My Proven New Zealand Packing List

Sofronio Cobos

Updated: 26 May 2026 ·
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Things You Should Consider Before Your New Zealand Tour - My New Zealand Packing List

Lighthouse at Cape Reinga
photo by viel-unterwegs.de

The big trip to New Zealand is planned and booked! Now it's time to get down to business: packing! You're probably already pulling your hair out, wondering what absolutely needs to come with you and what can stay home? Packing can be exhausting, and the choices for a trip to New Zealand are not easy. That's why I've put together my packing list, which includes all the essentials I had on my trip to New Zealand. In total, we were on the road for nine weeks and spent two weeks in Australia afterwards.

What do you absolutely need for a trip to New Zealand?

Before we start organizing and pre-packing for your adventure, I have a few quick tips for you to consider when planning your trip and selecting the right clothing and equipment.

1. Weather & Climate

From Europe, New Zealand is at the other end of the world. Additionally, it is located in the southern hemisphere. This means that the seasons are exactly opposite to ours. When it's summer in Germany, it's winter in New Zealand. You should definitely keep this in mind when planning your trip to New Zealand.

The weather in New Zealand is very changeable, similar to the Central European climate. However, it can be extremely variable. You should prepare for this while packing.

Also, don't underestimate the UV exposure: The ozone layer is very thin over New Zealand. So, make sure to cover up even on cloudy days!

2. Less is More

When packing and selecting the items you want to bring, think carefully about what you really need. Most of the time we pack things thinking we might, possibly, or 'you never know' need them. Often we end up dragging these items around with us unnecessarily throughout the trip.

For example, you don't need 10 t-shirts if you have regular opportunities to do laundry. Three will be enough.

Remember that everything you pack will need to be carried at some point. Your back and shoulders will appreciate it if your load doesn't exceed 20 kilograms.

3. You can buy anything again

If you forget something, rest assured that you can buy almost everything in New Zealand. Supermarkets, drugstores, shopping malls, clothing stores, or outdoor shops... you will find plenty of shopping options even at the other end of the world.

4. Practical Clothing

View from Roys Peak
Good hiking shoes are recommended to enjoy the view from Roys Peak near Wanaka photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Most people travel to New Zealand to explore nature, go hiking, or embark on a road trip with a car, tent, campervan, or RV. If this is your plan, you should keep in mind that you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors. Therefore, think about practical rather than fashionable clothing. Bring clothes that you are comfortable in and that you can wear for three or four days, if necessary.

If you're going on a longer trip to New Zealand and can afford it, invest your money in high-quality outdoor clothing. A good rain jacket and a fleece sweater should definitely be included in your luggage.

5. Backpack or Suitcase?

I've been traveling since I was 15 years old and often go solo. I have always relied on a good travel backpack. My 60-liter Deuter backpack has been my companion for over 12 years. Therefore, I recommend a backpack rather than a suitcase for your trip to New Zealand. Yes, rolling is more pleasant than carrying, but especially if you're going to be outdoors a lot, a backpack pays off and is far less cumbersome than a big suitcase.

Another advantage: You can easily take the backpack with you on multi-day hiking tours in New Zealand.

6. Unpackaged Foods Stay Home

New Zealand has strict import regulations for food, animals, and plants. It is also forbidden to bring in fresh and sometimes packaged food, especially vegetables, fruits, or seeds. Upon exiting, you will be informed at international airports that high penalties await you if you violate these regulations.

Therefore, declare everything you bring with you on the Passenger Arrival Card, which you will receive before your flight to New Zealand. Or leave it at home!

7. Start Planning Early

Lighthouse at Nugget Point
A highlight in the Catlins: The lighthouse at Nugget Point photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Regardless of which trip it is: I always pack at the last minute. Of course, this was also the case for my trip to New Zealand. I want to save you this last-minute stress, so I have created this packing list. So: Start planning, shopping, and trial packing well in advance!

That's right, pack at least a week before your departure to test it out. This way, you can ensure that everything fits and that you haven't forgotten anything that needs to be bought.

Travel Backpack & Daypack

The choice of my backpack always depends on the weight of my luggage. On outdoor trips, I prefer a larger backpack. Optionally, a second, smaller backpack usually comes along for day trips.

Here you can find my report on the best backpacks for any type

Note: When choosing a backpack, ensure it has a good back system. It's best to get advice in a specialized store where you can also try it on.

Pacsafe Travelsafe: For valuables, I can recommend the Travelsafe by Pacsafe. It's a small bag that works like a safe. You store your valuables inside, lock it, and can tie the steel cable with the combination lock to an object. This is particularly useful in (cheaper) accommodations but also in your car.

  • Backpack: Tatonka Yukon 50 + 10 L (Women)
  • Osprey Farpoint 40 Backpack
  • Pacsafe Travelsafe
  • Rain cover for the backpack (usually integrated)
  • Small daypack
  • Reading Tip: Tips on how to properly pack your backpack
  • My Tips for Hiding Money

Organization in the Backpack

For organizing my luggage and saving space, I use pack bags. This way, I can easily pack t-shirts, tops, underwear, and socks separately in the appropriate pack bags. It provides better visibility, and I can quickly grab what I need.

The laundry bag is made of cotton and is perfect for collecting dirty laundry or as a large packing sack.

For everything with liquids in my carry-on luggage, waterproof document sleeves and packing bags in various sizes are just right.

  • Packing Cubes
  • Stuff sack zip set - luggage organization
  • Durable bag for used/dirty shoes
  • Laundry bag

Important Documents & Money

My packing tips for important documents: Make copies or scan all your important documents. I store all essential data in my Dropbox so I can access it online from anywhere. Keep the copy of your ID in a different place than your original ID!

I usually keep my most important documents in a waterproof document case.

  • Wallet with RFID protection
  • Waterproof document case
  • ID + Copy
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
  • (Cash - in New Zealand, everything is actually paid with a card)
  • possibly International Driver's License
  • possibly International Student ID
  • Your flight ticket (printed or on your smartphone)
  • New Zealand travel guide
  • Travel journal

Packing List for New Zealand: Clothing

Hiking Socks by Falke Tip
Hiking socks by Falke Tip photo by viel-unterwegs.de

When I learned two things while traveling, the following applies:

On our road trip in New Zealand, we did laundry once a week, so it was no problem to travel with comparatively little clothing. And if necessary, we could also rinse underwear or socks in the sink with shampoo.

My tip: If you're going to be outdoors a lot and active, try to invest in high-quality outdoor clothing that is functional. This will save money in the long term (once bought, these clothes last forever), and you will definitely be more satisfied with warm clothing that also dries faster in emergencies than with cotton fabrics, which stink quickly and take longer to dry.

My favorite place to buy these clothes is Globetrotter.

  • 3 T-shirts; one is my sleeping shirt
  • 1 long functional shirt, including for running/sports (merino)
  • 1 functional underwear (merino is ideal)
  • 1 fleece jacket
  • 1 windproof rain jacket
  • 1 pair of shorts
  • 1 pair of zip-off hiking pants, i.e. 1 short and 1 long pants in one
  • Alternatively: 1 pair of long jeans
  • 1 pair of black compression leggings, great for the flight
  • 1 short skirt; I like to wear skirts
  • 1 dark bra
  • 1 sports bra
  • 8 pairs of underwear
  • 2 pairs of hiking socks (merino)
  • 1 pair of warm wool socks; knitted by grandma
  • 1 multifunctional scarf (usable as a scarf or hat)
  • 1 fleece neck gaiter (mine is from Burton)
  • Hat or headband
  • in winter: 1 pair of gloves
  • in summer: 1 summer dress
  • 1 bikini/swimsuit
  • Less is more!
  • In the end, I always wear the same clothes. Namely, those in which I feel most comfortable and that are the most practical!

Hiking Shoes, Sneakers & Co.

Hiking Shoes by Hanwag
My favorite hiking shoes are from Hanwag photo by viel-unterwegs.de
  • 1 pair of comfortable sneakers or casual shoes
  • 1 pair of hiking shoes; I love Hanwag hiking shoes
  • 1 pair of flip-flops

Hiking Shoes Recommendation

You experience the beauty of New Zealand best in hiking shoes. The country is a hiker's paradise, and the hiking trails are correspondingly well-developed.

My recommendation for hiking boots is Hanwag (Katrin swears by Lowa). Before my first hiking trips, I consulted with a big outdoor store, and ultimately my choice fell on hiking shoes from Hanwag.

If you don't have hiking shoes, make sure to get advice beforehand in a good outdoor store and try out different models.

Toiletry Bag

  • Toiletry bag
  • Transparent cosmetic bag for the flight
  • Microfiber towel
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste/drops
  • Shower gel in refillable silicone bottles or solid soap
  • Deodorant (cream is more environmentally friendly)
  • Face cream
  • Travel razor
  • Hair ties
  • Menstrual products if needed
  • Sunscreen, which you need in winter as well as summer
  • Hairbrush
  • Pack of tissues
  • Makeup or other cosmetic products if needed
  • Glasses if needed
  • Contact lenses, contact lens solution, and case if needed
  • Nail scissors & nail file
  • Earplugs
  • Sleep mask, for the long nights in summer if needed
  • Hand cream, you will definitely need it in winter

Toiletry Bag for Everyday Use

My favorite toiletry bag is from Osprey, which automatically organizes with its compartments.

I can also highly recommend refillable silicone bottles. With their suction cups, you can stick them anywhere you need them in any shower.

Microfiber Shower Towel

My thin, lightweight microfiber towel is always with me because it's light and quick-drying.

Travel Pharmacy

-> Here is our extensive pharmacy checklist.

  • Band-aids
  • Blister pads
  • Pain relief tablets
  • Insect and mosquito repellent
  • Pain gel
  • Antibiotics
  • Stomach and intestinal tablets
  • Tablets for motion sickness; I tend to get nauseous easily
  • Sore throat tablets
  • Nasal spray
  • Fenistil Gel
  • Wound ointment
  • Lip balm for herpes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • possibly contraceptive supplies

The Issue with Sandflies

As beautiful as New Zealand is, it is home to a type of insect that poses a real problem: sandflies. These tiny parasites suck your blood like mosquitoes. However, they leave a small cut on your skin. This causes severe itching and skin redness. The itch is truly horrific (no joke! Not comparable to mosquito bites).

Since they live in New Zealand everywhere, my tip is to get a spray with high Icaridin or DEET content right at the beginning of your trip at a drugstore or pharmacy.

By the way, herbal remedies containing Manuka, New Zealand honey, are pain-relieving.

Mobile Office

As a freelancer, I often take my little mobile office with me when traveling. If you're just on holiday, leave all of this at home.

  • Travel adapter for New Zealand
  • Laptop & charger
  • Laptop case
  • wireless mouse
  • Laptop stand
  • Smartphone & charger
  • external hard drive
  • possibly notebook
  • Headphones

Camera Equipment

  • Camera (we use Sony cameras)
  • Various lenses (see the article)
  • Filter container
  • Polarizing filter
  • Neutral density filter
  • Waterproof action camera
  • Lightweight travel tripod
  • (Insta360 camera)
  • Camera cloth for cleaning

Other Electronics

-> Check out the ideal camera equipment for traveling here

  • Kindle E-Book Reader
  • Cover for E-Book Reader
  • Power bank to charge batteries

Camping Gear

Campsite at Whanganui River
Campsite at Whanganui River photo by viel-unterwegs.de
Sustainable down sleeping bag: Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0F/-18C
Sustainable down sleeping bag: Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0F/-18C photo by viel-unterwegs.de

On our trip to New Zealand, we mainly traveled in a campervan, but we also had a small camping setup with us, which we used during our canoe tour on the Whanganui River.

Our rented campervan was mostly equipped with cutlery, dishes, and the like, but I often find it nice to have my own things along too. A little home away from home.

  • Sleeping Bag (sustainable down sleeping bag Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0F/-18C)
  • Tent
  • Self-inflating sleeping pad
  • Headlamp
  • Camping cutlery
  • Camping mug
  • Pocket knife
  • Thermos
  • Lighter; as a non-smoker, I always forget these

Carry-On Luggage

Flight to New Zealand
A flight to New Zealand is among the longest you can take photo by viel-unterwegs.de

A flight to New Zealand is one of the longest you can take. Therefore, remember to pack enough extra food and drink in your carry-on.

My tip: Definitely take a reusable water bottle with you! I usually fill it halfway on the way to the airport, drink it before security, and refill it after passing through.

  • Carry-on backpack or drawstring bag
  • Transparent toiletry bag for carry-on
  • Refillable water bottle (thermos)
  • Neck pillow
  • Snacks

Things You Won't Need

Last but not least: I always see equipment on packing lists that makes me smile. Sure, ultimately you have to decide what you need, but there are things that, in my opinion, you really can leave at home. For example:

  • Clothesline & clips
  • Umbrella
  • Money belt
  • Silk sleeping bag
  • Medication (available locally)
  • Sewing kit
  • Safety pins
  • Hand wash (like Rei in a tube)

Everything packed or did I forget something on the New Zealand packing list?

If you notice something I've forgotten on the list, leave it in the comments! Thank you for your help!

I hope this packing list helps you with your preparations, and that you have an amazing trip to New Zealand.

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