Airplane: for those who have little time to travel to the country, it is advisable to cover the distances between the individual travel destinations by air. New Zealand has a well-developed, wide network of domestic flights. The main provider is Air New Zealand. The company connects around 25 cities and destinations in the country. The Australian airline Quantas also operates numerous flight connections within New Zealand, especially between large cities such as Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Queenstown and Christchurch.
Furthermore, numerous smaller airlines cover an important part of the flight connections, for example to small offshore islands such as the Great Barrier Island in the Gulf of Hauraki or the Stewart and Chatham Islands.

The main regional airlines include:

Capital Air – connects Wellington and Takaka in Golden Bay,

Great Barrier Airlines – flies back and forth between Great Barrier Island, Auckland, Whangarei and the Coromandel Peninsula,

Air Chathams – flies between the Chathams and Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland,

Stewart Islands Flights – offers flights between Invercargill and Stewart Island.

Air West Coast – flies between Greymouth and Wellington via Westport,
Air2there.com – connects destinations around Cook Strait, including Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington and Blenheim,
Mountain Air – connects Auckland, Whangarei and the Great Barrier
– Island, Soundsair – offers numerous daily flights over the Cook Strait between Wellington and Kaikoura as well as Blenheim and Nelson,

Ship: the most important shipping line for passenger transport is the Interislander. The line crosses the approximately 35 kilometers wide Cook Strait and connects Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island) with each other. There are also regular ferries between Auckland and the islands in the Gulf of Hauraki. A ferry regularly takes passengers across the Foveaux Strait between Oban on the southern tip of the country and Stewart Island.

Rail:Those who travel through New Zealand by train do not gain any time, but can look forward to the sight of breathtaking landscapes on many of the routes. The most beautiful routes, all of which are operated by Tranz Scenic, include the Overlander between Auckland and Wellington, the TranzCoastal between Christchurch and Picton and the TranzAlpine, which crosses the Southern Alps between Chistchurch and Greymouth. With the exception of the Overlander, all routes are used daily. On weekdays there is also a so-called CapitalConnection between Palmerston North and Wellington.
Tickets are available from Tranz Scenic, most train stations, travel agencies and tourist information centers. There are also brochures with detailed timetables. It’s always worth asking about discounts. Children usually receive a 50 percent discount on the regular price. Students and holders of YHA, VIP and NOMAD backpacker cards receive a 20 percent discount. The overlander route is an exception. In summer, during the school holidays and on weekends, we recommend booking the most popular routes in advance.

Automobile: According to a2zdirectory, a great way to see New Zealand in your own way is with your own vehicle. However, it is advisable to have a set of spare tires with you. Gasoline prices vary in New Zealand and are particularly high in remote areas.

Rental
Cars There are inexpensive car and mobile home rentals across the country. Traveling with mobile homes is particularly popular in New Zealand. Most cities have campsites or RV parks with electricity connections. The top RV rental companies are Britz, Maui, and Kea Campers.

Insurance
If you don’t want to dig deep into your own pocket in the event of a claim, you should pay a little more in advance for insurance cover. Smaller landlords often offer cheaper rates. However, most insurances do not cover the cost of glass damage (e.g. the windshield) or damage caused by trips. In addition, the insurance cover partially expires when driving on unpaved roads and beaches. Therefore, travelers who rent a vehicle should always read the fine print.

Purchase
For longer stays as well as for group tours through New Zealand, it is worth buying a car and selling it for a profit after the trip is over. Buying a vehicle is easiest in Auckland and Christchurch. A good way to find a car is to use the “notice boards” at places that are heavily frequented by backpackers. There, many tourists offer their vehicles for sale before they leave the country again. The purchase prices are often low and the cars are usually well equipped (e.g. with water tanks, tools, road maps and sometimes even with complete camping equipment). Another option is car markets and auctions around Auckland and Christchurch.
Anyone who buys a car should make sure that the vehicle has a valid Warrant of Fitness (WoF) – a certificate that certifies that it is fit to drive. It is valid for six months and must be younger than 28 days when purchased. Sellers are required to report the change of ownership of a vehicle to Land Transport New Zealand. For safety reasons, anyone who buys a car should have it checked by Vehicle Inspection New Zealand or an AA-certified workshop before driving off.