Visitors entering NZ without a visa (Visa Waiver countries only), must have valid onward travel arrangements (ie. return ticket or official confirmation that a ticket is booked and paid for) when entering New Zealand. The return ticket must also be from NZ to a country they can enter.
Please note that having funds to purchase a ticket is not sufficient evidence of onward travel arrangements for Visa Waiver visitors.
If you are applying for a visa prior to your travel, you may enter New Zealand on a one way ticket, provided that the visa in your passport clearly states ‘Return/onward ticket not required’.
In all other cases an outward travel arrangement must have been made prior to arriving in New Zealand (visitors must have a return ticket, while workers and students may show available funds to purchase a ticket).
Citizens and permanent residents of NZ or Australia may enter on a one way ticket, providing they are travelling on a valid NZ or Australian passport, or they have a valid NZ or Australian Returning Residents visa in their foreign passport.
This answer was last updated on 18 September, 2012.
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