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In 2013, it became the first nation in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize gay marriage. It’s the most comprehensive directory we’ve found listing all LGBTQ options across New Zealand including clothing optional and men-only.

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2. It has all our practical safety tips, first-hand advice, and travel stories from some of our favorite destinations.

As well as skiing it also includes themed party nights, shows, meal events, and a Pride Ski Flag Parade.

Our safety tips for gay travelers to New Zealand

Without sounding like your overbearing Mom, here are some practical quick-fire safety tips from our experience:

  • Customs is strict! New Zealanders love their environment and birds and fight hard to protect them.

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    You may also need vaccinations for Hepatitis A, B, and rabies (if you're going into the wilderness), so make sure you do your research, and speak to your travel nurse or doctor before heading to New Zealand.

Currency: The currency used in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar, which is usually just written using the normal dollar sign and uses the code NZD.

$1 converts to around NZD $1.60 and £1 is worth around NZD $2.04. Oh,and they make their own honey from the beehives they keep on their terrace…I mean!

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3. There are also a few unofficial gay/nude beaches in Auckland like Ladies Bay and Pohutukawa Bay.

Our honest advice: don't come here expecting wild parties on par with the gay scene of Sydney. Click below to get €10 / $10 off your first booking.

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Pride and gay events in New Zealand

The main gay events in New Zealand are Auckland Pride and Queenstown's Winter Pride.

It's also regarded as the country's most English of cities, with many Gothic Revival and Edwardian buildings—though many of these, like the city's prized cathedral, were badly damaged in a 2011 earthquake. Crayfish, Bluff oysters, mussels, scallops, monkfish, salmon and kina (a local sea urchin delicacy) are just a few popular New Zealand menu items from the sea.

Heads up: this is the place to geek out on your iPhone's Night Mode and learn how to activate/use the 30-second exposure.

STAY WITH A GAY LOCAL

Misterb&b is the Airbnb equivalent for the LGBTQ community. It’s also super easy to book and they have fantastic 24/7 customer support.

When to visit: Since New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere the best time to visit is during the summer, which corresponds to winter in North America and Europe.

As a result, some activities will be cancelled so make sure you’re flexible with last-minute cancellations and have adequate travel insurance.

  • Translate your driving license: if there is anything non-English on your driving license, car rental companies may refuse to rent you a car unless you have a translation.

    Come rain or high water, Big Gay Out will still go ahead. Hangi is another beloved Kiwi treat, using the traditional Māori method of slow cooking in an underground oven, and usually incorporating chicken, pork or mutton (or combinations thereof) and a variety of vegetables. It is framed by kilometer-high cliffs that have been carved by rock and ice over millennia.

    High-quality medication (both over-the-counter and prescription) is widely available at local pharmacies, although the name of the product may differ from the U.S. version. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. New Zealand tied for 10th on the 2020 Spartacus Gay Travel Index, which monitors the safety of LGBTQ+ people in every country.

    If you want to leave a tip for exceptional service you can leave around 10% or just round up for taxi drivers etc. For dessert, the resounding Kiwi favorites are hokey pokey ice cream (made with caramelized honeycomb) and pavlova, a meringue-based cake covered in fresh fruit.

    Safety Considerations for LGBTQ+ Visitors to New Zealand

    New Zealand is consistently ranked among the most welcoming countries in the world for LGBTQ+ travelers.