General
Traffic rules
According to aparentingblog, New Zealand is driving on the left.
Maximum speeds
As a matter of principle, in addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.
- Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km / h
- Country roads: There is a speed limit of 100 km / h on country roads
- Motorways: There is a speed limit of 100 km / h on motorways
Special rules for
turning rules ! Left-turners must give right-of-way to oncoming right-turns!
- Seat belts are compulsory.
Blood
alcohol limit There is a blood alcohol limit of 0.8 per mille for drivers of motor vehicles.
Roads in general
The major connecting roads are well developed and their standard corresponds to German country roads. However, since the roads follow the landscape, they are usually very winding and often lead through numerous places. There are overtaking lanes at irregular intervals so that slow moving trucks can be overtaken safely there. In this way, at most, an average speed of 60-70 km per hour can be achieved. So lasts z. B. the approx. 350 km long distance from New Plymouth to Auckland around five hours. However, many small roads are gravel and require all-terrain vehicles. Roads that correspond to the German autobahns are only found in the vicinity of the larger cities. Such a road from Auckland to the south is only about 30 km long.
Rental cars
All major rental car providers such as Sixt, Avis, Hertz and others are represented in New Zealand, but there are also small regional providers in almost all towns and cities who usually offer good rental cars at lower prices than the big ones.
There are a large number of RV rental companies in the country, which is a good alternative to a regular rental car. Those who stay longer in the country should consider buying an old car that they will sell again when they leave.
Airports
Auckland Airport
The airport is located in the south of the city and can only be reached by car or bus. It is an international airport that serves as a hub for the South Pacific. Numerous aircraft from Europe, including Germany, also land here. However, there are no flights from Europe that can reach Auckland without a stopover.
Helicopter Airport
Heliport on the road to Mission Bay, right on the harbor.
Whenuropai
The military airport is mainly used by the government.
Train connection
Overlander
From Auckland the “Overlander” leaves for Wellington all year round at 07:50. It arrives there according to the timetable at 18:25. In Wellington the Overlander departs at 07:55 and arrives in Auckland at 18:45. After its privatization, the railway connection was about to be closed a few years ago. But now that the railway is back in state ownership, the train connection is not only enjoying increasing popularity among tourists.
The trains are powered by diesel locomotives. The surprising thing about the railway system is, among other things, that they shy away from the expense of electrification, but at the same time they have built a state-of-the-art central station in Auckland with underground platforms, the Britomat. The Britomat station, however, is a solitaire, already in the first station after this main station, “normality” prevails again. There are hardly any display boards and the platforms are often not very inviting.
The train does not go to the other two business centers in the city. Albany in the north is generally only connected to the city center by road and the train passes Manukau City at a distance of approx. 3 km.
Buses
The bus system is quite confusing. A total of around 5 different bus companies operate in the city area.
LINKBUS
In the city center, the LINKBUS drives all major streets. It goes in a circle through the city, both clockwise and counterclockwise. It runs approximately every 15 minutes.
Boat and ferry
Most of the ferries depart from the Central Business District, the old ferry building. From here you can reach the districts, Devonport, Birkenhead, Halfmoonbay, Kawau But also most of the islands in the Gulf of Hauraki, such as Waiheke, Rangitoto and others. The competitor ferry Strubitzki departs from the industrial port.
Cruises
Auckland is approached by more and more cruise ships every year. These usually moor in Princess Warf in the city center. Along with Tauranga, Auckland is one of the most important overseas ports in the country.
Bicycle
There are no bike lanes and cyclists are generally seen as poor people. Cycling is quite dangerous in Auckland. Drivers pay little attention to cyclists and are sometimes unable to correctly assess the distance to them. In general, the largest car always has the right of way.
Helmets are compulsory for cyclists in New Zealand.
Sightseeing flights
You can take helicopter flights from the city center over the city and the Gulf of Hauraki or fly to one of the numerous islands in the Gulf.