Passports and visas

When arriving in New Zealand you must be carrying your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date. If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, there is a chance that you may require a visa or permit to visit New Zealand. Visit the Immigration New Zealand website to see whether you require a visa or permit and if so, the steps to get one.

Working visas

Become a local and really get to know this wonderful and vibrant city by participating in a working holiday scheme. Auckland offers many employment opportunities for all levels of experience and interest. To be eligible for the working holiday scheme you must be aged 18 to 30 years and hold a visa from a selected group of countries. To view these countries visit the Immigration New Zealand website.

Customs and immigration.

When arriving in New Zealand, you will need to complete an arrival card before passing through customs. The arrival card will usually be handed to you aboard your plane or cruise ship.

Declarations

On your arrival card, you must declare if you are bringing any goods that may be prohibited or restricted. Travellers who do not declare on their arrival card that they are carrying prohibited goods, or other items harmful to New Zealand's interests, will face an instant fine. To view the declarations and customs allowances, see prohibited goods below.

Prohibited and restricted goods

The following items are not to be brought into New Zealand. Please get an up-to-date list of prohibited and restricted items from www.customs.govt.nz before travelling.

• Firearms and weapons unless a permit is obtained from New Zealand Police
• Prescription medicines unless accompanied by a doctor's prescription
• Pirated goods
• Objectionable (indecent) articles, such as DVDs and publications
• Animal products including skin, hair, dung, feathers, bone, coral, eggs and sea shells
• Fresh, perishable foodstuffs
• Items manufactured from plant products

Duty free

New Zealand allows up to three bottles (or other containers) of spirits (up to 3.375 litres total) and 6 bottles (4.5 litres) of wine or beer, and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. Shop Duty Free in the airport or at DFS Galleria in Auckland CBD.