If you want to go to New Zealand for self-driving, you will definitely know some information about New Zealand’s car rental strategies and New Zealand visas. Below, the editor will introduce the relevant self-driving travel strategies in detail. If you want to go Friends who are playing, don’t miss it. New Zealand Car Rental Guide

New Zealand recognizes Chinese driver’s licenses. You only need to have a notarized translation of your driver’s license before you can rent a car and travel. It should be noted that you must carry the original and valid translation of your Chinese driver's license with you when driving in New Zealand. Alipay can translate your driver's license.

The translation and certification of your driver's license is also very simple. Search New Zealand on Alipay, fill in the information, and you can get it within 24 hours.

There are two ways to rent a car: online booking and on-site car selection. You can book a car rental online in China, use a credit card for pre-authorization (credit card holders must go to the car rental site), and pay the full amount when signing the contract at the car rental company. A simple way to search and rent a car with Alipay, there are many cities and models to choose from.

Or, after arriving in New Zealand, book and pay on the other party's official website. When picking up the car, you can bring the online car rental voucher to the company's store to pick up the car, or go directly to the car rental company to pick up the car on site.

When renting a car, you must present the driver's driving license and translation. Different car types have different fees. Generally speaking, the longer the rental period, the more favorable the daily cost of renting a car. Car rental company

1. Ordinary cars

APEX

(www.apexrentals.co.nz/cars.aspx) New Zealand’s largest car rental company, the rent is not high , and there are many car rental points.

Hertz

(www.hertz.co.nz/rentacar/reservation) Renting a car is relatively simple. You only need to sign a contract in advance and there is no need to pay. Just pay the rental fee when you return the car.

2. RV

Maui

(www.maui.co.nz) There are many choices for large and high-end RVs. Sister in likes Maui very much

The best part is that the number of people it can carry, whether it has a kitchen and bathroom, and the time it has been put into use are all clearly marked. Last year, I rented an RV in Maui when I drove myself in New Zealand. The experience was very good.

JUCY

(www.jucy.co.nz) is different from the white RVs we often see. Most of JUCY

’s cars have wild looks. , most car rental points are in the South Island, providing ordinary modified vans that can sleep two people and medium-sized RVs. Travel insurance

New Zealand has the famous ACC system. ACC

Accidental injury insurance is one of New Zealand's most famous and humanistic welfare protection systems. Regardless of your nationality and status, you do not need to take the initiative to purchase insurance. As long as you are in New Zealand, you will automatically have the right to apply for ACC compensation for accidental injuries.

If you are accidentally injured while traveling, ACC will bear your medical expenses.

But before driving on the road, it is also very important to buy car insurance. If an accident occurs, it can share a lot of losses for you! Some car rental companies include standard insurance in their basic quotations, so read the insurance terms carefully. , some standard insurances are only responsible for compensation

More than $1,500, you can upgrade to allinclusive for an extra $12/day. Also pay attention to check whether the insurance terms cover damage to glass, tires, roof and bottom, etc.

Generally, car rental companies are members of the New Zealand Automobile Association, so when picking up the car, remember to leave the membership number of the car rental company and the New Zealand Automobile Association's 24-hour emergency rescue phone number in case of emergency. RV campsite

Many people choose to drive in an RV when they come to New Zealand. After all, it feels great to live in the scenery. There are more than 2,000 holiday campsites (Holiday

Parks), Department of Conservation Campsites (DOC), and free campsites across New Zealand.

Holiday

Parks: One of the most popular accommodation options in New Zealand, their addresses are generally in areas with the most beautiful scenery. Public facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms are generally provided. Campsites charge per person, and the website generally shows the price for two people.

Campsite price: NZD 40-50 per 2 people per night, additional adults NZD 20-25, children NZD 9-17

Booking website: www.top10.co .nz

DOC campground: The campground managed by the New Zealand Department of Environmental Protection is much more favorable than HolidayParks, but of course the facilities are not as complete.

Campsite price: NZ$6-15 per person per night

Reservation website: www.doc.govt.nz

FreedomCamping free campsite: different from the above Free camping sites, FreedomCamping

are free camping sites, but because they are free, they are basically not equipped with any facilities, so the RVs are required to bring their own kitchens and bathrooms. However, most of these campsites are in lakes. The scenery may be better on the beach or on the beach!

Reservation website: www.freedomcamping.org

You can download these two free apps on your mobile phone - HolidayParksNZ and MauiRoadtrip, on the map The location, contact information and fees of the campsite will be indicated. Self-driving safety rules

1. Drive right and drive left

Unlike in China, in New Zealand, the driver's seat is on the right side and you must drive along the left side of the road at all times.

2. Seat belts must be worn

According to New Zealand law, everyone in the car must wear a seat belt, whether sitting in the front or back seat. The police will knock on the seat belt. Check the window glass one by one. If you find that it is not fastened, you may face a fine of 150 New Zealand dollars.

3. Do not use mobile phones while driving

In New Zealand, it is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving. New Zealand is really strict on this point! Moreover, the driver’s eyes cannot leave the road while driving. Whether you are making a phone call, using mobile apps such as WeChat, or even adjusting the GPS, it is not allowed! If there is an emergency that needs to be handled, park your car at a safe and legal parking place before proceeding.

4. Pay attention to road conditions and weather

New Zealand has diverse terrain, so pay attention to road conditions when driving. In New Zealand, you may also experience four seasons in one day, so be sure to check the weather forecast before setting off and be prepared for all kinds of weather. The following two websites are easy to use in

my personal test.

Useful website:

Check weather forecast: www.metservice.com

Check road conditions: www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

5. Reasonably estimate the driving time

When driving in New Zealand, it is easy to underestimate the driving time. It may be affected by narrow roads, hilly terrain, etc. The actual driving time may be longer than the time marked on the map. , this website estimates self-driving time more accurately.

Useful website:

aa.co.nz/time-distance-calculator

6. Refuel

New Zealand’s gas stations are all It is self-service. When you rent a car, remember to confirm with the car rental company what kind of oil you need to fill the vehicle you rent. After filling up, go to the counter to report the oil pump number and settle the bill.

7. APP recommendation

GoogleMap

Google navigation is very practical in New Zealand.

In addition, when driving at night, pay special attention to road signs. Once you drive the wrong route, it may take a long time to get back to the correct road.

CamperMate

CamperMate is also a must-have APP for traveling in New Zealand.

You can use it to find nearby practical sites, such as public toilets, campsites, etc. Recommended route

Winter in the northern hemisphere is the most fun season in the southern hemisphere. New Zealand has two islands, the South Island and the North Island. The number of people in the North Island accounts for 3/4 of the total population of the country.

, the capital Wellington and the largest city Auckland are both in the North Island, with developed economies, while the South Island is famous for its agriculture and tourism. Sister in recommends friends who go to New Zealand for the first time to drive on the South Island.

There are generally three self-driving routes in New Zealand’s South Island, the western route, the middle route and the southern route. The western route is famous for its glaciers, the middle route has tourist attractions such as Queenstown, Wanaka and Mount Cook, and the southern route is the main attraction. Emotional and artistic style.

Reference cities:

①Western route: Greymouth (beer, sea fishing), Hokitika (beach, jade, whitebait pizza), Fox Glacier

②Middle line: Queenstown (the birthplace of extreme sports, Skyline restaurant, Fergburger

Big burger), Wanaka (highly recommended! Skiing, flying), Mount Cook, Tika Bo (Starry Sky Town, Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo Cream Lake, Salmon Factory), Fruit Town, Christchurch, Acarora (Alpaca)

③Southern Line: Dunedin (historic buildings, Museums, bird sanctuaries), Oamaru (Moeraki Boulder), Invercargill (the southernmost Starbucks in the world)

Route selection tips:

New Zealand Southern Route The choice of self-driving route mainly refers to personal preference and time availability. If the holiday lasts for more than 15 days, it is recommended to take the large loop route so that no city is left behind; if the holiday lasts for 8-12 days, it is recommended to take the western-central route or the southern-central route. , take the small loop route; if the holiday is within 7 days, it is recommended to only take the essential central route, from Christchurch to Queenstown and back.

New Zealand’s highway design is very user-friendly. From time to time, road signs will appear beside the highway to tell you the names and distances of the scenic spots ahead. If you see a road sign like "Look

out", it means there is a beautiful view and a corresponding parking lot and viewing platform, so park the car and come down to enjoy the beautiful scenery. New Zealand Visa

New Zealand’s visa policy for Chinese citizens is also becoming more and more convenient:

New Zealand’s current visa is for multiple times of 5 years. The most important thing is that you don’t need to apply for a visa next time you come to New Zealand. Waiting for a visa, and seeing the special price of air tickets (sometimes even 3k-4k round trip), you can leave as soon as you want, which greatly reduces the travel cost; you can apply for the whole family, and the family application supports up to two large, two small and a family of four (need to be in the same household registration book) Family members), the New Zealand family visa is recommended because it only requires the application information of the entire family, pays the visa fee for one person, and you have the opportunity to get a five-year e-visa as a family;

Chinese passports can be self-serviced, 10 You can enter and exit New Zealand in seconds.

How to apply for a New Zealand visa

Applying online is fast, convenient and saves money. When traveling to New Zealand, you should print out the electronic visa document and keep it properly with your passport. You may be asked to present this electronic visa when checking in or entering New Zealand. First, log in to the New Zealand Immigration website:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/audiences/chinese/visiting

Then select the "Apply for Tourist Visa" option, pay attention to certain You must choose a visa type that is consistent with the purpose of your trip.

If you hold a tourist visa to work or engage in other matters with a sense of luck, you may be prohibited from entering and repatriated.

Select the "ImmigrationOnline" option to jump to the account registration page. After registering an account, you can start the online application.

In addition, please note when applying for a visa online:

You must hold a UnionPay, VISA or MASTER credit card for payment;

Although the application form is in Chinese, it must still be filled out in English;

Documents must be provided in PDF form.

All Chinese documents require English translations, which need to be issued by a NAATI-certified translation company, which can be selected on a treasure website.

When applying for a visa as a family unit, the main applicant is required to provide more information, while other family members are required to have relatively simple information.

In addition, in the "Upload Documents" section, you can also submit relevant information certificates, such as birth certificates, driver's licenses, IELTS scores, past travel records, etc., in order to successfully pass the review. Basically, the more documents you upload to prove your assets, the more years your visa will be granted.

Simplified visa

There is also a simpler way to apply for a New Zealand visa. Sister in got it in only 3 days

. The New Zealand Immigration Service has established cooperative relationships with some institutions. Applicants who meet specific requirements can apply for a visa through a simplified visa application process. There is no need to prove property, freeze assets, or own a house or car. in

Jieyi ***Only submitted basic passport information (i.e. photo page and historical visa), photos, certification letter from the airline, a copy of the airline membership card, and two supplementary forms.

Want to know whether you are eligible for the simplified process and quick application:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/audiences/chinese/visiting/special-visa-processing-arrangements

1. Wealth management level and private banking level customers of Bank of China

Provide: Confirmation letter from Bank of China

2. Air New Zealand Star Points Reward Program Elite Gold Card, Gold Card, or Silver Card Member

Provide: Photocopy of Singapore Airlines Star Elite Gold Card, Gold Card, Silver Card; Singapore Airlines Star Points Rewards Program account information shows the use of Star Points Rewards membership card Recent 20 transaction records

3. China UnionPay Diamond Credit Card or Platinum Credit Card

Provide: China UnionPay Platinum Credit Card, Diamond Credit Card (front); a copy of the bank card Bank statement (not older than three months ago)

4. Air China PhoenixMiles Gold or Platinum Card Members

Provided: Air China PhoenixMiles Gold or Platinum Card Copy of card; printout of Air China PhoenixMiles account information, showing membership status and flight records on Air China and partner airlines within 24 months

5. China Eastern Airlines "Eastern Miles" Platinum Card, gold or silver card members

Provide: a copy of the platinum, gold or silver card of China Eastern Airlines Miles Travel; a letter of certification from China Eastern Airlines, including the membership level of China Eastern Airlines Miles Travel and travel on China Eastern Airlines within 24 months and practical information on flight records of partner airlines

1. Best travel time

The best time to travel to New Zealand is from the end of September to the end of April of the following year. New Zealand covers a relatively large area. It ranges from the subtropical climate in the far north of the North Island to the subpolar climate in the southernmost part of the South Island. Especially in the southern part of the South Island and the west coast, it is normal to travel through snow-capped mountains, glaciers, plateaus, temperate rainforests and sunny beaches on the same day. , so it is definitely necessary to prepare a thicker down jacket. The wind is relatively strong in New Zealand, and the function of an umbrella is far less convenient than that of a waterproof jacket. In addition, New Zealand’s ultraviolet rays are strong, so be sure to wear sun protection when going out.

2. Cash

You can use UnionPay cards to withdraw New Zealand dollar cash from New Zealand bank tellers. The daily limit is generally $1,000. Basically, this is enough for VISA and MASTER

credit cards. It can be used in most places, and WeChat payment or Alipay can be used in famous scenic spots.

3. Car charger, charging cable, power bank, conversion plug

I don’t know the importance of these items. Not to mention, the main reason is that it is too expensive to buy locally. The voltage in New Zealand is 230/2240V, and a conversion plug is also necessary. It is recommended to bring two.

4. Local phone card or mobile wifi

Local phone numbers make it easier to communicate with locals, including booking hotels and attractions. For example, booking a glacier hike is very convenient. Trekking companies notify you of weather conditions and itinerary changes. You can see it when you go out of customs at the airport. There is not much difference between the commonly used ones

SPARK, 2degree, and Vodfone. People use them all.

5. Precautions when passing customs

When passing customs in New Zealand, you must understand the knowledge of item declaration. If you are not sure whether the items you are carrying need to be declared, then to be on the safe side, please declare, please declare, please declare! If you violate customs regulations, you may face a minimum fine of 400 New Zealand dollars and a maximum of 100,000 New Zealand dollars

New Zealand coin fine.