New Zealand Tourist Trap Tips by kiwi Top 5 Page for this destination

No such thing as a short-beaked kiwi.

If you are out in our bush and see one of these little darlings, NO it is not a "short-beaked" kiwi as one traveller told me! These are called Wekas and although similar in appearance to the Kiwi, that they are not. Besides the Weka is out and about during daylight hours, and the Kiwi is nocturnal.
Wekas are very cheaky and like to steal from your pack, hoping for food. However it is not only food they take, equipment especially shiney stuff, they cart off too. they are quite strong. So keep a good eye on your gear, even your boots!
Our native parrot the Kea, steals too, but so does this little Weka fella :-))

Take A Plate!

If ever, during your travels, you are invited to a local function, you will be very happy I’m sure. But if the invitation includes the words “bring a plate” you need to understand it’s meaning. This is a local term, and means bring a plate of food. Please don’t be embarrassed as has often happened, when visitors from overseas arrive with an empty plate. It is not meaning that the host doesn’t have enough plates and you need to bring your own, it means that the food offered will be from a shared source and everyone coming should bring one item. Often a salad, or cold meat, or a dessert, or selection of breads etc. All the food is put together on a table and then everyone can select from there what they wish to eat. The theory behind this is if everyone brings enough food for one person to eat, then there should be enough on the table, if you see what I mean.
It’s an old tradition here in New Zealand, but can often catch the visitor out when they don’t know it’s true meaning.

Unique Suggestions: Take some food, doesn't have to specifically be on a plate. Can be supermarket prepared dishes.

Fun Alternatives: Normally travellers, with limited ability to be prepared, are not expected to take anything to a function or dinner.

Don't be overweight with baggage.

You have to send excess baggage home before you depart, if you are over your limit. You will be charged a LOT of money if you expect to fly with escess baggage. As you see, it's as high as $25/kg to some parts of the world.

Unique Suggestions: Call the airline before your day of departure to try to arrange some extra baggage allowance.

Fun Alternatives: Freight home a bag of stuff so you aren't overweight when you turn up at the airport for your flight.

Water or Sugar

Just take care when you want to buy bottled water. There are brands now, marketing water that has flavouring and sugars in, and claiming to be energy drinks.
Some of it looks just like water, clear and lovely.

Unique Suggestions: Read the label to see if there are any additives in the so-called Water.

Fun Alternatives: Water is fine, our New Zealand water is particularly pure and wonderful to drink. Just make sure you are buying water.