Kiwi's Registering Overseas The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has now implemented a new internet-based registration facility. This will enable you to record and update details about yourself, accompanying family members and your overseas residence/travel plans. The Ministry encourages you to now register your details on-line via the link "Registration of New Zealanders Overseas" at the Ministry's safe travel website http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/ or https://www.kiwisoverseas.govt.nz  The most important details that you provide are those which are entered in the Destination or Residency Information section. These include details of where you are living overseas and/or traveling to and the expected duration of your stay at each destination. Once you have registered on this website, you will be able to access and update your and any accompanying family member's personal details as well as update or add overseas residence or travel as required in the future, using a User ID and password that you have created. This will save you time and effort if you travel again, or if your travel plans change, as you will no longer have to contact us directly. Registration is voluntary and personal information provided in your registration will be held, used and disclosed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its overseas posts for consular purposes only and in accordance the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993.                                                                                                                                        EMERGENCIES - New Zealand Citizens Consular Staff at the Consulate can help you if you get into difficulties overseas, but there are limitations. We Can: Give you guidance when in trouble with the primary aim of helping you to help yourself. Help arrange for the issue of a replacement passport (for example if yours is lost of stolen). Urgent passport processing is normally 3 working days from receipt of the application. Help you to contact relatives or friends back home to arrange a money transfer, if you get into financial difficulties. In the case of detention or arrest, help you contact family and friends and check that you have adequate legal representation. We cannot: Pay your hotel, travel or other bills, bail or medical expenses. Help you with arrangements that could be handled by local organisations, e.g. banks, lawyers, travel agents, and undertakers. Give you legal advice or get you out of prison. Get you better conditions in prison or hospital than a local national would receive. Give you a loan, other than in a real emergency and only after consultation with family and friends in New Zealand. Trace missing persons or investigate a crime. These are police matters. Operate a personal mail service for you. It is a good idea to keep contact details for NZ Overseas Posts when you travel. The contact details for the New Zealand Consulate-General in Los Angeles are: New Zealand Consulate-General 2425 Olympic Blvd, Suite 600E Santa Monica, CA 90404 USA Phone: (310) 566 6555 Fax: (310) 566 6556 The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website also has a lot of useful information for New Zealanders travelling overseas including a full list of overseas posts. www.mfat.govt.nz/ (external link).                                                                                                                                        Avian/Pandemic Infuenza The New Zealand Ministy of Health news and information is available at www.moh.govt.nz/pandemicinfluenza The United States Government website, www.pandemicflu.gov has news items, US State and local planning, bird and animal issues, and travel information. The following general information on avian flu has been prepared for New Zealanders living overseas. We will update and reissue this when new information is available. New Zealanders living overseas should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and wellbeing should they be at risk from avian flu-related pandemic. The information below is offered to help New Zealanders make adequate preparations for this risk. If avian flu becomes pandemic, there is a possibility that some countries may close their borders; this is an option that is being considered in New Zealand. Decisions to close borders may be taken very quickly following declaration of a pandemic. Therefore, you need to consider in advance how you can care for yourself, wherever you are. Anti-viral medication (oseltamivir, commonly known as "Tamiflu") may be effective in treating infection with the H5N1 virus. You should consult your doctor on whether this is appropriate in your case. You may need to consider the availability of local stocks. The New Zealand Ministry of Health will not have sufficient stocks of Tamiflu to distribute to New Zealanders overseas. Tamiflu can prevent infection with influenza but would need to be taken daily throughout the period of risk. It can also be effective post infection if taken within 48 hours of exposure and may reduce the severity of the illness. Very small children should not take the drug, and Tamiflu does have some side effects. Further information is available on the Ministry of Health website. It is unclear whether Tamiflu will be effective against the particular strain of avian flu that might become freely transmitted from human to human. New Zealand embassies and high commissions overseas will not be able to: - provide any anti viral drugs such as Tamiflu to New Zealand citizens overseas, or - help New Zealand citizens overseas to return to New Zealand in the event that borders are closed. The New Zealand Ministry of Health provides advice on avian flu. The Ministry issued a health advisory for all travellers to Asia ( click here ) This advice does not recommend deferral of travel to Asia, but does provide common sense precautions that all travellers and residents should take.                                                                                                                                        Emergency Prepardness Information For information on Emergency Prepardness and links for advice during an emergency or disaster, please see the following. West Coast Emergency Management Agencies (external link).

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