When travelling through Aotearoa – New Zealand, it’s easy to get swept up in the breathtaking landscapes and fresh air. But behind the beauty lies a strong commitment to protecting our environment and people especially when it comes to water safety, biosecurity and food hygiene. These areas might seem minor but they’re crucial to understand if you want to travel responsibly and avoid unnecessary trouble.
Whether you’re filling your bottle from a mountain stream, walking through native bush or picking up food from a local café, here’s what you need to know to stay safe and help protect our precious land.
💧Drinking Water Safety in Aotearoa – What’s Safe and What’s Not?
Most tap water in towns and cities across Aotearoa – New Zealand is safe to drink unless signs say otherwise. If you have a campervan, you’ll notice many refill stations have taps marked Not Potable. This water is fine for showers or boiling the jug but not ideal for drinking unless your van has a water filter system installed. Always check with your campervan hire company to see what’s safe to use.
But once you’re off the beaten path, especially in rural or backcountry areas, it’s a different story. Crystal-clear streams may look pure, but they can carry harmful bacteria like giardia from animal droppings or agricultural runoff.
Helpful approaches:
- Stick to treated water in remote areas unless you’ve boiled it or used purification tablets or a reliable filter.
- Avoid drinking from rivers or lakes unless you’re absolutely sure it’s safe (DOC huts usually have clear signage).
- Refill at i-SITEs, public toilets, and petrol stations when travelling between towns — many offer clean drinking water.
Personal tip: We carry a Katadyn BeFree water filter just in case we run low while hiking. It folds down easily into our backpack and gives us peace of mind when access to safe water is limited.
Local insight: Some towns have incredibly fresh, clean-tasting water. Others, like Taumarunui or Whanganui, can have heavily treated or limed water, depending on the supply tanks they are connected to. If the taste puts you off, a simple filter or letting it sit in a jug for a few hours can help.
Even in cities, if you’re unsure about the taste or if you’re sensitive to chlorine, bottled water is widely available but we recommend refilling to reduce plastic waste wherever possible.
🌱 Biosecurity in Aotearoa – Why It’s Taken So Seriously
Aotearoa – New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most unique plants and wildlife, many of which exist nowhere else on Earth. To protect this fragile biodiversity, our country enforces strict biosecurity laws — and yes, they apply to travellers too.
From the moment you land, you’ll notice signs, customs checks, and even sniffer dogs at airports. It’s not about being unfriendly — it’s about keeping our environment safe from invasive pests, diseases, and contaminants.
Helpful approaches:
- Declare any outdoor gear: If you’re bringing in hiking boots, tents, or fishing gear, they must be clean and free of soil or seeds. Customs officers will inspect them on arrival.
- Leave the honey, seeds, and fresh food at home: These are considered biohazards and are often confiscated.
- Clean your shoes and gear before entering forests or bush areas, especially if you’ve been in other regions or countries.
- Use designated cleaning stations (often at popular walking tracks) to scrub or spray your shoes and equipment.
Kauri dieback is a major concern in the upper North Island. It’s a disease that spreads through soil and kills native kauri trees. To help stop the spread:
- Stay on marked tracks
- Always use hygiene stations
- Avoid walking through muddy areas where kauri are present
Personal tip: We always carry a small boot brush and a natural spray in our van for quick cleanups. It’s a simple way to help protect the land we love.
Even if you’re only planning a short walk or a picnic in the bush, biosecurity starts with you. It’s part of being a responsible traveller in Aotearoa.
🥗 Food Safety Tips While Travelling in Aotearoa – What You Should Know
Food safety standards in Aotearoa – New Zealand are generally very high. You’ll find clean cafés, restaurants, food trucks, and supermarkets across the country. Most follow strict hygiene regulations monitored by local councils and MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries).
That said, it still pays to be cautious, especially when camping, cooking on the road or buying food from smaller outlets.
Helpful approaches:
- Always check use-by dates on packaged foods — and avoid anything with broken seals or bulging lids.
- Wash fresh produce before eating, especially if bought from roadside stalls or farmers’ markets.
- Store perishable items in a cooler or campervan fridge if you’re on the road.
- Use clean utensils and chopping boards, especially if you’re preparing raw meats or seafood.
- Don’t leave leftovers sitting out, particularly in summer — Aotearoa’s sun can be intense and spoil food quickly.
Personal tip: We tend to shop every 2–3 days, buying only what we’ll eat. It’s easier to manage food freshness, especially in a camper. And if we’re feeling too hot or tired to cook? Go to the takeaway shop and either grab a really good pie or fresh fish n chips.
Local insight: If you’re buying meat, skip the supermarket and go straight to a local butcher. Butchers in Aotearoa are top-notch, the cuts are better, the flavour is richer and although you might pay a little more, the quality is worth it. Supermarket meat is mass-produced and often lacks flavour.
Farmers’ markets are also a great way to support local producers and grab fresh, often organic food. Just bring your own reusable bags, wash your fruit and veg, and enjoy the seasonal flavours of each region. We prefer visiting rural markets over the big city ones, the locals are some of the most down-to-earth and genuine people you’ll ever meet.
If you ever feel unwell after eating, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 — it’s a free 24/7 service offering medical advice, including food poisoning concerns.
Final Note
Travelling around Aotearoa – New Zealand is about more than just ticking off sights — it’s about respecting the land, its people, and the systems that protect them. By staying mindful of things like water safety, biosecurity, and food hygiene, you’re doing your part to travel responsibly and leave a light footprint.
We’ve found that the best experiences often come from connecting with locals, shopping at small-town butchers, and taking the time to learn the why behind New Zealand’s strict but meaningful rules.
🛠 Need Help Planning Your Trip?
If you’re hiring a campervan, make sure it’s well-equipped with a filter system and proper water storage — we recommend booking with Motorhome Republic for their wide range of trusted vehicles and excellent customer support. And don’t forget travel insurance that covers food or water-related illnesses. We trust Insurbuy for flexible international cover.
➡️ Check out campervan hire options here with Motorhome Republic
➡️ Compare travel insurance with Insurbuy
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Haere tōu ake ara – mana motuhake
Walk your own path – with independence and authority