Complete Checklist Before Visiting New Zealand

Updated on Feb 04, 2025 | New Zealand eTA

New Zealand boasts some of the most unique flora and fauna of the world along with a rich history, culture, and some of the world's finest wine. A visit to New Zealand is a one-of-a-kind experience. That being said, it is also important to not get ahead of yourself and forget the important things that you need to do before you visit New Zealand for your holidays.

Not taking the necessary steps will ruin what is supposed to be one of the best experiences any tourist can have. So, keep reading to find out all the necessary things you must do before visiting New Zealand.

Check Your Travel Documents

The first thing you need to do before you plan your visit to New Zealand is to check whether you have all the necessary travel documents to travel to New Zealand.

For passport holders to New Zealand, make sure that your passport is valid for at least 3 months after the day you wish to visit New Zealand or 1 month after the day on which you will return from New Zealand. If your passport does not meet these requirements then renew your passport first before planning your visit to New Zealand.

If you meet the criteria for it, then you can even travel to New Zealand with the use of an NZeTA. For those tourists who already have a valid New Zealand visa, you do not require an NZeTA.

An NZeTA can allow one to visit New Zealand multiple times during its validity which is of 2 years. Check the New Zealand government's official website or click here to see if you are eligible for an NZeTA. In case you are not, then your only option to visit New Zealand is to acquire a traditional visa for New Zealand.

In case your visit to New Zealand is as a transit passenger meaning you are only visiting New Zealand to travel to a different country, then you will need a transit visa to move through New Zealand. There are certain scenarios where a transit visa is not needed for you to travel through New Zealand. These scenarios are:

  • If you hold the passport of a visa waiver country
  • The passport is for a transit visa waiver country
  • Any other country and you are passing through New Zealand on your way to or from Australia.

If you meet the good character requirements of New Zealand, then you can apply for an NZeTA.

Fill out the Border Cash Report

Prior to your entry in New Zealand, you will be asked to complete a Border Cash Report in case you are bringing or taking NZ$10,000 or more. This report is completed by filling out a form that you can only fill out within 72 hours of your trip to New Zealand.

You can fill this form through either of the below mentioned methods:

  • Filling out a paper form either by downloading the doc from NZCS 337: Border Cash Report
  • The online border cash report form if a customs officer allows you to.

Remember that for this report, cash will include all of the below-mentioned items:

  • All physical currency
  • Travellers cheques
  • Cheques
  • Money orders, postal orders, or any similar order
  • Bearer bonds
  • Bills of exchange
  • Promissory notes
  • Any instrument prescribed by regulations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009.

The lists provided here may change over time so make sure to check the official list posted on the government's website for confirmation. Keep in mind that failing or avoiding filling out the Border Cash Report is considered an offense and may result in you getting fined, your cash being seized, or even imprisonment.

Complete the New Zealand Travel Declaration

Before a tourist is allowed into New Zealand, they must fill out a form known as the New Zealand Travel Declaration or NZTD for short. This form asks questions regarding your trip and the items that you wish to bring into the country for your travels.

The form is free and can be filled out online using either the NZTD app or the official website. In case you are unable to fill out the form via these means, you can fill out the NZTD paper declaration form. Tourists who filled out the NZTD form online don't need to fill this form.

Remember to Check Your Inventory

New Zealand has some rules regarding certain types of items that tourists cannot bring with them while visiting New Zealand. Make sure you check the list of items that are not allowed for tourists to bring into New Zealand on the government's website. Other than items that you are not allowed to bring, certain items have restrictions imposed on their import.

These items will require you to provide additional information regarding them to get approval from the government before bringing them to New Zealand. Make sure that you submit the requested documents for such approval on the government's portal.

This information is especially important for those who need to carry certain medicines due to any medical conditions they may be suffering from as your medicine may have these restrictions or you may not be allowed to bring the medicine at all.

If you are bringing in any items that you wish to bring and then take back with you after you visit New Zealand, you must obtain a Temporary Import Entry or TIE for short. This will allow you to keep these items without paying any duty on them provided that you qualify for TIE. The qualifications for TIE are mentioned below:

  • The item is in the same condition as it was brought in
  • It is only for personal use and not for any sale, gift, or distribution
  • Can be identified uniquely
  • Is a non-consumable item
  • Returns within 12 months of arriving in New Zealand

Remember to check this list before you bring any item into New Zealand as well as, the list of items that qualify for TIE on the government's website as these can change at the time you wish to travel to New Zealand.

Additionally, items that you purchase in New Zealand may also have restrictions that you need to clear before you are allowed to bring them outside New Zealand.

New Zealand has certain rules that every traveler must follow before they enter New Zealand. Many of these rules can be complied with before you even leave for the visit.

The important things to keep in mind are to check the validity of your visa, make sure the visa is of the correct type for the purpose you wish to visit, you are not carrying any banned items, and you have submitted all reports that are asked of you.

As long as you comply with these rules, your trip to New Zealand should be a smooth and fun experience.

Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your Online New Zealand Visa. Portuguese citizens, Canadian citizens, French citizens, Swiss citizens and Emirati citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA.

 
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