Electricity
Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. Plugs are not the same as those used in the UK, however adaptors are readily available in New Zealand.
For further details refer to www.nzelectricity.co.nz.
Telephones
Telecom and TelstraClear are the main providers of residential phone lines. You pay a monthly line rental and local calls are free. Both offer competitive deals for international calls.
There are a number of international calling cards available. www.easycall.co.nz, www.prepaidcards.co.nz, www.kiaoracard.co.nz, www.talknsave.co.nz
Mobile phone services are available on the Telecom, Vodafone or TelstraClear networks.
Most public telephones operate with prepaid phone cards which you can purchase from booksellers, dairies and convenience stores. The minimum value is NZ$5.00. Some public telephones accept credit cards but very few now accept coins.
Finding Contact Details
The White Pages lists both business and residential telephone numbers and addresses.
The Yellow Pages lists businesses by category and is a useful resource when looking for a business, professional service, restaurant or tradesman. Businesses are listed alphabetically under their corresponding category, along with their phone numbers and address details. The Yellow Pages is a useful resource when you’re looking for a business nearby.
Telecom and cellphone companies offer a directory service for an additional cost.
Internet
Broadband and dial-up Internet services available include Orcon, Telecom Xtra, Clear.net and Slingshot.
A popular New Zealand search engine is www.searchnz.co.nz
Water Supply
Water in New Zealand is safe to drink from the tap without further treatment. Urban water supplies are clean and most are fluoridated. Some rural properties are on tank water (ie water captured from rain and collected in a large tank). It is recommended that water taken from streams and lakes is treated or boiled before drinking.
Household Help
There are plenty of options if you would like to hire a cleaner or someone to help with the garden or general maintenance around the home. Check the Yellow Pages for commercial services or ask around. For advice on charges or ways to ensure a job is done well, or if you are unsure about how much you should pay, or are unhappy with a job, talk to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or contact the Consumers' Institute of New Zealand on www.consumer.org.nz.
For advice on charges, and on ways of making sure jobs are done well contact the local Citizens Advice Bureau, or visit the Consumers’ Institute of New Zealand.
The Yellow Pages is a good place to find home help services.