We know you have lots to do before flying to NZ, so we've created a checklist to help

Two months before you leave

• Double check your itinerary – ensure dates, times, baggage allowance and seat allocation are correct. Any changes should be attended to immediately.
• Make sure your passport is valid for your intended length of study in New Zealand, plus an additional six months.
• Make sure you have travel insurance. Don’t leave the country without travel insurance, always be prepared when you are in a foreign country. OPAIC will assist International Students with insurance. Please contact auckland@op.ac.nz for more information.
• Organise your student accommodation or a short-term place to stay for when you arrive in Auckland. If you’re looking for inexpensive, short-term accommodation there are a number of dormitory-style hostels in the city centre, you can find one on www.hostelworld.com or www.bbh.co.nz.  
• Check with your doctor about recommended vaccinations. See your doctor at least 6-8 weeks before departure to ensure sufficient time for a vaccine to work. Be sure to ask about laws on travelling with medicine in the country you are visiting.
• Have a medical, optical and dental check-up and organise prescription medication (if required).
• Let the airline know of any special requirements you have – it’s best to make the airline aware as soon as possible. 

One week before you leave

• Save online copies of important travel information to a cloud-based storage account such as Google Docs or Dropbox. Copy your passport, insurance policy, itinerary, traveller’s cheques, visa and credit card numbers. It’s a good idea to print a hard copy of all documents and leave them at home with a friend or family member.
• We recommend you bring a passport sized photo with you to New Zealand in case you need to replace a lost passport or obtain any other form of identification.
• Exchange some money into NZD currency and have at least NZD$300 for when you arrive to cover airport transfers and general expenses. Visa is preferred in NZ but many places accept American Express credit cards.
• Familiarise yourself with customs and immigration rules as different countries have different laws and policies. New Zealand has strict boarder security in order to protect our wildlife and environment, view here what you can and can’t bring with you.
• Find and save the details of your national embassy in New Zealand.
• Check your airline ticket for your carry-on and checked luggage allowance. Most airlines allow 7kg carry-on and 20kg checked.
• Purchase a padlock to secure your checked baggage. Medication must be correctly labelled and attached to a subscription.
• Download the helpful travel apps: Your airline (eg Air New Zealand), Trip Advisor, Uber, Auckland Airport, Hello Auckland (we highly recommend this one), Skype.
• Download movies onto your devices so you have entertainment on the plane!
• Understand your telco's data roaming costs so you don’t get a large phone bill when you arrive in Auckland. You can buy a pre-paid SIM at Auckland International Airport, our main providers are Spark, Vodafone, 2 Degrees and Skinny Mobile. 

Departure day

• Triple check you have all the correct paper work – airline ticket, passport, photo identification, insurance policy, itinerary, traveller’s cheques, credit card.
• Note down the AIC emergency contact number, 021 0282 8711, in case you need help during your travels.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Arrive at the airport early, 2-3 hours before your flight is due to board.