new zealand travel warning usa

• aid.govt.nz
• mfat.govt.nz
• NZ Embassies

Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas

• Before you go
• Quick checklist and tips
• Disability information
• Dual Citizenship
• Going to Australia?
• LGBTQIA+ travellers
• Staying healthy while travelling
• Passports and visas
• Solo travellers
• Travel insurance
• Travelling with a criminal conviction
• Work and income benefits
• Travel advisories
• By destination
• Central Asia
• Central/South America
• Travel tips - travel to Europe
• Middle East
• North America
• Travel tips - travel to the United States
• South East Asia
• About our advisories
• Travel advisory risk levels
• News features

When things go wrong

• Arrest and detention
• Contingency planning for New Zealanders overseas
• Financial difficulties
• Hostage taking and kidnapping
• Illness and injury
• Internet dating scams
• Internet fraud and international scams
• Large-scale emergency
• Lost, stolen or damaged passport
• Missing persons
• Nuclear incident
• Victims of crime
• Family issues
• Child abductions
• Combating sex crimes against children
• Inter-country adoptions
• Travelling with children
• Our services
• New Zealand embassy locator

Register with us

• Subscribe to travel advisories

Privacy Statement

• Receive RSS feeds
• Travel advisory updates

New Caledonia: Ongoing Protests and Civil Unrest

Reviewed: 6 June 2024, 09:48 NZST

A number of locations in New Caledonia have experienced significant incidents of civil unrest and protest, some of which have been violent. These are particularly concentrated in the areas surrounding the city of Nouméa. We advise avoid non-essential travel in New Caledonia due to ongoing civil unrest (level 3 of 4). Local authorities have recommended that individuals stay in place and limit their movements wherever possible.  On the 16 May 2024, the French Government announced a State of Em ...Read More

Reviewed: 31 May 2024, 09:10 NZST

Advice for travellers to UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany from 14 June to 14 July 2024New Zealanders planning on attending Euro 2024 are advised to read the following information, in conjunction with the travel advisory for Germany. Exercise situational awareness and be vigilant about potential risks to safety and security in crowded places, such as stadiums, public fan zones and public transport hubs.  Keep informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local in ...Read More

Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024

Reviewed: 30 May 2024, 10:35 NZST

Advice for travellers to France for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic GamesNew Zealanders heading to France for this year’s Olympic Games (26 July - 11 August) and Paralympic Games (28 August - 8 September) are advised to read the following information, in conjunction with the travel advisory for France. Before you goOver 15 million visitors from all over the world will be heading to France for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. New Zealanders travelling to the Games are strongly enc ...Read More

Saudi Arabia: Hajj Pilgrimage 2024

Posted: 29 May 2024, 11:10 NZST

The Hajj is one of the world’s largest annual mass gatherings, is expected to occur between 14 June – 19 June 2024. Due to the vast numbers of attendees, who are generally in very close proximity, this event has previously been associated with unique public health risks. Approximately two million Muslims from more than 183 countries make Hajj each year to Saudi Arabia. Most international pilgrims fly into Jeddah or Medina and take a bus to Mecca. Pilgrims travel by foot or bus approximately ...Read More

Pacific Typhoon and Atlantic Hurricane Season

Reviewed: 29 May 2024, 10:12 NZST

Pacific Typhoons typically develop between May and October, and for the Atlantic Hurricane season between June and November each year. New Zealanders travelling to Asia and the Americas are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Travellers who register can be warned if a major storm approaches and given advice on precautions to take. If you are in an area affected by a typhoon or hurricane, you should follow the advice of the local authorities ...Read More

Reviewed: 23 May 2024, 13:00 NZST

The Ministry of Health is strongly recommending all people travelling overseas (to any destination) are fully immunised against measles with two doses of MMR vaccine before they go. Current MMR Immunisation rates in New Zealand mean that a non-immune person infected with measles overseas may spread the disease to others within New Zealand on their return. We need at least 95% of people to be immunised to stop an outbreak. This also protects babies who are too young to be vaccinated, and severely ...Read More

Outbreaks of Polio

Reviewed: 22 May 2024, 15:00 NZST

Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can spread from person to person or through contaminated water or food. Many people who are infected don’t feel sick or have symptoms.  Some people have only minor symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, stiffness in the neck and back, and pain in the arms and legs.  A small proportion of those with symptoms develop paralysis. The international poliovirus situation is evolving, likely due to impacts ...Read More

Yellow Fever

Reviewed: 22 May 2024, 14:20 NZST

About yellow feverYellow fever (YF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It is endemic in tropical areas of Africa (34 countries) and Latin America (13 countries). Vaccination is the most important and effective measure against YF providing effective immunity within 30 days for 99% of those vaccinated. The disease is spread by mosquitoes that bite mostly during the day. Yellow fever can cause a serious haemorrhagic Illness that can be fatal for humans. The � ...Read More

Reviewed: 14 May 2024, 11:40 NZST

What is Zika?Zika virus is a flavivirus and is closely related to Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, Dengue, and yellow fever viruses. Since its discovery in Uganda in 1948 Zika has continued to expand its geographic range, from Africa and Asia to Pacific Islands, then, further afield to South and Central America and Caribbean. Transmission Zika, like dengue and chikungunya viruses are transmitted by mosquitos mostly active during the daytime. Rare instances of sexual transmission have been repor ...Read More

Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Lebanon: Security Situation

Reviewed: 19 April 2024, 16:31 NZST

On 7 October 2023, rockets were fired from Gaza across southern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. There is currently a large-scale ongoing conflict occurring in areas of southern Israel close to the border with Gaza and within Gaza. Israel has expanded its ground operations in Gaza and military operations are expected to continue. Regional tensions in the Middle East are high and could escalate quickly, and the security situation could deteriorate with little or no notice. In ...Read More

Mosquito-borne Illnesses

Reviewed: 7 February 2024, 10:35 NZDT

Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses are common in the tropical and sub-tropical climates in many Pacific Islands, in North Queensland (Australia), Asia (including India), tropical Africa and Latin/South America. West Nile virus is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. Dengue fever, chikungunya virus and Zika virus are spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito and cannot be spread directly from person to person. Malaria is caused by a parasite s ...Read More

Pacific Cyclone Season: 1 November to 30 April

Reviewed: 26 October 2023, 14:45 NZDT

The Pacific cyclone season runs from 1 November until 30 April. New Zealanders travelling to the Pacific are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Travellers who register can be warned if a major cyclone approaches and given advice on precautions to take. If you are in an area affected by a cyclone, you should follow the advice of the local authorities at all times (including any evacuation orders) and seek suitable shelter. New Zealanders shou ...Read More

Viet Nam: Motorcycle Travel

Posted: 20 September 2023, 13:25 NZST

For adventurous New Zealanders, motorcycle travel can seem like a great way to see Viet Nam and travel around the country.  But travellers are reminded of the significant risks associated with motor cycle travel in Viet Nam.  Accidents are common and can result in serious injury and even fatalities.  Rental motorcycles are often poorly maintained and the helmets provided do not meet New Zealand safety standards. Roading conditions also bring additional risks and the riding habits you are use ...Read More

Monkeypox outbreak

Reviewed: 12 June 2023, 15:32 NZST

About Monkeypox Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox and MPX) is a viral infection that is mainly spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has Mpox.  Current situationWhile anyone can get mpox, the current global outbreak has disproportionately impacted: -    men who have sex with men (MSM) -    people who have sex with MSM (this may include people of any gender or sexual identity, whether they are transgender, cisgender or non-binary). Men who have sex with men and their sexual ...Read More

Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania: Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)

Posted: 17 April 2023, 10:49 NZST

The Governments of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the United Republic of Tanzania declared their first outbreaks of Marburg virus disease (MVD), on 13 February 2023 and 21 March 2023, respectively. The virus is transmitted from fruit bats to humans. Human-to-human transmission is possible through contact with body fluids (such as blood, saliva, urine, vomit, or faeces) of an infected person and contaminated surfaces or materials (such as bedding and clothing). MVD symptoms can be very sim ...Read More

Ukraine: Security Situation

Reviewed: 11 April 2023, 10:44 NZST

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, with attacks and heavy fighting occurring in several areas of Ukraine, including in and around Kyiv and other major cities. There are ongoing reports of gunfire, artillery bombardments, explosions and missile strikes. Civilians are being impacted. There is a real risk to life. There is also concern about military activity and shelling around Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, particularly the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. We advise New Zealanders in ...Read More

Top travel tips as Kiwis reconnect with the world

Updated: 5 March 2022, 00:25 NZDT

Kiwis will be excited to be able to travel again after the New Zealand Government announced the next steps to reconnect New Zealanders to the world. This includes removal of the need for vaccinated New Zealanders to self-isolate on return from any country, and dropping the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s global “do not travel” advisory which has been in place since March 2020. But before they go, travellers will need to make sure they have thought through the complexity of the n ...Read More

Brexit: New Zealanders in the United Kingdom

Reviewed: 5 February 2020, 15:15 NZDT

New Zealand citizens who continue to live in the UK now that it has left the EU can: use the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website tool to seek guidance on visa status and rights to stay.  find more information in the UK's Department for Exiting the European Union: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-exiting-the-european-union. If you are a New Zealander who holds a European passport, or who has a European spouse you should refer to guidance from the UK Governm ...Read More

Travelling as a Dual Citizen

Reviewed: 21 January 2020, 11:58 NZDT

What is dual citizenship or dual nationality?If you are a citizen of more than one country you are a dual citizen or dual national. This means you are a citizen of both New Zealand and another country at the same time. New Zealand allows dual citizenship and multiple citizenship but some other countries do not. A country could still consider you to be one of their citizens even if you don't accept that nationality if you: have a parent, or in some cases a grandparent, who is a citizen of that ...Read More

India: Severe Air Pollution

Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 11:46 NZDT

Major cities in India have recently been experiencing severe levels of air pollution. Some of the most common health effects of air pollution include irritation of eyes, throat and lungs. For people with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis, breathing in air pollution can make these conditions worse.  New Zealanders in areas affected by the air pollution are advised to monitor pollution readings, such as those provided by the Air Quality Index website. If you have conc ...Read More

Drug Crime Overseas: Don't Risk It

Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 11:44 NZDT

Every year New Zealanders put themselves at risk of arrest or detention for drug-related offences overseas. Remember that when you are overseas you are subject to that country's laws and penalties - no matter how harsh they may appear by New Zealand standards. In many countries, penalties for drug-related offences are severe. Possession, use or trafficking of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy imprisonment thousands of miles away from family and friends. New Zealand does not ...Read More

• View all news

Other news features

• New Caledonia: Ongoing Protests and Civil Unrest Reviewed: 6 June 2024, 09:48 NZST
• EURO 2024 Reviewed: 31 May 2024, 09:10 NZST
• Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024 Reviewed: 30 May 2024, 10:35 NZST
• Saudi Arabia: Hajj Pilgrimage 2024 Posted: 29 May 2024, 11:10 NZST
• Pacific Typhoon and Atlantic Hurricane Season Reviewed: 29 May 2024, 10:12 NZST
• Measles Reviewed: 23 May 2024, 13:00 NZST

Travel Advisory Updates

• View all advisories

Travelling or living overseas? Register with us so we can send you important information following an emergency.

• Create registration

If you access consular assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or register on SafeTravel we will collect and use your personal information for the purpose of providing consular services to you. Read More

Health & travel

Health alerts and general travel health tips.... read more

This page provides information on how you can help yourself, and how we can help you, when things go wrong overseas... read more

Passports & visas

Information on passports and visas for your next trip overseas.... read more

Information on travel insurance and why it's important.... read more

Emergency? 24/7 assistance

Please note, only consular emergencies, for example death, arrest, illness or injury to New Zealand citizens will be handled outside office hours.

Find a New Zealand embassy

Location and contact details for New Zealand Embassies around the world.

Connect with us

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 195 Lambton Quay Private Bag 18 901 Wellington 5045 New Zealand

• About this site
• Accessibility

Helpful tips

Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Best things to do in the North Island
• Best things to do in the South Island
• Other Islands
• Best ways to travel around
• Calculate travel times and distances

Travel Alerts

Roys Peak Track, Wānaka

By Miles Holden

Important Travel Alerts for Aotearoa New Zealand

Information for domestic and international visitors

Some parts of New Zealand’s North Island are experiencing changes to road and traffic conditions.

If you are travelling please check with your travel provider, travel agent and travel insurer directly about any disruptions that may impact you.

• If you are already in New Zealand and travelling in throughout the North Island, please stay safe by checking with  Waka Kōtahi Transport Agency (opens in new window)  about any impacts to roads
• If you have a rental car or a rental campervan, please connect directly to the company if you are having trouble returning your vehicle as planned
• Please also check the  Department of Conservation’s alert page (opens in new window)  for information about any affected walking trails, beaches, parks and recreation areas
• Some Auckland regional parks are temporarily closed for safety reasons. Find out more here (opens in new window)
• Visitors are asked to stay away from Auckland’s west coast beaches including Muriwai, Piha, Te Henga (Bethells Beach) and Karekare. Learn more here (opens in new window) .

We encourage you to check specific businesses or tourism operators may be operating as normal. Search our site for contact details of  tours (opens in new window) ,  accommodation (opens in new window) and  transport (opens in new window) providers.

New Zealand’s isite visitor information network (opens in new window) is also available to talk to you about travel options. 

• Media and resources

Language English

On this page

Travel advisory for the United States of America

Safet travel matters

SafeTravel is the official source of travel advice for New Zealanders, with advisories for specific destinations. Checking SafeTravel helps you avoid travel blackspots.

On SafeTravel you can also register your details and travel plans. If a crisis occurs overseas, MFAT will contact New Zealanders who have enrolled to check on their safety and well-being.

We also recommend you take out travel insurance. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

While you are overseas, make sure you respect cultural norms and obey local laws.

SafeTravel (external link)   is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website designed for New Zealanders who are travelling or living overseas. You will find:

• traveller’s checklist (external link) to help you plan your journey
• news features (external link)
• travel advisories (external link) for specific destinations, with up-to-date information on security risks
• registration facility (external link) where you can log your travel plans in case you need to be contacted in an emergency
• when things go wrong (external link) - information that may assist you.

US national threat level

For information on the national threat level in the USA, please refer to the Department of Homeland (external link) website.

United States of America: Changes to entry requirements

An Executive Order (external link) on 27 January 2017 has temporarily suspended entry into the United States of foreign nationals from seven countries: Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen.

The United States Embassy in New Zealand has confirmed that the Executive Order suspending the entry into the United States for foreign nationals does not restrict the travel of New Zealand dual nationals, so long as they travel on their New Zealand passport and possess a valid United States visa.

We encourage all New Zealanders who require advice on entry into the United States to contact the United States Embassy or Consulate in New Zealand (external link) . The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is unable to advise on the entry requirements of other countries.

United States (external link)

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on LinkedIn

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website, to analyze our website traffic, and to understand where our visitors are coming from. You can find out more information on our Privacy Page .

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

New Zealand

Travel Advisory September 8, 2023

New zealand - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with removal of major event information.          

Exercise normal precautions in New Zealand.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to New Zealand.

If you decide to travel to New Zealand:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
• Review the  Country Security Report  for New Zealand.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .  

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Three months beyond the planned date of departure from New Zealand.

One page required for entry stamp.

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) or visa is required.

Border Cash Report required for New Zealand Dollars (NZD) $10,000 or more in cash or foreign equivalent.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Consulate General Auckland Citigroup Centre, 3rd Floor, 23 Customs Street East Auckland, New Zealand Telephone: +(64) (9) 303-2724 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(64) (4) 462-6000 Fax: +(64) (9) 303-1069 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Embassy Wellington 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon Wellington, New Zealand Telephone: +(64) (4) 462-6000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(64) (4) 462-6000 Fax: +(64) (4) 499-0490

Consular services to U.S. citizens are available only at the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland. Consular services are unavailable at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington even in case of emergency. Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland for consular assistance.

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA):

• U.S. citizens traveling to or transiting through New Zealand under the visa waiver program are required to have an  NZeTA . This is also true for cruise ship passengers. It can take up to 72 hours to process an NZeTA so apply well in advance of your trip. The NZeTA is valid for multiple visits for up to two years.
• If your NZeTA application is denied, you will need to apply for a visa. Visit the Embassy of New Zealand website for the most current visa information.

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL):

• U.S. citizens traveling to New Zealand for tourism, certain student programs, and short-term business trips are required to pay an  International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) . This levy is assessed when a person applies for an NZeTA or New Zealand visa. The IVL is not required of passengers that are transiting New Zealand on a transit visa or transit ETA.

Arrival Information:

• A customs officer at the port of entry into New Zealand may examine items such as mobile phones, iPads, Android tablets, hard drives, laptops, and digital cameras. The officer may ask for your password or ask you to enter it. Fines of up to NZD $5,000 may be enforced for failure to comply. Passwords are not kept, nor is personal data altered.
• New Zealand has very strict biosecurity procedures  to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases. All biosecurity-risk goods must be declared or disposed of in marked amnesty bins at airports and seaports. If you do not declare goods considered to be a biosecurity risk, such as honey, fresh fruit, seeds, and plants, you can receive an immediate fine of NZD $400.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to, or foreign residents of, New Zealand. 

Cook Islands: Cook Islands is self-governing in free association with New Zealand. U.S. citizen visitors do not require an entry permit for stays up to 31 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months past the arrival date in the Cook Islands.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Crime: The crime rate in New Zealand is relatively low, but theft from cars, recreational vehicles, and hostels is common, especially in areas frequented by tourists.

Do not leave passports or other valuable items in unattended vehicles.

Violent crime against tourists is rare; however, if you are traveling alone, you should remain vigilant and be cautious in secluded areas.

International Financial Scams:  See the   Department of State  and the   FBI   pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in New Zealand. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:  

• Romance/Online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Grandparent/Relative targeting 

Victims of Crime:  For emergencies please dial 111 for Police, Fire and Ambulance. For non-emergencies please dial 105 for Police, and contact the U.S. Consulate General Auckland at +64 4 462 6000.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

If you are on the Cook Islands, the emergency police number is 999.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

How we can assist:

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent 
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion 
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution 
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home 
• Replace a stolen or lost passport 

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Consulate General for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules [with regards to best practices and safety inspections] are regularly enforced.  Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in New Zealand are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

In New Zealand, driving under the influence could land you in jail. Roadside sobriety checks by police are common. The blood alcohol limit in New Zealand is lower than that in most U.S. states.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Consulate General immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Natural Disasters and Weather Conditions: Natural disasters occur in New Zealand and include earthquakes, tsunamis, volcano eruptions, and cyclones. In addition, weather conditions can change quickly leaving you stranded or injured, particularly if you are in an isolated area.

• For information on how to prepare for a crisis visit our webpage  Crisis and Disaster Abroad: Be Ready.
• For information on seasonal storms visit New Zealand’s  Meteorological Service  for a Tropical Cyclone bulletin with updated warnings.
• Monitor meteorological websites such as the  Joint Typhoon Warning Center .
• Visit  MetService  for forecasts and official warnings.
• Visit  The Department of Homeland Security  and the  CDC  websites for information on how to prepare for a specific natural disaster.
• Always follow the advice of local authorities.

On December 9, 2019, the volcano on Whakaari/White Island erupted while tourists were visiting. This led to numerous casualties, including deaths of U.S. citizens. The volcano remains active and further eruptions are possible. Avoid Whakaari/White Island and follow the advice of local authorities.

There are many areas in New Zealand with active volcanoes. Tourists are encouraged to visit GeoNet for up-to-date information on volcanic alert levels, as well as other geological hazards in New Zealand. As always, follow the advice of local authorities.

The National Emergency Management Agency provides timely information to citizens and visitors through an  Emergency Mobile Alert . This service is broadcast from local cell towers to all capable phones in the area and is designed to provide targeted messaging to areas affected by serious hazards. Messages will only be sent when there is a serious threat to life, health, or property.

Adventure Sports: Injuries and death can result from participating in extreme adventure sports, such as bungee jumping, sky diving, hiking, rappelling, climbing, motorcycling, and kayaking. Use caution and common sense when engaging in these activities. Make sure you have travel medical insurance and that it covers your sport.

Never participate in adventure sports alone. Always carry identification and let someone else know where you are at all times. Before kayaking, check the river conditions and wear a life jacket. When hiking, rappelling, or climbing, carry a first aid kit and know the location of the nearest rescue center.

Visit the  New Zealand Department of Conservation  website for advice and direction on how to safely and legally hike, bike, etc. in New Zealand.

Imports: New Zealand is an island nation, and the government is serious about preserving its delicate ecosystem. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) strictly regulates what can be imported into New Zealand.

• If you do not declare goods that could be quarantined, you can be fined up to NZD $100,000 and/or face up to five years in prison.
• If you do not declare goods considered to be a biosecurity risk, such as honey, fresh fruit, seeds, and plants, you can receive an instant fine of NZD $400.
• When importing a pet, you will need thorough veterinary documentation and a quarantine period will be required.
• The MPI may seize and destroy unfinished wood products, used hiking shoes, gardening tools, fresh food items, and items such as used pet carriers. Thoroughly clean any hiking equipment or sports gear prior to your arrival in New Zealand.

For more information visit the  Biosecurity New Zealand  website.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in New Zealand.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities:  The law in New Zealand prohibits discrimination against persons with physical disability or impairment; any other loss or abnormality of psychological or anatomical structure or function; reliance on a guide dog, wheelchair, or other remedial means; and the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing illness. The law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility may include accessible facilities, information, and access to services. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, and general infrastructure. 

• Every new building and major reconstruction in New Zealand must provide "reasonable and adequate" access for individuals with disabilities, but be aware that most buildings pre-date this requirement. Most facilities have wheelchair access.
• Many transport operators can provide accessible transport, but most need advance notice so you may want to call ahead to describe your needs. Mobility parking permits are available.
• If you are planning a holiday and need information on facilities for individuals with disabilities, please visit the  New Zealand Tourism  website.
• Rental, repair and replacement parts for aids/equipment/devices may be limited. Service providers, such as sign language interpreters or personal assistants are available in many areas. 
• For more information on the availability of disability services in New Zealand, please visit the disability section of the New Zealand Ministry of Health website.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .  

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Travelers and crew do not need pre-departure tests or proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand. Please check with your airline or cruise provider as they may still require proof of vaccination.

For emergency services in New Zealand, dial 111 .

Ambulance services and quality medical care are widely available in New Zealand. Waiting lists exist for certain types of treatment. Access to medical care may be less available in rural areas.    We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. If they do not, consider emergency or comprehensive traveler’s insurance. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the government of New Zealand regulations at New Zealand MedSafe to ensure the medication is legal in New Zealand.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Consulate General maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy:

• If you are considering traveling to New Zealand to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . 
• Although surrogacy agencies/clinics claim surrogacy is legal in New Zealand, there is little legal framework for foreigners or same-sex couples to pursue surrogacy in New Zealand. As a result, surrogacy agreements between foreign or same-sex intending parents and gestational mothers may not be enforced by New Zealand courts. You may be required to adopt the child before you are given parental rights.
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in New Zealand via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s citizenship. Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk criminal prosecution.

Adventure Travel: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel .

General Health Language: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in New Zealand. 

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: While in New Zealand, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Renting a car or a camper is a popular way to enjoy New Zealand's natural beauty, but if you are unfamiliar with local conditions, you should be extremely careful. New Zealand has only 100 miles of multi-lane divided motorways. Most intercity travel is on narrow, two-lane roads. While these roads are in good condition, New Zealand's rugged terrain means motorists often encounter sharper curves and steeper grades than those found on the U.S. Interstate Highway System.

• Use caution to avoid animals when driving in rural areas.
• There is very limited cell phone coverage on large portions of scenic highway in the South Island, which is remote and has little traffic.
• Drivers are advised to review the driving rules and regulations beforehand. For example, pedestrians do not have the right of way except in crosswalks. New Zealand law requires that cars stop at least two meters (approximately 6 feet) from a crosswalk that is in use. Additionally, there is no left-hand turn allowed at a red light. Drivers are reminded to remain cognizant of turning to the left (counterclockwise) when entering traffic circles.

Traffic Laws:  All traffic moves on the left in New Zealand, and you should exercise extra caution if you are accustomed to driving on the right.

• Driving on the wrong side of the road is a leading cause of serious injury and death for U.S. tourists.
• Make sure to follow the posted speed limit signs. The speed limits are much lower than those in the United States.
• Proceed carefully through intersections. Traffic circles are common throughout New Zealand. When approaching a traffic circle, always yield to traffic coming from the right--noting that traffic already in the circle has the right-of-way--and merge to the left into the circle. Left turns on a red traffic signal are not permitted.
• New Zealand prohibits driving while texting as well as driving while using a cell phone.

See our  Road Safety  page for more information. Visit the website of the  New Zealand Transport Agency  for information about safe driving in New Zealand.

Public Transportation: New Zealand has public transport systems in all major cities and some towns. The public transportation system in New Zealand is generally easy to use and reliable.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of New Zealand’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to New Zealand should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the   U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  New Zealand . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, new zealand map, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

New Zealand Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for New Zealand.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to New Zealand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to New Zealand.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in New Zealand.

If rabies exposures occur while in New Zealand, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in New Zealand, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although New Zealand is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in New Zealand include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call New Zealand’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in New Zealand, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in New Zealand.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for New Zealand for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Other Destinations

If you need help finding travel information:

Message & data rates may apply. CDC Privacy Policy

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

Travel alerts

For updates on your flight, download the Air NZ app or sign up to receive travel updates .

The travel alert you have requested has expired. Please see below for our current travel alerts.

State of Emergency in New Caledonia

We continue to monitor the current State of Emergency in New Caledonia.

Update from the New Zealand Government

The New Zealand Defence Force has now operated recovery flights to bring New Zealanders home. Air New Zealand ticketed customers who have travelled on an NZ Defence Force recovery flight, please make contact by emailing [email protected]. Our team will be on hand to support with any onward travel or credit requests. Alternatively, you can contact us on 0800 737 000 (if in NZ) or + 64 9 357 3000 (if calling from overseas). As per advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), if you are currently in New Caledonia wanting to depart, please ensure you keep your SafeTravel registration details up to date, including updating your departure date if you are staying longer than expected due to the airport closure. This will ensure that you continue to receive messaging from MFAT as they will be in contact when further information is available. For any questions regarding this service, customers can call the New Zealand Consular Department on +64 99 20 20 20. Further information can also be found on the Safe Travel website. Update of Air New Zealand's services to/ from New Caledonia

Air New Zealand will only recommence services into Nouméa when we can be assured that the airport is safe and secure and that there is a safe route for our ground staff and customers to reach the airport. At the moment, we are unable to advise when we will have this assurance. If you have upcoming travel to or from Nouméa in June and would like to make changes to your travel, we are offering the following options: 👉 Choose to move your travel dates within 7 days of your original departure. 👉 Credit: You'll have a whole year to book your next journey and another year to travel. How can you keep updated? 👉 Through this travel alert 👉 Check the status of Air New Zealand flights here 👉 Keep an eye on your flight details on the Air NZ app

Disrupt Reimbursement Consideration

If your journey has been disrupted for a controllable reason, e.g. engineering, or crew shortages, and your new itinerary requires you to stay overnight in a place you do not reside, our airport team will be working hard to secure accommodation for you.

Over peak travel periods, availability is extremely limited and you may be required to source your own accommodation.

As a guideline, we recommend $250.00 per room and $90.00 per person, per night for meals. This is a recommended amount only, and all expenses must be reasonable and supported by itemised tax invoice receipts. Please retain all itemised tax invoice receipts, as they are required for reimbursement consideration.

To submit your reimbursement request, please visit here  to do so. Alternatively, you can visit here  for details on how to submit your claim through our messaging channels. 

Travel alerts

Find out how to receive our travel alert information .

Important information about travel to and from Chicago for April-October

If you hold a booking that includes travel from Auckland to Chicago and is impacted by our latest schedule change, an automated message was sent to you in error with the subject line 'Your flight has been cancelled due to COVID-19'. We kindly ask you to disregard the information in this message.

The following message was also sent to you and is correct:

We've made the difficult decision to pause our direct services between Auckland and Chicago from 31 March to 25 October 2024.

Ongoing global challenges with the availability of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines which are used on our Boeing 787 aircraft operating the Chicago services, mean we have fewer aircraft available to fly.

This impacts your booking.

We will rebook your flight

We will rebook you on another service via a different US port within the next 72 hours. We know it is important for you to get to your destination on time so we'll align this as close to your original schedule as possible. Please be assured we will contact you directly with the new booking details, there is nothing further for you to do.

If you booked with a travel agent or third party, please contact them directly to discuss new flight options.

If you no longer need to travel

We understand that this change may not suit your needs:

You can choose to cancel your flight and request a credit through Manage Booking . You will have 12 months from the day your credit is processed to book a flight, and another 12 months to travel. For information about credits, please see our website . You can request a full refund of your flight. If you have booked a refundable fare, you can do so through Manage Booking . If this option is not available to you online, please complete a refund request form to cancel your booking and receive a full refund.

  More information

We are confident we can get you to your destination on the same day as you planned. If we are not able to rebook you on the same day as your original flight our schedule change policy applies for incidental costs and accommodation. Information about your rights around flight disruptions can be found on our website.

Thank you for your continued support

We appreciate your patience and understanding through this period., Our team is working hard to ensure you have flexible options to make your journey with us as seamless as possible.

Disrupt Reimbursement Consideration

If your journey has been disrupted for a controllable reason, e.g. engineering, or crew shortages, and your new itinerary requires you to stay overnight in a place you do not reside, our airport team will be working hard to secure accommodation for you.

Over peak travel periods, availability is extremely limited and you may be required to source your own accommodation.

As a guideline, we recommend $250.00 per room and $90.00 per person, per night for meals. This is a recommended amount only, and all expenses must be reasonable and supported by itemised tax invoice receipts. Please retain all itemised tax invoice receipts, as they are required for reimbursement consideration.

To submit your reimbursement request, please visit here  to do so. Alternatively, you can visit here  for details on how to submit your claim through our messaging channels. 

• Share on Facebook
• Share on SMS
• Share on Email

Yes, other countries have issued travel advisories for the U.S.

In response to recent concerns about safety when traveling to Mexico, VERIFY answered questions about crime and safety in the country. 

We found that the U.S. Department of State has issued travel advisories ranging from level 2, exercise increased caution, to level 4, do not travel, for most states in Mexico.

This prompted more questions from VERIFY readers about global travel. Several people wanted to know if other countries have issued similar warnings for people traveling to the U.S. 

THE QUESTION

Have other countries issued travel advisories for the United States?

THE SOURCES

• New Zealand government’s SafeTravel website
• Australian government’s smartraveller website
• Government of Canada
• United Kingdom government
• France Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Bolivarian Government of Venezuela
• Uruguay Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Amnesty International

Yes, other countries have issued travel advisories for the United States. 

Sign up for the VERIFY Fast Facts daily Newsletter!

WHAT WE FOUND

Countries around the world have different ways of advising their residents about foreign travel. Some have warnings or advisories similar to those issued by the U.S. State Department .

At least one country currently has a heightened travel advisory in place for the United States. Other countries have also warned against travel to the U.S. in past years due to acts of violence and hate crimes. 

While many countries say travelers can take normal safety precautions when visiting the U.S., some provide general warnings about crime.

New Zealand

New Zealand has four levels of travel advisories : exercise normal safety and security precautions; exercise increased caution; avoid non-essential travel; and do not travel.

Its travel advisory for the U.S. falls under level 2 of 4: Exercise increased caution. The country says this designation is “due to the threat of terrorism.” “The United States remains a target of terrorist interest, both from international terror groups and from domestic-based extremists,” New Zealand’s government says. “Credible information assessed by US authorities indicates that individuals or groups have developed both the intent and capability to conduct terrorist attacks in the US. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including places visited by foreigners.”

Canada has four levels of travel advisories : take normal security precautions; exercise a high degree of caution; avoid non-essential travel; and avoid all travel. 

Travelers to the U.S. should take normal security precautions , similar to those that they would in Canada, the country’s government says. 

But Canada’s government does note that “the rate of firearm possession in the U.S. is high” and “it’s legal in many states for U.S. citizens to openly carry firearms in public.”

“Incidences of mass shootings occur, resulting most often in casualties,” Canada’s government says. “Although tourists are rarely involved, there is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Familiarize yourself on how to respond to an active shooter situation.”

The country also warns its residents about the risk of criminal incidents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Australia also issues travel advice levels ranging from 1 to 4 . The United States falls under the country’s lowest advice level of “exercise normal safety precautions.”

The country’s government does include in its U.S. safety information that “violent crime is more common than in Australia” and “gun crime is also prevalent.”

Australia also warns of a “persistent and heightened threat of terrorist attacks and mass casualty violence in the U.S.,” urging people to stay alert in public places and at events. The United Kingdom

In travel advice published online , the United Kingdom’s government says in part that “violent crime, including gun crime, rarely involves tourists” in the United States.

The country also notes that “incidents of mass shooting can occur, but account for a very small percentage of homicide deaths.” It recommends that people read the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s advice for what to do during an active shooter event . 

France France says the U.S. is “among the safest countries,” but it does warn travelers about some urban areas and an uptick in carjacking incidents throughout the nation.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs breaks down potential threats in neighborhoods of major U.S. cities, including Boston, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, San Francisco and Los Angeles, among others. 

For example, the ministry recommends for people in Boston to “avoid traveling alone, on foot and at night, in certain parts of Dorchester, Mattpan and Roxbury.”

People traveling to Los Angeles should avoid certain areas, “including the east, south and southeast neighborhoods such as Watts, Inglewood and Florence,” the ministry says. 

Venezuela and Uruguay issue warnings in 2019

In 2019, two South American countries issued warnings about travel to the United States. 

Venezuela’s government suggested in August 2019 that its citizens postpone trips to the U.S. or take “extreme precautions during them” in the face of the “proliferation of acts of violence and indiscriminate hate crimes.” 

The country published its U.S. travel recommendations after a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas , left 22 people dead, and a gunman killed nine people in Dayton, Ohio .

Uruguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said people traveling to the U.S. should “take extreme precautions in the face of growing indiscriminate violence, mostly due to hate crimes, including racism and discrimination.”

“Given the impossibility of the authorities to prevent these situations, due, among other factors, to the indiscriminate possession of firearms by the population, it is especially advisable to avoid places where there are large concentrations of people, such as theme parks, shopping centers, festivals artistic events, religious activities, gastronomic fairs and any type of mass cultural or sporting events,” Uruguay's ministry said. 

Amnesty International warning

Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization focused on human rights, also issued its own travel advisory for the United States in August 2019 due to “ongoing high levels of gun violence.”

The organization said people worldwide should “exercise caution and have an emergency contingency plan when traveling throughout the USA.”

Related Articles

• Yes, some people can have more than one valid U.S. passport
• Fact sheet: What to know about travel warnings for Mexico

The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . Learn More »

Want something VERIFIED?

Text: 202-410-8808

Related Stories

Yes, Florida’s DOT decided bridges will only display red, white and blue lights this summer

No, Uber does not have a ‘walking buddy’ feature

No, California hasn’t spent $11 billion to build just 1,600 feet of high-speed rail

Yes, an enhanced driver's license will allow you to drive into Canada without a passport

Yes, airlines will be required to give automatic refunds for canceled and delayed flights

No, this viral video showing Ford vehicle ‘safety tests’ isn’t real

Verify newsletter thank you something went wrong..

Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.

Numerous Countries Have Issued Travel Warnings for the United States

• Travel News

We're not the only ones who issue warnings.

Many seasoned travelers are accustomed to checking the U.S. State Department’s travel warnings prior to traveling abroad. The warnings exist at four levels: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Caution; Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution; Level 3 – Reconsider Travel; and Level 4 – Do Not Travel.

The warnings are specific to U.S. citizens considering travel abroad based on the U.S. government’s assessment of risk for U.S. citizens traveling in that country–although some of the countries rated for increased caution remain among the most popular destinations for American travelers. At press time, much of Western Europe is Rated Level 2, while Mexico is rated state-by-state, and there are Mexican states rated at each of the four levels .

There’s also an assumption inherent in the State Department’s ratings—that remaining within the United States is safer than traveling abroad.

However, as Travel Noire highlighted last week , several other countries have told their citizens that the United States is a destination where increased caution is necessary, primarily citing high crime and firearm violence as top concerns.

The United Kingdom’s Home Office warns Britons that safety concerns in the United States include terrorist attacks, car and street crime, and protests that can turn violent. New Zealand has issued similar warnings for its citizens, and also notes that there is a “higher incidence of violent crime and firearm possession than in New Zealand” but tempers that with “crime rates vary considerably across cities and suburbs and incidents rarely involve tourists.”

Recommended Fodor’s Video

It may be cause for some travelers to wonder whether recent well-publicized incidents of gun violence in the United States have been the cause of the increased cautions, but it’s also worth noting that U.S. gun crime rates have long vastly outnumbered those of other developed economies, so many of those warnings have been in place for some time.

The United Kingdom specifically calls out U.S. incidences of mass shooter events, and even refers U.K. citizens to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s materials on how to respond to an active shooter event.

Travelers may also find value in checking foreign travel advisories as a sort of second opinion, although some country’s governments may be more cautious with warnings. The State Department rates countries such as Uruguay Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution, while New Zealand logs no specific concerns for the country. Conversely, New Zealand advises citizens to exercise increased caution in Vietnam, Greece, and Poland while the U.S. State Department considers those countries Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions.

Ireland is notably liberal with travel warnings—normal precautions are currently in place for the United States, although the Irish government specifically warns travelers about an increase in vehicle break-ins in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ireland also rates as “normal precautions” many countries the U.S. has listed as Level 2, including France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Uruguay, and Chile.

The travel advisories issued by other countries can also be a helpful alternative source of information for travelers. New Zealand, for example, reminds its citizens that French law requires travelers and citizens to provide proof of identity (such as a passport) upon request by law enforcement (or, alternatively, at a police station within four hours)–information that’s not mentioned in the State Department consular information sheet for France.

The country fact sheets published by other countries regarding the United States aren’t all doom and gloom, however, and they ought not to be taken personally—they’re simply a compilation of information foreign governments want their citizens to be aware of prior to travel. Many of the sheets offer reminders that laws can vary significantly from state to state—a helpful reminder for travelers from countries with more centralized governments. Other warnings are relatively standard across all destinations—remain vigilant against petty theft, know local traffic laws, and understand your rights as a foreign national in the event of an encounter with law enforcement.

Where it does make sense to refer back to the U.S. Consular Info sheets for reference are for services specific for American citizens, such as the location of U.S. Embassies and Consular offices abroad—places where citizens can access diplomatic services while outside the country.

U.S. Citizens intending travel abroad can sign up for the State Department’s Secure Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to register their visits abroad with the local embassy or consular office so they can be contacted in the event of an emergency (such as the recent evacuations of U.S. citizens from Sudan). The STEP program also allows local embassies to e-mail office information and up-to-date threat assessments to Americans they know to be in the country.

Whether referring to American or foreign consular circulars, it’s important to remember they’re like food warning labels—they’re meant to provide a set standard of safety information to travelers of all experience levels, so some information may not always apply. It’s ultimately best to use personal experience and a variety of different sources when assessing risk during any journey abroad.

These countries have issued travel advisories for their citizens towards the United States

Due to a rise in crime and fatalities, travel advisories are not uncommon. Travel advisories are the most efficient way for officials to provide safety information to their citizens about potential risks when visiting other countries.

Despite the media portrayal and opinions of others, the U.S. is not immune to travelers questioning their safety. Several countries have advised citizens to take standard safety precautions when entering the U.S., but some have increased the level of alarm. Increased hate crimes, violence, sexual assault and other forms of criminality, have countries warning their citizens about travel to the United States.

Travel Noire revealed why New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Venezuela and Uruguay encourage their citizens to stay diligent when visiting America.

New Zealand

New Zealand’s current travel advisory level for the U.S. is a 2 out of 4, meaning travelers are advised to exercise increased caution. Travel Noire states that, “New Zealand’s government attributes the rating to the threat of terrorism. The U.S. remains a target of terrorist interest from both international terror groups and domestic-based extremists.” New Zealand warns that individuals or groups may target the U.S. through terroristic acts in areas where tourists frequent.

The Canadian government mentions the high rate of firearm possession in the U.S. and that it is “legal in many states for citizens to openly carry firearms in public.” Due to increased mass shootings, Canada advises tourists to “familiarize themselves with how to respond to an active shooter situation.” Canada’s travel advisories also detail and warn residents about possible criminal incidents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Australia’s travel warning has the U.S. classified at a level 1, instructing travelers to exercise standard safety precautions. However, like Canada, Australia does warn citizens that violent and gun-related crimes are more common in the U.S. The country also lists the possibility of an impending terrorist attack.

United Kingdom

The U.K. government advises its residents to stay vigilant when traveling to the States. They list possible occurrences of mass shootings and terrorist attacks, but claim those are rare occurrences with tourists. They suggest individuals read the guidance on responding to an active shooter.

The United States is considered one of the safest countries in the world, according to France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They do point out certain urban cities that pose potential threats, such as carjacking, theft and walking alone at night. “The ministry provides a breakdown of potential threats in neighborhoods in major U.S. cities, such as Boston, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.”

Venezuela & Uruguay

South American countries, Venezuela and Uruguay, have had travel warnings issued against the U.S. since 2019. The “proliferation of acts of violence and indiscriminate hate crimes,” was the reason that Venezuela recommended citizens postpone travel to the U.S. Uruguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged travelers to take extreme precautions against the same hate crimes and increased firearm violence.

Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her bylines include “person of interest” interviews, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything Beyonce.

If you enjoy our perspective on travel and Black culture, please sign up for our newsletter . You should consider joining our travel club , too. Or maybe write a piece for us about your favorite destination. In other words, let’s stay connected!

Click here to follow us on Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , TikTok or LinkedIn and subscribe to our channel on YouTube to stay ahead of trending stories in Black Travel .

This story was originally published April 28, 2023, 2:42 PM.

Get unlimited digital access

Try 1 month for $1

Airbnb makes summer travel iconic with new themed houses and celebrity experiences

Yes, there are Black people in Seattle. Here’s where to find them

Make a maximum impact with Jay Cameron in your next African adventure

Jadel honors her Caribbean roots on sophomore album, ‘Don’t Be Mistaken’

Want to experience peak Caribbean pride? Go to Grenada this year

The sacred roads of South Carolina lead to heritage and history

Germany, France, and New Zealand Issue Warnings About Travel to U.S.

By Lilit Marcus

It's normal for the United States State Department to issue warnings or advisories about travel to other countries, but now the tables have turned and the U.S. is the subject of multiple warnings from other countries, including France, Canada, New Zealand, and Germany. In some cases, the concerns for travelers are about health: After the Zika virus was confirmed in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami , the Centers for Disease Control upgraded the domestic level of risk for the disease and spelled out specific guidelines for people living in or traveling to the Miami area. Following that news, the U.K. and Canada issued warnings for citizens visiting Florida, particularly people who are pregnant or planning to be. The U.K. warning also extended to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

However, some countries have used stronger language to caution their citizens about traveling to the U.S., specifically after several mass shootings made headlines around the world this year. New Zealand's official tourism website notes that "There is some risk to your security in the United States due to the threat from terrorism," and adds, "There is a higher incidence of violent crime and firearm possession than in New Zealand." Meanwhile, Germany has advised citizens visiting the United States to remain calm if they are in an active shooter situation: "It is relatively easy to obtain a firearm in the U.S. If you find yourself the victim of a gun attack, do not try to resist!" France has also recently issued a warning that many American citizens can legally carry guns with them.

The latest round of warnings and advisories come after a group of warnings were issued earlier this summer following the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history , which took place at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Embassies of Bahrain and the Bahamas both urged their citizens to be careful when visiting the U.S., with the Bahamas's official statement reading, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has taken note of the recent tensions in some American cities over shootings of young black males by police officers. We wish to advise all Bahamians traveling to the US but especially to the affected cities to exercise appropriate caution generally." And after an Emirati man visiting Ohio for medical treatment was falsely accused of being a terrorist because he was speaking Arabic on the phone, the U.A.E. cautioned its citizens against wearing traditional garb while traveling abroad.

Beyond Florida, two U.S. states have also come under increased scrutiny—not for Zika fears, but because of recent legislation against LGBT individuals. The British Foreign Office advised gay, lesbian, and transgender Britons to proceed carefully if visiting North Carolina or Missisippi, which have enacted anti-LGBT laws of late. The Office warned gay Brits abroad to be more careful in rural areas and to avoid public displays of affection.

Tom Buncle, who runs Scotland-based tourism company Yellow Railroad , told USA Today that while individual travel warnings may not seem like much, several of them can begin to contribute to a sense of fear or worry. "All of the warnings that come from specific instances add up and can potentially erode the positive image of the U.S," he said. "America has surprised a lot of the world, especially the Europeans, because of all the mass shootings and the attitudes on gun control, or lack of it."

Still, tourism remains big business in the U.S., with the State Department reporting that the industry brought in $216.8 billion in 2015, down $4 billion from the year before. It's still too early to tell what kind of effect global warnings and advisories will have on 2016's numbers.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Americans Head to New Zealand and Leave ‘the Chaos’ Behind

The Pacific island nation has become an object of fascination for some Americans who no longer want to deal with the U.S. political divide.

By Pete McKenzie

The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. This week’s issue is written by Pete McKenzie, a reporter based in Auckland, New Zealand.

In 2022, Lucy Schultz was fed up. She and her husband were traveling across the United States in a recreational vehicle while she worked as a wedding photographer. Everywhere they went, communities seemed polarized and the news felt bleak. “Our opinion of America was at its lowest,” she said. “It was an endless time warp of confusion.”

Then Ms. Schultz was hired by an American client who wanted to marry in New Zealand. She had previously visited there once, in 2014, before meeting her husband. Later, when she had described the remote Pacific archipelago to him, she said, “It fell on deaf ears, because the way I described it to him felt like a fantasy.”

This time, after the assignment was over, Ms. Schultz’s husband joined her for a road trip through New Zealand’s sparsely populated north. The country proved an easy sell. In a tiny cafe near a golden beach, he turned to her and asked, “When do we move?”

As the mood in the United States grows increasingly tense, New Zealand has become an object of fascination for many Americans, as it was for Ms. Schultz. After Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, the number of Americans moving to New Zealand jumped by 65 percent. During one 2020 presidential debate, “How to move to New Zealand” was trending on Google search. As another U.S. election lurches into view, those who have made the move say they have few regrets.

“One of the big advantages of leaving the U.S. is I get to hit the unsubscribe button on the chaos,” Ms. Schultz, 31, said. “The politics and the election stresses out your nervous system when you live there. And I’ve just been able to check out of that.”

Ms. Schultz and her husband have settled near Hamilton, a small city on the North Island, and are applying for permanent residency. She has been delighted by the country’s functionality. “This is maybe a weird example, but public bathrooms are not a nightmare. You can go to the toilet and the hand soap dispenser will actually work,” she said. “Or there’ll be a public park with a grill that is actually functional.”

She volunteers at a nearby nature reserve, where she can walk through native forests, and is enthusiastic about the country’s friendliness. “I perhaps have some rose-tinted glasses,” she admitted, but she said she has been struck by “the sense of community that’s baked into the culture. Kiwis look out for each other.”

Other Americans are similarly enthusiastic. Sophie Zavaleta, 27, was learning to become a teacher in Alabama when she left for a study-abroad program in New Zealand in 2020. She intended to stay for two months, but when Covid-19, hit she extended her stay.

She soon fell in love with the country. Her host family took her on trips to the beach, where she became obsessed with the coastal landscape. She got a teaching job in Auckland, the country’s largest city, and found the work much less stressful than what she would face in the United States. Her two-month trip has stretched to four years, and could become permanent.

There are some downsides. Food and rent cost much more in New Zealand than back home, Ms. Zavaleta said, and she misses her family. But as the U.S. election approaches, she said, “I’m glad I live here and don’t necessarily have to deal with all the political craziness I know will be over there.”

New Zealand has a points-based immigration system that largely requires migrants to have specific skills or to work in certain jobs to fill labor shortages. According to Statistics New Zealand, 5,874 Americans moved to New Zealand between June 2022 and June 2023.

Todd Henry, a 41-year-old bar owner in Auckland, grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to New Zealand for good in 2013, after several stints living there temporarily. He said that the country’s positivity stood in stark contrast to the mood in the United States, where “a vibe of negativity permeated a lot of conversations you had with people. It’s hard to describe, but I felt like that weighed on me. Everything was a political disaster.”

During Mr. Henry’s visits home, he has found a growing interest in his decision to move. “I watched it go from people saying, ‘New Zealand, what’s that and why do you want to move there?’ to ‘How do I move there too?’” he said.

He has noticed some familiar shifts in New Zealand. The country recently went through a divisive election in which several conservative parties swept the liberal government from power. “New Zealand is changing as well, unfortunately, in some ways, in the direction of the United States. Although not to that extreme,” Mr. Henry said.

Even then, Mr. Henry and some other Americans who moved to New Zealand said they were shocked by the situation at home. “It’s bizarre watching that stuff from here,” Mr. Henry said. Few said they were tempted to return. America “is too far gone to be saved by merely voting,” Ms. Schultz said. “If I thought it was salvageable, I would still be there.”

Here are the week’s stories.

Australia and New Zealand

Scientists Find the Largest Known Genome Inside a Small Plant. A fern from a Pacific island carries 50 times as much DNA as humans do.

Allies Warn Former Fighter Pilots Not to Train Chinese Military Members. A new bulletin says China is trying to step up recruitment of Western-trained fighter pilots to improve its air combat capability.

How Wombats May Save Other Animals From Wildfires. They build extensive burrow networks and don’t seem to mind when other woodland creatures use them as flameproof bunkers.

Around The Times

Guess Who’s Angry at China’s Real Estate Bailout: Homeowners. China has relaxed or eliminated measures on home buying to spur new purchases. This has made a vocal constituency of existing homeowners very unhappy.

The D-Day Battle France Chose to Forget. Until Now. Far from Normandy’s beaches, French paratroopers and resistance members fought a rear-guard action to keep the Nazis at bay. But its tragic end had made it a battle to forget.

In Global Elections, Strongmen Are Taken Down a Notch. In Turkey, India and elsewhere, where some feared authoritarian leaders would consolidate power, democracy has proved surprisingly resilient.

What My Dog Taught Me About Mortality. Walnut rescued me from death more than once — but not in the way you might think.

Are you enjoying our Australia bureau dispatches? Tell us what you think at [email protected] .

Like this email? Forward it to your friends (they could use a little fresh perspective, right?) and let them know they can sign up here .

Race to Survive: New Zealand episode 3 ends with a self-elimination, here's who went home

Race to Survive: New Zealand episode 3, "Grit Trumps Calories," picks up with the eight remaining teams at survival camp. For two teams--Steffen & Mikhail and Nik & Kennedy-- the decision to skip both the food caches in the first leg of the race had dire consequences. They were starving and doing what they could to stave off hunger.

By the time the second leg began, they were nine days into the competition, food was imperative for the teams that had gone that long without sustenance. But, while one pair made it to the first food cache of the second race and managed to get ahead of a couple of teams in the process, the other didn't fair well at all. Who tapped out? Here's what we know about the eliminated team and where the remaining teams rank going into episode 4.

Who went home in Race to Survive: New Zealand episode 3?

Steffen jean-pierre and mikhail martin.

It was always going to be a fight for Steffen and Mikhail in the second leg of the race because it'd been days since they'd last eaten. In order to continue on in the competition, they needed to not come in last. As long as they were able to beat at least one team, they still had a chance to win. However, they didn't get the opportunity to fight for a position. As they were making their way down to the food cache checkpoint, Mikhail slipped and injured his knee.

He limped to the checkpoint but, considering how much further they had to travel, Mikhail made the difficult decision to tell Steffen that he wouldn't be able to carry on with the race. The pair self-eliminated and were flown out of the area. But, their departure doesn't mean there won't be another elimination at the end of this leg.

Team rankings

1st place - oliver dev and spencer "corry" jones.

I'm really rooting for Oliver and Corry. The two friends have maintained their lead so far in the competition. Briefly, at the beginning of the second race, Bronsen and Ryan had taken the lead but they fell behind when Bronsen needed a moment since he'd started getting dizzy during an uphill climb. From there, the river guides kept the pace they've been going at which has served them well as has their strategy to stop for each food cache available. However, with Ethan and Tyrie on their heels, it's possible that they could be at risk of losing the lead.

2nd place - Ethan Greenberg and Tyrie Mann Merrill

Like Oliver and Corry, Ethan and Tyrie have kept a steady pace during the competition. They, too, have been stopping for food caches and have a strategy of making sure to store up in the earlier parts of the race. But they do want to come in first, giving them first pick of whatever is in the end crate for the second leg. Given how close behind they are to Oliver and Corry, there's a chance for them to overtake the river guides in the race to the second food cache.

3rd place - Ryan Stewart and Bronsen Iverson

Ryan and Bronsen slipped to third place during the second race due to Bronsen's initial struggle with the dramatic temperature change. They'd gone from freezing temps because of the pouring rain at survival camp to over 80 degrees under the hot sun while going uphill. Ryan also took a tumble when they were in the marshland, hitting his knee in the process. But, thankfully, unlike with Mikhail's injury, it wasn't a game ending fall. The pair rested and then got back to it, still managing to keep their Top 3 position.

4th place - Coree Woltering and Daniel "Jeff" Watterson

Coree and Jeff shifted up in the rankings thanks to their ability to navigate Zone 3. An integral part to this leg of the race was being able to discern where to descend in the red canyon to get to the mandatory check point. There'd been a warning that if the right path wasn't taken, it could force teams to have to double back and, in doing so, put them at risk of falling majorly behind in the competition. Two teams fell sharply in the rankings because of an error in this portion of the race.

5th place - Nikola "Nik" Milutinovic and Kennedy Taylor

Going from 7th place to 5th place was quite the feat for Nik and Kennedy considering they'd gone 10 days without food. But they pushed hard and were able to successfully navigate down to the checkpoint while two other teams had shot right past it. Since they decided to go down to get the food cache, they were fortified with the energy they needed to keep pushing forward. Episode 3 was also named after what was said about them, "Grit Trumps Calories," because they didn't give up.

6th place - Paulina Pena and Creighton Baird

Paulina and Creighton are second to last for the first time in the competition thanks to Creighton leading them past the mandatory checkpoint. The mistake cost them dearly as there's no guarantee that a team won't be eliminated simply because Steffen and Mikhail dropped out of the race. They're not too far behind Nik and Kennedy though so there is a chance they could climb to a higher rank.

Last place - Rhandi Ohrme and Ashley Paulson

Rhandi and Ashley took a gamble and it didn't pay off. Since they don't consider themselves to be great navigators, they decided to trail behind teams they thought would lead them to where they needed to go. At first, they followed Coree and Jeff but the two men shook their tail. Then, they struck up a rapport with Creighton and Paulina but, what they didn't realize, was that Creighton was not going in the right direction. Because of his navigational mistake, they fell in the rankings as well, and with Steffen and Mikhail self-eliminating, it's now put the two friends in last place, and possibly in danger of being eliminated themselves.

This article was originally published on hiddenremote.com as Race to Survive: New Zealand episode 3 ends with a self-elimination, here's who went home .

Mexico has a new president, Claudia Sheinbaum. What does it mean for the United States?

When Mexicans elected a new president, they also chose the next negotiator-in-chief who will make tough choices with the United States on issues from immigration and trade to fentanyl trafficking .

Mexicans voted overwhelmingly for Claudia Sheinbaum, giving her more than 58% of the vote and a substantial mandate to govern the second-largest economy in Latin America and the No. 1 trading partner for the United States.

When President Andrés Manuel López Obrador leaves his post and Sheinbaum takes office on Oct. 1, she'll inherit a country that is reeling from slow economic growth and violence linked to organized crime . She'll also face a fractured relationship with the United States. Despite deep cross-border economic ties, the U.S.-Mexico relationship has been tested by the countries' shared problems with global migration and drug trafficking .

"The two countries have been suffering from an incredible fumbling of the ball in dealing with each other," said Tony Payan, director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University's Baker Institute. "I think the two countries need to come back to the table."

Politics: 'Finish the wall.' Why the southern border became a big issue for this New England state.

Americans may love "taco Tuesday" and vacationing in Cancun, but the complexity of the U.S.-Mexico relationship is often lost amid marketing and political rhetoric. Mexico’s stamp on the U.S. is everywhere.

It’s in the Mexico-made car parts  that keep U.S. autoworkers employed in Detroit , in the windmill blades exported to  U.S. clean energy plants , in the  pacemakers saving the lives of American patients  with heart failure, and in the $15  avocado toast on restaurant menus  nationwide.

U.S. exports to Mexico include grains grown in the Midwest and natural gas pumped in Texas. Mexico sends fruits and vegetables north, keeping grocery costs lower amid volatile inflation in the U.S.

The country  became the United States’ largest trading partner  last year, pushing China to the No. 2 spot, and the two neighbors now do  nearly $800 billion in trade annually , according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

But it’s a fraught relationship. Mexico is also the transit country for hundreds of thousands of U.S.-bound migrants, provoking repeated humanitarian crises at the U.S. border. And it’s the source country for the fentanyl that kills tens of thousands of Americans each year.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada foreign trade agreement, known as the USMCA – negotiated during the Trump administration – is up for renegotiation in 2026. U.S.-based business leaders are concerned that renegotiating the deal could create uncertainty and hurt both countries' economies.

"Mexico is now the U.S.’s main trading partner," said Jennifer Apperti, director of the Texas-Mexico Center at Southern Methodist University. "To again reopen the door to things that have just been negotiated would be, honestly, not the best use of time. And business time is of the essence."

Domingo Garcia, president of the U.S.-based League of United Latin American Citizens, said in a statement that he looked forward to "building bridges" with the Sheinbaum administration.

In past meetings, Garcia said he found Sheinbaum "open, engaging, and willing to listen and share her thoughts on moving forward. Mexicans are vital to the United States' economic future and our hemisphere's overall robust vibrancy. At the same time, we must consider environmental and scientific initiatives in the interest of our well-being today and for future generations."

With an estimated 60% turnout for Sunday's vote, it was one of Mexico’s biggest elections in history. Nearly 100 million people were eligible to vote.

For the first time, Mexican citizens living in the United States were able to cast their ballots in person at 20 consulates in the U.S., including in Phoenix.

Contributing: Rafael Carranza, Arizona Republic