International

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Arriving in New Zealand

Student with suitcase arriving in NZ

Arrival at the Airport

Your first hours in New Zealand will probably be spent at the airport. Here is some important information to make the process of arrival easier and more pleasant for you.

Arrival Cards
When you arrive in New Zealand you will need to present your passport and a completed Passenger Arrival Card. You will usually get this card on the plane before you arrive in New Zealand. You have to supply information related to immigration, biosecurity and customs requirements. The card is available in a number of other languages at the airport and from the New Zealand Customs website.

Customs
New Zealand is free of many insect pests and plant and animal diseases commonly found elsewhere in the world. At ports and airports, a lot of effort is put into minimising the risk of these being introduced.

You’re required by law to “declare” all plant and animal material you bring with you. You must fill out an “Agriculture and Customs Declaration” when you arrive. You must declare if you have any of the following (check the New Zealand Customs website for updates):

  • food of any sort
  • plants and parts of plants (alive or dead)
  • animals (alive or dead) or products of animals 
  • equipment used with animals 
  • camping gear, golf clubs, recreation gear (e.g. used hiking boots) and used bicycles 
  • biological specimens 
  • certain items cannot be brought into New Zealand at all or can only be brought in with written permission given beforehand. This includes fruit, meat, honey, bird nests and reptiles

When you declare restricted items you won’t be charged with any offence. The goods will simply be taken from you and you can go on your way. Some items e.g. tents and shoes may be treated (for example, fumigated) and then returned to you.

You should not bring the following items into New Zealand:

  • firearms and weapons unless a permit is obtained from New Zealand Police on arrival at the airport ( this includes sporting firearms)
  • ivory in any form including tortoise or turtle shell jewellery and ornaments; medicines using musk, rhinoceros or tiger derivatives; carvings or anything made from whalebone or bone from any other marine animals; cat skins or coats

Transport

Tauranga has a regional airport with daily flights to and from Auckland and Wellington. You can take a public bus or taxi to your accommodation. Depending on your destination, taxis can cost between NZ$20 and NZ$60.

Coaches operate to and from Tauranga city centre regularly:

Shuttle services will take you from the airport to your accommodation:

Transport from Auckland International Airport

If you require shuttle transportation from Auckland International Airport please give at least 5 working days notice. Send your request for accommodation and shuttle to Pam Simpson either by fax: +64 07 544 2386 (fax) or email: international@boppoly.ac.nz

We'll contact you or your agent to confirm that a booking has been made for you and we'll include instructions on how to meet your shuttle. Do not leave the airport with anyone else. Please ring Pam Simpson on 027 554 4989 if you are unable to connect with your shuttle service – she's available 24 hours.

You can contact Luxury Airport Shuttles at +64 7 574 9600 or +64 7 574 9609. Luxury Airport Shuttles operate from Auckland, Hamilton and Rotorua Airports. Your shuttle will take you to your accommodation. If you're making your own arrangements with accommodation, please advise us of the address. 

Getting to Campus
Public buses run daily to both the Bongard Centre and Windermere campus. Find out more about the campuses including transport options and maps.