12-15 Feb 2009 Christchurch Convention Centre,
Christchurch, New Zealand

Information for International Visitors

1. Getting here:

From Europe it's much more pleasant and direct to fly via Singapore (with Singapore Airlines) than going via USA, unless you enjoy extra connections, queues, hassle and confinement in small places (i.e. the drama of gaining entry to the US just so you can catch your onward flight out, and/or being confined to the bleak `holding area' reserved for `aliens in transit'). By contrast Singapore's enlightened answer to transit is Changi International where you can swim in the outdoor tropical-themed pool and spa (terminal 1), hang out in the outdoor Cactus garden bar, have a massage, hire a bed for a few hours' sleep, surf the web for free, shop, or take a free tour of the city -- all while in transit. With that one stop, Singapore Airlines then flies direct into Christchurch each day (don't go via Auckland or Sydney). For Europeans, another less direct option (but possibly cheaper) is flying with Emirates via Dubai and Sydney. Flying from Australia or Singapore, a right-hand window seat will get you the best views of the southern alps.

If starting from USA, you will need to fly LA (or San Fransisco) to Auckland and then take a connecting flight to Christchurch. It is also possible to fly from Vancouver (Canada) or San Fransisco or LA to Sydney and then on to Christchurch (slightly further, but less hassle with luggage in Auckland). New Zealand is near the date-line -- one day ahead of the US and half a day ahead of Europe. For some tips on dealing with long flights see item (5) below.

2. Arriving:

Change money on arrival. Also, you can buy duty free on arrival here, and you are allowed bring in 3 litres of spirits duty free (provided you bring in less than $700 goods). The agriculture and customs people here are extremely vigilant, especially for food items (especially fresh fruit, honey, plants, etc). Make sure shoe soles and tent equipment/fishing gear etc has been scrubbed. There are sniffer dogs, X--ray machines, and an instant (and non-negotiable) $200 fine for any food (eg. fruit) that you may have `forgot' you had. New Zealander's don't normally 'tip' (taxis, restaurant staff etc), so please don't encourage this practise. If arriving in domestic (ie. from Auckland) the taxis right by the terminal door are slightly more expensive than if you cross the road to the `Gold Band' taxis. The fare from the airport to the University is around $US20; to town $US30. Electrical plugs in NZ are the same as in Australia (i.e. different to Europe, UK or USA; you can buy adaptors here or bring them with you).

3. What to do:

If you want to visit "wild places" in the South Island you'll need to travel west or south/west from Christchurch. You can hire a car for around US$25 a day all inclusive (from small companies such as 'Trusty' or 'Omega') or pay more with the usual companies. Kiwis drive on the `wrong' (left) side of the road, and also pass each other that way when walking on pavements (tourists are always conspicuous by their attempts to walk into you!). Queenstown and Wanaka are good if you like (commercial) adventure activities (bungy, wild rivers, canyoning, paragliding, parachuting, guided rock/ice climbing, `fly by wire' etc), while the drive from there to the West Matukituki, the West Coast (and glacier flights/excursions) or to Milford Sound is fairly hard to beat. Closer to Christchurch is Akaroa (1+ hour), Kaikoura (2.5 hours), Arthurs Pass (2- hours), Erewhon (2 hours; and nearby Mt Sunday, the `Rohan' fortress of Edoras in Lord of the Rings), Mt Sommers (1.5 hours) and Punakiki (3+ hours; good blackwater caving, kayaking, forest). At Mt Cook (4+ hours) a hike up to to Mueller Hut for an overnight stay is highly recommended in clear weather; the Tasman valley is less scenic unless you get up onto the ice. On the more barren East Coast, the inland drive via Tekapo and Mt Cook is far more interesting than highway 1 if heading south. The weather on the east and west coast/mountains are often opposite (and changeable) on any given day. The most impressive places for hiking/climbing are Fiordland/Mt Aspiring/Westland/Mt Cook NPs. The most settled period of summer weather is likely to be February-March. Late December-end Jan. is often crowded in touristy places like Queenstown, and the weather can be mixed. There are numerous basic but pleasant DOC (Department of Conservation) campsites in national parks which are good value at NZ$5 per person per night (honesty system), or you can camp wild in some places (i.e. take a tent). There are hundreds of huts scattered throughout the hills, which range from touristy, up-market and often busy (in summer) ones on the `great walks' to run-down but character-laden numbers that are rarely visited. All national parks can be entered for free and without any booking or formal entry process.

4. Around Christchurch:

If you are visiting the University, and you want to be close by, you should stay at the Academy motel (www.academymotorlodge.co.nz) which charges around US$50 per night. Christchurch is a good city to cycle around (helmet required by law) and we have some bicycles here at the Biomath. Res. Centre that can be borrowed (and other equipment, eg. baby backpacks etc). Christchurch has several good (though not tropical) beaches (eg. Sumner, Taylors Mistake, while Corsair Bay is sheltered in a nor-easter). The Arts Centre/Botanic Gardens/Hagley Park is a pleasant area in the inner city, especially on the weekend. The ski-fields (June-September) are 1.5+ hours away (Porter Heights is closest), the port hills on the southern edge of the city have some good walking/running/mountainbike tracks along the top (eg. "crater rim walkway") with views into Lyttelton harbour, and several rock climbing crags and paragliding sites. In the port town of Lyttelton, the "Wunderbar" and "Volcano" cafe are worth checking out in the evening, along with some nice lunchtime cafes and bars; there's also a scenic sea-front restaurant at Sumner, an excellent cafe (`The Cup') on Cashmere hill, and many bars/cafes in the city's `strip' on Cashel Street/Oxford Terrace.

5. Surviving long flights!

To get a good night's sleep, forget about upgrading to business class. You'll sleep like a baby in economy if you do the following 10 things:

  1. Sort out your route; – make as few transfers as possible, avoid tight connections, notorious airports (eg. Heathrow) and try and wake up close to your destination (day followed by night is much better than night followed by day!). If flying Europe/NZ get the direct flight via Singapore into/out of Christchurch (Singapore Airline-- book well in advance) avoid transit in USA unless you enjoy queues and hassle.
  2. The day you fly (or before) get lots of exercise. Check in early, and make sure you take music or airplugs to avoid being pestered by the non- stop and banal announcement (especially in USA) that typically start with words like `for your safety and security'.
  3. Although a central isle seat is best for a day flight, if you really want to sleep get a window seat (preferably without reclining seats in front of you -- check the model of your plane on the internet (`seat guru') or an exit row, and near the front - try to get your agent or internet checkin to reserve the seat you want in advance).
  4. Make sure you've got the following: earplugs, eye mask, miniature feather sleeping bag (eg. Macpac `firefly'), small water bottle, eyedrops and skin moisturiser. Also you'll need drugs. Forget anything `naturopathic' get some serious stuff like Zoplicone (Imovane, 7.5mg, prescription only). Also iboprufin+codeine (eg. `Nurofen Plus') can help (minimizes dehybration headache and slows digestion).
  5. Wear loose fitting clothes (not jeans or anything with belt, buttons etc) stretch tights are good, wear layers, thick soft fluffy socks and soft long-sleeve tee-shirt.
  6. Store everything you don't need (including your shoes) in overhead bin.
  7. It's tempting but don't touch the free alcohol. Don't drink coffee or tea. Drink just enough water to stay hydrated. If the meal is going to be late avoid this too (eat before the flight).
  8. Once you're sorted, put a cushion behind your back, and another by your (window-side) armrest, adjust the sleeping bag over around your head and neck like a big cocoon (recline seat, lean against the window) take one zoplicone and 1-2 Neurofen Plus, insert earplugs and eyemask and expect to wake up at least 8 hours later. Make sure you put your seatbelt loosely over your blanket so you can sleep peacefully through any turbulence without risking incurring the wrath of the flight attendant.
  9. At the destination stay up and active till night-time (in the sun if possible) and if there’s a big time difference take half of one Zoplicone for the next 2 nights when wake up like a startled rabbit at 2am.
  10. In transit, drink lots, and try and get a shower and/or some exercise – Singapore (Changi) is good for this (swimming pool, showers, massage, gym, etc in transit).