• travel advisories (how safe your destination is deemed to be)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides advice on security and safety risks in many destinations. This advice is based on information from a number of sources. It reflects risks, and our assessment of what these might mean for New Zealanders.

Our assessment may also take account of the actions local authorities are taking to minimise the risk, and our ability to provide you with assistance.

• advice before you go
  Quick checklist and tips, Disability information, Going to Australia?, Health and travel, Passports and visas, Travel insurance, & Work and income benefits.

• what to do if things go wrong  
  Arrest and detention, Death, Financial difficulties. Hostage taking and kidnapping, Illness and injury, Internet dating scams, Internet fraud and international scams, Lost, stolen or damaged passport, & Missing persons.

• and the most important of all - a journey registration service

SafeTravel is the official registration facility for New Zealanders travelling or living overseas. If you register with us, we're able to relay important information and account for your safety and wellbeing, as part of New Zealand's consular response to an overseas emergency.

Registration is free, the process is easy to follow and all New Zealand citizens and their families are entitled to sign up.

Alongside using SafeTravel carry with you the contact details for the NZ embassy in your overseas destination(s) - fold it up and keep it in your passport or documents folder.  Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.  Bear in mind that staff at embassies can give you advice with the aim of helping you to help yourself.  You still have to do the leg-work.

Image credit Nick James CC BY-NC-SA 2.0