• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

      HastingsNapier

      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

      Districts

      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

      Tooltip

Car insurance

Car insurance is not mandatory in New Zealand; however, it is strongly recommended you get some insurance, either comprehensive or third-party.

 

Comprehensive or third-party insurance
Comprehensive car insurance covers the cost of damage to your own vehicle, as well as other people’s cars and property. This might also include any accidental injuries and/or deaths both in your car and any other vehicles involved in the accident.
Third-party car insurance covers the damage to other people’s cars and property and sometimes injuries and/or deaths in the other vehicles. However, it does not cover the cost of any damages to your own car. For this reason, third party insurance is more affordable.
Third-party car insurance usually has an option to add fire and theft, which means your vehicle is covered if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.

 

Who is insured?
Car insurance will either cover the driver or the vehicle. Who or what is insured should be pretty obvious in your car insurance policy.
When the insurance covers the driver, this means the driver is insured on any vehicle, whether it’s your own or someone elses. When the car insurance covers the vehicle, this means that just your own vehicle is covered. Nevertheless, that usually means anyone driving your vehicle is also covered.

 

conditions
Make sure that you read the conditions of your insurance carefully, as there are some situations where your insurance may not be valid. It is pointless and a waste of money to buy car insurance if you or your car are breaching the conditions of the insurance policy. For just a few obvious examples, your car insurance is only valid when:

  • The driver has a valid driver licence. Find out what licence is valid in How to Drive in New Zealand
  • The car is used in a safe and roadworthy condition
  • The driver is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Your vehicle is only used for personal use, rather than commercial or business purposes
  • You have been truthful about your car condition, driving history and who is driving the car

 

Excess
On the wording and policy of your car insurance, you’ll see the word ‘excess’. In insurance terms, the excess is how much of the damages you pay for when making a claim. For example, if you have an excess of NZ$500 and the damages bill is NZ$5000, then you will pay NZ$500 and the insurance company will pay NZ$4500.

 

What to Do if You Have an Accident?
Before all that, call 111 in an emergency situation.
If you are involved in a vehicle accident, write down all the details about the accident, including name and contact details of the other driver and registration licence number of the vehicles involved. Also, get the names and contact details of any witnesses.
Then contact your insurance company the insurance company will have likely given you a phone number to make a claim.

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