LANGUAGE

English

CURRENCY

New Zealand Dollar

BEST TIME TO VISIT

November to April

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION

Christchurch Railway Station

NEAREST AIRPORT

Christchurch International Airport (CHC)

EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER

111

INTERNET ACCESS

Christchurch City Council offers free wi-fi in its libraries (no membership required), and Spark telecom company has set up numerous free wi-fi hot spots around the city. A limited number of internet cafes catering to gaming junkies are scattered about the city centre and suburbs, while many cafes and restaurants also offer free wi-fi; just ask for the password with your flat white.

VISA

Citizens of 60 countries, including Australia, the UK, the US and most EU countries, don’t need visas for NZ (length-of-stay allowances vary). See www.immigration.govt.nz.

More Information

Visa application forms are available from NZ diplomatic missions overseas, travel agents and Immigration New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand has more than 25 offices overseas, including the US, UK and Australia; consult the website.

Visitor Visa

Citizens of Australia don’t need a visa to visit NZ and can stay indefinitely (provided they have no criminal convictions). UK citizens don’t need a visa either and can stay in the country for up to six months.

Citizens of another 58 countries that have visa-waiver agreements with NZ don’t need a visa for stays of up to three months per visit, for no more than six months within any 12-month period, provided they have an onward ticket and sufficient funds to support their stay: see the website for details. Nations in this group include Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa and the USA.

Citizens of other countries must obtain a visa before entering NZ. Visitor visas allow stays of up to nine months within an 18-month period, and cost $170 to $220, depending on where in the world the application is processed.

A visitor’s visa can be extended from nine to 12 months, but if you get this extension you’ll have to leave NZ after your 12-month stay has expired and wait another 12 months before you can come back. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis; you may need to provide proof of adequate funds to sustain you during your visit ($1000 per month) plus an onward ticket establishing your intent to leave. Apply for extensions at any Immigration New Zealand office − see the website (www.immigration.govt.nz) for locations.

Work Visa

It’s illegal for foreign nationals to work in NZ on a visitor visa, except for Australian citizens or permanent residents, who can legally gain work without a visa or permit. If you’re visiting NZ to find work, or you already have an employment offer, you’ll need to apply for a work visa, which can be valid for up to three years, depending on your circumstance. You can apply for a work permit after you’re in NZ, but its validity will be backdated to when you entered the country. The fee for a work visa can be anything upwards of $190, depending on where and how it’s processed (paper or online) and the type of application.

HOTEL

Although a number of central city hotels are no longer operational, or their re-opening may be delayed because they’re in a cordoned area, there are still over 7,000 beds available within greater Christchurch, may of them in the central suburbs of Riccarton, Merivale, and Papanui. You’re still within walking distance of the main attractions if you stay here. All rates quoted include the 15% GST and free off-street parking unless otherwise stated.

Inner City

Many of the inner city backpacker hotels are no longer operating, but there are still some properties worth checking out. Here are my picks for the best within walking distance of the inner city. Chester Street Backpackers, has dorms from NZ$24 to NZ$28, twin rooms from NZ$26 to NZ$30, and double rooms from NZ$28 to NZ$32. The property also owns the delightful 1870s Entwhistle Cottage, which is ideal for families, or for those after a peaceful stay. It costs NZ$130 (NZ$25 each extra person) and requires a 2-night minimum stay. Kiwi Basecamp, is a good spot close to temporary bus stops. Rates include breakfast and it has free airport transfers and free use of hotel bikes. Dorm rooms run NZ$22 to NZ$30 and double rooms are NZ$32 to NZ$36. Jailhouse Accommodation, is a unique stay in the old Addington prison, designed by one of Christchurch’s foremost early architects, Benjamin Mountfort, and built in 1874. It’s been fully refurbished, of course, and is highly rated by those who stay. Dorms here are priced from NZ$30, single rooms from NZ$75, doubles from NZ$80, and family rooms from NZ$160. All have shared facilities.

A Rare Privilege

Otahuna Lodge is a favorite with travellers! This magnificent 1895 mansion, 20 minutes out of the city, gives you an insight into the life of the Victorian landed gentry — a life of privilege and luxury. It is one of the grandest homes in the region and the level of craftsmanship and architectural detail is awe inspiring. The meals are divine, and the rural setting and 12 hectares (30 acres) of gardens have much to offer. Stay at least 2 nights to make the most of it. The wholly inclusive rate for suites is NZ$1,265 to NZ$1,695, and for master suites NZ$1,850 to NZ$2,275. Every comfort is assured.

Near Hagley Park

There are numerous reasonably priced and very good motels along Riccarton Road, Bealey Avenue, and Papanui Road. It’s a competitive market so don’t forget to ask about special deals. Annabelle Court Motel has 18 quality studios and 1- and 2-bedroom apartments priced from NZ$115 to NZ$150. It’s close to Riccarton shopping and restaurants and is just a 15–minute walk through Hagley Park to city attractions.

Historic Retreat

You’ll have to be in quick if you want to stay in the divine little gem that is Jack’s Cottage, Taunton Gardens. Located in the middle of Barry Sligh’s beautiful, 1-hectare (2-acre) woodland garden, this little 1860s cottage has been fully restored into the quaintest sleep you’ll find anywhere. It has its own kitchen and a beautiful bathroom, and you can roam the gardens at will. It’s about a 25-minute drive over the Port Hills from Christchurch and about a 15-minute drive around the bays from Lyttelton. It costs NZ$330 to NZ$345 per night, which includes breakfast supplies and laundry service. As an added incentive you get 1 night’s free lodging if you stay at least 3 nights.

In Sumner

Sumner Bay Motel has 12 modern apartments and studios right in the main street beside the movie theater and cafes. Prices range from NZ$160 to NZ$215. Sumner Beach Villa is a lovely, restored 1920s villa just 500m (150 ft.) from the beach. It has four very pleasant en-suite bedrooms for NZ$350 to NZ$375. Abbott House B&B, is also close to the beach; it offers a studio with a kitchen for NZ$120 to NZ$150 per night and a suite for NZ$140 to NZ$150.

Near the Airport

If you’ve just landed in Christchurch and urgently need sleep, try Copthorne Hotel Commodore, which has 135 rooms from NZ$250 for a premium room to NZ$315 for very good business rooms. Clearview Lodge is a large family home next to the Clearwater Golfing Resort. It has three big rooms and the whole place is set on 4 hectares (10 acres) of vineyards, olive groves, and gardens, with its own heated pool and spa. You’ll pay NZ$355 to NZ$395 for a stay here, with breakfast included. Just 2 minutes from the airport, Sudhima Hotel Christchurch, at the corner of Memorial Avenue and Orchard Road, is a large hotel with a variety of rooms, a pool, barbecue area, and lots of special deals. Rooms average around NZ$145 to NZ$195.

Rural Retreats

Imagine total silence, snowcapped mountain peaks, and an endless spread of perfect rolling green. This is what you get when you stay at Terrace Downs High Country Resort, which is located 45 minutes northwest of Christchurch. Complete with a new day spa and one of New Zealand’s top 18-hole golf courses, it provides accommodations in stylish villas and chalets, beautifully crafted from local stone and timber.

For something more modest and closer to Christchurch, visit Merrilies Rebbeck, who will welcome you at Ballymoney Farmstay, located in the very pretty Tai Tapu area, just 15 minutes from central Christchurch. Look out for the stunning white peacock.

COST OF LIVING

For most international travelers, Christchurch is more of a transit hub than a destination unto itself. It’s the largest city on the super-scenic South Island, so many visitors will begin and/or end their trip here. The city is still famously recovering from the devastating earthquakes in 2011, so visitors are likely to see some damage and a lot of rebuilding for years to come.

Hotel and hostel prices in Christchurch are pretty reasonable by standards for this part of the world, so it’s not a bad place to linger for a couple days on your way in or out of the country. The city center is quite compact and most of the better deals are a bit away from the middle. Peak season starts in late June and runs through till Easter in early April. Not only is this the time of year when most people visit, but when hotels increase their nightly rates.

Christchurch has some wildlife parks and other natural attractions that are worth a look, and it can be used as a base to see some of the scenery that the South Island is famous for. Food and drinks can feel expensive so self-catering is suggested for those trying to keep costs down.