If you are anticipating extending your stay and visiting other regions of New Zealand, please visit www.newzealand.com



About New Zealand

New Zealand is a developed, bicultural island nation situated in the Southwestern realms of the Pacific Ocean, located towards the eastern side of Australia. Two main islands (North and South) along with a number of smaller islands host an increasingly diverse population of 4.5 million people. Maori are the indigenous peoples of New Zealand (called tangata whenua - people of the land), and represent 15% of the total population.

In 1840, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi called for partnership between Maori and the arriving European settlers. This treaty, deemed by many New Zealanders as the country’s founding document was a political agreement upon which to found the country and build a functioning system of governance which protected the land rights of the indigenous people of New Zealand and ensured they had the same rights as British subjects.

Considerable attention has been paid since this time to issues of social justice and representation. In 2013 World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index ranked New Zealand as seventh out of 136 countries with regards to gender equity. As the first country in the world to give women the vote in 1893, work towards supporting women has continued and a number of conventions and policies aim to further support progress towards gender equity in New Zealand.

The main airport for international travel into and out of New Zealand is Auckland (1 hour and 20 minutes drive from Hamilton).   Hamilton has a domestic airport for other travel inside New Zealand. To obtain the best rates for international and domestic air travel, it is essential to book airfares well in advance of your departure date.   Visit the following websites for information.

www.airnewzealand.com , www.jetstar.com/nz/en/home 

Airport Transfers:

You can book your return transfers from Auckland to Hamilton directly through Supershuttle and they monitor change of flight details daily/hourly. They will confirm your booking with you direct and will be waiting at the airport and meet you as your flight arrives.

Website: www.minibus.co.nz

Currency: 
New Zealand dollars ($) and cents (c).  There are five notes ($5, $10, $20,$50,$100) and five coins (10c,20c,50c,$1,$2). 



Insurance: 
The University of Waikato, the WLE Conference Organising Committee and the Conference Managers will not accept any liability for losses associated with the conference. Delegates are advised to arrange their own comprehensive travel and medical insurance, including insurance for personal possessions.

Time Zone: 
New Zealand Standard Time is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). 

Tipping and Service Charges
: Tipping is not expected in New Zealand, but you may wish to tip for extra-special service or kindness. 



Visas: 
Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a visitor’s visa for stays of less than three months.  For further information about visas please visit www.immigration.govt.nz.