Banks
Banks in New Zealand are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.  Most banks are closed weekends and public holidays.  Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) are open 24 hours and widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls.  International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded.  Check with your bank before leaving home.  Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.
 

Car Rental
Cars can be rented in New Zealand from local or international companies.  Average cost per day for a medium sized care is NZ$70.00.  All cars are right-hand drive.
 

Credit Cards
Credit cards are widely accepted.  Commonly recognised cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.  Only these cards are accepted by the Meeting.
 

Currency Exchange
Decimal currency is used in New Zealand (NZD) and currency units are dollars and cents.  New Zealand notes are $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5.  Coins are $2, $1, 50, 20 and 10 cents.  For the latest currency exchange rates refer www.coinmill.com.
 

Disabled Facilities
If you require disability specific facilities, please notify the secretariat by indicating on your registration form.
 

Disclaimer
In the event of industrial disruptions, the Conference Managers  cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred by delegates.  The programme is correct at the time of printing, but the Conference Managers reserve the right to alter the programme if and as is deemed necessary.

 
Electricity
New Zealand has a 230 / 240 volt, 50 hertz system.  The connection for appliances is a flat 3 or 2-pin plug, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted.  Most city hotels provide 110 volts ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for shavers only and provide small appliances (hair dryers, irons, etc).  Special adapters for all electrical appliances may need to be purchased prior to arrival in New Zealand.  You will need an RJ45 type plug to be able to connect your laptop into a computer socket in New Zealand.  Check with your retailer.
 

Health
New Zealand has a high standard of hygiene.  Doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well equipped.  In the event of illness, hotel staff can arrange a doctor for you.

Insurance
Delegates are advised to book comprehensive travel and medical insurance and ensure that all possessions are adequately insured for the period of the conference.  The policy should include loss of fees/deposits through cancellation of your participation in the conference.  The Conference Managers will not accept any responsibility for any delegate failing to arrange their own insurance.
 

International Driving Licences and Permits

You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country, or an International Driving Permit (IDP).  Recent law changes mean all drivers, including overseas visitors, must carry their licence or permit when driving.  You will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country.   The common legal age to rent a car in New Zealand is 25 years.  Make sure your overseas driver's licence is current.  If your licence is not in English, you should bring an English translation with you or obtain an International Driving Permit.  Contact your local automobile club for further details about obtaining a translation or an IDP.
 

Invitation Letters
Letters of invitation will not be issued for this Meeting.  To assist in obtaining any necessary visas that you may require, it is essential that you complete the registration via the Meeting website ensuring to include a valid fax number and credit card details.  The Conference Managers will process your registration and send you a confirmation invoice confirming receipt of your payment and attendance at the Meeting.  You will then be able to present this invoice to your Embassy/High Commission to assist with the application of your visa.  In the event that your application is unsuccessful, a full refund will be provided.
 

Mobile Phones
Check with your phone company before leaving home about international mobile roam facilities available in New Zealand.
 

Public Call Phones
Most public call phones take cards purchased from bookstalls and newsagents, with a minimum value of NZD2.00.  Some public call phones also accept credit cards, but very few accept coins.  New Zealand public phone numbers appear online at the White Pages (alphabetical listings) and Yellow Pages (business category listings).
 

Passport and Visa
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.  You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:

• A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
• An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
• An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
• If you are a citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand

Visa Waivers - Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a Visitor's Visa for stays less than three months. You do require:

• A passport that is valid for at least three months after your departure from New Zealand
• An onward or return ticket to a country that you have permission to enter
• Sufficient money to support yourself during your stay - approximately NZ$1000 per month per person

 
To find out if your country qualifies for a visa waiver, check out the Visiting New Zealand  section of the New Zealand Immigration Service Web site. You'll find a list of all eligible countries and other useful visa information. Your travel agent, airline or nearest New Zealand Embassy will also be able to advise you if you require a visa.  British citizens and other British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the United Kingdom may be allowed to stay for up to six months.

Tax
New Zealand applies a tax to the purchase of both goods and services called the Goods and Services Tax (GST).  The rate of tax that applies to taxable products and services is 12.5%. GST cannot be claimed back when leaving New Zealand.  Tax is already included in the advertised conference prices.
 

Time Differences

New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day.  It is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).  In summer New Zealand has daylight saving, when clocks are put forward one hour to GMT +13.  Daylight saving begins on the first Sunday in October and ends on the third Sunday of the following March, when clocks are put back to GMT +12.

Tipping and Services Charges
New Zealanders do not expect tips for normal service - even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for extra special service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.
 

Travel
For international passengers, we suggest that you try to allow yourself at least a day in which to adjust to the time difference and relax after your flight, before the Meeting commences.  Travellers flying westward across the Pacific Ocean are reminded that they will lose a day by crossing the International Date Line.  The ‘lost day’ will be returned on the return journey.  To obtain the best rates for international and domestic air travel, it is essential to book airfares as soon as possible.  Please arrange your own transport from the airport.  Auckland airport is located approximately 40 minutes drive from SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre (depending on the time of day and traffic).  A taxi fare will cost approx NZ$60-75 (depending on the time of day and traffic).  For taxi transfers please contact:

Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.