<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Andrew Webber:
Do they truly mean only USA? Would my Canadian license be accepted?</font>
Most likely, be warned though, driving in NZ is not for the faint-hearted, particularly if you are accustomed to European driving.
Nobody in NZ knows what fog lamps are for - they all drive with them on 24 hours a day. German cops (and their good colleagues in NSW) would be lined up writing tickets out until the end of time for this nonsensical behaviour.
Overtaking in NZ is best accomplished by waiting for the crest of a hill, then moving out to pass the 3 cars in front of you. I kid you not - people actually do this, and they all wonder why their road toll is so shocking.
Oh, you'll feel right at home on the motorways, because everyone sits in the right lane. That would be fine, except that in NZ they drive on the left hand side of the road - the lanes for overtaking are clogged by usueless noddies, so you better get used to passing people on the left.
If you absolutely must drive in NZ, I recommend booking through Hertz and getting yourself a nifty Ford Mondeo. Nice car for the price, and accomodates two adults very nicely (along with a load of luggage).
Just don't imitate the locals - only use that rear fog lamp when the visibility is < 50 metres.
As for your licence, don't expect the cops to give a rat's arse. They have something like a dozen HWP cars in the entire country, and half of those are on the motorway running from Auckland to Hamilton.