Exploring Aotearoa is a gift — rugged coastlines, mountain trails, and hidden gems around every bend. Whether you’re flying in, hiring a campervan, or road tripping in your own car, this checklist is designed to help you travel smoother and stress-free.
We didn’t just pull this list together from research — it comes from hard-earned lessons on the road. We’ve been there: showing up to collect a rental car only to realise a driver’s licence was left behind, carefully filing travel insurance documents only to discover we couldn’t access them in Egypt when we had no data, and having our credit card skimmed at a reputable store in the USA. Thankfully, we’d notified our bank before we left so the mess was sorted quickly.
We’ve been caught out in smaller ways too — like turning up at a temple in Thailand without a shawl and being turned away, or setting off on a scorching hot day and leaving the raincoat behind, only to get drenched later. Moments like these have shaped how we prepare for every journey now.
We’re still learning (travel has a way of surprising you no matter how well you plan), but putting this checklist together means you don’t have to repeat our mistakes. If it makes your travels a little smoother, then it’s done its job.
Table of Contents
📄 Travel Documents
Even when travelling close to home, it pays to have your essentials sorted. A quick check now saves a big hassle later.
ID – carry your driver’s licence or passport for domestic flights and car hire.
Copies & Insurance Details
- Keep digital copies of passports, ID, bookings and insurance documents.
- Save them to Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox or even email them to yourself.
- Create a small folder on your phone with your insurance company name, numbers and policy details, then back it up to the cloud for easy access in stressful moments.
✈️ Flying Within NZ
Domestic airports are smaller than international ones but they still get busy. A little prep means less stress and more time for a coffee before your flight.
- Arrive early – at least an hour before for check-in and bag drop.
- Liquids & luggage – no international restrictions but stick to airline carry-on limits.
- Onward tickets – not needed for domestic flights but confirm details if connecting overseas.
🚐 Road Trips & Campervans
Hitting the open road is one of the best ways to see Aotearoa. Planning a few basics makes it easier to relax and enjoy the scenery.
- Freedom camping rules – know where you can and can’t stay overnight.
- DOC campsites – simple, scenic and dotted throughout the country.
👉 Want more detail? Check out our full guide to Campervanning in Aotearoa – NZ, where we cover freedom camping rules, insider tips, and everything you need to know before hitting the road.
🏥 Health & Safety
Even short trips need a safety net. A well-stocked kit and a plan keep you covered for surprises from sandflies to sprained ankles.
- First aid kit – include plasters, antiseptic, and basics for minor cuts or scrapes.
- Medication – write a list of your prescriptions and keep it with your passport + a digital copy.
- Sunscreen – the NZ sun is harsh; this is a must even on cloudy days.
- Insect repellent – mozzies and sandflies can be coastal or inland depending on the season. Add it to your kit.
- Travel insurance – especially if you’ve booked flights, tours or expensive stays.
- Emergency number – dial 111 in NZ for police, fire or ambulance.
💰 Money Matters
Most places in Aotearoa-New Zealand accept cards but a little cash in your pocket can help in small towns or rural stops.
- Cards & contactless – widely accepted across NZ, but let your bank know you’re travelling. They’ll monitor your card for suspicious transactions and alert you straight away if something looks wrong.
- RFID protection – keep your passport and cards in an RFID-safe wallet to prevent digital skimming while on the move.
- Cash – handy for markets, honesty boxes or remote areas.
- Honesty boxes – Many farmers sell fresh veggies, fruit or eggs at the gate. Cash is essential for these seasonal roadside stalls and it’s one of our favourite ways to shop.
- Budgeting – apps like My Money, spreadsheet or simple notes help track costs on the road.
📱 Staying Connected
Connectivity can be patchy in remote areas, so it’s worth planning ahead. Think of it as a chance to go offline but keep a backup plan.
- SIMs or eSIMs – grab one from Spark, One NZ or 2degrees they are all pretty much the same.
- VPN – a VPN keeps your browsing safe on public Wi-Fi, helps protect your details and can give you access to sites that might be blocked overseas.
- Coverage maps – check if reception drops out where you’re going. For a small country, Aotearoa-New Zealand has plenty of dead zones. Check ahead and if you’re heading off-track, download maps before you go.
- Travel apps – CamperMate, Rankers and Gaspy are lifesavers for roadies.
🧭 Local Etiquette
Manaakitanga (hospitality) is at the heart of Kiwi culture. Respecting local customs enriches your journey and shows aroha for the people you meet.
- Māori culture – learn simple words like kia ora (hello) or ngā mihi (thanks).
- Respect sites – treat marae, urupā (cemeteries), pou (carved posts often placed at the entrance to towns, regions or important sites) and heritage places with care
- Dress code – casual is fine but pack modest options for cultural or religious spaces.
For a deeper connection to local culture, explore our Everything Kiwi page with guidance on Māori language, traditions, and everyday etiquette.
🎒 Packing Smart
Aotearoa-New Zealand means layers. You can start in sunshine, hit rain by lunch and find snow by evening. Check the long-range forecast before you arrive — a light raincoat and warm jacket are usually enough in the warmer months without overpacking
- Clothing – lightweight layers, waterproof jackets, and sturdy footwear.
- Campervan Gear – if you find you need a better pillow, a warmer blanket, or a few extra containers, you can easily pick them up locally.
- Gear – pack a torch or headlamp (essential if campervanning), a power bank for devices, and a reusable water bottle. Reusable shopping bags and a quick-dry towel are also handy on the road.
- Adapters – visitors to NZ need Type I plugs. If you’re road tripping, bring a multi-plug or double adapter so you can charge several devices at once.
💡 And don’t stress if you forget something — Aotearoa–New Zealand has plenty of great Op shops, plus Kmart and The Warehouse are perfect for affordable backup gear, whether it’s an extra layer of clothing or a bit of campervan comfort.
Planning your trip? Head over to our Travel Tips section for our 3-part series — The Ultimate Travel Planning Guide for Aotearoa – New Zealand — packed with practical advice to get you started.
🚗 Getting Around
Driving is often the best way to explore. Just remember NZ’s winding roads and unique conditions can take you by surprise.
- Left-hand driving – always keep left, especially on rural roads.
- Rest stops – plan breaks, fatigue causes accidents here more than speed.
- Road rules – watch out for one-lane bridges, gravel roads, strict drink-driving laws and remember mobile phone use while driving is illegal.
We’ve gathered it all in one place. Use our Journey Planner to compare rental cars, campervans, and transport options so you can travel stress-free.
🚨 Emergency Prep
Aotearoa is stunning, but it’s also wild. Being ready for the unexpected keeps your travels safe and stress-free.
- Civil Defence info – check alerts for storms, earthquakes or flooding.
- Cook Strait ferries – the crossing can be unpredictable due to rough seas and weather delays. Always check updates and have a flexible backup plan.
- Nearest help – know the closest hospital or i-SITE (visitor centre).
- Trust instincts – weather changes fast, so turn back if tracks or tides look unsafe.
🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
- 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be