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Before visiting New Zealand, check the entry rules for your passport, complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, and declare anything that could pose a biosecurity risk. In daily life, approach Māori culture and tikanga with respect: customs vary, so listen to your hosts and follow their guidance rather than assuming one protocol applies everywhere.
Understand Māori culture and tikanga
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Māori culture, language and tikanga—customs and protocol—are part of contemporary life, not simply attractions for visitors. Immigration New Zealand describes Māori influence across areas including food, language, attitudes, education and governance. It also explains concepts such as manaakitanga, associated with hospitality and kindness, and kaitiakitanga, associated with guardianship and respect for the natural environment. These ideas have cultural depth; they should not be reduced to a checklist of visitor behaviours. Immigration New Zealand’s Māori culture guide offers an introduction.
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If you visit a marae or attend a welcome
A marae is a Māori meeting place, and some marae visits begin with a formal welcome called a pōwhiri. Te Ara describes elements that may include a karanga (call), wero (challenge), whaikōrero (speeches) and hongi (pressing noses). A welcome may instead be informal; practices change over time and differ by region, occasion and host. Te Ara’s account of welcome and hospitality explains this variation.
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- Listen to the host or guide and follow their instructions about where to stand, when to speak and what to do.
- Do not assume every gathering includes the same steps or that a hongi is expected. Wait for the hosts’ lead.
- Follow local guidance about food and drink. At some marae, food is served in an area separate from sleeping spaces; customs relating to tapu and noa vary and are not universally observed.
As Te Ara puts it, “The best practice is to follow the guidance of the host people.”
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Check your entry requirements before booking or departure
Most travellers need a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before travelling, as well as a valid passport or another accepted travel document. New Zealand and Australian citizens do not need a visa or NZeTA; Australian permanent residents normally need an NZeTA. The correct requirement depends on your passport and circumstances, so use Immigration New Zealand’s visa and NZeTA information to check your own case.
A visa or NZeTA is not itself permission to enter the country. On arrival, visitors must apply for entry permission. An immigration officer may ask questions or request evidence, while other border agencies check customs and biosecurity requirements. Answer questions truthfully and have relevant travel information available. See Immigration New Zealand’s arrival guidance.
Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration
Everyone entering New Zealand must complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). It collects travel, immigration, customs and biosecurity information. Air travellers can submit it from 24 hours before their journey begins. Sea travellers can submit it from 24 hours before their ship leaves its last overseas port bound for New Zealand. A paper declaration is available if you cannot complete it online. Check the official before-you-travel guidance for current instructions.
Declare biosecurity risk items
New Zealand’s biosecurity controls are intended to protect its environment and primary industries. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) tells travellers to declare risk items such as food, plants, wooden products, soil, water, outdoor equipment and animal products. If you are unsure whether something must be declared, check MPI’s current item guidance and declare it rather than guessing. Marked amnesty bins are available on arrival for disposing of undeclared risk goods.
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Rules for particular items can change. MPI’s guide to declaring items when arriving in New Zealand was last reviewed on 13 July 2026; consult the live guidance shortly before travel.
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Conditions and practical needs can vary by place and season. Tourism New Zealand’s official visitor site brings together information on climate and weather, health and safety, visitor information centres, and activities covering areas such as history, arts and culture. Use it to explore options, then confirm details directly with the relevant provider where necessary.
When comparing tours or activities, look beyond the headline description. Check who leads the experience, what is included, where it takes place and how long it takes to get there. Consider accessibility, group size, cancellation terms and total price against your needs. An activity listing alone does not establish that a particular operator or experience will suit every visitor.
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