New Zealand Travel Facts for Yachts

Fact File for New Zealand

New Zealand is the cultural and administrative centre for the South Pacific. With a population of more than 4 million people, the country spans two main islands stretching 1000 miles (1600 kms) from north to south, between latitudes 35' and 47' South. It has an area roughly the same size as the state of Colorado in USA and slightly larger than the United Kingdom.

COORDINATES: Bay of Islands: 35º12S, 174º10E
Hauraki Gulf: 36º20S, 175º05E
Marlborough Sounds: 41.2906° S, 174.0010° E

LANGUAGE: English

BIGGEST ISLANDS: Bay of Islands: Urupukapuka
Hauraki Gulf: Great Barrier Island (outer Hauraki Gulf)
Marlborough Sounds: Arapawa Island

WEATHER: Semi-tropical maritime climate with warm temperatures throughout the year (up to 25C/75F), even during the winter. The warmest months are January and February (30C/90F). Occasionally in the summer there can be stormy conditions. The Marlborough region is one of the country's sunniest with 2,400 hrs of sunshine/year but cooler than further north. Summers are warm and dry and typical temperatures range from 20 to 26C (68-78F).

The prevailing winds are from the westerly quadrant, south-west through north-west Beaufort 1- 4 between November and April. There is a tidal range of two metres.

BEST TIME TO CHARTER: November-April

AIRPORTS: The Bay of Islands Airport (KKE) in Kerikeri
Auckland International Airport (AKL)
Woodbourne Airport (BHE) near Blenheim

TIME: UTC+12, UTC+13

CURRENCY: New Zealand Dollar (NZD); American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted and ATMs are available in all major towns and cities, as well as airports.

ELECTRICITY: 230V, 50 Hz

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

1 Jan - New Year's Day
6 Feb - Waitangi Day
Mar/Apr - Good Friday, Easter Monday
25 Apr - ANZAC Day
1st Mon in Jun - Queen's Birthday
4th Mon in Oct - Labor Day
25 Dec - Christmas Day
26 Dec - Boxing Day

MAIN PORTS AND MARINAS:
Bay of Islands Opua Marina; Russell
Auckland: Orakei Marina; Westhaven Marina; Half Moon Bay Marina; Pine Harbour Marina
Marlborough Sounds: Picton Marina; Havelock Marina; Waikawa Marina

RECOMMENDED BEACHES:
Bay of Islands: Long Beach near Russell; Oke Bay; Beaches in Paihia
Hauraki Gulf: Oneroa and Little Oneroa are two beaches of glistening golden sands on lovely Waiheke Island, crowned the jewel of the Hauraki Gulf. Beaches around Auckland are exquisite and large and offer perfect conditions for relaxation and water activities.
Marlborough Sounds:The Sounds offer some lovely beaches for the whole family to enjoy, and include Ruakauka, Nydia, Mistletoe and Waitata bays.

CULTURAL: New Zealanders are generally very relaxed and hospitable and stiff formality is rarely appreciated. Casual wear is widely accepted. Smoking is prohibited in pubs, restaurants, public buildings and public transport.