Summer (December-February) is the most popular time to visit New Zealand for sunny beach days, adventures on the water, beautiful bush walks and mountain hiking. Visitor numbers are high and summer holidays mean more Kiwis are travelling around New Zealand too, making the most of the sunshine and Christmas break.
Summer activities tend to make the most of the sun, sea and sand. New Zealand’s many beaches and lakes are perfect to cool off during the summer months.
Temperatures range from 21 – 32 degrees celsius (70 – 90F).
Visas and Travel Regulations
Important! Entering New Zealand to attend CoRL requires a visa or “NZeTA” depending on your citizenship as well as a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (can be completed up to 28 days before you fly, please check information below) (NZTD requirement removed on 20th October)
If you are from a visa-waiver country, you will need a NZeTA, proceed to Part II.
If you are not from a visa-waiver country, you will need support documentation from CoRL, proceed to Part III. New Zealand and Australian citizens do not need either.
Please note: we do our best to provide accurate information, but we are not authorities on NZ law and immigration. For more questions and concerns, please contact: www.immigration.govt.nz
Visa-waiver countries: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia (citizens only), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (residents with HKSAR or British National–Overseas passports only), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia (citizens only), Liechtenstein, Lithuania (citizens only), Luxembourg, Macau (only if you have a Macau Special Administrative Region passport), Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal (if you have the right to live permanently in Portugal), Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (if you are a permanent resident), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (UK) (if you are travelling on a UK or British passport that shows you have the right to reside permanently in the UK), United States of America (USA) (including USA nationals), Uruguay, Vatican City.
Note: this list is subject to change. Please click on “Visa Waiver Countries” from this page:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/visa-waiver
Part I: Participants from within New Zealand and Australia do not require any of the documents below.
Part II: CoRL participants from visa-waiver countries will require a “New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority” (NZeTA).
The 66 countries that do not require a New Zealand Visa but still require a NZeTA.
When you submit the NZeTA approval form, you must also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Together this is approx NZD $58 and can be obtained on this website: https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/
…or with the NZeTA mobile app (the application is NZD $6 cheaper through the app):
NZeTA android app – Google Play
After submission of Passport Headshot, etc, NZeTA approval could take as little as 10 minutes, but please allow up to 72 hours for processing.
You can find more information about the NZeTA form here:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/nzeta
Please note that you don’t need an NZeTA if you are:
- a New Zealand citizen travelling on:
- a New Zealand passport, or
- a foreign passport that has a New Zealand citizen endorsement
- an Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
- a holder of a valid visa for New Zealand — including a Permanent Resident Visa
- a member of, or someone associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under the Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty
- a member of a visiting force, including one of its civilian employees, travelling in the ordinary course of your employment or duty.
Part III: Countries not on the visa-waiver list (including China) also require a New Zealand Visa.
For participants who require a Visa, you can find all the required information about Visas and Entry requirements here: https://www.newzealand.com/int/visas-and-immigration/
Invitation Letter for Visa Purposes (not needed for the NZeTA or International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy):
To obtain an invitation letter for Visa purposes, just request this through the registration form when you register for CoRL at the following URL: https://uoaevents.eventsair.com/corl2022/registration/Site/Register
Or if you have already registered, please contact us at: info@corl2022.org
Further Advice on Visas
Please visit the comprehensive website of Immigration NZ (www.immigration.govt.nz). If you are in doubt, you can also call them to discuss your circumstances.
Covid19 Related Travel Information
You can find more information about Covid-19 related travel information HERE.
- Travellers and crew do not need proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand. Please check with your airline as they may still require proof of vaccination.
- You will get free rapid antigen tests (RATs) at the airport.
- You must still complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) (Travellers are no longer required to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration to enter New Zealand. New Zealand’s COVID-19 entry requirements were removed on 20 October 2022.)
If New Zealand is your final destination, you must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before departure.You can start your NZTD up to 28 days before you fly.After you have successfully completed your NZTD, you’ll receive a Traveller Pass to present at check-in and upon arrival in New Zealand.If you have any questions or are having difficulty completing your NZTD, check the New Zealand Government website for further advice or reach out to the NZTD Contact Centre for assistance.
Flight Information
You can find more information about the airlines flying to New Zealand from around the world HERE.
We are also proud to have in New Zealand one of the best airlines in the world – Air New Zealand.
Major airlines offer direct flights to New Zealand from Australia, USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong (China), Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Chile. Connecting flights from these countries link New Zealand with the rest of the world.
Most international flights arrive into Auckland Airport, located in the northern part of the North Island. Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua, Queenstown and Dunedin airports also receive a small number of international flights. Find out more about New Zealand airports.