UNFF Intersessional Experts Meeting, Wellington NZ, 24-30 March 2002

MAXIMISING THE ROLE OF PLANTED FORESTS IN SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

Meeting Details  Programme  Registration  Conference Papers   New Zealand Information  Travel Contact Us

Updated: 23 May 2008

New Zealand Information 

Immigration and Visas 

Please note that it is your responsibility to obtain visas if required. To enter New Zealand participants will need to ensure, where necessary, that they have a Visitor's Visa or Visitor's Permit. Should you require either of these please allow sufficient time for your application to be assessed. Also note that New Zealand has a Visitor Waiver Agreement with a number of countries. For more information on Visitor Visas, Permits and the countries with which New Zealand has Visitor Waiver Agreements please contact your nearest New Zealand embassy 

Accommodation 

The Registration form includes the hotels with whom special rates have been negotiated. Where applicable, the following websites provide additional information on each of the hotels' facilities. In Rotorua accommodation is available at the:

  • Quality Inn  

In Wellington accommodation is available at the:

  • Intercontinental Hotel (the meeting venue)
  • Hotel Ibis (sponsored hotel)  
  • City Life  
  • Copthorne Plimmer Towers  
  • James Cook Grand Chancellor 

Tourist Information 

New Zealand's awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. And the great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other!

Climate

The expected temperature range in Wellington over March (Autumn) are:

Temp (C) 17/11 Temp (F) 63/52 Rain days 10

Recommended Clothing 

Formal dress is recommended for the Meeting and Parliamentary function.

At other times, dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and night-spots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities.

You can expect some rain, so include a light rainproof jacket or coat, umbrella.

Currency 

New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2; notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Declaration.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks.

All major credit cards can be used in New Zealand. Travellers' Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores.

Exchange Rates 

You can calculate the value of your currency in NZ Dollars using a currency converter.  The rate you are offered in your home country is likely to differ slightly.

Banking Banks are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. Most shops have EFTPOS facilities.

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.

Goods and Services Tax 

All goods and services are subject to a 12.5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.

How Much Will it Cost? 

Here is a general guide of what you can expect to pay in New Zealand for a few common items:

  • A hotel breakfast NZ$10- $25
  • Dinner (3-course, no wine) NZ$20 - $50
  • Lunch snack/sandwich NZ$5 - $10
  • Cafe lunch NZ$10 - $15.00
  • A postcard stamp to anywhere abroad NZ$1.50
  • Big Mac Hamburger NZ$3.95
  • Cappuccino NZ$2.50 - $3.80
  • Kodak Film, 36 exposures NZ$7.95

Tipping and Service 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.

General Information 

For general information about New Zealand including sites and attractions see: www.purenz.com 

For general information on what to see and do while in Rotorua, Wellington and in the South Island see:

Rotorua

In addition to being the hub of planted forestry Rotorua is one of the most famous tourist destinations in New Zealand. From the moment people arrive in Rotorua they know they're somewhere quite different. There is a scent of sulphur in the air, and at nearby geothermal hotspots there are spouting geysers, and warm geothermal pools and ponds.

Wellington

Welcome to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. Perched on the edge of a spectacular harbour, encircled by green, towering hills, Wellington is a stunning and compact city. Vibrant, exciting and cultured, the nation's capital combines the stimulation and sophistication of a big city with the quirkiness of a charming village.

The South Island   

The South Island of New Zealand is an all year destination for tourists and travellers. The main attraction is the island's natural scenic wonders such as the magnificent Southern Alps mountain range, the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman national park and the fjords of the Fjordland national park. The South Island offers vast areas of beautiful alpine and forest scenery.

Contact for Enquiries

MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND

Fax: +64 4 894 0721
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