Top tips for a hassle-free holiday
Are you planning your next getaway? Organising a holiday is exciting, but the journey itself can sometimes be a little overwhelming. To ensure your trip is smooth from start to finish, here are some top tips from the travel experts at You, Me and Friends to help you avoid common travel pitfalls and enjoy a carefree vacation.
Before You Go
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Know your luggage and its contents
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Before you zip up your suitcase, it’s helpful to make a list of your contents in a notebook or on your phone. Taking a few quick photos of both the outside and inside of your luggage is also beneficial. If your bags are lost or delayed, having a written or visual record makes it easier to recover or replace your belongings.
Make copies of your documents
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It’s a good idea to keep all your essential travel documents - passport, tickets, and itineraries - in one easily accessible folder or wallet. You may want to scan these documents and store them digitally on your email or an app. Having backups ensures that even if something goes missing, you won’t be left stranded.
Choose the right travel insurance for you
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It’s worth spending time finding the right travel insurance policy that fits your needs and the places you’re heading. And of course, remember to double check the fine print to avoid any surprises! Look for coverage that includes things like medical emergencies, repatriation flights, trip cancellations, and lost baggage. Don’t hesitate to discuss your options with your insurance provider - they can help you select the perfect policy for your trip.
Research local customs and etiquette
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Familiarising yourself with the local customs, etiquette, and basic phrases of the country you’re visiting can help make your holiday smoother. Carrying a language phrasebook or using Google Translate can be handy in a place where English isn’t widely spoken. Free language learning apps like Duolingo can also get you started with basic conversations. A little research can go a long way in making your trip more enjoyable.
Think about travelling with medicines
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If you're travelling with medication, it's a good idea to keep it in the original packaging and carry a list of what you're bringing. This can help if customs have any questions. Packing at least three days' worth of medication, along with some clothes and personal items, in your carry-on is also smart - just in case your checked bag doesn't arrive at your destination.
Offline maps and apps
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Before you leave, you might want to download offline maps of your destination and any apps you think you’ll need, like translation tools or public transport guides. This ensures you’ll have access to essential information, even if you don’t have an internet connection. Organic Maps is a great free app that gives you access to city maps offline.
Set up travel alerts and notifications
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Registering your travel and signing up for travel alerts with Safetravel is a useful way to stay informed. Safetravel provides official advice for New Zealand citizens travelling overseas, including updates on travel advisories, emergency contacts, and tips for staying safe while abroad.
Bring a portable charger
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Bringing a portable charger with you could be a lifesaver. Whether you’re out exploring all day or find yourself stuck at the airport, having extra battery power ensures your phone or tablet stays charged when you need it most.
You can pick up a portable power pack from places like Kmart, just be sure to pack it in your carry-on bag.
Research places to visit
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Would you rather hike 10 stairs or 1,000? When researching attractions, it’s helpful to consider your groups fitness and energy levels. You might find that exploring nearby options that are easier to reach, or free of charge, could make your trip more enjoyable for everyone. TripAdvisor is a handy website to check reviews and find information about restaurants, hotels and attractions.
Discounts for over 65’s and kids
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Over 65? Many countries around the world offer discounted rates on public buses and trains, as well as entry fees to some museums and attractions. Visiting the Colosseum? That will be free. Visiting Prague? All transport will be free for tourists over 70. What about the Tokyo National Museum? That’s also free.
Want to take the grandchildren on a trip? The same rules apply, attractions are often free or discounted for children.
Enjoy the journey
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While planning and preparing can help make your holiday smooth and hassle-free, the most important tip is to remember to have fun and embrace the adventure. Whether you’re uncovering hidden corners of the world, sampling new foods, or simply soaking in the local culture, travel is all about creating memories.
So, enjoy the ride, and let your journey unfold in its own unique way. After all, it’s the unexpected moments that often make for the best stories when you return home. Safe travels!
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Immigration: Kiwi brain drain has peaked despite another year of record departures
Migrant departures reached a record 122,800 in the year to January 2025, up 18%.
Migrant arrivals were 155,300, down 31%, with a net migration gain of 32,500.
Economists warn low net migration could impact the housing market and economic recovery.
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The number of people leaving the country long-term hit another new record in the year to January – but monthly data suggests the brain drain has peaked.
Stats NZ provisional data for the January 2025 year (compared with January 2024) showed migrant departures up 18% to 122,800, the highest on record for an annual period.
Migrant arrivals, at 155,300 were down, 31% for the year.
There was an annual net migration gain of 32,500 (± 1500), compared with a net gain of 121,800.
Down from around 33,317 in the year to December, that was the lowest rate of net migration since 2014 (outside of the Covid-19 era).
In the past few weeks, economists have warned that low levels of net migration are providing a headwind for the residential housing market and may slow the overall economic recovery.
“Over the past few months, we’ve seen net migration stabilise at annualised rates around 25-35k. It leaves us with a view of positive but below average expansion in the population over the next 18 months or so,” BNZ chief economist Mike Jones said in a note last month.
“That adds to the list of factors likely to check the pace of recovery this year.”
Commenting on the latest numbers, ASB senior economist Mark Smith noted that weaker net immigration had “eroded a key leg of support for the New Zealand housing market, domestic demand, and labour market capacity”.
“Easing economic support from net immigration will weigh on economic growth and translate into greater spare capacity,” he said.
Annual migrant arrivals peaked at 234,800 in the year ended October 2023. Annual net migration peaked in the year ended October 2023 with a gain of 135,500.
For New Zealand citizens, the net migration loss of 44,200 in the January 2025 year shows a stabilisation of the ‘brain-drain’ trend.
It was a slight improvement from a net migration loss of 44,700 Kiwis in the January 2024 year, and a loss of 44,375 for the year to December 2024.
The monthly data shows the rate of Kiwi departures peaked in the year to August 2024 when a net 47,147 departed long-term.
That was still high compared to an average annual net migration loss of 27,100 in the January years 2002 to 2013 and an average annual net migration loss of 7500 in the January years 2014 to 2019, Stats NZ said.
For migrant arrivals in the January 2025 year, citizens of India were the largest group, with 25,800 arrivals. The next largest groups were citizens of New Zealand, 25,000; China, 17,600; and the Philippines, 14,000.
For migrant departures in the January 2025 year, citizens of New Zealand were still the largest group, with 69,200 departures.
The next largest groups were citizens of China, 7900; India, 5800, and the United Kingdom, 4500.
Citizens of India, the Philippines, and China drove net migration gains in the January 2025 year, Stats NZ said.
Country of citizenship is the nationality of the passport used to arrive in or depart from New Zealand and is not necessarily the country of previous or next residence.
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