Once you have your Offer of Place (written confirmation of enrolment from us), your Student Visa from New Zealand Immigration, and your travel and health insurances, then you are ready to travel to New Zealand.

Below is a useful checklist to go through before you depart:

• Travel documents

  Check that your passport is still valid. It must be valid for three months past the date that you intend to leave New Zealand.

• Restricted or prohibited goods

  Pests and diseases can be brought into New Zealand in your baggage. Our borders are strictly controlled to protect our environment and agriculture. Do not bring any food, animal products, plants or parts of plants with you. If you do, then you must declare it on your arrival card and at Customs, otherwise very high penalities will be imposed on you.

• Drugs and medication

  Do not bring illegal drugs into New Zealand – you will be arrested. If you need to bring medication with you that contains narcotics (drugs), carry a doctor's certificate saying the medication is necessary and is being used under doctor’s instructions. This will avoid possible problems with New Zealand Customs. Doctor's prescriptions are also needed to obtain certain drugs in New Zealand.

• Driving in New Zealand

  We drive on the LEFT side of the road. You must be familiar with our driving rules before you arrive. Our “Road Code” can be viewed online. You must always carry your license with you when you are driving.

  You can drive in New Zealand:

  • For a maximum of one year if you have a driver’s licence from your home country or an international driving permit (IDP) as long as you drive the same type of vehicle you drove in your home country; thereafter
  • You will need to apply for a New Zealand driver’s licence.

• Currency

  Our unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). We have coins with values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2, and notes with values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

  You can easily exchange your foreign currency at most banks, some hotels and bureau de change kiosks. You can find these at the airport and in most shopping malls, including the Post Shop. All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand.

• Exchange rates

  Most major banks provide current exchange rates for the New Zealand dollar.

  You can calculate the approximate value of your currency in New Zealand Dollars on the oanda.com currency converter. The rate you are offered in your home country is likely to differ slightly.

• Electricity

  Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 220 / 240 volts, 50 hertz. For all other equipment, you’ll need an adapter / converter, unless the item has a multi-voltage option.

  Power outlets only accept flat three or two-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted. You may have a hairdryer, electric razor, or other small appliance that you use regularly. Make sure that they will work here before you add them to your baggage.

• Laptop computers

  You will need an RJ45 type plug to connect your laptop into a computer socket in New Zealand, and an adaptor with a flat two or three-point power plug to connect to the power supply.

• Mobile phones

  Check with your phone company before leaving home about international mobile roam facilities available in New Zealand. If your phone can not be used here, leave it behind. You will be able to buy one at a reasonable price. The major providers are Telecom and Vodafone.