Transport > Air Travel > New Zealand

Air Travel in New Zealand

New Zealand is well connected by a dense network of air routes making it easy to travel around the country by air.

The major airlines are Air New Zealand (website www.airnz.co.nz), Qantas (website www.qantas.co.nz), Pacific Blue (website www.pacificblue.co.nz) although there are minor airlines such as Soundsair (website www.soundsair.co.nz), Great Barrier Airlines (website www.gbair.co.nz) and Stewart Island Flights (website www.stewartislandflights.co.nz). Many of these smaller airlines service a defined geographic region and can be useful for getting to places not served by the big carriers.

There are cheaper ways to get around New Zealand; but both Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue often have specials so it is worth checking whether there are any good deals going.

Because New Zealand is a small country, most backpackers restrict domestic flights to an alternative to the ferry connection between the North and South Islands, with some airfares priced competitively with the ferry. Soundair flies from Wellington to Kaikoura and Picton while both Air New Zealand fly from Wellington to Blenheim and Nelson.

Other flights popular among backpackers include flights to Great Barrier and Stewart Islands. Many travellers book the sail/fly option to visit Great Barrier Island, which involves a ferry trip one way and a flight back. Also stand by fares on flights operated by Stewart Island Flights make this an affordable alternative to the ferry journey.

When you leave the country you are required to pay a $25 departure tax at the Bank of New Zealand or Travelex branch in the airport terminal building.