Health and Safety

Your Safety

Public and private health facilities have a high standard of treatment and care in New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the safest travel destinations in the world, with a low crime rate, few endemic diseases and a first-class healthcare and accident compensation system. However we still recommend you observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions as you would in any other country, or at home:

• Invest in travel insurance before leaving home
• Don't leave valuables (especially your passport, cash or cameras) in parked cars or campervans, particularly at scenic spots or at trail-heads for popular tramps
• Avoid walking in isolated, unlit areas at night Carry a basic first-aid kit for use in emergencies
• In New Zealand you can ask for help from the police whenever you are unsure or feel threatened - they are happy to provide information and advice. Do report any theft and crime to the police immediately.

In an emergency (Fire, Police, Ambulance, Search & Rescue) dial 111 from any phone.

Accidents and Health Insurance

With a little care and common sense, your visit to New Zealand should be accident-free. If you are injured here, you may need the help of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) - New Zealand's accident compensation scheme.

In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured. Instead ACC helps pay for your care - and that means paying towards the cost of your treatment and helping in your recovery while you remain in New Zealand.

You still need to purchase your own travel and medical insurance because ACC does not cover everything. ACC only covers treatment and rehabilitation in New Zealand, and usually you must pay part of the cost yourself. If you have a serious injury, with long-term effects, you may also be eligible to be assessed for lump-sum compensation once the injury is stable.

The ACC does not pay any additional costs resulting from an accident, for example delayed or curtailed travel costs, travel home, treatment at home and loss of income in your home country.

We strongly advise you to arrange your own health insurance. New Zealand's public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service but it is important to note these services are not free to visitors, except as a result of an accident.

Visitors bringing in a quantity of medication are advised to carry a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with New Zealand Customs. Doctor's prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in New Zealand.

Pharmaceuticals and Medicines:

Pharmaceuticals and Medicines are available from chemists during normal shopping hours. Larger New Zealand cities have urgent dispensaries open outside normal business times. You will find these listed in the front of the telephone book under hospitals. Chemists also sell cosmetics, insect repellent and sunscreen. If you plan to bring pharmaceuticals into New Zealand you are advised to obtain certificate for our customs to inspect. Many drugs available over the counter in other countries are only available by prescription in New Zealand

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.

Safety in the water

Given New Zealand's subtropical climate, it is no surprise that New Zealanders like to spend so much of their leisure time in the water. However water can conceal hazards. We recommend that you visit Water Safety New Zealand's website, for advice on how to stay safe on New Zealand's beaches and waterways.

Beaches with potential hazards are often patrolled by lifeguards, who put up yellow and red flags - Water Safety New Zealand recommend that between these flags is the safest place to swim on these beaches.

Other advice includes having an adult watching over children at all times, to listen to advice from life guards, never swim or surf alone, learning to recognise rip currents, always using safe equipment, never swimming or surfing when tired or cold, considering other surf users and staying out of the water if in doubt.

Safety Precautions

Although there are no snakes or dangerous wild animals in New Zealand, you should be aware of the following:

• Variable Weather - Weather conditions in New Zealand alpine areas can change rapidly. Be prepared for cold wet weather if you plan to walk in our National Parks, whatever the time of year.
  
• Sandflies - In wetter areas, particularly in Fiordland, sandflies can be pests, but are effectively controlled by use of an insect repellent.
  
• Giardia - Giardia is a water-borne parasite that causes diarrhoea. To avoid contracting it, it is best not to drink water from lakes, ponds or rivers without first boiling, chemically treating or filtering it.
  
• Sunburn - New Zealand's clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe or North America, so be prepared to wear hats and sun block if you plan to be out in the sun for more than 15-20 minutes.