Planning Your Holiday
Before we can finalise your travel e-documents, please complete the items on your 'To-Do List' in your Guest Hub so we have all the required information. Once you have done this and ticked the box to request your documentation, we will aim to have everything ready for you within 10 working days.
For Escorted Coach Tours booked with us, we will send e-documents to you once we have received them from the operator, which is approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your departure date.
Please note that there may be occasional delays due to seasonal demand or in-country factors such as major weather events. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding should your e-documents take a little longer than expected.
Our team are generally available 7 days a week from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (NZT). Please note that hours are subject to change in the event of Public Holidays, etc.
Need help? Visit our Contact Us page to get in touch.
Entry requirements for New Zealand vary depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay.
We recommend checking directly with:
- Your airline
- Your local embassy or consulate
- The official New Zealand immigration websites:
These sites provide up-to-date information on:
- Whether you need a visa or an NZeTA
- Visa waiver countries
- Passport validity
- Transit rules
- International Visitor Levy (IVL)
It is the responsibility of all visitors to ensure they meet all current passport, visa, and vaccination requirements before travelling to New Zealand.
We know that many of you will be coming to New Zealand for a variety of experiences, so therefore your clothing and equipment needs will vary accordingly. It has to be said that New Zealand is a fairly informal country and very few places insist on strict dress codes, so unless you are coming to New Zealand for business we have compiled a useful list that tries to accommodate various requirements. We hope the information provided helps you make the right decisions, ensuring you have a trouble free holiday.
See our New Zealand Travel Guide: How to, and what to pack when heading to NZ
Prescription medicines and controlled drugs have specific requirements and may need to be declared on your arrival declaration.
For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official New Zealand Customs and Medsafe websites:
New Zealand Customs Service - Medication
Medsafe (this includes guidance on non-prescription medicines)
If you're travelling to New Zealand with large amounts of cash, you may need to complete a Border Cash Report.
For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official New Zealand Customs website:
The best way to travel to New Zealand is by air (unless you want to spend a lot of time on a boat). Most major airlines offer direct flights to New Zealand. It’s easy to get here on a non-stop flight from America, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Or you can get a connecting flight from these countries to New Zealand from anywhere in the world.
First Light Travel can arrange competitively priced airline seats through Air New Zealand from North America (economy, first class and business); however, we do not offer flights from any other destination.
When flying to New Zealand, you may well want to take advantage of the various stopovers available.
For further details and a list of Airlines servicing New Zealand, please see our Travel Guide Getting Flights to New Zealand
The International Date Line is an invisible line in the Pacific Ocean where the calendar date changes. Crossing it is like jumping forward or backwards in time — not because of the flight duration, but because of how the world’s time zones are arranged.
When flying to New Zealand from North America or the UK (often via Asia), you’ll cross this line and lose a day — for example, departing on a Monday might mean arriving on Wednesday, even if the flight is under 24 hours. On your return trip, you’ll gain a day, often arriving earlier than you departed. It’s a quirk of global time zones, not flight duration. Flying from Australia is a little easier, with a maximum flight time of 7 hours and a minimal time difference.
It is essential that you know what date you actually land in New Zealand, so that all of your onward travel arrangements are correct. You can check with your airline to confirm your exact arrival date and time.
There’s nothing quite like exploring the quintessentially Kiwi ‘great outdoors’. With some of the most breathtaking and varied scenery in the world, untouched terrain, pristine rivers and beaches, and plenty of walking, hiking, and water-sport options, New Zealand is an outdoor playground. However, every year New Zealand Search and Rescue crews are called upon to rescue kiwis and visitors who have become lost, injured or need emergency help. We want your trip of a lifetime to run without a hitch, so our advice is to always ‘be prepared’.
See our New Zealand holiday planner: Safety in New Zealand's Great Outdoors
Our complimentary maps feature a visual representation of iconic New Zealand hot spots in relation to both the North and South Islands. Plus, you have the option to download our New Zealand touring map, which is a more detailed resource including travel distances and main driving routes.
About New Zealand
The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south is temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February and the coldest are June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30°C and in winter between 10-15°C.
Have a look at the New Zealand Weather Widget showing the average high/low temperatures for key centres on the North and South Islands.
One of the most important parts of planning for an overseas holiday is knowing how much things cost and therefore how much spending money you will need to budget for. Items like petrol, meals and alcohol can quickly add up to a significant amount.
We have compiled some helpful information on New Zealand prices to help you budget for your New Zealand holiday. See our New Zealand Pricing Guide
New Zealand is known for being one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world. Like anywhere, it’s wise to stay aware of your surroundings and take care of your personal belongings, but most travellers find it a very relaxed and easy place to explore.
One of the great things about New Zealand is that you don’t need to worry about dangerous wildlife. There are no snakes, and while there are a couple of rare spiders (like the native katipō and the white-tailed spider), sightings are uncommon and bites are extremely rare.
You might encounter a few sandflies in some areas (especially near water), so it’s a good idea to carry insect repellent just in case.
The New Zealand sun can be surprisingly intense, even on cooler or cloudy days. Whether you're at the beach, on the ski slopes, or out hiking, we recommend wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, and staying hydrated.
Our lakes, rivers, and beaches are stunning, but it’s essential to treat them with respect. Always follow local safety signs, swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches, and avoid swimming alone or after drinking alcohol.
For more helpful tips, check out our guide to staying safe while enjoying everything New Zealand has to offer: Travelling Safely in New Zealand
In short, “use plastic, but make sure it's the right plastic”. We recommend you use credit cards for big purchases, car rental & hotel security bonds. Use debit cards for cash, as it is less expensive. The use of traveller’s cheques is less popular, so it is not recommended.
Read our detailed article - Everything you need to know about Money in New Zealand
Tipping and Service Charges: New Zealanders do not expect tips for normal service, even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for extra exceptional service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.
Yes, you'll likely need a New Zealand power plug adapter when you're on holiday. New Zealand uses 230/240 volt electricity at 50 hertz, with angled two- or three-pin plugs. Most hotels and motels provide 110-volt AC outlets (limited to 20 watts) for electric razors only. For all other devices, a power adapter or voltage converter may be required (unless your equipment supports multi-voltage).
Read on for a comprehensive guide to New Zealand Power Plug Adapters & Converters
New Zealand is a generous country; medical care for injuries caused by an accident in New Zealand is covered under a scheme called Accident Compensation Cover (ACC). We explain how this works, why you still need personal travel insurance and what to do in the event of an accident.
Read more in our guide: What to do if I have an accident in New Zealand
When planning a New Zealand self-drive holiday or road trip, use our NZ Driving Time and Travel Distance Calculator to work out the best route between two towns or cities. This calculator will give you an accurate average driving time, taking into consideration obstacles like mountain passes, winding roads, single lanes, etc. The NZTA Journey Planner is also a helpful tool to use, which takes into account traffic cameras, delays, roadworks, and road closures and how they may impact your journey.
Please feel free to use our New Zealand Driving Time and Travel Distance Calculator
After your unforgettable adventures in the Land of the Long White Cloud, you'll definitely want to bring a small piece of New Zealand home with you. While shopping is unlikely to be the main focus of your trip, it's worth taking time out to browse our stores for treasures you just won't find anywhere else.
Here are some of our favourite New Zealand shopping experiences
Many New Zealand businesses, including tours, restaurants, and shops, are now cashless, accepting only card or digital payments. We recommend using a debit or credit card or mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Here are some useful websites and apps to download before your trip:
- Air NZ – flight bookings and updates
- NZ Transport Agency – journey planner, road conditions and closures
- Gaspy – fuel prices
- MetService – weather forecasts and warnings
- Department of Conservation – national parks information
- Parkable – parking information
New Zealand has strict smoke-free laws. Smoking is banned in all indoor public spaces and many outdoor areas such as parks, playgrounds, and bus stops. Always look for signage and designated smoking areas.
Health recommendations can vary depending on your country of origin and travel plans within New Zealand.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend checking the official guidance from:
For personalised advice, please consult your healthcare provider or a travel medicine specialist.
Driving & Rental Cars in New Zealand
Most visitors can drive in New Zealand with a valid driver’s licence from their home country. If your licence is not in English, you’ll need either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official English translation.
You must carry your licence (and IDP or translation, if required) at all times while driving. You can only drive the types of vehicles your licence permits in your home country.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official sources: New Zealand Transport Agency – Driver Licences
Rental car policies vary between providers — some allow vehicles on the ferry, while others require you to drop off your car at one terminal and pick up a new one on the other side.
Your itinerary will include the most suitable option for your trip, so please refer to your travel documents for complete details.
In New Zealand, driving might be a little different from what you are used to in your home country. Therefore, it's important to understand the basic rules to follow:
- We drive on the left side of the road
- It takes longer than you think to get to places
- Our roads are sometimes narrow, winding and steep
For more important information, see official sources: New Zealand Transport Agency - Driving in New Zealand
New Zealand Car Hire Insurance differs from that in other countries. To fully understand, please read New Zealand Rental Car Insurance - Demystified
Bookings, payments, cancellations and insurance
If an activity provider cancels an activity due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will strive to provide the best alternative possible. On our hosted tours, all the details will be discussed with you and taken care of for you by our local guide. If you are on a self-drive tour, simply call our freephone number and we will endeavour to either book you onto a different activity of your choice, determine whether the activity can be rescheduled, or, if there are no suitable alternatives, we will refund to you the cost of the activity.
Please note that this does not apply if you change your mind on a particular activity – only if the activity provider cancels the activity.
Cancellations by you: As per the Booking Conditions, any cancellations made by you will incur a 100% cancellation fee. Please let us know in writing if you wish to cancel anything, and we will take care of the rest for you.
Cancellations by our suppliers: Many of the best activities are weather-dependent and, as a result, sometimes need to be cancelled by our suppliers. Where possible, they will endeavour to re-book you on an alternative departure; however, if this is not suitable, please let us know, as we may be able to fit a similar activity option into your itinerary elsewhere. At the end of your trip, we will calculate any necessary reimbursements and process any refunds in a one-off payment.
Travel insurance is not compulsory except on group dive tours, but is strongly recommended. First Light Travel offers highly competitive travel insurance packages, specially designed to cover most adventure activities, through our partner Cover-More (for travellers aged 70 and younger). Please enquire for further details.
Absolutely! We offer flexible payment options, allowing you to pay your balance in multiple instalments through our secure portal at any time before your final payment due date (70 days before departure).
Just keep in mind that exchange rates can fluctuate, and your bank or credit card provider may apply processing fees for each transaction. We highly recommend that you opt for a bank transfer to keep any fees minimal.
You can make your balance payment(s) at any time before your final payment due date (70 days before departure).
We highly recommend opting for bank transfers to keep fees to a minimum. Depending on the country where you are based, there may be one or two options.
- Local Account to You
We have local accounts in the countries where the majority of our guests come from, so you can pay in your own currency. Our local bank determines this amount based on their current exchange rate, which determines how much of your local currency is required to ensure we end up with the correct amount of our currency to match your balance exactly. This rate will be displayed in your Guest Hub and is valid for 7 days. After 7 days, it is refreshed and updated.
- Local Account to Us
If you are from a country where we do not have a local account in your currency, then you can make a bank transfer into our local currency account that matches the currency of your booking and balance. Your local bank determines this amount based on its current exchange rate and the amount of your local currency required to ensure we end up with the correct amount of our currency to match your balance exactly.
Please do not use any online currency tools that do not reflect the bank's actual rates, as these will not result in us receiving the exact amount required. Your balance must be $0 before your e-documents can be actioned, so any bank transfers that fall short will require additional payments until the balance is $0 owed.
If you opt to pay via card, fees will apply, and your bank will determine the exchange rate on the day of processing.
Your bank may charge additional fees for any of the above options — please check with them if you are unsure or would like more information.
We’re here for you. If anything goes wrong during your trip, our team is available to help. Most issues can be resolved during office hours, 7 days a week from (8:00 AM-8:00 PM NZT), but we also operate a 24-hour emergency helpdesk for urgent support. All contact details and instructions are available in your Guest Portal under the in-country support documentation.
Questions about First Light Travel
Since 2001 we’ve been helping visitors plan their dream holiday to New Zealand. We aim to make it effortless for you to have the holiday of a lifetime in our beautiful land. Well, we can think of at least 10 reasons to book your trip with us...
Cost
The misconception is that booking a trip with a tour operator or travel agent costs you more. Not true! The cost to you, the consumer, is the same and, often better as we pass on our good contract rates to you.
Time
Information overload! There is too much destination information out there to wade through on the internet, travel books and magazines, friends recommendations and other sources. It can be overwhelming, confusing and time-consuming. Then, the actual planning, setting dates, reserving, following up, reconfirming, sending payments to various locations ... there is much to do. Your time is too valuable - let us make it a process whole lot easier for you.
Product Knowledge
The glamorous part of being in the travel business is we get to travel all the time. Yeah, someone’s got to do it! The reality is, we check out all the rooms and compare the boats, resorts and operators, meet and negotiate with adventure outfitters, airlines and so forth. Most importantly, we experience firsthand the diving, kayaking, rafting and other adventure activities. Can you believe that some dive & adventure travel companies do not have employees that dive or hike? We are all dive certified with thousands of dives under our belts. Travel is our passion and we pass on our valuable knowledge to you so you will reserve the trip that is right for you. An internet site or brochure might look amazing, but the reality can lead to big time bad experiences and then you have wasted your hard-earned vacation.
Experience
We’ve been in the travel business for many years! We know how to put together trips and what makes an itinerary work successfully. We represent only the most seasoned and reputable operators.
Logistics
We coordinate every aspect of your trip. Airline connections, transfers, what works on certain days, what does not, the timing, the pacing - we know who to make it all work together. Let us handle getting you from point A to B to C for you.
Details
We make sure you have exactly what you have requested - whether it is aisle seats, vegetarian meals, diving equipment rentals, king-size beds or honeymoon specials. As our valued clients we provide you with important pre-departure information, which includes recommended packing lists, visa and medical information, travel insurance, suggested readings, emergency contact numbers and more.
The Unexpected
Just when you think a trip is all set, something happens. Whether it is something major like a hurricane or coup or minor like a flight cancellation, we can fix it for you. We can rearrange your trip to accommodate the change or come up with a viable alternative or handle the refund for you. We specialize in smoothing over the rough spots. We do it all the time. Also, our inbound operators are so amazing that if something happens to you in the field, they will handle any emergency or change with efficiency and care.….we provide 24/7 assistance by phone. We act as your travel advocate and deal with suppliers on your behalf.
Customer Service
We are not a faceless, dot-com, travel consortium run by venture capitalists trying to retire in their 30s (too late for that!). We are people who love travel and have chosen it as our profession. Whether you contact us by email or over the telephone, we enjoy hearing from you and will fulfil your requests in a timely and personable manner. Many of our clients have become our friends and return to us time and time again. We all share the great passion of travel.
Personalisation
We will not corral you into a pre-packaged tour that is not right for you. All of our itineraries are customised for the travel you have requested. This is time-consuming and work-intensive for us, but we feel very strongly that your vacation time is golden and you should have the perfect itinerary that is right for your travel desires.
Your Next Trip
We value our clients and enjoy hearing your feedback and your thoughts on your next travel plans. We offer special deals to our clients and enjoy planning your trip with you. We are here for the long haul and want you to have many fabulous and exciting vacations with us!
In short, it’s our goal to inspire and enthuse you about your hard earned vacation. As a First Light Travel client, we provide you with comprehensive pre-travel information on what to do before you leave, suggested packing, vital documentation, money and medical matters, driving on the left, safety and more.
Don't take our word for it, check-out nearly 2 decades of Customer Feedback and Reviews
So what’s the next step? Contact us for an obligation free itinerary and quote. Then, relax and enjoy the convenience of having your locally-based travel specialist pull together options, pricing, and ideas. Everything from air tickets to car rentals, coach and train reservations, accommodation, insurance, and activities. We’d love to hear from you.
To make your New Zealand travel dreams come true you need the right team in your corner. That’s where we come in! We’ve been helping travellers enjoy the very best of New Zealand since 2001 and have learnt plenty of tricks which will help you have a hassle free and super fun holiday. Our past guest testimonials speak volumes about our excellent service and tour planning ability.
See First Light Travel’s Testimonials and Reviews Page for feedback that has come to us either directly or has been pulled in from our social media channels.
A trustworthy source of reviews is social media, so here’s what our guests have to say …
Read Independent guest reviews posted on Facebook
Read Independent guest reviews posted on Google
Head Office Auckland CBD
We're in central Auckland, really handy to the CBD and waterfront. Our physical address is The Beach, Ground Floor 85 Beach Road, Auckland City, New Zealand.
Here's where we are on Google Maps.
Queenstown Office Near Airport
175 Glenda Drive, Queenstown.
Started in 2001, First Light Travel is owned and operated by Brent Narbey and Nigel Williamson. Adventurers themselves, with more than a few travel stories of their own, they know the ins and outs of travelling both in New Zealand and around the globe. Both are absolute travel professionals with a lifetime in the industry, which means you couldn’t be in safer hands!
Backed by a dedicated team of passionate New Zealand Based Travel Specialists, we guarantee to deliver the holiday of a lifetime.
Good Question!
New Zealand has been described by National Geographic as a 'world in miniature'. New Zealand is a land of incredible natural wonders with a unique ecosystem featuring many species found only on these islands - and we want to keep it that way!
Please take your time and read First Light Travel's Sustainable Tourism Policy
Yes we love video and we are lucky to have a selection of great videos our guests have shared with us and a collection we have had made our-selves to show you as much as we can of our beautiful country.
For us, we recognise that our core business relies on the transportation of guests throughout our beautiful country and therefore there is a carbon cost to the environment. So after much brainstorming, we have embraced carbon offsetting and its reduction across all of our tourism businesses. We have taken the hands-on and dirty approach, simply put, we are planting trees. Not just by raising money but we are now actually turning soil - It's hot and back-breaking work, but here we are…
Apart from our head office in Auckland, we have offices in Arrowtown and Queenstown, so the challenge for us was finding a group of people who are committed and have a long-term vision to make a significant impact on the environment, so we could get involved and truly offset our emissions. That group of people turned out to be Arrowtown Choppers based in Arrowtown.
