Plug adapter for New Zealand from the United States
What travellers from the United States need to charge and power their devices in New Zealand: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed
Bring a Type I adapter.
Voltage
Higher: 230 V
The United States 120 V → New Zealand 230 V. Devices made for 110–120 V only need a step-down converter.
Frequency
Different
60 Hz → 50 Hz. Chargers don't mind; mains-timed clocks and some motors may run fast or slow.
Your plug, their socket
does not fit
does not fit
Your devices in New Zealand
Look for the “INPUT” line on the charger or label. A range such as 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz means the device adapts by itself and needs only a plug adapter.
| Device | Usually | In New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Camera and power-bank chargers, e-readers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Electric shavers, toothbrushes | often 100–240 V; check | Check the label: single-voltage ones need a converter |
| Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons | single voltage | Will burn out on 230 V: buy a dual-voltage model or use the hotel's |
| Kettles, irons, travel cookers | single voltage, high power | Leave at home: converters for these are heavy and costly |
| Plug-in clocks, timers, some fans | 60 Hz | May run fast or slow on 50 Hz |
A plug adapter does not change voltage. Plugging a 120 V-only appliance into 230 V through an adapter will destroy it within seconds and can start a fire.
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- New Zealand is 18 h ahead of the United States right now (UTC+13 vs UTC−5, capitals).
- Money
- The New Zealand Dollar (NZD): 1 USD = 1.77 NZD (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 89% of the United States'.
- Driving
- Switch sides: New Zealand drives on the left (the United States drives on the right). Look right first when crossing.
- Advisories
- US: Level 1 Exercise normal precautions. UK: no FCDO warnings. Details
- Next holidays
- 25 Dec Christmas Day · 26 Dec Boxing Day · 28 Dec Boxing Day (observed) All 15
- Calling code
- +64