Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand, a country famous for its stunning, virtually untouched landscapes! With its natural beauty, diverse culture and supercharged adventure hot spots, it’s no wonder New Zealand is by far and large the No.1 destination for outbound Aussies!

Are you keen for a Kiwi getaway? Bet you can’t wait to explore the craggy coastlines of South Island or sip lattes in the hip capital of Wellington. Perhaps you’re hanging out for a heart-stopping bungee jump in Queenstown or a glacial adventure on the West Coast? Whether you’re an active adventurer, a wildlife enthusiast or a wine ‘n dine, type traveller, there’s something for just about every type of tourist in New Zealand!

Travel often means stepping out of your comfort zone, even in a country as neighbourly as New Zealand. And with new experiences comes the possibility of new, foreign problems.

Even when you’re just a few hours flight away from home a lot can go wrong. Flight delays, missed connections and lost luggage can muck up your trip faster than a slippery black run!

Don’t let bad luck sour your experience - make sure you pack travel insurance along for the ride.

Compare travel insurance for New Zealand

Whether you’re a budget-conscious backpacker, a time-poor parent booking a family getaway, or a senior seeking safe, reliable options, it pays to compare policies to find the right cover for your New Zealand trip.

When searching for cover, it’s a good idea to compare a few different companies to see which policy gives you the best bang for your buck! To get a New Zealand quote specific to your trip, use the quote box at the top of the page.

How much does travel insurance for New Zealand cost?

It’s a fact that the cost of travel insurance can vary enormously. A 30-year-old travelling to New Zealand for a two-week holiday can expect to pay anywhere between $26 - $340 depending on the level of cover purchased. Generally speaking, Basic (also known as medical-only policies) range from $26 – $70, Mid-level policies approx $60 – $160 and Comprehensive from $70 - $340.

Reciprocal healthcare benefits

Lucky for us Aussies, New Zealand and Australia share reciprocal healthcare agreements. That means you have access to government medical facilities and care. Travellers to New Zealand who are injured in an accident are also covered for hospital treatment by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides compulsory insurance cover for personal injury for everyone in New Zealand, whether a citizen, resident or visitor. This means if you are injured by an accident in New Zealand, ACC may pay some of your medical and rehabilitation costs.

No-fault cover means it doesn’t matter what you were doing when you were injured or who was at fault. The ACC cover you, as long as the injury falls within their legislation.

Take note that these agreements do not provide ongoing treatment of existing health conditions and charges may still apply for visits to GPs and specialists, prescription medications and diagnostic tests.

What it Doesn’t Cover

• Unattended items: Staying in a hostel, or travelling in a group? Keep a keen eye on your belongings as leaving your stuff unsupervised will not be covered for. That also means not leaving your stuff with your brand new chums!
• Being intoxicated: Celebrating your first bungee with a few or warming up fireside after a day on the slopes? Keep in mind that all claims related directly to alcohol and drugs will not be paid.
• Terrorism and travel warnings: While the chances of getting caught up in riots or an act of terrorism in New Zealand are small, it’s still a good idea to keep up to date with travel advisories on government-issued websites (these will advise against any earthquakes or aftershocks as well) Generally travelling against DO NOT TRAVEL warnings from the Australian Government will jeopardize your cover. For updates on New Zealand head to Smartraveller.gov.au.
• High risk activities: As the birthplace of bungy-jumping, New Zealand certainly lives up to its namesake. From white water rafting in Whataroa, abseiling in Auckland to canoeing in the Cathedral Cove, there’s plenty of choice for adrenaline junkies seeking a fix. But watch out, as participating in particularly risky activities such as climbing (where ropes are needed), or open water sailing may not be covered by your policy. Be sure to scan your policy’s small print to check out which of your preferred heart pounding activities are covered!
• Pre-existing conditions: Medical conditions that exist before you travel are generally not covered, but it pays to check. You can sometimes pay a bit extra to get some conditions covered. Check your policy wording to see what conditions are covered automatically, and which ones require a medical assessment first.
• Unreported items: You need to report theft or loss to the relevant authority ASAP (and your travel insurance provider) within 24 hours.

How to save on New Zealand travel insurance

• Choose your destination wisely: You might be able to save yourself a few quid by finding an insurer that classes New Zealand in its own price bracket, rather than grouped within the Pacific.
• Consider how often you travel: If you travel a few times per year, you could save by purchasing an annual multi-trip policy rather than purchasing a policy each time you take off.
• Combine policies: If travelling with your family or a companion, a joint policy is often cheaper than purchasing separately.
• Increase your excess: Most insurers allow you to lower your premium by opting to pay higher excess in the instance that you need to make a claim.
• Shop around: You’ll be amazed at how much travel insurance quotes can vary. Offers by travel agents or airlines usually have commissions added on. In fact, you can save up to 50% by shopping around, so it pays to buy your travel insurance direct. Doing your comparison online will allow you to compare loads of travel insurance quotes in seconds. Yippee!

New Zealand facts

Found yourself in a spot of bother? The following emergency contacts should come in handy.

• Australian High Commission 72-76 Hobson Street Thorndon Wellington, New Zealand Telephone: (64-4) 473 6411
• Australian Consulate-General Level 7, Price Waterhouse Coopers Tower 186-194 Quay Street Auckland City, New Zealand Telephone: (649) 921 8800
• i-SITE New Zealand Visitor Information Network 22/157 Lambton Quay Wellington, New Zealand Telephone: (64-4) 462 8000
• i-SITE Queenstown Visitor Information Network 22 Shotover St Queenstown, New Zealand Telephone: (64-3) 442 4100

New Zealand Facts

• Country calling code: +64
• Capital: Wellington
• Currency: NZD (New Zealand Dollars)
• Language: New Zealand’s main language is English but Maori is spoken as well. Amazingly, In April 2006, New Zealand became the first country to declare sign language as an official language, alongside Maori and English.
• Nature: From jaw-dropping glaciers to soaring mountains and crystal clear fiords – New Zealand has no end of gorgeous landscapes. And don’t think you can get around to see all of it; even born and bred Kiwis have yet to see or do it all either.
• Wildlife: Wildlife fanatics can’t pass up a trip to NZ; it’s literally inundated with feathers, fur and fins. In fact, only 5% of New Zealand’s population is human- the rest are animals.
• Food & drink: Famous for its fresh and plentiful produce, there’s no shortage of great tucker in NZ! New Zealand’s restaurant scene has also come a long way in recent years, with a focus on classic Pacific and Asian flavours and ingredients. For an iconic Kiwi experience, you can’t go past a greasy, newspaper wrapped fish-and-chips or classic meat pie. Burger addicts can’t miss Queenstown’s Fergburger after a day on the slopes.
• Also known as: “Aotearoa” is the Maori name for New Zealand and translates to “land of the long white cloud.”
• Tongue twister: New Zealand is home to the world’s longest place name. Get ready for it; this one’s a mouthful! Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, is situated in Hawkes Bay. It roughly translates to: “The summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his nose flute to his loved one”. Phew!

Ready to find your perfect New Zealand travel insurance policy?

Stuff going wrong on holiday shouldn’t be your foremost concern. After all you’ve got slopes to ski and mountains to scale. But no matter how big your appetite for adventure, without safeguarding your travels, your entire trip could go belly up!

Compare NZ travel insurance policies to save time, worry and loads of money. You’ll be on your way to a fun, worry-free holiday quicker than you can say “Kia Ora”!