On arrival, British citizens are automatically issued with a permit to stay for up to six months, and a three-month permit is granted to citizens of most other European countries, Southeast Asian nations, Japan, the USA and Canada. Australian citizens and permanent residents can stay indefinitely.

Other nationalities need to obtain a visa from a New Zealand Embassy; a tourist visa costs the local equivalent of NZ$61 and is normally valid for three months. You will also have to pay a visitor application fee of $65.

The granting of a visitor permit or tourist visa is dependent upon your having evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself without working (about NZ$1000 a month, or NZ$400 a month if your accommodation is prepaid), in the form of a bank draft, cash, travellers' cheques, a statement from a New Zealand bank account, one of the major credit cards, or a friend or relative who is prepared to guarantee your accommodation and maintenance (although you are rarely asked to prove these things when you get off the plane). You must also have a confirmed onward ticket and right of entry (including any necessary visas) to your proposed destination.

Tourist visas, visitor permits and short-term work permits and study permits can be extended in three-month chunks up to nine months, and "genuine tourists" may be able to get extensions up to a maximum stay of twelve months. Apply for extensions (each costing NZ$61) though the New Zealand Immigration Service, which has offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Manukau, Palmerston North and Wellington. The immigration Web site www.immigration.govt.nz offers up-to-date information on all these matters.