Yes!! You do need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before you fly. It costs from NZD $17, is valid for 2 years, and allows stays of up to 3 months per visit.
Yes — a valid passport is required for all international travelers entering New Zealand. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from New Zealand. If yours is close to expiring, renew it well before booking flights — airlines can deny boarding if your passport doesn't meet this requirement.
Yes — your NZeTA only covers New Zealand. For Australia, you'll need a separate Australian ETA, which you apply for through the official AustralianETA app
While we love your little ones, our wedding will be an adults-only celebration. Thank you for understanding! Should you choose to bring your children to New Zealand, here are a few babysitting services in the Wanaka area that have been recommended by our wedding planner. We encourage you to vet them yourselves to find the best fit for your family: Lake Wanaka Babysitting Project Nanny – Wanaka Sitters Rock My Baby New Zealand
Yes, both events take place at Horseshoe Bend Estate located in Wanaka. Pease look at Hotels/Places to Stay for lodging options in the area. We recommend all guest stay in Wanaka as Queenstown is a bit far.
Yes!
New Zealand has very strict biosecurity rules to protect its unique ecosystem. Declare everything — food, plant material, hiking boots, camping gear — even if you think it's fine. Fines for non-declaration are steep. When in doubt, declare it.
For most guests, yes. Wanaka is a small alpine town with very limited public transport, no real rideshare network, and attractions spread across the region. Unless you're only here for the wedding weekend and staying in central Wanaka, renting a car will make your trip significantly better — and often cheaper than the alternatives. A note on driving in NZ: Driving is on the LEFT side of the road. Roads around Wanaka are narrow, winding, and gorgeous — they demand attention, especially if you're jet-lagged. There are one-lane bridges (normal — yield signs indicate who gives way) and you'll occasionally share the road with sheep. Take it slow, pull over for photos often, and don't drive your first day if you're exhausted from the flight.
If you really don't want to drive: You'll need to plan ahead. Pre-book: SkyDrive shuttle (skydrive.co.nz) for airport ↔ Wanaka (~NZD $45–55 one way) Local taxis in Wanaka through Yello or Wanaka Taxis (call to book — don't rely on hailing) Organized day tours for anything outside town (vineyards, Mt Aspiring, Queenstown day trips)