New Zealand travel apps

Here is a range of recommended travel apps for your awesome trip to New Zealand:

MetService App (from MetService New Zealand)

The official weather office in New Zealand is called Metservice, it publishes the most accurate weather forecasts - as far as the New Zealand weather permits! With the rain radar you can also estimate yourself whether some bad weather will pass by or not.

In addition to the paid weather app there is also a free 'MetService Marine App', which is also useful because you will spend most of your time on the coast or next to lakes. Also important is the information about the tide times - not only for visiting Hot Water Beach - it is always good to know when the tide comes in when you go for a beach walk! Also this free app includes a rain radar.

New Zealand Topo Maps Free (from Atlogis)

A free app that publishes the official topographic maps of New Zealand, for offline use.

The maps can also be downloaded for free - in TIFF format - from Land Information New Zealand / LINZ.

TravelSafeNZ (from travelsafenz.co.nz)

Warnings and instructions for travelling on the road: weather forecasts, traffic, road closures, diversions and other information.

Heritage Trails (Heritage New Zealand)

New Zealand history app, the ideal app for history buffs, you can consult this informative tour guide in some of the travel regions.

From colonial times and events to the Christchurch earthquake, the first trails are particularly interesting for Northland and Waikato travellers.

AA Road Code Quiz (from the New Zealand Automobile Association)

Quiz app about the New Zealand traffic rules, probably the best pastime at the beginning of a long trip in New Zealand.

Essential New Zealand Travel (by Tourism New Zealand)

Travel guide app from the Official Tourism Organisation of New Zealand, with location sensitive travel information and many listings.

The Whanake (from AUT University)

Free app to learn Te Reo Maori, for beginners. AUT University also produces a paid app of the standard dictionary of the Maori language.

Camper Mate

This travel app is dedicated to travel information for campers with tents or campervans, they are focusing on commercial campgrounds or freedom camping. It lists i-SITES, dump stations for sewage, gas stations, recycling centers, water stations, toilets, hospitals and much more.

They even provide real-time information on how fast some freedom camping spots are filling up!

Official Camping NZ - Free (from rankers.co.nz)

Another offline app with camping information.

WikiCamps New Zealand

Another travel app for tent sites, toilets, Wifi hotspots etc.

Nest finder NZ

Maps including information on campsites, DOC huts and backpacker hostels in New Zealand - ideal if at 8pm you still have not found a campsite...

St John NZ CPR & AED

First aid app from the New Zealand ambulance organisation, with information about the correct CPR resuscitation techniques and the use of AED defibrillators.

Plan My Walk - NZ Mountain Safety Council

If you are planning an adventurous hike into the wilderness you can use this app to plan the entire trip in advance and receive appropriate warnings in the event of unforeseen risks such as a weather fronts.