Television (TV), radio and newspapers

All New Zealand towns and cities offer modern technologies such as mobile phone networks and broadband internet. 

A number of free-to-air and subscriber television (including Sky and Cable) channels deliver a mix of internationally and locally produced programmes.  There are also many regional stations that broadcast only in one region or city.  Daily newspapers have TV programme lists.

New Zealanders have more radio stations per capita and buy more magazines per capita than any other country.  There are many AM and FM radio stations, both national and local.  Some specialise in community interests, sport, talkback, Maori and Pacific Island languages and classical music.  There are many student radio stations. 

Most cities have their own daily printed newspaper - some are also available online.  Most suburbs have a weekly local paper that is delivered free to every house.  These contain useful information about community events and services.

Phones – public and mobile

Most public phones take prepay phone cards.  Some also accept credit cards – few accept coins.

Prepay phone cards are available from many shops for a minimum value of $5.  They are economical and popular because they can be used to call anywhere in New Zealand or the world, from any phone.

Calls to emergency services (dial 111) are free.  The country code for New Zealand is 64.  Calls to numbers starting with 0800 and 0508 are free.

Area codes (drop the 0 if calling from another country) are:

•    Northland/Auckland – 09

•    Waikato/Bay of Plenty – 07

•    Central and southern North Island – 06

•    Wellington/Kapiti – 04

•    South Island and Stewart Island – 03

Telecom White Pages give alphabetical listings – either in book form or online through www.whitepages.co.nz

Telecom Yellow Pages give business category listings – also in book form or online www.yellowpages.co.nz

Text messaging and mobile phone calls are popular with students.  Students can use global roaming on a mobile phone from their country, buy a prepay phone, by a New Zealand SIM card, or set up an account with Vodafone, Telstra Clear, 2 Degrees or Telecom once in New Zealand.

Post

Stamps are sold at supermarkets, stationers and local shops.  New Zealand Post is open Monday to Friday, 9pm to 5pm.  Post Shops are open on Saturdays and Sundays in some places.  Post Shops offer international courier and fax services.

Mail is delivered to street addresses – if students change rental accommodation, they will need to tell the Post Office.

Email and Internet Access

Universities, schools and public libraries often have computers available for email. Internet cafes often charge a few dollars for 15 minutes’ use.

To connect a laptop computer in New Zealand students will need an RJ45 type plug, and an adaptor with a flat 2 or 3-point power plug to connect to the power supply. The images below show a standard New Zealand 3-point outlet design and the 2- and 3-point plug options that connect.