July is winter in New Zealand. The climate in Wellington is a maritime one so it is recommended that you bring warm clothing, an umbrella and a jacket. In July the average daytime temperature is 14 degrees Centigrade dropping to 8 degrees Centigrade overnight.
New Zealand’s electricity is supplied at 230 volts, 50 hertz. You will require a 3 pin flat plug. Equipment designed for different voltages requires a transformer although most hotels and motor inns provide 110V a c sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors.
Please ensure that you check your requirements with your travel agent or the New Zealand diplomatic and consular offices. Comprehensive information is available on the New Zealand Immigration Service website.
Goods and services sold in New Zealand are subject to a 12.5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Retail suppliers are required to show the GST inclusive price on goods and services, and must clearly state if the tax is not included in the advertised price.
GST cannot be claimed back on purchases when leaving New Zealand. However, depending on the retailer, some goods can be purchased on a GST exclusive basis at the point of purchase, where it can be demonstrated that the items are leaving the country. The retailer is required to courier the items to the airport for you to collect on departure.
Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the conference and book your travel, you take out an insurance policy of your choice to cover any and every eventuality. The Conference Managers cannot take responsibility for any participant failing to arrange their own insurance.
English is the common language of New Zealand. Maori, an official language of growing importance, is spoken mainly in the Maori community.
You will need an RJ45 type plug to be able to connect your laptop into a computer socket in New Zealand, and an adaptor with a flat, angled two or three-point power plug to connect to the power supply.
Parking is available in the James Smith Car Park in Wakefield Street (across the road from Michael Fowler Centre and beside the Duxton Hotel).
The current rates are as follows:
Daily Rate: Daily Congress Ticket - $10 (can be purchased at anytime during opening hours)
Before 6.00pm – $3 per hour
After 6.00pm - $2 per hour
Avis Rent a Car is offering its corporate rates to Conference delegates. Just call the local Avis office in your country and quote the booking reference number: AWD Z994400.
New Zealand time is 12 hours ahead of GMT.
Tipping is not expected and is only offered for good service.
Banking hours are generally 9.00am until 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Money changing facilities are available at international terminals at the airports. Automatic teller machines (ATM’s) are found in most towns and cities throughout New Zealand. International credit cards are accepted throughout the country and travellers’ cheques can be changed at banks, hotels, resorts and most city stores.