animals and reproductive material/specimens.

• dogo Argentino
• fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.

For more information on prohibited dog breeds, contact the Department of Home Affairs on +61 2 6264 1111 or 131 881 (within Australia).

Step 3: Permission to import

An import permit is not required.

The exporter must sign a Statutory Declaration that:

• identifies the cat/dog by breed, sex, age and microchip number
• verifies that the cat/dog has been continually resident in New Zealand since birth or direct importation from Australia, or for the 180 days immediately before the date of export if the animal has been imported into New Zealand from any other country
• verifies that the cat/dog is not derived from a domestic/non-domestic hybrid and that a dog is not a prohibited breed
• verifies that if a female cat or dog, the animal is not more than 40 days pregnant or suckling young at the time of export
• states whether the dog has ever been to mainland Africa.

Step 4: Health certificate requirements

The animal must be accompanied by a health certificate agreed between Australia and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries . The health certificate must be an original document, and copies will not be accepted.

The health certificate must certify that:

• the animal has been identified by a microchip
• New Zealand is free from rabies
• the animal was examined within five (5) days before the date export and found to be fit to travel
• the animal was treated for external and internal parasites within five (5) days before the date of export.

There are two versions of health certificates which may be issued for animals exported from New Zealand to Australia:

• A pre-printed export certificate (AUPET9) completed and issued by a Private Veterinarian designated by the Ministry for Primary Industries
• An official assurance certificate (AUPETOA9) completed and issued by a Ministry for Primary Industries Official Veterinarian

Check the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries’ Cats and Dogs to Australia Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMAR) and website to determine which type of health certificate your pet requires for import to, or travel via, Australia.

The health certificate must also certify that:

• canine brucellosis ( Brucella canis ), leptospirosis ( Leptospira canicola ) and leishmaniosis ( Leishmania infantum ) have not been confirmed in New Zealand during the 12 months before the date of export
• a negative test result (IFAT or ELISA) for Leishmania infantum.

These tests must be done after the dog has resided in New Zealand for a minimum of 21 days. This testing remains valid only if the dog is continuously resident in New Zealand from the sampling date until export to Australia.

Dogs that have ever been to mainland Africa must be treated by a government approved veterinarian while resident in New Zealand for Babesia canis with imidocarb dipropionate either:

• as one treatment at 7.5 mg/kg bodyweight via subcutaneous or intramuscular injection OR
• two treatments at 6 mg/kg bodyweight via subcutaneous or intramuscular injection given two weeks apart.

Where the dog is not treated in New Zealand a copy of the certification of the treatment must be endorsed by the MPI and accompany the dog to Australia.

Step 5: Travel to Australia

• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry does not place any restrictions on the airline you choose. However, the animal must travel as manifested cargo (not in the cabin) and in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved crate for cats or dog.
• The department accepts no responsibility for cats or dogs that escape en route.
• All transport costs are at the importer’s expense.
• Assistance dogs may travel with their handler in the cabin, at the discretion of the airline.

Step 6: Clearance on arrival

• All import conditions must be met, including the need for documentation to bear the original signature of a veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (documents may only be endorsed following all treatments, tests and examinations)
• All health certification and relevant documentation must travel to Australia with the cat or dog.
• Notify the department at least three (3) days before the animal arrives by emailing the regional office in the state/territory in which the cat or dog will first arrive in Australia.

General inquiry: 1800 900 090 or + 61 3 8318 6700 (from outside Australia)

For more office locations visit: Office locations

• the date and estimated time of arrival
• the flight number
• the air waybill number
• a short description of your cat or dog
• a contact phone number in Australia or New Zealand
• the address at which the cat or dog will stay in Australia
• whether the dog is an assistance dog.
• Cats and dogs must be cleared at the first port of arrival in Australia.
• Allow at least one (1) hour for the cat or dog to be released by airline cargo and cleared by the department. Connecting flights must not leave within one hour of the animal arriving in Australia.
• Lack of original health certificates and related documentation will result in your pet’s clearance being delayed.
• If your cat or dog is to connect with a domestic flight you will have to arrange for it to be moved from the international to the domestic terminal. Animal transport agents/pet shippers can help you with this. The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association website has a list of pet shippers.
• You will be charged for the time taken to assess the documentation that accompanies your animal to Australia. Details of the department’s fees can be found in the charging guidelines . Please contact the relevant state/territory office to determine the fees for clearing your cat or dog.
• Fees are usually collected by the airline carrying your animal. The payment should appear on the air waybill. The department then invoices the airline to recover the fees. If the air waybill has not incorporated these fees the department will require payment before releasing your animal.

Step 7: On arrival in Australia

• A biosecurity officer will check the cat or dog to verify that all details match the import certification.
• If acceptable, the animal will be released from biosecurity control. If not, additional documents may be requested and/or the animal may be subject to treatment, export or euthanasia.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

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