We're leaving next week for a long awaited trip to New Zealand. We will be spending 2 1/2 weeks between the two islands. I'm interested in tipping practices regarding hotel consierge, bellman, maid service,taxi drivers, and restaurant waitstaff. I'd appreciate some advice.

Hi Lois<BR>New Zealanders do not expect tips, it is certainly not part of our remuneration system. However in some resturants now you will notice a tip plate at the counter were you pay or tip section on your bill, it is totally over to you whether you wish to give tips. My advice is if you do like to tip for good service then go for it if they really deserve it, they will think you are Christmas!<BR>hope you love your trip!

As an expatriate Kiwi I am used to tipping, but it is not normally done in New Zealand. Last year, on our annual visit, we entertained some old friends at an upmarket restaurant. On paying the bill I absentmindedly slipped a $10 note into the folder. My friend picked up the folder, removed the note, stuck it in my pocket and remarked, “We don’t want those habits spreading here.”<BR><BR>The minimum wage applies to everyone and there is really no need to tip.<BR><BR>Incidentally, unless you have already done your bookings you might want to consider using Motels rather than hotels. They are generally cheaper and more convenient than hotels and are not like US motels. Look up “38 hours in Auckland’ a bit further down the list, I gave a reference there to a web site listing Motels.<BR>

... forget about tipping, we dont practice that in NZ.<BR>If you feel you want to tip someone then by all means go ahead, I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated but it is certainly not expected of you.<BR><BR>I 2nd the advice about motels, especially the top of the range motel, much nicer then some of the hotels around.<BR><BR>When you arrive in NZ, you are sure to come across some accommodation booklets at information centres etc, they are free and are very helpful if moving around the country.<BR><BR>The weather here (east coast, north island) is fantastic at the moment, lovely hot summer days but still a tendancy to rain every now and then which is an annoyance.<BR><BR>Pack a shower proof jacket, with this unsettled phase we are in I am sure you will need it.<BR><BR>enjoy ....<BR>

Thanks for the travel tips. Unfortunately I've already booked and paid for all hotel stays. We have divided the time up, with the north island on our own, and the south island with a tour. We did manage to get one night booked in a B&amp;B in Blenheim. I'm sorry to say, after reading the advice, that most our stays are in hotels. I suspect we'll still have a wonderful time. I was a bit anxious after watching a segment of the travel channel showing all the possible scenarios that could go wrong [earthquakes, volcano eruptions, ferry capsizing, etc] I suspect I may have done some of the itinerary differently had I seen that first! [ie: Napier being rebuilt on 'new' land after being totally wiped out by an earthquake]. I have a sister in California who I rarely visit due to apprehension over earthquakes! Needless to say, I'm not the bungy-jumping type....

earthquakes,volcano's &amp; ferries....<BR><BR>What on earth was that programme about?<BR><BR>Earthquakes are not really an issue~<BR><BR>I live on the east coast of the Nth Island where we have a lot of small eathquakes. They are not as bad as you are imagining and not all that common either.<BR>If they are detectable at all it is a slight rolling motion.<BR>I was in Vanuatu when we had an earthquake, people just stopped, waited to see if it was going to be a biggy or not, then went back to reading, chatting etc when it was over. <BR><BR>An Aussie who had never been in a quake before was in his room at the time and was formulating an escape plan. He had considered throwing himself off the balcony but decided that was too high.<BR>Once the quake had finished he came racing down to the lobby, expecting chaos, only to find everyone sitting around relaxed as if nothing had happened.<BR><BR>Volcanoes?<BR>yeah, we do have our fair share but once again, they are no threat. They are all monitered and I'm sure if one was about to blow it's stack we would have plenty of warning.<BR>Mt Ruapehu erupted a few years ago and no towns were evacuated, no one was hurt, people just enjoyed the opportunity to see something as special as an active volcano at work.<BR><BR>Ferries sinking?<BR>Ferries plow across the Cook Strait continuosly 365 days of the year, about 30 crossings a day.<BR> Back in the 60's we had a huge storm and one ferry foundered just out of Wellington Harbour.<BR>A lot of people were rescued but sadly, loss of life did occur in that tragedy.<BR>That was the one and only time a ferry went down and if the seas are too rough, the ferries don't cross till the weather calms down.<BR><BR>Relax..... <BR><BR>I always worry about the actual flight when travelling but never about such things as natural disasters.<BR><BR>What will be will be....<BR>

Thanks for the reassurance, Christa. Believe me, the show wasn't keeping me away. Considering that I have such high expectations of New Zealand, maybe it's good to bring me down to earth a bit....

Lois:<BR>As one who has spent 2 months in New Zealand on holiday over the last 2 years, I can tell you that tips are much appreciated. Provided of couse that the service warrants it. Do what's comfortable to you.<BR>Don't forget that you're tipping in New Zealand currency. <BR>John

When I have talked about tipping being a strange social practice I have been howled down by Americans who tell me that they tip because of good service and that I am being very mean and stingy if I don't tip. Therefore the answer is easy regarding tipping in NZ or Australia. If you are an American and hold those views then you absolutely should tip, no doubt about it.

I personally don't like or get tipping particularly in Aus &amp; NZ given wait staff receive the same minimum salary (which is nowhere near as low on a relative basis as in the US) as say, checkout operators - so why tip one &amp; not the other?

If you are going to bring your habits to my country and, does that mean I can take my habits to your country and not tip?<BR><BR>When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Wow, I seem to have opened a can of worms, so to speak. I do think I'd prefer to do what is most customary, wherever I go. I certainly wouldn't want to offend anyone, one way or another. At this point, I honestly don't know what I'll do when over there. I'll let you know when I return, the beginning of Feb. I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this.

Lois, I hope you have a wonderful time in our country. I live in London now, and for me it is a relief to go home to NZ and not have to worry about tipping - believe me, you should get fantastic friendly service from Kiwis wherever you go in our country, and they will not expect a tip!