Important steps upon landing in New Zealand (IRD, bank, phone…)

All flights with arrival in New Zealand play a video called “Declare or Dispose” onboard that explains entry into the country. It explains what items passengers can and cannot bring, as well as those that must be declared.

If you notice that you have an item that is deemed prohibited in the video, don’t worry. The airport provides amnesty bins prior to entry into the country. You may dispose of those items in these bins and no one will ask any questions. If you are unsure, you can ask an agent in charge of biosecurity.

The list of items that must be declared can be found on the website Biosecurity. To illustrate an example, if you are carrying any mineral water on you, that must be declared.

There are 3 steps involved in entry to New Zealand:

• Immigration
• Baggage claim
• Customs and biosecurity check

Immigration

Before going to immigration, you must fill out the New Zealand Traveller Declaration. This can be done either online or via their app 24 hours before your planned arrival. Read our tutorial to see how to fill it out correctly. If you do not choose an electronic method, you can obtain a paper form near the customs booths. New Zealand authorities need to know where you have physically been in the months preceding your arrival, if you visited any farms, if you did any hiking, if you have certain equipment such as a tent, or any declarable goods. You must complete this form before going through immigration. Electronic declarations will be associated with your passport. If you have any products that require declaration but you do not wish to declare for any reason, they must be disposed of in an amnesty bin.

Working Holiday Visa holders are encouraged to use the automatic booths where their passports will be read and their WHV registered. If there are no machines available or if it fails to recognize you, you will be redirected to an immigration agent. If this happens, you may be asked to show your proof of funds or proof of insurance.

If you use an automatic booth, your passport will not be stamped. This is normal, do not be surprised! However, we recommend that you keep the stub of your boarding pass. This can serve as proof of your date of arrival and entry into New Zealand, relevant should you ever need to contact your insurance provider during your stay.

If an employer wishes to verify you authorization to work in New Zealand, he or she can do so by visiting Visa View.

Getting your checked bags

Now you will get your checked bags from baggage claim. There may be canine officers sniffing the bags for security reasons. Do not try to touch or pet them.

Customs and biosecurity

You must present your Passenger Arrival Card to a biosecurity agent.

There are two possible scenarios:

• If you declare nothing that requires a deeper search, you will be able to put your bags through the X-ray scan and then leave the airport with them.

• If you declare any food or outdoor equipment, the agents will ask you to join a special line where you will open your bags for inspection. Your bags will then pass through X-ray. This process is normally not much longer than the first scenario, just make sure your declared items are easily accessible.

If the agents need to conduct a cleaning of any of your items, you will need to wait outside until it’s done. You may be responsible for the cleaning fees.

How long does this all take?

Usually it shouldn’t take more than one hour to leave the airport. But of course if cleaning is involved on their part, then it will take longer.