Agricultural Restrictions and Quarantine
New Zealand's agricultural industries are free of many insect pests and plant and animal diseases common elsewhere in the world. We put a lot of effort at ports and airports into minimising the risk of these being introduced. Heavy fines may be imposed on people caught carrying prohibited materials. On arrival visitors should place any questionable items, particularly fruit, in the bins provided.

Airport - Christchurch
Tel: +64 3 358 5029
Fax: + 64 3 353 7730
Email: enquiries@cial.co.nz

Christchurch Airport is conveniently located close to Christchurch CBD (20 minutes drive). Please allow for extra travel time in peak hours.

Christchurch Airport is well serviced by public transport operators who can take you to all Christchurch destinations.  Buses, taxis and shuttles are available from directly outside the domestic and international terminals. A taxi fare from the airport to Christchurch CBD and Hotel Grand Chancellor is approximately NZ$65.00 one way.  Rental cars are available for both international and domestic travellers. 
Information about buses, trains and ferries; times, fares, route planning and maps in the Christchurch area can be found at www.rideline.co.nz.

Air Travel
For international passengers, we suggest that you try to allow yourself at least a day in which to adjust to the time difference and relax after your flight, before the Meeting commences. Travellers flying westward across the Pacific Ocean are reminded that they will lose a day by crossing the International Date Line. The ‘lost day’ will be returned on the return journey. To obtain the best rates for international and domestic air travel, it is essential to book airfares early.  Air New Zealand flights can be booked via www.airnz.co.nz.  Please arrange your own transport from the airport.

Banks
Banks in New Zealand are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Most banks are closed weekends and public holidays. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) are open 24 hours and widely available at banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. Check with your bank before leaving home.  Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.

Car Parking
Parking is available for hotel residents for NZ$15 for a 24 hour period, you are able to come and go as you please during that 24 hour period. Limited parking for day delegates is available on a first come first served basis at NZ$25 per day.  The carpark is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Conference Venue
HMM MTANZ 2010 will be held at The Hotel Grand Chancellor, in central Christchurch,  161 Cashel Street, Christchurch
Telephone: +64 3 379 2999 or 0800 27 53 37

Hotel Grand Chancellor Christchurch is conveniently located in the CBD, only 10 kilometres from the International Airport. It is within strolling distance to key attractions including Cathedral Square, Arts Centre, Museum, Botanical Gardens, Avon River, Cafes, Bars and Restaurants. The Hotel is the tallest building in Christchurch, and with 26 floors all rooms are quiet and spacious with sweeping views over the city and Canterbury plains to the distant snow capped Southern Alps.

Contact during the Conference
As a courtesy to speakers, delegates are requested to switch off mobile phones and pagers during sessions.

A message board will be situated in the registration area.  Delegates will need to check the message board, as we are unable to provide a personal service.

Credit Cards
Credit cards are widely accepted. Commonly recognised cards include Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Only these cards are accepted by the Meeting. Payment may also be made by cheque, payable to “Conference Trust Account”.  All fees quoted are in New Zealand Dollars and are inclusive of GST.
Payment for registration must be received prior to the commencement of the conference.

Currency Exchange
Decimal currency is used in New Zealand (NZD) and currency units are dollars and cents. New Zealand notes are $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5. Coins are $2, $1, 50, 20 and 10 cents. For the latest currency exchange rates refer www.coinmill.com.

Disabled Facilities
If you require disability specific facilities, please notify the secretariat by indicating on your registration form.

Electricity
New Zealand has a 230 / 240 volt, 50 hertz system. The connection for appliances is a flat 3 or 2-pin plug, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted. Most city hotels provide 110 volts ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for shavers only and provide small appliances (hair dryers, irons, etc). Special adapters for all electrical appliances may need to be purchased prior to arrival in New Zealand. You will need an RJ45 type plug to be able to connect your laptop into a computer socket in New Zealand. Check with your retailer.

Goods and Services Tax
Goods and services in NZ are subject to a 12.5% tax (GST). This is usually included in the price, but if not, is clearly stated. 

Health
New Zealand has a high standard of hygiene. Doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well equipped. In the event of illness, hotel staff can arrange a doctor for you.

Industry Exhibition
A wide and varied Exhibition will be co-ordinated by the Conference Managers in conjunction with the Medical Technology Association of New Zealand.  The Exhibition will be held in Chancellor 2 at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, Christchurch.  A high degree of exposure for Conference delegates to the Exhibition will be ensured.  Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be held in the exhibition area. 

Expressions of interest in participating in the Exhibition or Sponsoring the Conference are welcomed.  If you are interested in participating as an exhibitor, please contact Victoria Jantke, Medical Technology Association +64 9 917 3645 victoria@mtanz.org.nz. 

Anyone interested in Sponsorship should contact Donna Clapham, Workz4U Limited on +64 9 917 3653 or donna.clapham@workz4u.co.nz

Insurance
Delegates are advised to book comprehensive travel and medical insurance and ensure that all possessions are adequately insured.  The policy should include loss of fees/deposits through cancellation of your participation in the conference.  The Conference Managers will not accept any responsibility for delegates failing to arrange their insurance.

Liability Disclaimer
The Organising Committee, including The Conference Managers, will not accept liability for damages of any nature sustained by participants or their accompanying persons or loss or damage to their personal property as a result of the meeting or related events.  In the event of industrial disruption or other unforeseen circumstances, The Conference Managers accept no responsibility for loss of monies.

Mobile Phones
Check with your phone company before leaving home about international mobile roam facilities available in New Zealand.

Name Badges
All delegates will be given a name badge upon registration.  This name badge is your official pass to sessions, catering areas, the Cocktail Reception and the Conference Gala Dinner.  It is necessary for delegates to wear their name badge at all time when on-site.

No Smoking Policy
Delegates should be aware that smoking is banned in public buildings and many hotels and restaurants in New Zealand, including the Conference venue.

Public Call Phones
Most public call phones take cards purchased from bookstalls and newsagents, with a minimum value of NZD$2.00. Some public call phones also accept credit cards, but very few accept coins. New Zealand public phone numbers appear online at the White Pages (alphabetical listings) and Yellow Pages (business category listings).
 
Rental Cars
Cars can be rented in New Zealand from local or international companies. Average cost per day for a medium sized care is NZ$80.00. All cars are right-hand drive.

Taxis
 

 
Time Differences
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day. It is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand has daylight saving, when clocks are put forward one hour to GMT +13. Daylight saving begins on the first Sunday in October and ends on the third Sunday of the following March, when clocks are put back to GMT +12.