Help from your embassy, high commission or consulate
Looking for information about embassies, high commissions or consulates? Find out all you need to know about getting help from an embassy, high commission or consulate while you’re living in New Zealand.
About embassies, high commissions and consulates
While you’re studying in New Zealand, you may need to contact your country’s embassy, high commission or consulate for help from your government.
About 50 countries have an embassy in New Zealand. If your country is in the Commonwealth, it may have a high commission here – for example, the High Commission of India. High commissions do the same things as embassies. All embassies and high commissions are in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.
A consulate (or consulate general) is a smaller version of an embassy. Some countries have a consulate in Auckland as well as an embassy in Wellington.
If your country does not have an embassy or consulate in New Zealand it may have one in another country, such as Australia, that can help you.
Embassies and consulates are usually closed on New Zealand public holidays and on their own country’s public holidays.
Find your embassy, high commission or consulate
You can find contact details, opening hours and other information about your country’s embassy, consulate, high commission or honorary consul in New Zealand on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) website(external link that opens in a new tab). It also has contact information about all New Zealand embassies in other countries.
MFAT is the New Zealand government department responsible for trade and international relations.
What they can help you with
Your country’s embassy, high commission or consulate may be able to help you in these situations:
- If you lose or damage your passport.
- If you are seriously ill or injured. Remember, the first person you should see if you are unwell is a doctor or nurse from your student health centre or a community medical centre. See our healthcare(external link that opens in a new tab) page.
- If you get arrested. Your embassy or consulate may be able to support you by, for example, contacting your family, giving you a list of local lawyers and making sure you are being treated fairly. But it will not be able to get you out of jail, prevent you from being deported or do anything else to interfere with the New Zealand legal process.
- If you need help in an emergency or disaster. However, it is important to follow any instructions from New Zealand Police or Civil Defence. See our information about Staying safe in New Zealand(external link that opens in a new tab).
- If you need to contact your family because there is an emergency or disaster in your country.
- If you need information about social security or national service in your country.
- If you need to validate documents to use in New Zealand. For example, if you get married.
What they can not help you with
Your embassy, high commission or consulate is unlikely to be able to help in these situations:
- If you need legal advice. You may be able to get free legal advice from Community Law Centres(external link that opens in a new tab), the Citizens Advice Bureau (external link that opens in a new tab)or Youth Law(external link that opens in a new tab).
- If you need to pay fines, legal expenses or medical bills.
- If you want to be given or loaned money. Find out more about Managing your money(external link that opens in a new tab).
- If you want to arrange travel, banking, shipping or postage.
- If you have lost your luggage.
- If you need help with transport delays.
- If you want your medical care upgraded.
- If you need a job. You can get tips on finding a job on our Working on a student visa(external link that opens in a new tab) page.
- If you need a place to live. Check out our advice on Finding a place to live(external link that opens in a new tab).
Renewing your student visa
Most students have to renew their student visa each year, but you don’t need to visit your embassy or consulate to do it. You can renew your visa online or, depending on your place of study, on campus .
Visit Immigration New Zealand to find out more about how to renew your visa.(external link that opens in a new tab)
Tip: Don’t leave it to the last minute to apply for a new student visa. If your visa expires, you’ll be living in New Zealand unlawfully. Learn more about the conditions of your student visa(external link that opens in a new tab).
Honorary consuls
Honorary consuls are people who represent another government in New Zealand on a voluntary basis. They are usually New Zealanders or permanent residents who have connections to the country they represent.
They may be able to take on duties such as:
• Authenticating signatures • Certifying translations Honorary consuls usually have another job, so they may not always be available. If you have an emergency, it’s better to contact your embassy or high commission.
Related pages
New Zealand Government
The New Zealand political system is a democracy. Every three years Kiwis get to vote for who will represent them in Parliament but our democracy is about much more than elections. Learn about how the New Zealand Government works.
Staying safe in New Zealand
New Zealand is known as a relatively safe country to live and travel in. However, when you're here it's important to be as careful as you would be at home. Here’s how you can stay safe in New Zealand. Staying safe in New Zealand
What to do in a medical emergency
If you or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency, don't wait to get help. What to do in a medical emergency