Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas

News features

Ukraine: security situation

Reviewed: 11 April 2023, 10:44 NZST

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, with attacks and heavy fighting occurring in several areas of Ukraine, including in and around Kyiv and other major cities. There are ongoing reports of gunfire, artillery bombardments, explosions and missile strikes. Civilians are being impacted. There is a real risk to life. There is also concern about military activity and shelling around Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, particularly the Zaporizhzhi...read more

Uganda: Ebola virus

Updated: 4 November 2022, 12:26 NZDT

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) The Ugandan government has declared an outbreak of EVD caused by Sudan virus in Uganda. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals (such as fruit bats, porcupines and non-human primates). EVD is not easily spread between people but can be transmitted by direct contact with infected bodily fluids (such as blood, saliva, urine, vomit or faeces) and contaminated surfaces or materials (such as bedding and clothing)...read more

Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Indonesia

Updated: 20 July 2022, 12:33 NZST

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) recently announced that Biosecurity New Zealand is stepping up its work at the border with a campaign to ensure travellers do their part to protect farmers from foot-and-mouth disease. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious animal virus that affects cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and pigs (animals with cloven hooves). It is present in a number of countries in the world, especially in Africa and...read more

New Zealanders with unpaid debts overseas

Reviewed: 21 January 2020, 11:58 NZDT

New Zealanders with unpaid debts overseas may be detained on arrival at the airport by the local authorities, including when in transit.  You may also find yourself prevented from departure until a debt is settled or a dispute is resolved.  This includes cases of outstanding accommodation bills from previous visits, medical fees, missed loan repayments, bounced cheques, and unresolved commercial and civil disputes.   We encour...read more

Drug crime overseas: don't risk it

Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 11:44 NZDT

Every year New Zealanders put themselves at risk of arrest or detention for drug-related offences overseas. Remember that when you are overseas you are subject to that country's laws and penalties - no matter how harsh they may appear by New Zealand standards. In many countries, penalties for drug-related offences are severe. Possession, use or trafficking of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy imprisonment thousands of miles...read more

Travelling with an electronic cigarette

Reviewed: 17 December 2019, 11:37 NZDT

Don’t want your holiday to go up in smoke? Travelling with an electronic cigarette may land you in prison or with a fine. Some countries consider electronic cigarettes and the liquid used in them as prohibited products, which may have some serious consequences for you when you get to the border or are stopped by the authorities in-country. Countries with the ban could impose a hefty fine and/or a prison sentence if it is deemed you attempted to...read more

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