Page 9 - Pacific Islands 2020

TRAVEL TIPS

WHEN TO GO LANGUAGE
In the Pacific Islands the drier months are from Samoa: Samoan is the official language.
approximately April to October. This time of year Tahiti: French and Tahitian are both spoken.
enjoys less humidity and pleasant temperatures
for lounging on the beach, snorkelling, diving and Vanuatu: French and Bislama (Pidgin English) are
hiking. Keep an eye out for the majestic Humpback both spoken.
whales in their natural habitat off the coast in Tonga: Tongan is the official language.
Tonga and Niue. Niue: Niuean is the official language.
While temperatures in the Pacific Islands are New Caledonia: French is the official language.
constant year-round, the warmer months of English is widely spoken throughout all islands and
November to March can bring tropical showers is used in hotels, resorts and restaurants.
and storms. During the green season, get off
the beaten path and see the many spectacular ELECTRICITY
waterfalls in full flow. Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga, Niue: 240V 50Hz.
Tahiti: 220V 60Hz. An international adapter
VISAS & PASSPORTS is required.
A valid passport is required with at least six months
validity beyond the intended stay. For Samoa, Tahiti, New Caledonia: 220V 50Hz. An international
Vanuatu, Tonga, Niue and New Caledonia, a visa adapter is required.
is not required for stays of up to 30 days.
Travel advice is available from the New Zealand TIPPING & BARGAINING
Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade In Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga, tipping is not practised
at www.safetravel.govt.nz. or expected, however leaving a small monetary
gift for good service will be welcomed. Bargaining
TIME is not practised. In accordance with Vanuatu and
Niue and Tahiti are 22 hours behind New Zealand New Caledonian customs, tipping and bargaining
Standard Time (NZST). Vanuatu and New Caledonia are not practised. Tipping and bargaining in Niue
are one hour behind of NZST. Tonga and Samoa is not encouraged.
are one hour ahead of NZST. Daylight Saving Time
is observed in Samoa from September to March GETTING AROUND
where clocks are turned forward by one hour. Take the time to explore and discover as you make
your way around the Pacific Islands. The standard
CURRENCY left hand rule applies to driving in Samoa and Niue.
Samoa Samoan Tala (WST) When driving in Vanuatu the right hand rule applies.
Tahiti & New Caledonia French Pacific Franc (XPF) A current drivers licence from an English speaking
Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) country is required, drivers from other countries
Tonga Tongan Pa’anga (TOP) need an international driving permit.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Niue New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL
Samoa J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature (max ºC) 30 29 30 30 29 29 29 29 29 29 30 30
Average rainfall (mm) 455 386 358 254 160 130 81 89 132 170 267 371
Tahiti J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature (max ºC) 27 27 27 27 26 25 24 24 25 25 26 26
Average rainfall (mm) 315 234 201 145 91 61 61 48 46 91 163 318
Vanuatu J F M A M J J A S O N D
SAMOA Temperature (max ºC) 31 31 30 29 28 27 26 26 27 28 30 30
Apia • Average rainfall (mm) 270 293 323 215 168 161 92 86 90 104 135 191

American Tonga J F M A M J J A S O N D
Samoa Temperature (max ºC) 31 31 31 28 28 27 27 27 27 28 29 29
• Pago Pago Average rainfall (mm) 125 202 228 125 152 103 101 125 101 97 101 126
Niue J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature (max ºC) 30 30 30 29 28 27 27 27 27 28 28 29
Nadi • Fiji Average rainfall (mm) 105 84 108 159 96 60 45 39 51 54 78 66
VANUATU TAHITI New Caledonia J F M A M J J A S O N D

• Port Vila Temperature (max ºC) 27 27 28 25 24 21 21 20 22 23 24 24
Papeete • Average rainfall (mm) 113 123 135 111 91 129 73 70 39 53 63 73

TONGA
NEW CALEDONIA NIUE • Alo
Nuku’alofa •

Cook Islands
INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE Rarotonga •
• Noumea

PACIFIC OCEAN
Norfolk Island Bora Bora, Tahiti 9