Boasting a breathtaking array of glistening glacial lakes and magnificent snow-capped peaks, New Zealand has enough natural grandeur to satisfy even the most demanding outdoor enthusiast. Aside from these otherworldly landscapes, the island nation boasts world class ski pistes and unbeatable adventure sports opportunities.
Sound like it should be on your bucket list? Then you’re going to need a power adapter to charge your devices on your upcoming NZ trip.
Here is an actual photo of a
New Zealand power outlet
You might be asking yourself, “which power outlets do they have in New Zealand?”. Below we’ve got you covered!
Much like in neighboring Australia and parts of Asia such as China, New Zealand uses the triple prong Type I power outlet. These usually have three slits, one vertical plus two on a 45-degree angle. The outlets also have on/off switches so you can more safely plug your cables in without any sparks!
Sometimes, inputs only have the upper two pins, however, these still work all the same. New Zealand is a highly developed nation. Therefore, the power outlets are almost always well installed and have modern safety features.
Recommended New Zealand power adapter available on Amazon.com ➜
When preparing for your first trip, you will be asking yourself “What plug do I need for New Zealand?” As New Zealand uses a different power outlet type to America, you’re going to need a power adapter to charge your devices while traveling the country. Search for a ‘Type A/B to Type C Adapter’ or a ‘US to AU/NZ Adapter.’
A best bet is this Universal Adapter that can reliably charge all of your personal electronics and includes two USB ports so you can charge multiple drives at once. It’s compatible in over 100 countries around the world. This one also comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee.
In addition to your US to New Zealand power adapter, these items will help you pack with intention and expand the possibilities of your getaway. Also, check out our New Zealand packing list for more inspiration and ideas.
Regardless of whether you fall victim to a crime or you’re merely a bit forgetful at times, losing valuables such as a passport or credit card is a sure-fire way to ruin a vacation. Eliminate the risk by strapping those precious travel documents directly on to your body with a neck wallet. These useful lightweight accessories slip effortlessly under your shirt to ensure your essentials are always 100% safe.
Packing for a trip away can be a messy affair as piles of clothing, medication, and toiletries compete vigorously for luggage space. The end result?
A clothing strewn hotel room that’s a total mess. Graciously, the solution is pretty simple: invest in a set of packing cubes to keep your clothes neatly packed away in an organized fashion.
New Zealand is a pretty expensive country, so it’s vital to keep track of your expenses using an online banking app. But be warned: if you tried to do so using a public WiFi network, then you’d be putting yourself at serious risk of a cyber attack.
Even relatively unskilled hackers are capable of tapping into a Wi-Fi network and extracting the sensitive information of other users. Thankfully, you can easily eliminate the risk by investing a few dollars per month in a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Whether you’re snapping a selfie at Milford Sound or attempting to find Fergburger after a big night out in Queenstown, having a fully charged cell phone is of utmost importance in New Zealand. But with so many exciting attractions to photograph and explore, how can you avoid being confronted with that dreaded ‘low battery’ alert? Simple. Carry a lipstick-sized charger on your person and never run flat again.
Days are numbered for physical SIM cards. Tech pioneers created eSIM many years ago, but it’s just recently taking the travel world by storm! The ‘e’ in eSIM stands for ‘embedded,’ which means you don’t have to deal with a plastic SIM card that can break, get lost, or be stolen.
Ditch expensive roaming fees and outdated ways of staying connected. Saily eSIM is our favorite provider for pay-in-advance data that can be topped off anytime. Saily works with the best networks in 200+ destinations to ensure you’re always online to navigate, stream, search, and share your Middle Earth adventures!
P.S. Use our link for an automatic 5% discount (code: ASHER5).
New Zealand experiences steady rainfall throughout most of the year so make sure you arrive prepared. With a quality, compact travel umbrella, rainfall doesn’t need to put a cramp in your plans. This well-constructed travel umbrella even comes with a case that allows you to store your wet umbrella while keeping your other belongings dry.
A flight from Auckland to the west coast of the USA takes a whopping 13 hours and sees passengers travel backward in time to arrive before they land (due to crossing over the international dateline).
With that in mind, you can expect to suffer from some pretty severe jet lag upon arrival. To mitigate the effect, try taking jet lag relief pills, which will leave you feeling energetic and refreshed enough to get on with the job.
Although New Zealand enjoys an excellent medical system, it doesn’t come cheap, at least not for tourists who aren’t covered by their universal healthcare plan. As a result, an unexpected hospital bill will end up costing the traveler dearly, potentially spiraling into the tens of thousands of dollars or more. Don’t take the risk. Grab yourself a suitable travel insurance plan to be on the safe side. We like to use TravelInsurance.com because their site makes it easy to shop for the perfect travel insurance plan. It lets you compare policies from top companies to help you find the best option for your and your travel plans.
Wind turbine located in
New Zealand
New Zealand enjoys first-rate infrastructure, and the electrical grid is no exception. Power outages or surges are extremely rare, regardless of how remote you may be.
Note that New Zealand uses 230 V and 50 Hz, as opposed to America’s 120 Hz and 60 Hz system.
The good news is that New Zealand is big into sustainable and renewable energy sources. In fact in 2017, it was reported that 82% of the electricity generated was from geothermal, hydro, wind power and solar power!
A common misconception among newbie travelers is that if a country uses a different voltage or frequency, a converter is required to charge your devices. While this is undoubtedly true for large appliances such as fridges or TVs, it isn’t necessary for most portable electronics. Cell phones, cameras, smartwatches, and other everyday travel gadgets use dual voltage chargers that work on both electrical systems.
A common exception, however, is the hairdryer. This power-hungry machine often runs on a fixed 120 V and 60 V. Check the fine print on the charger if you ever have any doubts.
The perfect time to visit New Zealand depends entirely on what you plan to do. Remember the seasons are at the opposite time of year in the southern hemisphere, so plan accordingly. New Zealand’s peak season is undoubtedly the summer. Unlike Australia, this small mountainous island nation doesn’t get excessively hot this time of year, which makes travel a breeze. There are, however, significantly fewer crowds than usual.
Winter (June to August) is the ideal time to visit New Zealand’s world-renowned snowfields. Most of these are on the South Island and situated around Queenstown, A.K.A the adrenaline sports capital of the world. The crisp days of fall (March to May) make it the ideal time to hike New Zealand’s awe-inspiring natural landscapes. As a bonus, the country’s foliage turns into gorgeous shades of yellow and brown, not unlike the popular leaf-peeping destinations of northern USA. Likewise, spring also offers idyllic weather to hike New Zealand’s spectacular trails. Be sure to check current New Zealand travel advisories before you go.
Given its remote location at the bottom of the world, the weather in New Zealand is unpredictable at the best of times. Throughout the country, the locals adopt a ‘four seasons in one day’ approach to their preparations. The average annual rainfall is relatively high, reaching as much as 1,500 mm in some areas.
Yet similarly, New Zealand receives plenty of sunshine, with most of the country enjoying a pleasant 2,000 hours per year. Cyclones can wreak havoc during the season (November to April), while the winters are known for heavy snowfall and frigid night-time temps as low as 14F.
Built around two beautiful natural harbors, this attractive waterfront city is New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant urban center (although it’s not the capital, which is Wellington). Most start their adventure at the landmark Sky Tower, whose 728-foot observation deck offers an unbeatable panorama of the city below.
To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, make your way to the Auckland Domain, a lavish 200-hectare public reserve full of fascinating flora and located in an ancient crater.
For more natural splendor, jump on a ferry towards Rangitoto or Waiheke Island. Lord of the Rings fanatics will be pleased to hear they can reach the official Hobbiton movie set in about two and a half hours from the city center.
Although relatively small in size, New Zealand is packed full of exciting attractions to explore. For that reason, many travelers prefer to focus on one region or island rather than trying to see the whole thing. On the South Island, Queenstown is the country’s unofficial tourism capital extraordinaire. Most come to ski the surrounding snowfields, although a selection of death-defying adventure sports is available to indulge in all year round.
Nearby, the rival resort town of Wanaka features equally impressive snowfields and landscapes without the emphasis scoring an adrenaline hit. The Middle Earth scenery of Milford Sound may well be the country’s best, featuring a stunning array of glaciers, snowy mountains, and fjords that house cute furry penguins and seals. Up north, the bubbling geothermal hot springs of Rotorua draw in a crowd, not least for the fact they’re an easy day trip away from Auckland.
Although bus services are comfortable and convenient, many travelers prefer to explore New Zealand with their own set of wheels. Hiring a car or a van gives visitors the flexibility to venture out as they please, perhaps even camping overnight in one of the country’s spellbinding outdoor attractions. A frequent car ferry whisks travelers across the strait, meaning one could explore the entire nation without changing vehicles.
To quickly get from A to B, however, it’s best to board a flight with Air New Zealand, who boast an extensive domestic network.
Asher has been traveling the world since he left Australia to study in the USA in 2004. He received a Master’s in Business Administration degree in 2013. He has lived all over the globe including India, Europe, Hawaii, and mainland US. He enjoys researching the travel industry, loves being a dad, cooking & eating delicious food, photography (took many of our photos), surfing big waves on Maui, camping trips and walking barefoot on the earth.
