New Zealand is relatively free of serious health hazards and the most common pitfalls are not taking precautions or simply underestimating the power of nature. No vaccinations are required to enter the country, but you should make sure you have adequate health cover in your travel insurance, especially if you plan to take on the Great Outdoors
.
New Zealand has a fine health service, despite recent government cuts, and medical services are reasonably cheap by world standards. Although all visitors are covered by the
accident compensation scheme
, under which you can claim some medical and hospital expenses in the event of an accident, without full accident cover in your travel insurance
, you could still face a hefty bill. For more minor ailments, you can visit a
doctor
for a consultation around ($35) and, armed with a prescription, buy any required medication at a reasonable price.
AIDS
is as much of an issue in New Zealand as elsewhere but official attitudes are reasonably enlightened, and there are no restrictions on people with HIV or AIDS entering the country.
Support organizations
include the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, 76 Grafton Rd, Grafton, Auckland (tel 09/303 3124) and the 24-hour HIV/AIDS National Hotline (tel 0800/802 437).
The sun
The biggest health problem for visitors to New Zealand is over-exposure to the
sun
, which shines more fiercely here than in the northern hemisphere, its damaging ultra-violet rays reaching a far greater intensity. You should take extra care,...
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Bugs and critters
Something worth avoiding is
giardia
, a parasite that inhabits rivers and lakes in some national parks. Infection results from drinking contaminated water, with symptoms appearing several weeks later: a bloated stomach, cramps, explosive...
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Geological hazards
Although common in New Zealand,
earthquakes
are usually minor. If the worst happens, the best advice is to stand in a doorway or crouch under a table. If caught in the open, try to get inside; failing that, keep your distance from trees and...
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