Emergencies in New Zealand

Just in case you face an emergency situation in New Zealand, you can dial 111 to summon police, fire or ambulance services. Or if you need a non-emergency call, you will find full instructions appear in front of telephone directories and beside public telephones. That would be that easy.

Here are some more important numbers that you will want to know:

Emergency service 111

- no charge

- Local operator 010

- International operator 0170

- New Zealand directory assistance 018

- International directory assistance 0172

- National direct dialing

Health service

In New Zealand, public and private health facilities have a high standard of treatment and care. Larger hotels and motels will often have arrangements with a local doctor who they contact in case of illness; otherwise, doctors and other medical services are listed in the front of the telephone directory. So you don’t need to worry that no one can’t help you in a matter of illness.

Accident Compensation and Personal Insurance

Visitors are covered by New Zealand’s government-run accident compensation and rehabilitation insurance scheme for personal injury by accident, and are entitled to make a claim to the accident compensation and rehabilitation insurance corporation (ACC) irrespective of fault. Benefits include some medical and hospital expenses and physical disability compensation, but not loss of earnings outside New Zealand. Actions for damages may not be brought in New Zealand courts, partly because of the ACC scheme, and personal travel insurance should therefore cover accident are not free, and ACC does not cover any medical treatment that relates to illness.

Bites and Stings

There is no dangerous wildlife in New Zealand; no snakes, and only one very rare poisonous spider, the katipo, the bite from which is serious but rarely fatal. Sand flies and mosquitoes, known locally as “mossies” can be annoying in some areas but insect repellent will take care of them. No serious deceases are carried by these insects, though travelers from overseas may come out in itchy lumps in reaction to being bitten by them until they adapt. Wasps can be a nuisance in some areas; if allergic to their stings, medication should be carried.

Pharmaceuticals and medicines

A “chemist” is the New Zealand term for a pharmacist or druggist; their shops will be open during normal shopping hours and most cities have urgent dispensaries open outside these hours, listed in the front of the telephone book under hospitals. Visitors planning to bring quantities of pharmaceuticals into New Zealand should have a certificate to avoid difficulties with customs. Many drugs sold over the counter in other countries are often available in New Zealand without a prescription. Chemists also sell cosmetics and insect and sun protection.

So, happy holiday in New Zealand and put those worries away of your head.