New Zealand fact file

New Zealand lies between 37 and 47 degrees south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Both the North and South Islands of New Zealand enjoy mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall and many hours of sunshine.

On the South Island, the Southern Alps act as a barrier for moisture-laden easterlies from the Tasman Sea and Cook Strait, creating a wet climate on the western side of the mountains (around 750 centimetres of rain annually) and a dry climate on the eastern side (about 330 millimetres). The North Island rainfall averages around 130 centimetres annually.

The warm months extend from November to April and skiing season runs from June to August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20ºC and 30ºC and in winter between 10ºC and 15ºC.

The north coast of the North Island sometimes catches the ‘tails’ of cyclones from the Pacific. The east coast, where many of New Zealand’s marinas are located, is the most sheltered.

Flights

The two largest international airports are Auckland and Christchurch, although dozens of smaller independent airports receive commercial flights from Australia.

Immigration

All visitors must show a valid passport; evidence of funds of NZ$400 per month, if living on board a yacht; an outward ticket (or evidence of sufficient funds to buy an outward ticket) if departing by commercial transport; and a visa if required.

British citizens do not require visas for visits of up to six months. American and Canadian visitors don’t require visas for visits of up to three months.

Owners and their dependants who arrive on a private craft and are not departing by commercial transport must provide evidence of ownership of the craft and adequate insurance against major damage. Alternatively, crew and passengers must provide a letter from the craft’s owner or captain confirming that they will be departing on that craft.

Visit www.immigration.govt.nz for more information

Customs

An Advanced Notification of Arrival and an Inward Report must be submitted to customs at least 48 hours prior to a vessel’s arrival in New Zealand territorial waters (12 nautical miles off the coast). In general it is best to give customs as much notice as possible.

All craft arriving in New Zealand must first report at a port of entry. These include:

North Island
Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Opua, Tauranga, Wellington, Whangarei

South Island
Bluff, Dunedin, Fjordland – Milford Sound, Lyttelton, Nelson, Picton, Port Chalmers, Timaru

Once in New Zealand waters, crew should contact the relevant Harbour Authority via VHF. If clearing into Auckland, for example, contact Auckland Harbour Control on VHF channel 16/12. The captain will then be advised on the procedure for entering the harbour – boats over 40 metres in length may require a pilot. The yacht will be directed to the appropriate berth, where Customs, Immigration and MAF (Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries) officials will inspect it.

Before disembarking, the captain must present the customs official (who will meet you) with a New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card for each person on board, a valid passport for each person on board, a Border Cash Report (if applicable), an Import Entry (Temporary) Yachts and Small Vessels form, the last port clearance and a MAFBNZ Master’s Declaration.

For more information visit www.customs.govt.nz

Yacht Support

Integrated Marine Group can provide and lodge arrival documents on behalf of crew and passengers. They also offer a range of other services including refits, repairs and crew placement.
Contact: Rachel Harrison, yacht support and crew placement manager
T: +64 21 608 278
E: rachel@integratedmarinegroup.com

Marinas

Gulf Harbour Marina
T: +64-0-9-424 6200
E: marina@gulf-harbour.co.nz
W: www.gulf-harbour.co.nz

Bayswater Marina
T: +64 9 446 1600
W: www.bayswater.co.nz

Westhaven Marina
T: +64 9 360 5870
E: info@westhaven.co.nz
W: www.westhaven.co.nz
VHF: Channel 13 (24/7)

Hobson West Marina
T: +64 9 367 5886
E: info@hobsonwest.co.nz
W: www.hobsonwest.co.nz
VHF: Channel 13

Orams Marine
T: +64 800 69 67267
E: info@oramsmarine.co.nz
W: www.orams.co.nz

West Park Marina
T: +64 9 416-7447
E: marina@westpark.co.nz
W: www.westpark.co.nz

Viaduct Harbour Marine Village
T: +64 9 300 6682
E: marina@viaduct.co.nz
W: www.viaduct.co.nz

Tauranga Bridge Marina
T: +64 7 575 8264
W: www.marina.co.nz

Havelock Marina
T: + 64 3 520 3317
E: steve.mckeown@pmnz.co.nz
W: www.marlboroughmarinas.co.nz

Picton Marina
T: + 64 3 520 3317
E: steve.mckeown@pmnz.co.nz
W: www.marlboroughmarinas.co.nz

Medical and Emergency

Visitors to New Zealand are covered under the local Accident Compensation Scheme for personal injury by accident. Benefits include some medical and hospital expenses, but do not include loss of earnings outside New Zealand. Medical travel insurance is recommended.

Accident Info Services, a private company, advises visitors on how to access New Zealand’s health system should they have an accident or need medical attention for an illness. The 24-hour service can give advice on where to go and can arrange for a medical practitioner to visit the patient.
T: +64 9 529 0488/(from NZ) 0800 263 345

In an emergency call 111 for fire, police or medical services.

Hazards

Rips and undertows that can drag swimmers out to sea are common on New Zealand beaches. Take note of warnings when diving, swimming or surfing.

About 15,000 earthquakes are recorded each year in New Zealand, but only 50-250 can felt at all. Pre-warning instruments are set up along the coast and on offshore islands to detect tsunami waves.

Crime

Theft from cars is a major problem in New Zealand and if possible valuables should not be left inside vehicles. Parking areas frequented by tourists and car parks for hiking trails are particularly unsafe.

Events

Auckland International Boat Show
15-18 September 2011, 10am-6pm, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland

The Auckland show is held in the heart of the city at Viaduct Harbour, which was developed as a superyacht marina for the America’s Cup in 2000 and is surrounded by seaside restaurants, bars and world-class hotels. The Hauraki Gulf and its myriad of islands are also close by.

Hundreds of high-class power and sail, new and used, private, charter and classic vessels will be on display at the event, which will span both sides of the Viaduct. It will begin with exhibits on Te Wero island, then move across to the Viaduct Events Centre, where the latest boats, engines, electronics and accessories will be on display.

The Superyacht Captains Forum will be held during the boat show, on 15-16 September, 9am-5pm, at the Viaduct Events Centre.

For more information visit www.aucklandinternationalboatshow.com

Rugby World Cup 2011
9 September – 10 October, various locations
Twenty rugby nations will compete New Zealand in four pools of five for the right to advance to the final.

For New Zealand – where the All Blacks’ status really does approach the over-used description of iconic – the outcome on the field of battle is not the only issue at stake. The mental health of the nation, not to mention the state of the economy and the re-election prospects of the government, will also be on the line.

Matches will be held in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Dunedin and Invercargill.

Eden Park stadium in Auckland offers a package that allows visitors to watch the action from the Category A undercover seating, after a champagne and canapé reception at the Eden Park centre. It also includes a four course meal and an amply stocked complimentary bar. See http://www.rth2011.com/Eden_Park_Pavilion.htm

Visit www.rugbyworldcup.com for more details

Yachting events during the Rugby World Cup 2011
A number of yachting events are taking place during the World Cup. See the Superyacht Owner’s Guide to the Rugby World Cup 2011.

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