nomadwoman

Hi,I know that there are alot of posts about weather so I hope I'm not redundent.I will be going to Christchurch,Queenstown, and Auckland Oct.21-29.I think that the weather should be about in the 50's-60'sF.Is this correct or is it colder? Is it likely to rain and how bad? Since the weight restrictions are so bad on Air New Zealand I'm trying to only bring the minimum that I need.Would I need a light jacket, a rain jacket or a fleece jacket? Which one would be the best or do I need more then one kind of jacket? Can I get away with just a rain poncho over my jacket? Would regular pants do or do I need a heavier fleece type pants? We will be on MIlford sound and at Fairlie--anything special I need there? Also I read that they are strict about food type items that you can bring in. Can you bring in snack type foods i.e. cookies ,chips,candy,teas etc. Last question.Does ANZ weigh their carry on luggage? Thanks for all your help.

Neil_Oz

nomadwoman, you can find temperature and precipitation info for just about everywhere at www.weatherbase.com. Note that NZ uses celsius. (According to a recent thread on another forum, the only countries that don't use the metric system are the USA, Myanmar and one other small nation (forget which one). I mention this only because you won't have the option of Fahrenheit or non-metric measures once you arrive in NZ and Australia.

Doesn't Air NZ apply the standard 22 kg international baggage weight limit? That doesn't strike me as especially restrictive.

Is there a particular reason you want to bring in snack foods - e.g. as gifts? If not I'd play it safe and buy them locally. You'll find the quality of local products at least as good as the American ones.

Kiwi_acct

Hi Nomadwoman

Neil has given you ou a helpful link with the weather, as he notes people here are less and less familiar with non metric measurements so a passing familiarity with metrics may help you if you are asking for information from locals here. The good thing about most internet weather sites is that they can convert from one to the other to make it easy for you.

As far as baggage is concerned I attach a link below which will below which will help you.

http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/trave...in_baggage.htm

The allowance from North America to NZ is 2 X 23 kg bags in economy and 2 X 32 kg bags in Business.

Domestic is however more restrictive it is 1 X 20 kgs (however if you smile nicely they may cut you a couple more kgs). If your domestic flight is part of your international travel e.g you are flying to Christchurch via Auckland from LA then the international baggae allowance applies. If the domestic flight is separate, not a connection, you will have the domestic allowance.

Hand baggage is usually not weighed. However in saying that, if the bag is on the largish side, such as a rollaway or a pilots bag it may draw the attention of the checkin agent and be weighed. I have had my carryons weighed a couple of times over the last year out or around 20 flights.

As faras clothes are concerned, layers are the answer.

or instance on Sunday in Auckland when I woke up it was only around 5 degrees C. A crisp winters morning. By lunchtime it was 16. Uncomfortable if you are trapped in warm clothing, as only a cotton sweatshirt was required at that time. Therefore wear something which you can remove or put back on with ease as the temperatures require.

As with Australia, informality is the way to go. Dressing for dinner is not required at the vast majority of restaurants. People do not expect travellers to get dressed up to see the sites either. Wear what ever is comfortable for you.

In October it is very likely you will strike rain. Keep a lined rain jacket handy.

I hope this helps a little

ElendilPickle

You can bring in some packaged foods (we took along some low-carb protein bars, and double-checked at customs to make sure they were okay), but as Neil said, you can get excellent candy, tea, cookies, etc. in NZ without bringing along your own.

Lee Ann

Melnq8

You've already received excellent advice, but I'd like to add that a fleece jacket and a waterproof layer that fits over the fleece has been our outerwear of choice on six trips to NZ, regardless of the time of year. As mentioned by kiwi_acct, layering is the way to go.

I've personally never found a need for fleece pants in NZ (except for lounging in my motel/hotel/cottage in the evenings, in which case I love 'em), but I've found that a pair of silk long underwear worn over a pair of rain pants can be a livesaver when hiking in NZ.

In other words, don't leave your raingear at home - chances are very good that you'll need it.

I've found Air NZ to be very strict with carry on luggage. We've flown them several times and in every instance, we've been told that our check on bags, which are considered standard size in most countries, are too big, and we've had to check them in.

Milford Sound can be cold and wet, so just make sure you have your gear with you when you leave your hotel, regardless of how the day may appear when you set out.

NZ is strict with food items, but pre-packaged items like cookies and snacks generally aren't a problem. Just be sure to declare everything.

Have a great trip!

GBZ

October in New Zealand will be starting to warm up. You will have four seasons in one day so bring a bit of everything.

Below is more info on what to wear in NZ
http://www.newzealandatoz.com/whattowearinnz.php

mlgb

Can't resist replying to this one. It is ALWAYS likely to rain. A fleece jacket AND a rain jacket (shell) are a good idea. If you are not hiking much, a poncho will be okay. A pair of water resistant pants are nice too. You don't need to bring anything dressy.
Yes ANZ is strict on weight, including carryons. See their website.
Generally prepared snack foods are okay, just declare EVERYTHING. Pack them in one place so you can take them out to show the inspector. Don't try to bring any fresh foods, fruits or vegetables, meats or cheese.

Neil_Oz

I'm not familiar with the fine detail of NZ quarantine regs, but if they're anything like Australia's you would also want to avoid bringing in egg products. Both countries are hypersensitive about anything that could potentially jeopardise their food production industries, and rightly so.

LouUS

Pack light - said by someone who hates to do that but they do pay close attention and won't combine a couple's bags for a total weight (6 trips)& are fussy on size. We've hit sleet in Oct. even on North Island/Hamilton. We've found warm clothes necessary when doing boat trips (Bay of Islands, Kaikoura, Nelson, etc.) on damp or windy mornings. Layering is the right answer. We always pack snacks for the flight over & back but watch for things like jerky (it's a meat!) and anything fresh. Packaged candy, bars, cookies all seem fine with them. You'll love it. The people are great. Just enjoy.

Kiwi_acct

Hi Neil

I noticed your bit about the bringing in of plant or animal material, you are right in that NZ is as sensitive to this as Australia. We both have a lot to loose.

I believe the regs of both countries are pretty much aligned. No raw meat (limitations on cooked meat as well), no plants, fruit, veges. No honey and no seeds.

Procesed food such as cookies and candy should be OK. But best to declare and be safe rather than face a $200 instant fine for making an error.

nomadwoman

Hi, Thanks for all the helpful information. Between going to Australia first where I will need hot weather clothes (Cairns) and then warmer clothes and rain gear for NZ this is going to be quite a challenge to not overpack.Clothes won't be too bad but by the time you add in your toiletries,medicines and all the little extras i.e books, umbrellas,diving mask (prescription),sunscreen that can add up to more then your clothes. I will be flying Air Tahiti Nui to Australia first then Quantas in Australia and then Air NZ. They all seem to have different weight limits so It still is confusing about what my true weight limit is.I know I'm o.k. with Quantas but on Air NZ I'm still not sure if I have the international or domestic weight limit. I think It depends on how they ticket me --seperate or together.Thanks again.

oliverandharry

Be aware that in many airports you will be made to allow the Sniffer Beagle to check your carryons for forbidden food!

Neil_Oz

nomadwoman, you've received very good advice already about clothes - layers, lightweight, etc. I would repeat someone's point that nowhere in Australia and NZ will you need anything fancier than smart casual (at best!) clothes - and that includes good restaurants and the opera. I'd be surprised if there's a single "jacket and tie" restaurant in either country.

Washing facilities are readily available, so you don't need many changes. OK, I'm a male, but I never travel with more than two pairs of cotton pants and two pairs of shoes (inlcuding what I've got on). If you must take a heavy coat (which I don't recommend), wear it onto the plane.

I take your point about non-clothing items. Books in particular are a killer. You may not be able to sacrifice a great deal, but you can buy all the common consumables like books, sunscreen and toiletries in Australia and NZ, and if you have a serious baggage weight problem ditch them before you leave - especially the books. Why bring those snack foods, for example?

We learned our lesson when we undertook a 7-week trip to the USA after a long spell of no travel, and packed up to the 20 kg limit. If you have more than 20 kg (plus carry-on), it's too much to lug around anyway. Since then we've steadily cut down what we take, and chosen clothes with a better eye on travel. Even so, more experienced travellers than us take even less.