eliztravels2

We will be making our first trip to New Zealand in a couple of weeks and staying in Christchurch for 4 nights prior to the start of an organized tour. We have visited Australia several times and are familiar with prices there for restaurant meals (and just about everything else). Are New Zealand prices similar? And is it also customary not to tip, as the staff are paid a fair wage? How about housekeeping staff?

I am asking only in relation to the days we will spend on our own, and the very occasional meal will we have independently while on tour. The price we paid the tour company (Road Scholar) includes 'modest' tips , and they specifically request that none of the travellers attempt to collect additional money for a group tip. However, I believe this applies on trips to all destinations so no one need feel 'put on the spot' to contribute over and above what they have already paid. A sensible policy, in my mind.

annhig

eliz - we spent 5 weeks in NZ and OZ last year and generally NZ seemed cheaper. No need to tip but we usually rounded it up, and we didn't tip housekeeping; most of the time we were in B&Bs and they did it themselves.

hope you have a wonderful trip!

Melnq8

eliz -

I find restaurant prices in NZ lower than those in Australia.

Food prices in NZ grocery stores are similar to what I pay here in Australia, with the notable exception of fruit and veg, which seems very high to me. Expect to pay much more for groceries in remote areas.

When possible, I make a point of buying groceries in the biggest town I visit, as prices are lower and there's much more variety.

Tipping is not customary in NZ.

Will you be self-driving at all? If so, prepare for serious sticker shock at the gas pump - $2.20 per liter, that's about $8.80 NZD per gallon.

eliztravels2

Thanks for the good news re restaurant prices and tipping. We won't be driving at all, thank goodness. Gas here in Canada is about $1.11 per litre at the moment, so twice as much would be a rude awakening, for sure. We're not likely to be visiting grocery stores too much either, although if we have the opportunity it is always fun to see what's different.

I just booked a day trip from Christchurch to Akaroa (how is that pronounced?) DH will be sailing and I'll be swimming with the dolphins. Initially I'd planned for 3 relaxed days in Christchurch to recover from jet lag and the long journey, but then I got reading trip reports, and got thinking about all the things we'd be missing…..

Melnq8

Akaroa is one of the easier ones, I've only heard it pronounced as Aka-row-a. I have more trouble spelling it, always want to add a second r for some reason.

It means 'long harbour' in Maori - aka meaning harbor and roa meaning long.

Thelittlestkiwi

In my experience food/eating out prices in NZ and Canada are pretty similar. Especially once you consider a) no tips and b) no additional taxes (you pay what you see on the menu). I find tipping and taxes bamboozling in Canada and the US!

I stay in hotels and motels frequently for work in NZ (mixture of city business hotels and small town motels) and it would never cross my mind to leave a tip for housekeeping. I'm sure it happens, but would not be the norm.

I would sometimes in a restaurant round up if paying in cash and I would leave small coins in a tip jar in a cafe, but that would be the extent of it, and I wouldn't feel guilty if I didn't do this. In all likelihood I'd be saying myself the bother of carrying extra coins around, rather than rewarding good service.

PS. I'd say Ah-kah-ro-a . Try Omarama - that one always gets some interesting pronunciations

Melnq8

Okay now I'm curious, how is Omarama pronounced?

I've heard a dozen versions of Te Anau, so I just say it the way it falls out of my mouth, which is probably wrong.

My comedian husband likes to call Tekapo, take-a-poop. I've heard him say it so many times I'm afraid I'll actually start pronouncing it that way in public.

eliztravels2

>Thelittleskiwi: prices with taxes not included are indeed bamboozling even for us who live with it every day. Sounds like our Canadian dollar will go quite a bit further in NZ than it will in Australia.

Tekapo is one of the places we will be going. I shall try not to be fixated on bodily functions!

Melnq8

In that case eliz, you might enjoy the café at the top of Mt John. Food isn't flash, but views are incredible on a clear day.

annhig

another tip, eliz - the roadside cafes in NZ are terrific. all individual, and mostly having great sandwiches and pies, lovely home-made cakes and marvellous coffee. we didn't find a duff one.

eliztravels2

Sounds like there will be no need to go hungry. Thanks for the tips.