Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas
Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas
Reviewed: 16 December 2019, 08:48 NZDT
Measles is a highly infectious virus that spreads easily from person to person through the air, via breathing, coughing and sneezing. It affects both children and adults. The New Zealand Ministry of Health is advising people travelling overseas to make sure they are fully immunised against measles before they go. Given the current outbreaks of measles in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Philippines the Ministry of Health is asking primary care providers in New Zealand to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date...Read More
Reviewed: 13 December 2019, 09:47 NZDT
Following recent civil unrest and violence across Chile in October and November, there may be further demonstrations, protests and violent clashes in Santiago and other major cities, including Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Concepción and Antofagasta. We continue to advise New Zealanders to exercise increased caution in Chile. Read what our advisory levels mean and the full advice on SafeTravel. New Zealanders in Chile should continue to monitor local media for updat...Read More
Updated: 11 December 2019, 16:28 NZDT
Major bushfires have been severely affecting parts of both New South Wales and Queensland. A State of Emergency was declared by the New South Wales Premier and a State of Fire Emergency was also declared across 42 Local Government Areas in Queensland. Both have since been lifted. Many residents in the affected areas in both states were issued a ‘leave immediately’ or ‘prepare to leave’ order. Severe bushfires have the potential to continue to occur throughout Australia during the summer ...Read More
Reviewed: 9 December 2019, 12:44 NZDT
Protest activity is ongoing in Hong Kong and there continues to be a risk of violent confrontation. 'Flash mob' demonstrations take place with little or no warning, and have resulted in violence and vandalism. Expect road closures, transport disruptions and heightened police action, including the use of tear gas. Protest locations on Hong Kong Island continue to include the main commercial districts, including Causeway Bay, Central, Admiralty and Wan Chai Protests may also occur in Kowloon (i...Read More
Reviewed: 6 December 2019, 09:43 NZDT
We have reviewed our advice and now advise New Zealanders to exercise increased caution while in Bolivia. Read our full advice on SafeTravel. The current political situation in Bolivia remains highly unpredictable following the abrupt resignation of the president at the urging of the military, in response to widespread protests in the wake of presidential elections on 20 October 2019. An interim government is in place ahead of new elections. Protests and the use of roadblocks are ongoing, partic...Read More
Reviewed: 2 December 2019, 11:15 NZDT
The holiday period in December and January is peak season for international travel, and we wish all New Zealanders safe travels over the summer holidays. We have some advice for Kiwi travellers to consider before departure: Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the SafeTravel website so that you receive important updates. Read the travel advisory for your destination so that you are aware of any potential risks. Organise comprehensive travel insurance. To navigate the often...Read More
Reviewed: 6 November 2019, 09:19 NZDT
The Pacific cyclone season began on 1 November and runs until 30 April. New Zealanders travelling to the Pacific are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Travellers who register can be warned if a major cyclone approaches and given advice on precautions to take. We can also make contact with you following a significant cyclone to check on your well-being. If you are in an area affected by a cyclone, you should follow the advice of the local author...Read More
Updated: 5 November 2019, 15:17 NZDT
Major cities in India are currently experiencing severe levels of air pollution. Some of the most common health effects of air pollution include irritation of eyes, throat and lungs. For people with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis, breathing in air pollution can make these conditions worse. New Zealanders in areas affected by the air pollution are advised to monitor pollution readings, such as those provided by the Air Quality Index website. If you have concerns ...Read More
Reviewed: 23 September 2019, 14:05 NZST
In September 2019, an outbreak of polio was declared in the Philippines. In July 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a situational update on circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 outbreaks in the WHO African and Eastern Mediterranean regions. In June 2018 an outbreak of vaccine-derived poliovirus was declared by the Papua New Guinea Government in Morobe province. In July 2018, preparations for implementation of large scale immunization activities and intensified surveilla...Read More
Reviewed: 17 July 2019, 10:00 NZST
On 17 July 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the ongoing Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Ugandan government has also confirmed an outbreak of Ebola in Kasese District in western Uganda, originating in the neighbouring DRC. To date, there have been over 2500 confirmed or probable cases of Ebola in the DRC, resulting in over 1600 deaths since the outbreak began in August 2018. The outbreak i...Read More
Updated: 15 July 2019, 09:55 NZST
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has announced that New Zealand visitors no longer require visas to travel to South Africa. The visa exemption for New Zealand passport holders came into effect on 15 August 2019. The exemption allows New Zealand passport holders to enter South Africa for a period of up to 90 days, without a visa, for holiday or business visits. The exemption also applies to New Zealand passport holders transiting through South Africa. New Zealanders requiring fu...Read More
Reviewed: 11 July 2019, 15:20 NZST
Every year New Zealanders put themselves at risk of arrest or detention for drug-related offences overseas. Remember that when you are overseas you are subject to that country's laws and penalties - no matter how harsh they may appear by New Zealand standards. In many countries, penalties for drug-related offences are severe. Possession, use or trafficking of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy imprisonment thousands of miles away from family and friends. New Zealand does not...Read More
Posted: 18 March 2019, 14:10 NZDT
The terrorist attacks in Christchurch on 15 March, which were motivated by extreme right-wing ideology, have attracted global attention and strong international condemnation. International reactions to those events are difficult to predict and may change at short notice. New Zealanders travelling overseas should continue to use common sense, exercise caution and be vigilant. They should look out for and report suspicious behaviour, as they would in New Zealand. New Zealanders should continu...Read More
Reviewed: 1 March 2019, 14:45 NZDT
The United Kingdom (UK) is preparing to exit the European Union (EU). We provide the following information for New Zealanders living in or travelling to the UK. New Zealand citizens who plan to continue living in the UK after it leaves the EU can use the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website tool to seek guidance on visa status and rights to stay. Further information can be found through the UK's Department for Exiting the European Union: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/dep...Read More
Reviewed: 27 February 2019, 13:25 NZDT
People travelling to the Pacific should take extra steps to avoid mosquito bites following an outbreak of dengue fever. Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses are common in the tropical and sub-tropical climates in most Pacific Islands, in North Queensland (Australia), Asia (including India), Africa and Central/South America. Dengue fever is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito and cannot be spread directly from person to person. Dengue outbreaks continue to be reported from the Pac...Read More
Reviewed: 3 December 2018, 10:40 NZDT
There are ongoing demonstrations in Paris and across France. Protests have turned violent and traffic has been disrupted across the country. We continue to advise New Zealanders in France to avoid all demonstrations, protests and rallies, follow any advice issued by the local authorities and monitor local media for developments. New Zealanders currently in or travelling to France are encouraged to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and read the full advisory for France. N...Read More
Reviewed: 6 November 2018, 08:25 NZDT
If you’re heading overseas, don’t forget to take out comprehensive travel insurance. Your policy should cover any activities you plan to undertake (from scuba diving to scooter riding), personal liability, medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, and any pre-existing medical conditions. Even minor medical treatment can be very expensive overseas. If you suffer an injury overseas and return to New Zealand, ACC may be able to help with treatment costs in New Zealand, but only if you i...Read More
Reviewed: 10 September 2018, 09:05 NZST
Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses are common in the tropical and sub-tropical climates in many Pacific Islands, in North Queensland (Australia), Asia (including India), tropical Africa and Latin/South America. West Nile virus is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. Dengue fever, chikungunya virus and Zika virus are spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito and cannot be spread directly from person to person. Malaria is caused by a parasite s...Read More
Reviewed: 18 July 2018, 11:20 NZST
Due to recent law changes, the United States of America has implemented entry requirements when arriving into their territory, or travelling to Cuba from the US. These could impact your travel in the region. Additional security questions at check-in Passengers on direct flights to the United States may be subjected to additional security-based questions at their airline check-in counter and may require additional security screening. This may cause delays, so we advise passengers to ensure they a...Read More
Posted: 29 March 2018, 17:03 NZDT
The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services has issued a public notice advising of an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Fiji. Though the risk for travellers to Fiji is low, people staying in local communities or for longer periods of time should be vigilant and aware of the symptoms of meningitis following an outbreak of meningococcal disease.Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes two very serious illnesses: meningitis (an infection of the membranes that cover the b...Read More
Reviewed: 5 March 2018, 14:11 NZDT
Yellow fever is an acute viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Infection with the yellow fever virus causes varying degrees of disease, from mild symptoms to severe illness with bleeding and jaundice. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever progress to a severe form of the illness, and half of those will die, as there is no cure for yellow fever. Beginning in late 2016, and continuing through 2017 the Brazilian Ministry of Health reported outbreaks of yellow fever in several e...Read More
The Netherlands
Reviewed: 16 December 2019
Reviewed: 16 December 2019
Solomon Islands
Reviewed: 16 December 2019
Reviewed: 16 December 2019
Chile
Reviewed: 13 December 2019
Reviewed: 13 December 2019
India
Reviewed: 12 December 2019
Reviewed: 12 December 2019
Marshall Islands
Reviewed: 9 December 2019
Reviewed: 9 December 2019
Bolivia
Reviewed: 6 December 2019
Reviewed: 6 December 2019
Pakistan
Reviewed: 5 December 2019
Reviewed: 5 December 2019
Viet Nam
Reviewed: 3 December 2019
Reviewed: 3 December 2019
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Health alerts and general travel health tips....read more
This page provides information on how you can help yourself, and how we can help you, when things go wrong overseas...read more
Information on passports and visas for your next trip overseas....read more
Information on travel insurance and why it's important....read more
Please note, only consular emergencies, for example death, arrest, illness or injury to New Zealand citizens will be handled outside office hours.
Location and contact details for New Zealand Embassies around the world.