Complete Travellers Guide For Dunedin

Dunedin is located on the south east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is a city nestled in tree-clad hills at the head of a spectacular harbour. Dunedin is the main centre of the region of Otago. With the local government amalgamation of 1989 the City of Dunedin now covers approximately 3,350 km sq. or 335,000 hectares. The city is sited on land which gives visual evidence of the tectonic forces and the ravaging elements which formed and shaped it.

Airport
Dunedin International Airport airport code: DUD, is located 30km south of Dunedin City. Simply follow State Highway 1 south until you reach the Allanton turn off. Turn right onto Centre Road passing over the Allanton Bridge. Follow the signs to the airport turning right at Momona Garage.

Visas
All visitors to New Zealand require a valid passport. A number of countries have reciprocal arrangements whereby a visa is not required for visits shorter than three months. Please check your own circumstances and, where necessary, apply for a visa at least three months prior to your departure. IUPAC sponsorship implies that entry visas will be granted to all bona fide chemists provided application is made not less than three months in advance. If a visa is not granted one month before the meeting the IUPAC Secretariat should be notified without delay by the applicant.

Currency
New Zealand dollar.

Credit Cards
All major credit cards are welcomed by most hotels, restaurants, shops, car rental companies and tour operators. Provided they are encoded with a PIN, international credit cards may be used to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines which are widely available in shopping centres and malls.

Tipping
Tipping is not standard practice in New Zealand, with gratuities generally included in the price of services.However, tipping is becoming more acceptable for exceptional service in up-scale restaurants and hotels within the cities of New Zealand . In this case, the amount is either 5 to 10 percent of the tab total, or based on the value of appreciation. While appreciated, holding back on tipping is not considered an affront to service people.

Useful Numbers
The phone code to NZ is 64
The area code for Christchurch is 03 from abroad you would dial +64 3 , then the number.
All local calls are free, cheap rates apply after 6 p.m. until 8 a.m., and all weekend.
The operator's phone number is 010
Directory enquiries is 018
The emergency number is 111.

Electricity
New Zealand uses a 240 volt 50 HZ system with 3 pin flat plugs. Adaptors for USA and European plugs are readily available Dunedin Electricity Limited owns the electricity network assets of poles, lines, cables and substations within the immediate Dunedin area and Central Otago. Dunedin Electricity performs well and this year is no exception. The surplus after tax for the year has increased 20.7% to $6.6m. The business has benefited from the economic dynamism of Central Otago where both residential and commercial developments have advanced well in excess of expectations

Health Risks

Although there are no snakes or dangerous animals in New Zealand, you should be aware of the following:
Sandflies – in wetter areas, particularly in Fiordland, sandflies can be pests, but are effectively controlled by use of an insect repellent.
Sunburn – New Zealand’s clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe and North America, so be prepared to wear hats and sun block if you plan to be out in the sun for more than 15-20 minutes.
Giardia – Giardia is a waterborne parasite that causes diarrhoea. To avoid contracting it, water from lakes, ponds or rivers must be boiled before drinking

Time Zone
New Zealand time is 13 hours ahead of GMT

Business Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Late night for shopping is either Thursday or Friday.
Most shops open Saturday morning, with some shops and markets remaining open all week-end, in certain resorts and city centres.
Retail stores in New Zealand are open 7 days a week in the suburban shopping malls, however are closed on Good Friday, Anzac Day & Christmas Day.

Holidays
2006
Jan 1-3 - New Year.
Feb 6 - Waitangi Day.
Apr 14-17 - Easter.
Apr 25 - ANZAC Day.
Jun 6 - Queen’s Birthday.
Oct 28 - Labour Day.
Dec 25 - Christmas Day.
Dec 26 - Boxing Day.

2007
Jan 1-2 - New Year.
Feb 6 - Waitangi Day.
Apr 6-9 - Easter.
Apr 25 - ANZAC Day.
Jun 16 - Queen’s Birthday.

Climate
There is no rainy season to dampen the spirit of Dunedin. The city receives less than 800mm of rainfall each year. Instead we experience extended twilight in summer, rich autumnal tones full of texture, romantic winter nights nestled in front of open fires and the colour of springtime with the city budding and blooming before your very eyes.During winter the hills surrounding Dunedin may see the occasional snow fall, which clears within several hours. Temperatures in August range from a low of 4 to an average of 13 degree Celsius, while during February temperatures hover around the low to mid 20's. Warm in the summer, but cooler than the North Island. High temperatures in the day range between 70 and 80 degrees.

Clothing
Clothing is very casual in New Zealand with very few restaurants demanding jackets and tie. New Zealand is famous for it's wool and has wonderful knitwear including a possum/merino mix. There are many good quality local brands of clothing available in the shops.

GDP Growth Rate
GDP - real growth rate: 3.5%.

Inflation
1.8%

Exports
Dairy Products, Fish, Fruit and Vegetables, Hides and Skins, Meat, Timber Products, Wood Pulp and Paper, Wool.

Trading Partners
Its main trading partners are Australia, the UK, Japan and the USA

Industries
Electronics, telecommunications and software development

Government
Liberal democracy (federal parliamentary state).

Geography
Dunedin is located on the south east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is a city nestled in tree-clad hills at the head of a spectacular harbour. Dunedin is the main centre of the region of Otago. With the local government amalgamation of 1989 the City of Dunedin now covers approximately 3,350 km sq. or 335,000 hectares. The city is sited on land which gives visual evidence of the tectonic forces and the ravaging elements which formed and shaped it.

Population
New Zealand: 4,059,900
Dunedin: 107,000

Ethnic Groups
European: 258,381 (84%) NZ Maori: 21,462 (7%) Pacific Island: 5,979 (2%) Asian: 12,597(4%) Other: 1,356 (0%) Not Specified: 9,258 (3%)

Languages
English, some Maori is spoken, as well.

Literacy
99%

Religion
Mostly Christians which account for 81% of the population and are mostly Protestant. Other Christian minorities include Roman Catholics, Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians.