12-15 Feb 2009 Christchurch Convention Centre,
Christchurch, New Zealand
Travel and Transportation
There is always considerable pressure on the best priced seats and we urge delegates to make airline reservations as early as possible.
Potential Passport Delays!
Delegates from the US should be aware of potential delays of up to 10 weeks
in renewing expired passports. Please check immediately the status of
your passport!
New Zealand is well serviced by international airlines with three major
international airports Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Unfortunately
there are currently, no direct flights from the West Coast, USA into Christchurch.
North American delegates will mainly have to transit through Auckland.
At present four airlines (Air New Zealand, Qantas, United and Air Tahiti)
fly the North America (Los Angeles or San Francisco) to New Zealand route.
Air New Zealand and Qantas fly have direct non stop flights from West Coast,
USA to Auckland. United has flights to New Zealand via Sydney or Melbourne,
Australia. Air Tahiti has flights to New Zealand via Tahiti (this routing
may involve overnight stopovers in Tahiti).
Flights to Auckland from USA generally arrive early in the morning. There are several suitable onward connecting flights to Christchurch (about a 75 minute flight). We understand that Air New Zealand fares for travel USA to Christchurch are "common rated" meaning there should be no extra or at least minimal additional cost for the connecting flight to Christchurch.
For delegates considering using United Airlines and travelling from North America via Australia there are suitable same day connecting direct flights to Christchurch from Sydney and Melbourne.
Delegates from North America are reminded that they will "lose" a day on the outward journey to New Zealand and need to plan ahead to ensure they arrive in Christchurch in plenty of time for the commencement of the conference (February 12).
Information on travel and arrival in Christchurch for delegates travelling from Europe/UK can be found here.
Most delegates will arrive in Christchurch at the Christchurch International Airport located about 12km (8miles) from the city centre. There are regular shuttle bus services between the airport and city hotels – the cost for this service is about NZ$15 one way and there is no need to book in advance. Taxi fares from the Airport to the central city are about NZ$30-40.
All selected conference hotels are within easy walking distance from the conference venue. Christchurch City operates a free shuttle bus service within the central city (The Yellow Bus). Several of the conference hotels are on the route of this service as is the conference venue. Full details of this service will be provided to delegates in their conference pack.
