The most common New Zealand trip sees the city and harbour in Auckland, then the lake and mountains around Queenstown.
The emergency number for police, fire and ambulance is 111.
Don't try to see both in one day; give each region its own days.
Flight and entry information can change. Information on this page was checked on 23 October 2026, so reread Immigration New Zealand's guidance before you go.
Visa and entry requirements for New Zealand
Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.
Travelers from visa waiver countries and territories need an NZeTA before departure instead of a visitor visa. Official fees: NZD 17 in the official app or NZD 23 on the website, and most visitors also pay the NZD 100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) in the same application. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand’s official website or app; look-alike agency sites may charge extra fees.
- Visa waiver countries and territories (Immigration New Zealand)
- Paying the International Visitor Levy (Immigration New Zealand)
- Immigration New Zealand (Immigration New Zealand)
- NZeTA: NZD 17 in the app, NZD 23 on the website
- International Visitor Levy: NZD 100
- Emergency: 111 for police, fire and ambulance
- UNESCO: Te Wāhipounamu, 1990
How is New Zealand divided?
Auckland is a city close to the Sky Tower, its harbour and volcanic islands. Queenstown is a town on Lake Wakatipu, where you ride a gondola up to the lookout. Plan Milford Sound as a separate day from Queenstown.
UNESCO inscribed Te Wāhipounamu in the southwest of the South Island as a World Heritage site in 1990; Milford Sound is in Fiordland within this area. Linking the two regions works best with five nights or more.
| Region | What to do | Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Sky Tower, harbour, volcanic islands | Auckland (AKL) |
| Queenstown | Lake, gondola, Milford Sound | Queenstown (ZQN) |
Based on official information and UNESCO.
What do I need to enter?
Travelers from visa waiver countries need an NZeTA instead of a visitor visa. The official NZeTA fee is NZD 17 in Immigration New Zealand's official app or NZD 23 on the website, and most visitors also pay the NZD 100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy in the same application.
Together, that is NZD 117 through the app or NZD 123 through the website. Apply only on the official website or app, and check the address: look-alike agency sites may charge extra fees. Passport conditions and permitted stays can change, so reread Immigration New Zealand's guidance before departure.
Who do I contact in an emergency?
In New Zealand, report police, fire and medical emergencies on 111. Save your own embassy's or consulate's numbers too. If you lose your passport, you may need a police report, so note where and when you lost it.
How do I travel between the two regions?
Auckland and Queenstown are far apart and linked by air. Times and fares change by date, so check the operator's official timetable before booking.
Keep plans light after arrival on travel days. Match your hotel check-in time to your travel time, and on days with a lot of luggage ask whether your hotel can store it. Check whether you need a plug adapter before you go.
What should I check before I go?
Get your NZeTA (if you need one) before departure and save the approval screen. Auckland's Sky Tower and the Queenstown gondola have different hours depending on the date. Check Milford Sound trip dates with the operator's official information. Save local emergency numbers and your embassy's number in a note you can read offline.
Pre-departure checklist
- Apply for your NZeTA (or visa) and save the approval
- Check the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy
- Check Sky Tower and gondola opening hours
- Check your Milford Sound trip date
- Save the emergency number 111 and your embassy's number
Which region suits my trip?
- For the city and harbour: combine the Sky Tower and the harbour in Auckland.
- For lakes and mountains: combine the gondola and the lake in Queenstown.
- For both: five nights or more; check flight times first.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
It depends on your nationality. Travelers from visa waiver countries don’t need a visitor visa but must get an NZeTA before departure; others need a visa.
How much is the NZeTA?
NZD 17 through the official app or NZD 23 on the website, plus the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy.
Who do I call in an emergency?
Call 111; police, fire and ambulance all use the same number.
How much is it for two people?
Through the app, two NZD 17 NZeTAs plus two NZD 100 levies is NZD 234; on the website, with two NZD 23 NZeTAs, it is NZD 246.
How different are the app and website fees?
NZD 6 per person, or NZD 12 for two.
Where do I apply for an NZeTA?
Only on the official app or the government website. Agency sites may add fees, so don’t use them.
What do the NZeTA and visitor levy cost together for one person?
NZD 117 through the app or NZD 123 on the website.
Sources
- Visa waiver countries and territories · Immigration New Zealand · accessed 2026-10-30
- Paying the International Visitor Levy · Immigration New Zealand · accessed 2026-10-30
- Immigration New Zealand · Immigration New Zealand · accessed 2026-10-30
- Fees guide (INZ 1028) · Immigration New Zealand · accessed 2026-10-23
- Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · accessed 2026-10-23
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.
