Auckland Information
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Auckland Information
AUCKLAND CITY INFORMATION
Population: 1,002,000 Elevation: 101 feet Languages: English and Maori Government: Independent member of the British Commonwealth. New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy. Reigning British monarch is the head of state and is represented by a resident governor-general appointed for a five year term. The governing body is the 120 seat, elected, House of Representatives. The head of the majority party becomes the Prime Minister.
Major industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, iron and steel Major trading partners: Australia, Japan, the USA
Passports & Visas When traveling internationally, carry your passport even if you don’t need one (it is always the best form of I.D. and make two photocopies of the data page (one for someone at home and another for you, carried separately from your passport. If you lose your passport, promptly call the nearest embassy or consulate and the local police. Entering New Zealand U.S., Canadian, and U.K. citizens need only a valid passport to enter New Zealand for stays of up to 90 days.
Divers’ Alert: Do not fly within 24 hours of scuba diving.
Health concerns: Nutrition and general health standards in New Zealand are high; drinking water is pure. New Zealand is known for its cleanliness. The major health hazard in New Zealand is sunburn or sunstroke. Even people who are not normally bothered by strong sun should cover up with a long-sleeve shirt, a hat, and pants or a beach wrap. Apply sunscreen liberally and wear a cap or sunglasses.
Time: UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) plus 12 hours (two hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time). When it is noon in New York City, it is 4:00am the next day in Auckland.
Electricity: 240V AC, 50 Hz
Weights & measures: metric Conversions of weights and measures:
1 hectare 2.471 acres 1 oz. 28.57 grams 1 lb. 0.454 kg 1 cm 0.39 inches 1 meter 3.28 feet / 1.09 yards 1 km 0.62 miles 1 liter 0.26 US gallons 1 inch 2.54 cm 1 foot 0.39 meters 1 yard 0.91 meters 1 mile 1.60 km 1kg 2.2lb 1 gallon 3.78 liters
Weather Information: For Auckland regional forecasts, call 009-9909, a 24-hour service but not a free call.
Average Temperatures: Month High Low
January 73F 60F
February 73F 60F
March 71F 59F
April 67F 56F
May 62F 51F
June 58F 48F
July 56F 46F
August 58F 46F
September 60F 49F
October 63F 52F
November 66F 54F
December 70F 57F
When to Go New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means that seasons are reversed from those in the US: it is winter in New Zealand during the American and European summer. The ideal months for comfortable all-round travel are October-April, especially if you want to participate in outdoor activities. If possible, avoid summer school holidays (the busiest fall between mid-December and the end of January); other holiday periods are mid-May to the end of May, early July to mid-July, and late August to mid-September.
The climate of Auckland is subtropical with very mild winters and warm, humid summers.
Public Holidays:
Jan. 1, 2 New Year January 29 Auckland Anniversary (date may vary depending on day of the week) February 6 Waitangi Day March or April(varies) Good Friday March or April(varies) Easter Monday April 25 ANZAC Day June (First Monday) Queen’s Birthday May (Third Monday) Victoria Day October (Fourth Monday) Labour Day December 25 Christmas Day December 26 Boxing Day
Telephone: The area code for Auckland is 09. The country code for New Zealand is 64. When dialing from abroad, drop the initial 0 from the local area code. Dialing from New Zealand to back home, the country code is 1 for the United States and Canada. Directory & Operator Assistance Dial 018 for New Zealand directory assistance. For international numbers, dial 0172. To call the operator, dial 010; for international operator assistance, dial 0170. International Calls To make international calls directly, dial 00, then the international access code, area code, and number required.
**Emergencies*: Dial 111. Emergency Contacts Ambulance: 111 Police: 111 Fire: 111 Lost Property: Call the Central Police Station 09/379-4240 or any local police station.
Newspapers/Magazines: The New Zealand Herald is the daily paper. The Sunday Star Times and Sunday News are Sunday morning publications.
Taxes: There is a national 12.5% Goods and Services Tax (GST that’s applicable to everything.
Taxis: Auckland Co-Operative Taxi Society 09/300-3000; Corporate Cabs 09/623-5070.
ATMs: ATMs are widely found in Auckland and the number of machines is growing..
**Tipping **: Tipping is not widely practiced in New Zealand Taxi drivers will appreciate rounding up the fare to the nearest $5 amount, but this is not mandatory.
Getting There Most visitors arrive by air. A few cruise ships visit New Zealand, but there are no regular passenger ship services and working your way across the Pacific as crew on a yacht now seems a thing of the past.
By Air Auckland International Airport (AKL lies 21 km (13 mi southwest of the city center, about a 30-minute drive.
A free Interterminal Bus links the international and domestic terminals, with frequent departures in each direction 6 -10 . Otherwise, the walk between the two terminals takes about 10 minutes along a signposted walkway. Luggage for flights aboard the two major domestic airlines, Air New Zealand and Ansett New Zealand, can be checked at the international terminal.
Flying time from New York to Auckland (via Los Angeles is about 19 hours; from Chicago, about 17 hours; from Los Angeles to Auckland (nonstop, about 12 hours. Flights from London to Auckland take about 24 hours, either via the U.S. or via Southeast Asia. These are all actual air hours and do not include ground time.