Palmerston North

Passport validity requirements

To enter New Zealand, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave.

If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from New Zealand, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries require at least 6 months validity on your passport. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit New Zealand without a visa for up to 6 months. However you do need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).

At New Zealand border control, you will also need to show:

• proof of a return or onward ticket
• proof that you have enough money for your stay

Check the full criteria for visa-free entry on New Zealand Immigration.

New Zealand has strict immigration rules, particularly on employment. You must have a visa to work or study in New Zealand.

Check the visa options and costs on New Zealand Immigration.

To extend your visa, first check your visa expiry date on the New Zealand Visa Verification Service. See how to apply for a visa extension.

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

If you are entering without a visa, you need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel. You will also need to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy when you apply.

Allow up to 72 hours for it to be processed. Your NZeTA is valid for up to 2 years.

Travelling through New Zealand

You will need to get a NZeTA before you travel if you are travelling through New Zealand to another country.

In most cases, transit passengers must hold an NZeTA or transit NZeTA before travel.

New Zealand Traveller Declaration

Everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). It is free and you can use the online form or the NZTD app. There is a paper declaration form for travellers who cannot complete it online.

Your declaration is linked to your passport and is checked when you arrive at the e-Gate or by a border officer.

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.

If you are travelling on a domestic flight, familiarise yourself with security procedures, you can read information on these from the New Zealand government.

Travelling by sea

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

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s New Zealand guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of New Zealand. It is illegal to import most food products. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Some products, including wood and leather products, golf clubs, tents and fishing equipment, can carry harmful pests or diseases. Check what items you are permitted to bring into New Zealand. If in doubt, declare items to a Biosecurity New Zealand official or dispose of them in one of the marked bins available at the airport.

If you break any of these rules you could get a fine of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars or a prison sentence.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of New Zealand. It is illegal to import most food products. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Some products, including wood and leather products, golf clubs, tents and fishing equipment, can carry harmful pests or diseases. Check what items you are permitted to bring into New Zealand. If in doubt, declare items to a Biosecurity New Zealand official or dispose of them in one of the marked bins available at the airport.

If you break any of these rules you could get a fine of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars or a prison sentence.

Emergency services in New Zealand

Telephone: 111 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in New Zealand
• dealing with a death in New Zealand
• being arrested or imprisoned in New Zealand
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in New Zealand on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. 

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: 

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator  
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Importing illegal drugs could result in a prison sentence of up to 12 years.

LGBT+ travellers

New Zealand has an established tradition of tolerance towards same-sex relations, but there are still isolated incidents of homophobia-related crimes. LGBT+ travellers should be aware of local sensitivities, particularly when visiting rural areas. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.