New Zealand Arrival Card for Malaysians | Guide & Tips

✈️ Planning your next adventure to New Zealand? Whether it’s chasing sheep in the hills of Rotorua 🐑 or exploring the otherworldly glowworm caves of Waitomo ✨, there’s one thing every Malaysian traveller must prepare — your New Zealand Arrival Card. 🛬
I just got back from a scenic road trip across the South Island, and here’s what I learned that’ll make your entry to Aotearoa super smooth.👇

📄 What’s the New Zealand Arrival Card?

source from https://nzpocketguide.com/

The New Zealand Arrival Card is a short customs and immigration form that all international visitors (including Malaysians 🇲🇾) must complete before clearing immigration and biosecurity checks upon arrival in New Zealand.
📝 It collects basic info like:

• Personal and passport details
• Flight and travel history
• Declaration of goods, food, and biosecurity items
• Purpose of visit and intended stay

✅ This form can be filled electronically or on paper — depending on how you arrive in the country.

🛃 Why Is It Important?

🛂 New Zealand takes biosecurity seriously. Their environment is unique and fragile — so they want to know what you’re bringing in.
Filling in the arrival card helps:

• ✅ Protect NZ’s environment and agriculture
• ⏱️ Speed up the customs process
• 📄 Ensure you meet immigration rules
• 📉 Avoid penalties for undeclared items

🧼 Even small things like snacks, hiking boots, or camping gear may need to be declared!

🧾 Is the Arrival Card a Visa?

Nope — the Arrival Card is not a visa.
As a Malaysian, you don’t need a visa for short tourist visits to New Zealand, but you must apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before boarding your flight.

💡 So think of it this way:

• NZeTA = travel authorisation (required before departure)
• Arrival Card = customs & immigration form (submitted on arrival)

✅ You’ll need both to enter smoothly!

👥 Who Needs to Fill It In?

If you’re a Malaysian passport holder flying into New Zealand, you’ll need to complete the arrival card — even if you’re visiting visa-free with an NZeTA.
This applies whether you’re landing in:

• Auckland (AKL)
• Wellington (WLG)
• Christchurch (CHC)
• Queenstown (ZQN)

🧒 Kids and infants must also be included on an arrival card (can be combined with parent/guardian).

📝 How to Fill Out the New Zealand Arrival Card

🛬 Option 1: Paper Form on the Plane

Cabin crew will hand out the card during your flight. Here's what to do:

✅ Step 1: Personal Info

• Full name (as in your passport)
• Passport number and nationality
• Flight details

✅ Step 2: Travel Info

• Purpose of travel (e.g., holiday, business, study)
• Duration of stay
• New Zealand contact address (e.g., hotel)

✅ Step 3: Declarations
Tick ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to questions like:

• Are you bringing food, plants, or animal products?
• Any items used in outdoor activities (e.g., hiking boots)?
• Cash of NZD $10,000 or more?
• Drugs, medicines, weapons?

✅ Step 4: Sign and Date

• Sign to confirm everything’s true
• Hand it to border staff or place it in the dropbox after scanning your passport at eGates

📱 Option 2: Digital Arrival Card (Trial Phase)

New Zealand is currently trialling a Digital New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) to replace the paper form.

🔗 Step 1: Visit the Official NZTD Website

Go to 👉 travellerdeclaration.govt.nz
You can do this on your phone, tablet, or computer.
📆 Only available for select flights — check if your airline and route are supported.

👤 Step 2: Start a New Declaration

Click “Start a Declaration”
You can choose to:

• Continue as a guest (no login required), or
• Create an account (optional, good for repeat travellers)

📄 Step 3: Enter Your Personal Details

Fill in the following info as per your Malaysian passport:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Nationality (Malaysia 🇲🇾)
• Passport number
• Contact email address

💡 Tip: Double-check your passport number and email — your QR code will be sent here!

🛬 Step 4: Add Travel Details

Provide details about your flight and arrival:

• Arrival airport (e.g., Auckland, Wellington)
• Airline name and flight number
• Date and time of arrival
• Country of departure (Malaysia)
• Transit countries, if any
• Accommodation address in New Zealand (e.g., hotel, Airbnb)

📦 Step 5: Complete the Declarations

Answer simple Yes/No questions about:

• Food, plant or animal items (e.g., snacks, herbs, wooden souvenirs)
• Outdoor or sports equipment (e.g., hiking boots, tents)
• Large amounts of cash (NZD $10,000 or more)
• Medicines or controlled substances
• Any restricted goods (weapons, tobacco, etc.)

🚨 Be honest — incorrect or false declarations can lead to fines!

👀 Step 6: Review Your Details

Check everything carefully:

• Personal info
• Flight details
• Declarations

✍️ Make sure it’s all correct before submitting!

✅ Step 7: Submit & Get Confirmation

Click Submit.
You’ll receive an email with:

• A PDF confirmation receipt
• A QR code to scan upon arrival in New Zealand

📸 Screenshot the QR code or download it — you'll need it at:

• Immigration counters
• Self-service eGates (if available)

🕐 When to Submit?

You must complete the NZTD:

• Within 72 hours before your scheduled flight to New Zealand
• At least 24 hours before take-off to avoid any last-minute issues

✅ Quick Recap:

🧳 Tips for a Smooth Arrival in New Zealand

📸 Bring a pen to fill out the form on the plane
👟 Clean your hiking shoes — NZ checks for soil & seeds
📱 Screenshot your NZeTA confirmation
🏨 Have your NZ accommodation address handy
🕐 Be honest — undeclared items can lead to fines

📶 BONUS: Get a New Zealand eSIM or SIM card in advance to stay connected the moment you land — perfect for calling your Airbnb host or loading Google Maps in Auckland.

🥝 Say Kia Ora to New Zealand!

Once you’ve sorted your Arrival Card and NZeTA, you’re ready to dive into New Zealand’s stunning natural beauty. Whether you’re bungy jumping in Queenstown, sipping coffee in Wellington ☕, or road tripping the South Island — travel smart, arrive prepared, and enjoy every moment!

👉 Book your flight to New Zealand on Trip.com ✈️
👉 Find best hotels in Auckland or Christchurch 🍲
👉 Grab your NZ travel SIM to stay online from day one 📱

Safe travels, and selamat jalan!