Can I use my appliances in New Zealand?
- Last Updated: 16 Jul 2025
- Publish Date:
- Tanya
- Before you visit NZ, NZ Travel Info, NZ Travel Tips
This is a guide for travellers to New Zealand to help you work out if you can use your electrical appliances from home when you visit. If you’re travelling to New Zealand from the USA, Canada, the UK or Australia this guide will help you prepare for your trip, understand what appliances will work in New Zealand and if there’s anything else you need to bring.
Once your dream trip to New Zealand gets closer, you’ll start thinking about packing and what to bring. You’ll want to know what appliances you can use here, like your phone, tablet, laptop, camera and hairdryer. What will work and what wont? Do you need to bring an adaptor?
We’ve been hosting overseas travellers on our small group tours of New Zealand since 1971 and have fielded lots of questions about which appliances you can use in New Zealand, what the voltage is, what the plugs look like and whether you need an adaptor.
To help you get ready for your trip to New Zealand we’ve put together a handy little guide to which appliances you can use in New Zealand.
Contents
Can I use my appliances from home in New Zealand?
If you bring electrical appliances from North America to New Zealand you should be able to use them here, as long as they’re relatively modern, but you’ll need an adaptor for the power plug.
Be sure to check that you can safely use them at New Zealand voltage, which is 240 volts. Modern appliances have been designed for use from 110-240 volts, so you should be OK as long as it’s not a 1980s electric razor you’re bringing!
But this is electricity, so make sure you check – if it doesn’t state clearly on your appliance that it’s safe for use up to 240 volts the chances are you won’t be able to use them and you might damage them or even hurt yourself.
If you bring appliances to New Zealand from the UK or Australia, you can use them at New Zealand voltage.
Can I use my appliances in New Zealand?
| USA / Canada | UK | Austraila |
|---|---|---|
| 120 volts | 230 volts | 230 volts |
| Plug Type A or B | Plug Type G | Plug Type I |
| OK in NZ with adaptor Dual voltage required | OK in NZ with adaptor | OK in NZ |
What is the voltage in New Zealand?
The voltage in New Zealand is 230/240 volts, which is different than in the USA (110/120 volts) and Canada (110/120 volts) but the same (or close enough to use) as in the UK and Australia.
Most modern appliances such as smartphones and laptops are designed for dual voltage (from 100-240v) and only require a plug adaptor to use in New Zealand. As a rule of thumb, if your device says ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ then it will be safe to use in New Zealand.
You may see some 110-volt sockets in older buildings in New Zealand, the only place we’ve ever seen them is in the bathrooms for electric razors.
You will also notice the frequency on your appliance, New Zealand electricity operates at 50HZ. If your device can work at 50-60HZ, like the one in the image above, then you can use it in New Zealand.
What do electric sockets in New Zealand look like?
Electric sockets in New Zealand look like the one in the picture below, most plugs are the 3 pin type as shown in the picture.
Electric sockets in New Zealand are “Type I” and look like the one in the picture below, most plugs are the 3-pin type as shown here. To help you work out whether you need an adaptor, see the main picture and compare what sockets and plugs look like in your home country, and in New Zealand.
The bottom pin is the Earth plug, some smaller appliances don’t have this and they’re safe to use as long as they are from an approved manufacturer and pass the safety standards in your home country.
MoaTrek Travel Tip:
If you come from the USA, Canada or the UK, you will need a New Zealand power adaptor. If you come from Australia, then you don’t need an adaptor, you’re good to go!
What kind of adaptor will I need in New Zealand?
Once you’ve checked your appliances and you’re sure that you can use it at our voltage, all you need is a Type I adaptor that you can plug your appliance into, which then lets you plug into the sockets here in New Zealand.
These adaptors are very small and light, so super easy to use and carry around. You can find these at stores selling electrical or travel goods.
What’s the difference between an adaptor and a transformer?
An adaptor is just a small fitting which you plug your non-New Zealand appliance into so that you can plug into a New Zealand socket. It does nothing more than allow you to use a different plug shape.
Transformers and converters are more complex machines for use with appliances you need to keep going for a long period of time, such as home appliances. The kind of appliances and devices you’ll bring to New Zealand on your holiday won’t need transformers.
Handy travel tips and common questions
Bring a multi appliance board from home
If you’re planning on bringing a lot of small appliances or devices with you, here’s a great tip.
Buy a multi socket power board (the compact cube types are great for travelling with) in your home country and one adaptor for this power board.
When you’re here you plug the power board into the New Zealand socket with the adaptor, and all your other appliances plug right into the board without needing an adaptor! Easy, but just make sure the power board can be used at 240 volts!
If you get one which has both traditional sockets and USB ports as well it’s even more useful. A lot of hotel rooms nowadays have USB charging sockets but just to be safe, bring your own.
You can plug your smart phones and tablets straight into the USB ports, and traditional appliances like a hairdryer or phones into the sockets. If everything you’re bringing has a USB lead, then save space and get a small USB only charger.
Do New Zealand hotel rooms have hairdryers?
Most do, yes. If you’re staying in well-appointed hotels, like the ones we do on our tours, they will have hairdryers in the room, or at worst, you’ll be able to get one from reception.
The hotels we stay on our tours are all hand-picked and offer all the conveniences you’ll need. They are places we know well and have been staying at for years.
See more about our tour accommodation here.
Same with motels, you should be able to get one but if you’ve got a small hairdryer you like travelling with, then bring it along, just to be safe.
Bring a Power Bank or Portable Charger
You’ll take lots of photos and videos in New Zealand, part of the fun of your trip is capturing memories you can enjoy for years. This means your phone and camera batteries can run down in the middle of the day so having a portable power bank with you means you can recharge on the go and not miss anything.
Where can I buy adaptors in New Zealand?
If you need any more adaptors while you’re in New Zealand, you will be able to find them at outlets like Noel Leeming, the Warehouse, gift stores, airports and tech shops.
Dual voltage appliances are your best bet
Many modern appliances are designed for dual voltage which means you can use them in New Zealand as well as at home. If your device can be used from 100-240 volts you can use it in New Zealand.
What would happen if I plug a 100v device into the power in New Zealand?
You may damage or destroy the device, there’s also the risk of it overheating and becoming a fire hazard, so make sure you check all your devices can be used in New Zealand before you leave home.
Does my travel insurance cover damage to my appliances?
Check the details of your policy, but most travel insurance policies cover damage to devices such as phones, tablets, laptops and cameras.
MoaTrek Travel Tip – Check all your devices before you leave home
Before you leave home, go through all the devices and appliances you want to bring, check the voltage and get all the adaptors and charging kits you need. That way once you get here you know everything is working and you can start enjoying your New Zealand experience from day one!
Read more about what to pack for your New Zealand trip here.
Any questions about visiting New Zealand?
We hope this travel article helps you prepare for your trip.
It’s natural that you’ll have a few questions about travelling to New Zealand, and if you’re joining one of our small group tours in New Zealand, we’re here to answer any questions before you leave home – just reach out at anytime.
Ready to plan your dream trip to New Zealand? Get in touch, we’d love to chat.
- Tanya
- Before you visit NZ, NZ Travel Info, NZ Travel Tips
