Travel Insurance for New Zealand
A trip to New Zealand is the ideal getaway for anyone looking for a destination that offers a lot, but isn’t too far away. A short three to seven hour flight away, New Zealand offers adventure – from river rafting through to skiing – spectacular hiking trails, serene cruises, and much more. But the natural beauty and low-risk travel advisory that is usually in place shouldn’t be seen as a reason not to take out travel cover for you or your family.
Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
New Zealand has a low crime rate and a good healthcare system, which means travel advisories usually suggest normal safety precautions most of the time. However, New Zealand does have active volcanoes, and thousands of earthquakes are recorded each year, with up to 200 earthquakes each year strong enough to be felt. Three earthquakes in the last decade resulted in significant damage and human fatalities, so travellers are always advised to consider the risk of natural disasters affecting their travel plans. The latest travel advisory for New Zealand can always be found on the Smartraveller website, with recent volcanic activity and earthquakes also reported by the GeoNet website.
Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
Australian residents travelling on a Australian passport, or holding a current Australian resident return visa do not need a visa or permit to travel to and visit New Zealand. However, anyone who has been convicted of any crime – or deported from any country – regardless of when either occurred, will need to visit a New Zealand High Commission or Consulate well in advance of their planned travel to receive accurate advice on a visa requirement.
Where to ski in New Zealand?
New Zealand is made up of the South Island and the North Island, and both have popular skiing regions that are fully developed and designed to appease any skiing enthusiast. On the South Island you can choose between Mt Hutt, The Remarkables, Treble Cone, Cardrona, or Coronet Peak. On the North Island you can choose between Whakapapa and Turoa, both located on an active volcano, Mt Ruapehu.
All of the ski fields are accessible by car or shuttle bus, and are close to accommodation, cafes and restaurants, and other sightseeing activities.
Do you need vaccinations for New Zealand?
The health risks in New Zealand are much the same as those in Australia, so there is no need for any vaccinations before your trip, or any special healthcare precautions you need to take once there. If you intend travelling during winter, getting a flu shot at the start of the season could benefit you both at home, and while on holiday. But this shouldn’t be seen as a valid reason for not taking out travel insurance ahead of your trip. Travel insurance is beneficial on any trip, and covers much more than just health related expenses. The risk of earthquakes or volcanic activity disrupting your travel plans is ever present, and travel insurance could cover costs associated with delayed flights and cancelled accommodation and excursions.
Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand?
While New Zealand boasts a low crime rate, and the same health risks you would face in Australia, travel insurance should still be top priority for anyone travelling to the country on business or a holiday. Travel insurance offers benefits that extend beyond having your property stolen, or falling ill. Travel insurance benefits include cover for your luggage being lost or delayed by the airline, hospitalisation and medical treatment for serious illness and injuries, medical or emergency evacuation, and even costs associated with flights, accommodation, or any other prepaid travel expenses being cancelled or delayed.
When is the best time to go to New Zealand?
There isn’t a bad time to visit New Zealand. Depending on what you hope to see and do, every season has something to offer, though if you’re hoping to go skiing you’ll want to plan your trip for between June and the first week of October. Summer, running from December through to February, is peak holiday season, so expect higher prices.
We also offer insurance for other destinations such as Japan