COUNTRY GUIDE
New Zealand
Two islands, big landscapes and small cities, better with people to share them.
Studying in Wellington, working in Auckland or spending a season in Queenstown: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.
BASICS
Before you go.
- Language
- English, te reo Māori, NZ Sign Language
- Te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are official languages, and English is the most widely spoken. Māori place names and greetings are used everywhere.
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar ($, NZD)
- Cards and tap payments are used almost everywhere, even for small amounts.
- Time zone
- NZST UTC+12 · NZDT UTC+13
- Clocks move forward from late September to early April. The Chatham Islands are 45 minutes ahead.
- Power
- Type I plugs, 230 V
- The angled flat-pin plug, also used in Australia.
- Getting online
- eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
- Coverage is good in towns and along main roads, and can disappear in the mountains and national parks.
- Emergency
- 111
- For police, fire and ambulance.
GETTING AROUND
Easy to move, once you know how.
Domestic flights
Flights link the main cities and shorten the longer trips between the islands.
Ferries across Cook Strait
Ferries cross between Wellington and Picton, a scenic way to travel between the North and South Islands.
Intercity buses
Long-distance buses reach most towns, and some scenic train routes run on both islands.
Driving
Many people rent a car or campervan. Roads are often narrow and winding, so drives take longer than distances suggest.
CITIES TO EXPLORE
Where to start.
A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in New Zealand through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.
Auckland
The biggest city, spread across harbours and old volcanic hills, with islands and beaches close by.
Good for · Work · Beaches · City life
Find Auckland in the app (opens in a new tab)Rotorua
A lakeside city known for geothermal parks, Māori culture and mountain-bike trails in the forest.
Good for · Culture · Outdoors · Day trips
Find Rotorua in the app (opens in a new tab)Wellington
The compact capital on a windy harbour, with cafés, a film and arts scene and the ferry to the South Island.
Good for · Culture · Cafés · Work
Find Wellington in the app (opens in a new tab)Christchurch
The South Island's largest city, rebuilt with new public spaces, near the Southern Alps and the coast.
Good for · Outdoors · Students · Day trips
Find Christchurch in the app (opens in a new tab)Queenstown
A lakeside town in the mountains, known for skiing, hiking and adventure sports.
Good for · Outdoors · Skiing · Seasonal work
Find Queenstown in the app (opens in a new tab)Dunedin
A university city in the south with Scottish heritage, steep streets and wildlife on the peninsula.
Good for · Students · Nature · A slower pace
Find Dunedin in the app (opens in a new tab)
GOOD TO KNOW
Small things that help.
Te reo Māori
Kia ora is used for hello and thanks, and Māori names for places and institutions are part of everyday language.
Changeable weather
Weather can change fast, especially in the mountains. Pack layers even in summer.
Driving on the left
Traffic drives on the left, and many rural roads are narrow, so allow extra time.
Seasons
Summer runs from December to February, and the South Island is noticeably cooler than the north.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected, though a little extra for good service is appreciated.
UNMAPPED IN NEW ZEALAND
Arrive knowing someone.
Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.
Meet people before you move
Open Auckland, Wellington or Queenstown before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.
Ask the City Chat
Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about flatshares, hiking conditions or where to find good coffee.
Join or host something
Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a hike near Queenstown, a harbour swim in Wellington or a dinner in Auckland.
Travel together
Share your route between the islands, or post a Buddy Plan for a road trip, a class or a night out.
FAQ
Questions about Unmapped in New Zealand.
Can I use Unmapped outside Auckland?
Yes. You can explore any city in New Zealand through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.
Does it cover both islands?
Yes. Cities and towns on the North and South Islands have their own places in Unmapped's location directory.
Can locals use Unmapped too?
Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.
Can I explore a city before I arrive?
Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.
Can I find people for a road trip?
Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.
Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.
Sources & information
Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Ömer Faruk Bekdemir (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)
Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
NEW ZEALAND WITH UNMAPPED
Explore New Zealand with Unmapped.
Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.