Please don’t underestimate distances and travelling times while driving in New Zealand road conditions.

Distances between New Zealand destinations may seem as short on road maps, however your average speed may be lower on New Zealand roads due to them being:

• narrower
• including more bends,
• covering unexpectedly winding and hilly terrain
• varying suddenly in driving standard

Key points to note while driving in New Zealand:

• The speed limit on NZ roads is 50 km/hr (kilometres) per hour or 31 mph (miles per hour)
• The speed limit on NZ highways & motorways is 100 km/hr (kilometres per hour) or 62 mph (miles per hour).
• Always drive on the left hand side of the road in New Zealand.
• Please remember New Zealand’s special Give Way (yield) rule when you approach at intersections.
• Please remember to budget extra time on your New Zealand journey for hilly, narrow or winding roads.