This is part of our Retirement Guides series:
– Retire in the Philippines
– Retire in Portugal
– Retire in Costa Rica

Has the thought of living or retiring in New Zealand has ever crossed your mind? Perhaps you want to buy some farmland, raise some sheep, and live out your days in paradise?

Here are some things you should know. Read on…

GETTING A VISA

To immigrate to New Zealand you have two options: You can apply for temporary or permanent residency. Both programs require good health and character, investment in New Zealand, and proof of ownership of additional settlement or maintenance funds. Visit the immigration website to get started. 

Do I need a special retirement visa in New Zealand?

After being on pause for the past 3 years, the official retirement category has finally opened up once again in 2020. This is the first option for retirees wanting to spend their lives in New Zealand. But it is capped at only 1,000 applicants per year, so it’s best to get your application lodged as soon as possible.

How do I qualify for NZ residency?

The Work to Residence program allows workers. to upgrading from a temporary work visa to a permanent residence. However, to be eligible, you at least need to show proof that you’ve worked in New Zealand for two years. Immigration will also ask you to meet their health and character requirements.

If you are over 56 and have an adult child currently residing in New Zealand, you likely qualify for permanent residency. However, to apply permanently, you’ll need an annual income of at least NZ $60,000, with an additional NZ $1 million to invest over four years, plus NZ $500,000 to continue living on afterwards. This will certainly be out of reach for many individuals. But once you complete the 4-year investment period, you’ll be granted eligibility for permanent residency. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN NEW ZEALAND?

It’s been a year since New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, topped the annual index and became the city with the single best quality of life in the world. However, there are other regions that are worth considering.

Best retirement Villages in New Zealand

The anticipation of demand for retirement villages in New Zealand is rapid in the aging population. There are two types of retirement villages, lifestyle villages, and full-care villages. The former has more independence but under a secure community, and the latter offers independent living units, rest homes, and private hospital facilities.

New Zealand has something for everyone. Where to retire depends significantly on your taste and preference. If you’re seeking stunning scenery and the opportunity to stay active for the rest of your life, alongside other internationals, you’ll enjoy the mountain town of Queenstown in the South Island.

If sipping wine along the coast is more of your style, then the region Tasman and Hawkes Bay will sound more appealing. Those who want to truly escape will find their solace in the East Cape or the Far North, while urban settlers will more likely appreciate the cafes, recreational parks, museums, natural sites, and excellent transportation in Wellington or Auckland.

Most Popular: Marlborough

Famous for its glorious Sauvignon Blanc wine, Marlborough scores highly on the main six measures: House prices, climate, crime rate, health systems, number of retirees over 65s, and ease of access to basic needs and amenities. 

One of the best things about the Marlborough region is its sheltered inland waterways. If you’re into fishing and boating, these are perfect. You’ll also love its iconic sceneries and arid hills, definitely best combined when you start cycling, mountain biking, tramping, and taking pleasant walks to the renowned Queen Charlotte Track. 

Northern Marlborough breeds more tranquillity and nature. A mostly hilly region, the last ice age carved Marlborough Sounds into an extensive series of sunken river valleys, which are now the north’s most notable feature. The curvy landscape in this region means a whopping 20% of the country’s coastline. Many expats feel Marlborough is the overall best place to retire in New Zealand.

Most Underrated: Nelson

If you want a place quite different from the rest of the best, Nelson is a small but stunning city. Living here is more familiar to those who want a small-town feel. Sunny nearly all year round, the landscapes are almost also as spectacular as the weather, which allows you to get all the outdoor activities you could ever dream of.

This small village just outside the Marlborough region has more percentage of old retirees than most areas in NZ. It’s ethnically diverse, and regularly attracts many foreigners – especially immigrants from European countries – who over the past 50 years have been drawn in by the pleasant weather, and tend to to visit in the fall.

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO RETIRE IN NEW ZEALAND?

Although it may be a dream for many, the truth is only a few can afford to live and settle here due to the strict financial requirements in obtaining a visa, and the high cost of living.

Statistics by Numbeo show that New Zealand is the 17th most expensive place to live in the world. While cheaper compared to nearby Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, it is similar to living to Australia; though a bit more expensive once you take rent into account.

The daily cost of living in New Zealand

First and foremost, visa requirements alone can cost a considerable amount of money. The application fees for getting a visa ranges from USD $45 to USD $2,000, depending on the visa program you use.  

Once there, the cost of living in New Zealand is slightly higher than the U.S. Rent is typically lower than most American cities. Renting a flat costs a minimum of USD $1,000/month, and in the major cities can easily top $3,500 for a nice place.

There are other hidden costs as well. If you’re in NZ, particularly for studying, you must provide evidence that you can cover at least $15,000 to support yourself for the first year. And nonresidents will also need to pay income tax on their pension. 

Buying real estate vs renting:

Renting a flat

In 2018, New Zealand banned most foreigners from buying a home. This was due to wealthy foreigners from the US and China buying up homes, and driving up the price for New Zealand residents. However, those with residency are still be able to buy homes, as are residents of Australia and Singapore.

Run your numbers first before you decide whether to rent or own. Although it’s less of a hassle, buying a house is not always the best decision. If you’re moving to New Zealand for the long haul, you should strive own a property.

When you first rent, the landlord may ask you for rent in advance, and a bond. The total of your first payment would probably be 1 or 2 weeks advance. If the landlord asks for a bond, it could take four weeks of rent, and the landlord must give a receipt for your bond money and issue it with Tenancy Services within 23 days. You will get your bond back by presenting the receipt and making sure to leave the property in good condition.

Buying a home

If you are able to buy a property in New Zealand, expect it to take at least 3 to 4 weeks to complete the processes. It’s a lot less stressful to buy than other places around the globe, since after the bid is accepted formally, they don’t tolerate last minute offers. 

New Zealand housing types are a mixture of standalone buildings on what can often be large blocks of land. Most home and land purchases require a qualified real estate agent. In some cases, it’s best to get independent advice from lawyers or people more experienced in-home buying (‘conveyancing’) before embracing an offer.

LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND AS AN EXPAT

Food and Wine

New Zealand offers a refreshing and authentic experience in modern global food travel. Its wineries have been operating for more than five generations. There are about ten major wine-producing regions in New Zealand, and Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay are the two premium growing areas.

It’s good to practice to find food from your homeland while living in New Zealand. But don’t hesitate to try local cuisine and specialties. Seafood, lamb, wines, and cheese are some of the well-known ingredients New Zealand cuisine offers. Locals are also fond of Asian cuisine as well as European food, done with a Kiwi twist. Cafes are cheaper, and posh restaurants can be quite expensive. 

People

New Zealanders have an exceptional accent, which can be quite confusing to travelers and newcomers. You certainly do not need to learn a new language to live here, but a bit of knowledge in Kiwi lingo will go a long way.!

If you spend enough time in New Zealand, you’ll notice how locals here are easygoing, good-natured, and oozing with positivity – thinking everything will work out well at the end of each day. It’s one of New Zealand’s biggest draws, and the friendly nature of the Kiwis is something that expats or migrants will notice straightaway.

Everyone is incredibly friendly and might start a conversation and make small talk once in a while. Expect to walk around town and have a stranger smile or greet you – this is not unusual at all. You’ll always find your people somewhere in New Zealand. Between backpackers, expats, retirees, long term immigrants, it’s a multicultural society.

While there truly aren’t many people living in New Zealand, there are plenty of sheep. In fact, nearly 30 million of these furry creatures dot the landscape like a fluffy white cloud; far outnumbering the 4.8 million humans.

Health Insurance

Thanks to government subsidies, residents and people who hold work visa benefits from a sound public health system, often free or low cost. If you’re a retiree and have limited income, you’ll be liable to get help from the government for regular and unexpected medical expenses. 

Weather

New Zealand is known for its temperate, mild climate. The Far North has a subtropical climate, so expect a typically long, hot, and humid summer. The temperature here drops as low as -10 Celsius down in the South Island’s alpine region.

Winter is often associated with large storms, and summers are mild, never too hot. People residing close to the coast enjoy a mild climate pretty much throughout the year. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

New Zealand is a place everyone wants to live – and for good reason. There are few countries who strike the balance between cities and nature so well. There is plenty to enjoy here, from the cuisine to the people to the raw beauty. If you are lucky enough to be able to make retirement happen here, you can’t do much better. Good luck!

New Zealanders or also known as the Kiwis are one of the funniest and outgoing travellers I’ve ever met on the road. They are very laid back, easy-going, and very fun to travel with – not to mention how interesting their accent is.

This article about New Zealand passport visa free countries listed down all the information a Kiwi traveller needs to know. From visa-free, visa-on-arrival, evisa, and which countries require you to get one in advance. This post will also guide you in how to get visas online or what are the requirements for each.

You should also be able to find travel tips, packing tips, travel guides, and many other articles that will be useful for you travels everywhere in the world.

Here are some travel tips that you may find useful:

• USA citizen’s visa guide for travelling
• Visa free countries for Canadian passport holders
• Australian passport visa free countries
• British passport visa free countries
• ​Get a low-cost travel insurance before you go
• Visa free countries for Philippines passport holders
• German passport visa-free countries

NEW ZEALAND PASSPORT VISA FREE COUNTRIES: Visa-Free, Visa-On-Arrival, & Visa Requirement

In this article, you will find the visa-free countries for New Zealand citizens, visa on arrival or evisa, and which countries require to apply for a visa before travelling.

All the information are divided based on each country’s geographical location; continents and subcontinents. You may use the table of contents board to navigate faster.

RELATED POST: Best 40L Backpacks for any type of travelling

HOW MANY COUNTRIES A NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS CAN VISIT WITHOUT VISA

Citizens of New Zealand can enter and travel to more than 110 countries without obtaining a visa in advance while they can receive a visa on arrival to almost 50 countries. There are only 40 countries they need to apply for a visa beforehand.

TIP: Check these long-haul flight essentials

HOW STRONG A NEW ZEALAND PASSPORT IN TERMS OF TRAVELLING

New Zealand passport is one of the strongest passports in the world in terms of travelling. They even have freedom of movement agreement with Australia while they can travel to Europe and North America for a long period of time. Plenty of South American countries also allow the Kiwis to enter without a visa. Applying for one is also not a problem most of the time. In fact, New Zealand passport is a few points stronger than Australia.

Probably, the only problem for Kiwi travellers is their distance to the rest of the world. Most flights are not cheap, it also takes some time to get out of New Zealand to reach a destination further than the East side of Australia.

RE​LATED POST: Best books to read while travelling

VISA GUIDE FOR AFRICA

Although there are only 10+ countries in Africa that are offering visa-free access to New Zealand citizens, there are more than 20 countries where visitors can get a visa on arrival or online. With this, Africa is one of the best destinations for Kiwi to explore. If you are still in doubt, check out this article about the safe African countries to visit.

Central Africa

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Angola – evisa for 30 days, must show an onward ticket and hotel reservation
• Gabon – evisa, it must arrive via Libreville International Airport
• Rwanda – evisa or visa on arrival for 30 days, can enter using a valid East Africa Tourist Visa issues by Kenya or Uganda
• Sao Tome and Principe – 15 days

VISA REQUIRED:

• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Equatorial Guinea
• Chad
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Republic of the Congo
• South Sudan

​RELATED POST: Be responsible – check these Eco-friendly travel accessories and products that you can bring with you

East Africa

VISA-FREE:

• Mayotte – 90 days
• Mauritius – 90 days – check this Mauritius travel guide
• Reunion – 90 days
• Seychelles – 90 days free of charge, can be extended up to 12 months

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Comoros
• Djibouti – evisa for 31 days – how to apply for Djibouti evisa
• Ethiopia – evisa or visa on arrival from 30 days for up to 90 days which must be obtained or arrive via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport – APPLY FOR AN EVISA HERE
• Kenya – visa on arrival or evisa for 90 days, can enter with valid East African Tourist Visa from either Kenya or Uganda
• Madagascar – visa on arrival for either 30, 60 or 90 days – get an evisa online – check prices online
• Somalia – visa on arrival for 30 days, available at Berbera, Borama, Bosaso, Burao, Erigavo, Galciao, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu airports only
• Tanzania – evisa or visa on arrival, the length depends on the port of entry, bring either US$50 or US$100 notes
• Uganda – visa on arrival or evisa, must get online for US$50, you can also enter using East Africa Tourist Visa from Kenya or Rwanda
• Zambia – visa on arrival or evisa, can apply for Universal Visa to use for Zambia and Zimbabwe – APPLY FOR AN EVISA HERE
• Zimbabwe – evisa or visa on arrival, and apply for Universal Visa to use for Zimbabwe and Zambia

VISA REQUIRED:

• Eritrea

North Africa

VISA-FREE:

• Morocco – 90 days
• Tunisia – 90 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Egypt– evisa or visa on arrival for 30 days – get your evisa here or read this guide

VISA REQUIRED:

• Algeria
• Libya
• South Sudan

South Africa

VISA-FREE:

• Botswana – 90 days in one calendar year
• Eswatini (Swaziland) – 30 days
• Gambia – 90 days
• Lesotho – 14 days
• Namibia – 90 days in a calendar year
• Senegal – 90 days
  

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Malawi – visa on arrival for 30 to 90 days, read this guide on how to apply online or apply right now
• Mozambique – visa on arrival for 30 days

VISA REQUIRE​D:

• South Africa

West Africa

VISA-FREE:

• Gambia – 90 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Benin – evisa for 30 days to 90 days, single or multiple entries, must show an international vaccination certificate
• Burkina Faso – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Cape Verde – visa on arrival
• Cote d’Ivoire – evisa for 90 days, must enter via Port Bouet Airport – APPLY HERE – Ivory Coast visa application guide
• Guinea-Bissau – evisa and visa on arrival for 90 days
• Mauritania – visa on arrival on Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport only
• Togo – visa on arrival for 7 days and can be extended up to 90 days

VISA REQUIRED:

• Ghana
• Guinea
• Liberia
• Mali
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Sierra Leone 

Most of these countries actually offered pre-approves visa when you land

​RELATED POST: Best rolling backpack; rucksack with wheels

VISA GUIDE FOR ASIA

Asia is undeniably one of the top destinations in the world. Its beautiful beaches, charmingly chaotic cities, mouthwatering food, and warm people – Asia is surely on many travellers from New Zealand’s bucket list.

The visa deals from a lot of Asian countries let a New Zealand passport holder enter without a visa but also many of them are flexible when it comes to extending a visa for a small fee. Asia, especially Southeast is not too far for a Kiwi to fly to. Some flights are only eight (8) hours while others are between 12-15 hours. Affordable flights are also available.

RELATED POST: Fun and adventurous trips to add on your Asia bucket list and Best travel jacket with hidden pockets

East Asia

VISA-FREE:

• Hong Kong – 90 days
• Japan – 180 days
• Macau – 90 days
• South Korea – 90 days
• Taiwan – 90 days

VISA REQUIRED:

• China
• North Korea – a special permit is required and must be with an approved tour agency only
• Mongolia

Central Asia

VISA-FREE:

• Kazakhstan – 30 days
• Kyrgyzstan – 60 days
• Uzbekistan – 30 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Tajikistan – evisa for 45 days in a 9-day period – check how to get an evisa

VISA REQUIRED:

• Turkmenistan – required a visa, but visa-free for transit at Ashgabat Airport

South Asia

VISA-FREE:

• Maldives – 30 days and can be extended up to 90 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Bangladesh – visa on arrival for 30 days
• India – evisa for 60 days, evisa can only be used twice in a calendar year and must be used via 26 international airports or 3 seaports – check this Indian visa online guide or get your evisa now
• Nepal – visa on arrival for a fee – read top things to know before visiting Nepal
• Pakistan – 30-day single entry of evisa – check the price
• Sri Lanka – evisa/visa on arrival with ETA for 30 days – APPLY FOR AN EVISA

VISA REQUIRED:

• Afghanistan – visa-free entry if born in Afghanistan, born to Afghan parents or with parents born in Afghanistan 
• Bhutan – visas must be processed via the Embassy, Consulate, or approved tour operators only

Southeast Asia

RELATED POSTS: Backpacking in Southeast Asia, 2 weeks up to 6 months itineraries, travel budget for Southeast Asia, and when is the best time to visit,  vaccinations for Southeast Asia, visas for Southeast Asia

VISA-FREE:

• Brunei – 30 days
• Indonesia – 30 days – read this Indonesia tourist visa
• Malaysia – 90 days – check this Malaysia visa guide
• Philippines – 30 days, can be extended once you are in the country – here is the Philippines visa guide or retire in the Philippines
• Singapore – 90 days – read my Singapore tourist visa guide
• Thailand – 30 days, annual maximum stay- check out this Thailand visa guide
• Vietnam – 15 days or can apply for evisa for 30 days or longer visa (up to 90 days) – more information on Vietnam visa guide

VISA ON ARRIVAL / EVISA:

• Cambodia – evisa/visa on arrival for 30 days, can be extended for another 30 days – find more details on Cambodia visa guide
• Laos – visa on arrival for 30 days, $40 fee – read this Laos visa guide or apply for evisa
• Myanmar – evisa for 28 days, must enter through a specific point depending on what you place on your application – APPLY FOR AN EVISA – here is my Myanmar visa guide, you can also get a visa on arrival at Yangon International Airport, Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, and Mandalay International Airport that is valid for 30 days on a $50 fee
• Timor-Leste – visa on arrival for 30 days via Dili Seaport or Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport
• Vietnam – evisa for 30 days or longer – check your visa options

West/Middle East

VISA-FREE:

• Armenia – 180 days
• Georgia – 365 days – read my article about Georgia visa guide
• Israel – 90 days – how to extend your Israel tourist visa
• Palestine
• Qatar – 30 days
• Turkey – 90 days – Turkey visa guide

VISA ON ARRIVAL / EVISA:

• Azerbaijan – evisa for 30 days – apply for Azerbaijan visa or get your evisa online
• Bahrain – visa on arrival for 90 days, evisa for 14 days can be extended once
• Iran – visa on arrival for 30 days which can be extended, must land in the major international airports
• Iraq – visa on arrival for 30 days at Erbil and Sulaymaniyah Airport or Sulaimaniyah International Airport
• Jordan – visa on arrival for 30 days – it’s best to apply for Jordan Pass, check the cost here
• Kuwait – evisa/visa on arrival for 90 days – read about Kuwait evisa or check the prices
• Lebanon – visa on arrival for 30 days, can be extended for two additional months for free at Beirut International Airport
• Oman – evisa for 30 days – apply for an evisa
• Saudi Arabia – you can get an evisa online, valid for 1 year with maximum use of 90 days- get it online
• United Arab Emirate – visa on arrival for 30 days for free and you can extend later – remember to spend summer in Dubai

VISA REQUIRED:

• ​Syria
• Yemen

VISA GUIDE FOR EUROPE

Let’s divide Europe into two categories, the European Member and the not member. The EU members let New Zealand citizens have freedom of movement, meaning you can come and go to travel around these countries anytime.

RELATED POST: Find out what is the best walking shoes for travelling

European Union Member

Non-European Union Member

These countries in Europe give different visa policies for New Zealand travellers, find out below how long can you stay and travel and which one requires a visa.

RELATED POST: Pack the best quick dry towel for your next trip

VISA-FREE:

• Albania – 90 days
• Andorra
• Belarus – 30 days, must arrive in Minsk International Airport and should be registered at the police if staying for more than 5 days
• Iceland
• Kosovo – 90 days within the six-month period
• Liechtenstein
• Macedonia – 90 days
• Moldova – 90 days in 180-day period
• Monaco -Schengen visa policy is adapted (90 days)
• Montenegro – 90 days
• San Marino
• Serbia – 90 days
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom – 6 months visa-free
• Vatican City

EVISA:

• Ukraine – evisa for 30 days for US$85 – APPLY HERE

VISA REQUIRED:

• Russia – you need an invitation letter from a person in Russia or a travel agency if you are applying for a visa, you can get it online too

VISA GUIDE FOR AMERICA

The countries in America are probably a long way from New Zealand, but it’s definitely worth a trip. Countries in North America welcome Kiwi travellers any time with great visa-free access while the Caribbean and South America are with all easy visa rules.

TIP: Be a responsible traveller, bring a reusable water bottle

Central America/Caribbean

VISA-FREE:

• Aruba – 30 days can be extended up to 180 days
• Antigua and Barbuda – 180 days
• Bahamas – 21 days, can be extended up to 8 months
• Barbados – 180 days
• Belize – 30 days
• Bermuda – 180 days
• Cayman Islands – 180 days
• Costa Rica – 90 days
• Curacao – 90 days
• Dominica – 180 days
• Dominican Republic – 30 days
• El Salvador – 90 days
• Guatemala – 90 days
• Grenada – 180 days
• Haiti – 90 days for $10 fee
• Honduras – 90 days
• Jamaica – 180 days
• Nicaragua – 90 days
• Saint Kitts and Nevis – 90 days
• Saint Lucia – 6 weeks
• Turks and Caicos – 90 days
• Panama – 180 days

VISA REQUIRED:

• Cuba – Tourist card 

North America

VISA-FREE:

• Canada – 180 days, eTA is required if arriving by air
• Greenland – Schengen visa rule is applied 
• Mexico – 180 days but must have a tourist card – get yours
• United States – 90 days, ESTA is required if arriving via air or sea, not required in Guam and Northern Mariania Islands – travelling to the US checklist

South America

VISA-FREE:

• Argentina – 90 days
• Bolivia – 90 days
• Brazil – 90 days, can be extended for another 90 days – things to know before travelling to Brazil
• Chile – 90 days, can be extended
• Colombia – 90 days, can be extended for a total of 180-days in a calendar year, must show Yellow Fever Vaccine if coming from Brazil and Uganda
• Ecuador – 90 days, can be extended
• Guyana – 90 days
• Peru – 183 days, but depends on the immigration officer, normally they give 90 days and you can extend for less than $2 in the immigration office in any major cities in Peru
• Venezuela – 90 days
• Uruguay – 90 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL / EVISA:

• Paraguay – visa on arrival for US$140, must arrive at  Silvio Pettirossi International Airport 
• Suriname – tourist card on arrival for 90 days – read how you can apply for Suriname evisa online or apply now

VISA GUIDE FOR OCEANIA

Oceania is a great destination for New Zealand citizens, there is a great number of flights that will not take up the entire weekend plus the visas are easy and flexible.

RELATED POST: Stay healthy and hygienic and pack an electric toothbrush

VISA-FREE:

• Australia – visa free, right of abode
• Fiji – 120 days
• Kiribati – 30 days
• Micronesia – 30 days
  
• Palau – 30 days
• Samoa – 60 days
• Solomon Islands – 90 days
• Tonga – 31 days
  
• Vanuatu – 30 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL / EVISA:

• Marshall Islands – visa on arrival for 90 days
• Papua New Guinea – evisa or free visa on arrival for 60 days – read our Papua New Guinea evisa guide or apply now
• Tuvalu – visa on arrival

VISA REQUIRED:

• Nauru

I hope you find this article about visa-free countries for New Zealand passport holders useful. When planning your next trip, make sure to check out the visa rules to avoid any hassles.

If you have any questions or if you think I’ve made a mistake, let me know in the comment section below to keep this updated.

DISCLAIMER

A Mary Road is not responsible for any situation where the reader was denied admittance to the above-listed countries. Please refer to our Disclosure. We advise you to always double-check visa information as they change quite often to avoid any hassles.

ARE YOU ON PINTEREST? SAVE THIS TO READ LATER:

New Zealand consists of two islands; the North and South Islands. On the North Island, you’ll find the largest city in the country, Auckland. Auckland has more than 1.5 million people. It’s often considered a World City thanks to the cultural and social characteristics seen throughout the country.

With such diversity, and ranking as one of the most livable cities, Auckland has been a very popular destination for tourists. This is the perfect place to travel for families since there are plenty of things to do around this city to keep both you and the kids entertained. If you are heading somewhere else in New Zealand, here’s a local guide.

What are the best things to do in Auckland with your family?​

Visit the Ice Cream Shop/Factory – Giapo

If you enjoy a tasty ice cream just like me at almost any time of the year, you have to stop by our favourite place for the most incredible ice cream in the world– Giapo! Here, the ice cream is not the normal dessert that we all know about. At Giapo the status quo is challenged and ice cream has new functions, forms and shapes. Hot Chips in a cone, The Colossal Squid, The selfie cone, the Yorkshire pudding are only some of my favourite creations.

When you walk in, you will be greeted by a hostess, you will go through a full d​égustation of all their flavours or until you find something that you truly like, it is like a 5 stars service in an ice cream shop. They also have a menu for vegans and gluten-free.

This is definitely a fun and exciting thing to do in Auckland with your kids, your friends or when you are going out on a date.  Visit their website, they also offer tours and other experiences.

Check out the Sky Tower/SkyWalk

The most recognized feature of the Auckland skyline is the Sky Tower. This tower reaches over 300 meters tall, making it the tallest tower in all of New Zealand. The tower functions as a telecommunications tower but has opened the upper levels to the public for observation. These observation decks attract close to half a million visitors every year. You’ll be greeted with views overlooking the entire city and with great visibility, you can see far reaches of the New Zealand islands. The entire family will be amazed at the sights and photo opportunities from these levels.

As if the observation deck isn’t enough, you can also take your family on the daring SkyWalk adventure. The SkyWalk puts you on the outside ledge of the tower where you experience the same sights with nothing but a cable keeping you from falling over the rail-less edge. Guides take you around the 360-degree views of the tower and even test your courage with different tasks nearly taking you over the edge.

CHECK TICKET PRICES & SCHEDULES

Visit a VR Studio​

Be sure to stop by the VR Studio for a unique experience enjoyable for all ages. VR Studio is the first public virtual reality studios in New Zealand, and one of the few in the world. This studio features 8 different arcade booths that give you a variety of virtual reality experiences. This next-level technology will put you right in the middle of the action, making it look and feel as though the virtual experience is happening in real-life.

There are a variety of experiences to choose between, including video games, skill challenges, creative, or even a simulated adventure around New Zealand. The best part about this studio is that they offer multiplayer virtual experiences so you’ll be able to have fun right alongside your family. The VR Studio is award-winning and is a frequent destination for visitors to Auckland seeking fun. The games and experiences are frequently updated so you can expect something different every time you visit.

Have fun at Amazing Maze

New Zealand has a great climate for enjoying the outdoors. One of the best family-fun activities to explore is the Amazing Maze. The Amazing Maze is a cornfield in the south of Auckland designed as a maze. This is a seasonal activity due to finding the ideal weather so this destination can only be visited from December to April months. Every time the cornfield maze opens, it’s designed based on a new theme so you’ll never experience the same maze twice.

Amazing Maze offers three different experiences for their visitors. These include the standard day maze, a night maze, and a haunted corn maze. The day maze is filled with different activities and excitement around every corner. If you happen to get lost, which is their hope, you’ll still be entertained throughout the journey. The Night Maze is similar except you’ll be required to carry a torch to be able to see your way through the maze. The Haunted Corn Maze experience is only available if your family is all over the age of 16. This is a terrifying journey through the maze with surprising twists on every turn.

Experience zip-lining through the forest

Although there are two main islands that form the country of New Zealand, there are many smaller islands located just off of the coasts. One such island found off of the coast of Auckland is Waiheke. To get to Waiheke Island, you’ll need to take a ferry. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the Zip & Waiheke Adventure.

EcoZip Adventure is a zip line adventure across the island, giving you amazing views of the island’s forest and winery. There are three different zip lines, each paired up so you can zip across the landscape with a member of your family. Each of the zip lines is 200 meters long, more than enough time to enjoy the sights, and take pictures as you speed along.

EcoZip Adventure also includes a few other experiences such as the Native Forest Explore and the Tour Waiheke. After zipping to the landing platform, you’ll descend and get a new perspective of the forest from the ground floor. You’ll be guided through the forest while learning about the different plant life that grows there. The Tour Waiheke is a shuttle tour around the island, taking you to all of the most scenic spots. It is definitely one of the best outdoor activities in Auckland.

CHECK PRICES & SCHEDULES

Visit Rainbow’s End Theme Park

Rainbow’s End is the premier theme park in New Zealand. This world-class theme park has more than 20 rides and attractions, both for adults and young children. This makes it the perfect place to visit for family fun in Auckland. The park has a great combination of thrill rides, including the twists and turns of the Corkscrew Coaster, and the Fearfall, taking you 18 stories into the air and freefalling. Surely it’s a must not miss kids activities in Auckland.

There are also rides catered to the family so you can enjoy riding them with younger children. There are also designated kid’s areas. The AA Driver’s Town gives a real-life driving experience designed for kids. Kidz Kingdom is a special entertainment centre for younger kids under the age of 8 years old. With the park being open all year long, stop by any day for a fun-filled time in one of the country’s top theme parks.

Auckland is such a lovely city to explore. From its vibrant attractions to see, tasting your way around, or simply walking in cute little alleys – this city is simply enjoyable. There are plenty of affordable flights to Auckland, there is no reason for not visiting this amazing city!

I hope you find this article useful and informative and I hope you will have a great time during your stay in Auckland with your kids.

ARE YOU ON PINTEREST? SAVE THIS FOR LATER READ: