This section includes information specific to the Fall 2024 TEAN New Zealand program. Please click through and read all of the information below for important details relating to your upcoming arrival for your semester abroad. But first make sure you’ve read all of Step 6: Get Going in our pre-departure guide which includes the information on insurance, packing for your semester, safety, communication and finances while abroad.
New Zealand Arrival Information
Arrival In New Zealand
Arrival in New Zealand
Most students will be traveling via Auckland International Airport. You will need to clear immigration, collect your luggage and then clear customs/biosecurity. New Zealand is very strict about their biosecurity screening and what they allow into the country. Their biosecurity systems and screenings help to prevent the entry and spread of harmful organisms like pests and diseases that can wreak havoc on New Zealand’s ecosystems. It’s important that you don’t bring in any fruit, vegetables, herbs or other plant-based materials. This also goes for any dirt or grass that may be on your hiking boots/equipment. If you’re unsure if you should declare something, please check with an airport staff member and they will assist you.
Please move as quickly as possible to ensure you can connect to your domestic flight, as clearing both of these security measures can take some time. Once you clear immigration and customs, and exit into International Arrivals area, please make your way to the domestic terminal. There is a free terminal transfer bus which comes every 15 minutes or you can simply walk about 10 minutes between terminals. There are free trolleys/luggage carts that you can use to push your luggage if needed.
If you are traveling into Queenstown via Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne) or Fiji, you will clear immigration, biosecurity and customs at the Queenstown Airport since you’ll be arriving on an International Flight. You should not need to clear immigration and customs in Australia unless you are exiting the airport. You should be able to go through to International Transfers. If you are transiting through another country (Australia, Fiji, etc.), it is your responsibility to understand the entry and transfer requirements including any visa requirements. We recommend contacting your airline if you’re unsure.
If you miss your domestic connection to Queenstown, please go to the airline’s ticket counter and ask to be put on the next available flight to Queenstown. Then, please email NZArrivals@WorldStrides.com with your updated flight itinerary so the orientation leaders know of your new arrival time into Queenstown. There is free WiFi in the Auckland Airport to connect to your email.
Note: TEAN recommends downloading WhatsApp prior to your departure from the US as it can be easier to contact New Zealand based staff via WhatsApp using the airport WiFi when you first arrive in-country.
queenstown Airport Arrival
Please follow the instructions below to ensure your arrival is handled efficiently and smoothly. If you are scheduled to arrive within the allotted arrival window, the airport pickup process is usually quite easy since there is a large group of arriving participants. However, you should still bring these instructions with you in case you miss your flight and arrive independently on a later flight. If you are not arriving in the scheduled arrival window, your TEAN Program Manager will send you instructions of where to meet your Orientation Leaders in Queenstown.
Important: It is your responsibility to notify TEAN in a timely manner if you experience flight delays and/or itinerary changes.
Step 1: Most of you will be arriving at the domestic terminal in Queenstown. You should collect your baggage and look for our staff holding a “TEAN” or “WorldStrides” sign by the baggage claim. If you are arriving into Queenstown on an international flight, please clear immigration, collect your bags, pass through customs/biosecurity and then make your way to the domestic baggage claim to find the TEAN Orientation leaders.
Step 2: Do not panic if a program representative is not immediately present as they may be assisting other students and getting the group on buses. Please wait in the arrivals lounge area near the baggage claim.
Step 3: If you do not see a TEAN staff member 30 minutes after collecting your bags please call one of the following TEAN staff members to locate them in the terminal:
Ketaki Khare – +64 210 869 7651
Dee Solomon – +64 22 318 8653
Fred LeBlanc – +64 210 260 7771
Nick Halsall – +64 27 6081 354
Step 4: If the above call is not successful, please wait 30 minutes and repeat Step 3.
Step 5: If you have not located a program representative one hour after arriving, please call the TEAN Urgent After Hours Contact number at +1 512-632-9284
Step 6: After 1.5 hours of waiting please request a taxi or shuttle to the orientation accommodation. Upon arrival, please call your Orientation Leaders and the TEAN Urgent After Hours Contact number one last time and leave a message with your location and then check into the hotel. If you are part of the TEAN Fall 2024 group, you will have a bed reserved in your name.
TEAN Orientation
TEAN ORIENTATION IN queenstown
The information below will give you a general idea of what to expect during your Queenstown Orientation. You will receive a detailed itinerary upon arrival in Queenstown.
DAY ONE – July 1
Arrive in Queenstown and transfer to your accommodation for the next few days. We’ll kick off with a welcome session before the group experiences a Maori welcome and celebratory welcome dinner together. Depending on your arrival time, you may also have some free time to explore Queenstown on your own in the afternoon.
DAY TWO – July 2
In the morning, head to an interactive orientation session to help prepare you for your time in New Zealand. We will cover Kiwi culture, academic differences and expectations, program logistics, health & safety and personal goal setting.
In the afternoon, you will have a Haka Lesson where you’ll be taught the words, actions and the culturally significant meaning of the Ka Mate haka famously performed by the All Blacks rugby team.
DAY THREE – July 3
Today will be a full day including an informative bus journey to Fiordland National Park and a cruise through the remote Milford Sound, to marvel at the stunning fiord surrounded by mountains and waterfalls that was created by glaciers millennia ago. Today’s excursions combine the best that New Zealand has to offer including out-of-this-world landscapes, rejuvenating nature and great company! Upon your return to Queenstown, you’ll have the chance to grab some dinner on your own and relax the rest of the evening.
Please note that this is a full day excursion with a significant amount of time on a bus as well as a cruise so if you tend to get motion sickness, you may want to consider bringing motion sickness medication or ginger tablets. It is also encouraged that you wear layers on this day as the temperatures can change drastically. The best way to enjoy the day is to be prepared!
DAY FOUR – July 4
This is a free day with the option to book additional activities. Take advantage of Queenstown’s adventure sports – this is the place where bungy jumping was invented – or rest and unwind by Lake Wakatipu or hike the Tiki Trail before meeting as a group in the evening.
After making the leap from one of the world’s highest bungy jumps or enjoying a scenic hike, spend one last evening together as a group with a final celebratory dinner.
Note that insurance does not cover all adventure activities.
DAY FIVE – July 5
Today is the final day of the TEAN Orientation. It’s now time to say goodbye, but this is just the beginning of your New Zealand experience. Head to the airport, in pre-arranged shuttles, for your flight to your host city. (Dunedin-bound students will be bussed to Dunedin, just four hours away.) If you’re on the specified flight, you will be transferred from your host city airport to your university accommodation for move-in.
Orientation Accommodation
In Queenstown, you will stay at the Mercure Hotel. It is located just outside Queenstown about a 25-minute walk or 5-minute taxi to the central Queenstown area. This is hotel accommodation, and you will be sharing a room with another TEAN student.
Mercure Queenstown Resort
Sainsbury Road, Fernhill
Queenstown, 9300
Phone: +64 3 442 6600
TEAN Orientation staff will also be staying on-site at this accommodation.
packing for orientation
When packing your bag(s) we suggest you pack what you need for Queenstown in your carry-on or at the top of your packed suitcase, so it is easily accessible. That way you do not need to unpack your large suitcase for items you will need during orientation.
It’s worth noting that it will be winter when you arrive in New Zealand and Queenstown is a mountain, ski town so it can get quite chilly. It will likely be in the mid-40s during the day and around the mid-30s overnight. We suggest checking the weather in Queenstown leading up to your departure and bringing layers to account for the changing temperatures as well as a warm jacket.
Here are some suggested items you will need for orientation:
- Jeans/long pants
- Tops for layering
- Jacket/Coat (waterproof would be a good idea)
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- A couple nicer outfits for evenings out though Queenstown is quite casual
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimsuit
- Travel size toiletries (shampoo/soap etc.)
- Any medications (prescription, allergy, over the counter)
TEAN Contact Info
TEAN Contact Information
Below are suggested notes on how to communicate with TEAN staff members during your program. These notes are also applicable to parents and guardians.
We will provide you with TEAN contact information during orientation. This will contain contact information for our staff members, U.S. consulates in New Zealand, emergency numbers in New Zealand and dialing instructions to/from New Zealand.
IMPORTANT CONTACT NOTES FOR EMERGENCIES
- Never use email in emergency/urgent situations.
- Flight changes and/or delays are considered “urgent” if our staff is scheduled to meet you at the airport.
- For particularly time sensitive emergencies please call the appropriate TEAN New Zealand contact first and if you don’t receive any answer, call the U.S. Urgent After Hours Contact number (+1 512-632-9284). We are generally available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, as we have staff in both hemispheres.
IMPORTANT CONTACT NOTES FOR ROUTINE PROBLEMS DURING THE SEMESTER
- Once you are in New Zealand, your Resident Director will be your first contact when issues arise.
- Email is fine to use, but if you need an answer within 24–48 hours you should probably place a phone call or text.
- If your routine question/problem is not addressed within 72 hours your email was most likely not received and a phone call may also be needed. If communication problems exist, please email Kate Hilby at Kate.Hilby@teanabroad.org for assistance.
Please note: Email is not 100% effective. If you are experiencing delays to your questions most likely there is an email problem. In these instances, please call. We do not want any of your questions going unanswered.
Contacts for Parents/Guardians
Messages can be left with either the TEAN Main office during business hours, or with the Urgent after-hours line outside of business hours to be passed along to the in-country team.
TEAN Main Office: 1.312.239.3710
U.S. Urgent After hours Contact: 1.512.632.9284