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7 Safety Tips For Driving Around New Zealand

New Zealand roads can be very different from those found overseas, not just because we drive on a different side than half the world, but also because we have windy narrow roads, unsealed roads, confusing intersections and a lack of signage....

New Zealand Tourism Films

Tourism has always being important to New Zealand, from the days of the pink and white terraces to the current drawcard of the clean, green, hobbit scene that draws in thousands of international guests every year. Over that time we have run some special advertising campaigns that have become iconic here and abroad. Luckily New Zealand Tourism has archived some of these old tourism promos, from ads that set out to entice the world to visit 'upbeat, action-flled NZ' to the 'C'mon to New Zealand' 1...

5 of the World's Most Breathtaking Road Trips

Dreamed up by travel agents in the 1950s, Germany's "Romantic Road" nonetheless delivers the goods: The 220-mile route hopscotches between picturesque towns and castles in southern Germany. Highlights include Wertheim Castle, a ruined stone castle dating to the 12th century; Hohes Schloss, a late-gothic fortified castle that for centuries served as the summer residence for the Prince Bishops of Augsburg; and the Minster of St. George, a stately late-gothic hall church with a Romanesque tower gat...

Understanding Kiwi Customs & Communication

Understanding local customs is one of the hardest parts of settling into any new country. Sometimes the more similar your culture seems to the 'Kiwi' culture, the harder it can be to understand subtle social differences....

Six Top Tips For The Solo-Traveller

For some of us the idea of solo travel is heavenly. No one else to organise, whole beds and rooms to ourselves, nobody to argue with over meal choices - and shopping for as long as you want. In fact, solo travel is an increasing trend both for Kiwis and internationally. If you're contemplating heading off on your own, here are our 10 top tips for the solo traveller to make your trip safer and more enjoyable:...

Top North Island New Zealand Outdoor Adventures

If you're a keen outdoors person then New Zealand (NZ) is the perfect destination for you. With hundreds of outdoor options spread out all over our country you will be able to soak up both our scenery and our hospitality while having the adventure of a lifetime. Here are a list of some of our favourite North Island adventures:...

Travel Insurance for NZ Seniors

Today's seniors are active, keen and financially able to undertake international travel - and the travel industry has responded in turn. With so many exciting and exotic trips available throughout the year we find this group of travellers is definitely on the increase....

New Zealand Summer Working Holiday Visa & Insurance

During the European summer, many backpackers start planning their next summer with holiday work in New Zealand (NZ). There are many reasons why NZ is a favourite destination for travellers. Our landscape is stunning, we have great beaches, our towns are generally safe and most Kiwis are friendly and welcoming. We also have an array of seasonal work available for travellers and work opportunities in nearly every part of the country. Here are some tips about where to find information and apply for...

Insurance Cover For Professional and High Risk Sport

Over the last few years, we have arranged insurance cover for competitive (medal winning) cyclists, waterskiers, roller derby teams, multi-sport athletes, horse riders, Nitro Circus and cheerleading teams - to name just a few. We have also arranged cover for sailing holidays and New Zealanders heading overseas for martial arts demonstrations. In fact, we have extensive experience in obtaining cover for extreme sport and professional sports athletes....

Four Tips For International Mountain Bike Travel

International mountain bike travel is a growing business. Every year hundreds of Kiwis head off to international shores to explore new trails and new cultures. Like any international travel there is some stress involved with planning trip logistics and it can be easy to overlook some finer travel details. Health and Travel Insurance Brokers have many years experience in helping people organise insurance policies that cover high risk sports such as mountain biking, here we have some advice and...

Insurance For Seasonal Workers Coming To New Zealand

A reminder to all seasonal workers and backpackers coming to New Zealand and/or Australia for the 2017/18 summer season. When you are planning your trip, or if you are already here, now is the time organise your insurance!...

Places to Visit in New Zealand - Wellington

Wellington is not only the Capital of New Zealand but is also considered the cultural, heritage and arts hub of our Country thanks to its fantastic mix of history, museums, shops, theatre, film and events....

Places To Visit In New Zealand: Waitomo Caves

There are so many fantastic places to visit when you travel in New Zealand that it can be hard to choose. We will often blog about some of our favourites, but they are by no means the only places to visit. We suggest taking your time and really getting to know our beautiful country....

3 Best Digital Travel Tools For 2017

Last year we blogged about 7 Essential Travel Items To Pack. These included walking shoes, cash, earplugs, sarong, eye mask, waterproof jacket and plastic bags. We decided that working out what digital travel items to take was worthy of another blog!...

New Zealand Working Holiday Visas & Insurance Cover

Summer is officially here and that means many seasonal workers will be making their way to our shores and planning their summer travels. To coincide with this busy time of year, the New Zealand government announced this week that they would be increasing the quota for the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE) for short term migrants working on vineyards and orchards by 1,000 to 10,500 for the 2016/17 season....

How Travel Insurance Can Help Save A Life

A really interesting Article featured in Conde Nast this week about one persons experience with their travel insurance provider. Rather than getting answers or a diagnosis from a local Doctor in a foreign country, this person found that their insurance provider asked the right questions when times got desperate. The provider then helped organise a better doctor for the next hospital visit, who then carried out some better tests in order to make an actual diagnosis....

Even A Broken Leg Requires Good Travel Insurance

A broken leg is a pretty common injury among travellers. This New Zealand man had a sister staying from the UK who experienced that exact injury while holidaying here. His article explains why it was lucky she had travel insurance. Examples include flight changes that needed to be made, wheelchair and crutches that had to be hired and a car to meet her at the Airport in London....

Essential Travel Items For The Baby Boomer Traveller

With so many New Zealand 'baby boomers' doing their OE in later years we thought it would be good timing to include a few tips, lists and travel ideas in our blog....

3 Best Christmas Gifts For Sport Lovers

Not that you need reminding, but Christmas is only a week away! If you are stuck on what to buy that special someone in your life… who happens to be a sport enthusiast or extreme sport lover… then this is the gift guide for you! We have picked three awesome gifts that any sport lover would appreciate:...

Sport Insurance - Get The Right Cover

Sport Insurance can be difficult for people to arrange because insurance companies view sport in different categories and there are different aspects of insurance that you need to consider. Professional or competitive sports and high risk extreme activities are also often excluded from standard travel insurance policies. Most leisure travel insurances will not cover anything competitive apart from racing on foot....

7 Travel Essentials To Pack For Your Next Trip

We have all made the mistake of packing too much gear when travelling. There is an old rule that you should pack your bag, then take out a third of what you've packed and that will leave you with more than enough. However you choose to pack there are a few essentials that should always remain in your bag, in no particular order here are 7 items we recommend:...

Travel Insurance & Existing Medical Conditions

It has been an incredibly busy few months with more new clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and interests, our Mountain Bikers heading off for the Europe season, and some major travel insurance claims to deal with....

10 Of The Best Travel Apps For 2015

Travel apps are a great accessory for the modern traveller. Armed with the right apps on your device you will be able to find the best flight deals, restaurants, maps, translators and more. So here are 10 of the best travel apps for your next trip away:...

Black Dirt Adventure Competes in China

The Black Dirt Adventure Racing Team have just returned from their latest adventures in China. The team of adventure sport adrenaline junkies competed in two events, the Wulong Mountain Quest and Suqian Lake Luoma Eco-Quadrathalon Classic. Here is an account of their experience in China as told by team captain Mark Leishman aka 'Cabin':...

Insurance For Travellers with Pre-existing Medical Condition

This was an email received by our team at Health and Travel Insurance Brokers Ltd. It is a great example of why everyone should have travel insurance, and why it pays to find a specialist broker who can source travel insurance that INCLUDES many existing medical conditions:...