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Essential orientation

New Zealand: capital, languages and currency to help you plan

A first point of reference for locating New Zealand and learning its capital, languages and currency before planning your trip.

New Zealand is an island country in Oceania. Wellington, its official languages and the New Zealand dollar offer three practical points of reference to help you get your bearings, without confusing these basic facts with a guide to destinations or services.
Visual context for New Zealand Context video selected for this guide; it does not by itself identify every place mentioned. Video by Williams, Toiroa · Zenodo · CC-BY-4.0 · Duration: 01:25
01

An island country in Oceania

New Zealand is in Oceania, in the subregion known as Australia and New Zealand. Its status as an island country helps locate it on the map; these general facts do not describe distances, connections or routes within the country (i.e. travel distances, transport links or itineraries).

02

Wellington, the capital

The capital is Wellington, in the region of the same name. It is a useful reference for identifying the country’s political centre, but this information alone is not enough to compare cities or plan travel. Check any practical details you need for your visit separately.

03

Three languages and one currency

The languages listed as official are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. The currency is the New Zealand dollar, with the code NZD and the symbol $. Knowing this helps you interpret amounts, but it does not tell you about prices, accepted payment methods or your budget: check those details with current providers.

04

What to check before you set off

This fact sheet offers initial orientation; it does not cover entry requirements, transport or visiting conditions. As those details are not covered here, consult official sources and relevant providers before making decisions; also check the latest financial information.

05

Key points for getting your bearings

New Zealand is an island country in Oceania. Wellington is its capital; English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are listed as official languages. The currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD), but prices and payment methods should be checked separately.

Sources and references View referencesHide references 16 references

References consulted during editorial review. Times, requirements and advisories may change: always confirm with the official source.

  1. Nueva Zelanda
    Wikidata wikidata.org
    Licence: CC0 1.0 Wikidata · Q664
  2. Nueva Zelanda
    Wikidata wikidata.org
    Licence: CC0 1.0 Wikidata · Q99292883
  3. Nueva Zelanda
    Wikidata wikidata.org
    Licence: CC0 1.0 Wikidata · Q20288890
  4. New Zealand
    World Countries — mledoze github.com
    Licence: ODbL 1.0 World countries dataset by mledoze and contributors · ODbL 1.0
  5. Wellington
    GeoNames geonames.org
  6. Wellington Region
    GeoNames geonames.org
  7. Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand
    OpenStreetMap openstreetmap.org
  8. Wellington, New Zealand
    OpenStreetMap openstreetmap.org
  9. New Zealand
    World Bank Open Data data.worldbank.org
    Licence: CC BY 4.0 World Bank
  10. turismo regenerativo en la planificación turística regional de Nueva Zelanda
    Crossref doi.org
  11. Turismo cinematográfico en Nueva Zelanda: Hobbiton Movie Set como estrategia inversa
    Crossref doi.org
  12. Desempeño relativo de la productividad física de la ganadería de Nueva Zelanda y Uruguay, 1870-2010. ANEXO
    Crossref doi.org
  13. Desempeño relativo de la productividad física de la ganadería de Nueva Zelanda y Uruguay, 1870-2010
    Crossref doi.org
  14. Copa mundial femenina de la FIFA Australia-Nueva Zelanda 2023. Un análisis de la mediatización de la selección femenina argentina en el portal digital TyCSports
    Crossref doi.org
  15. Wellington
    Wikidata wikidata.org
    Licence: CC0 1.0 Wikidata · Q23661
  16. Wellington International Airport
    OpenFlights openflights.org
    Licence: ODbL 1.0 (base de datos) / DbCL 1.0 (contenidos) Wellington International Airport · OpenFlights · ODbL 1.0