Sandflies, sunburn and other NZ travel hazards nobody warns you about

New Zealand has no snakes, no dangerous land predators and very few venomous creatures. That reputation can make visitors relaxed in ways that get them into trouble. The hazards here are quieter: a cloud of tiny biting flies at a lake edge, a sunburn on a mild spring day, a river that rose overnight, or a surf beach with a rip.

None of these should put you off. A few simple habits deal with all of them. This guide covers sandflies, UV, weather, water safety and hiking safety, using advice from Te Ara, Health New Zealand, SunSmart, the Department of Conservation (DOC), Water Safety New Zealand and Surf Life Saving New Zealand, as at November 2026.

Quick answer

Sandflies

Sandflies are New Zealand’s most famous pest. Te Ara, the official encyclopedia, says they are tiny black flies just 2 to 3 mm long, and only a few species bite people. In fact only the females bite, because they need a blood meal to produce eggs.

Where. Te Ara says sandflies are found wherever there is flowing water and bush, often at beaches and the edges of lakes or swamps. The West Coast and Fiordland are infamous for them. The end of the Milford Track, where walkers board the boat to Milford Sound, is called Sandfly Point. In 1851, a ship’s captain surveying Doubtful Sound was tempted to name places Venom Point and Bloodsuckers Sound.

Are they dangerous? Health NZ says New Zealand sandflies are a nuisance but not a public health risk, and the species that bite do not carry infectious diseases. Bites itch, redden and swell, and the symptoms can last a few days to a few weeks. Health NZ notes that visitors who have not been exposed to sandflies before may react more severely than locals.

How to avoid bites. Health NZ recommends:

• Cover up when you are not moving, particularly your ankles and feet.
• Apply insect repellent regularly. Repellents with diethyl toluamide (DEET) or dimethyl phthalate as the active ingredient are the most effective.
• Burn a citronella candle to help keep them away from a small area.

If you are bitten, Health NZ says an antihistamine cream or calamine lotion is the most common treatment, and an antihistamine pill may be needed for a severe reaction. Avoid scratching, because broken skin raises the risk of infection.

Insider tip: sandflies find you within seconds of stopping. At a lake edge or lookout, keep walking until you are ready to take your photo, and pull on long trousers and socks before you open the car door at a West Coast campsite. Light loose layers are far better than repellent alone.

If you are heading for Milford Sound, our Milford Sound cruise guide covers the trip itself.

UV

New Zealand’s sun is strong, and visitors are regularly caught out. SunSmart says UV radiation is damaging to skin and eyes from September to April, the daylight saving months, especially between 10am and 4pm.

The catch is that UV has nothing to do with temperature. SunSmart explains that cool weather means less infrared radiation (the heat you feel) but not necessarily less UV. You can still get sunburnt on cool and cloudy days, on a boat, on a glacier walk or on a breezy beach.

SunSmart’s advice, when the UV Index is 3 or above, is to use all five SunSmart behaviours:

1. Slip on clothing that covers your skin.
2. Slip into shade.
3. Slop on sunscreen.
4. Slap on a hat.
5. Wrap on sunglasses.

SunSmart says the Sun Protection Alert and the UVNZ app tell you the times each day when you need to protect your skin and eyes. Check them before a long day outside.

Weather

New Zealand’s weather changes quickly, especially in the mountains. DOC’s Land Safety Code asks every visitor to understand the weather before heading out, and DOC publishes forecasts for national parks and conservation areas, as well as severe weather warnings and mountain forecasts.

Practical habits:

• Check the forecast on the morning you go, not just the night before.
• Pack warm clothes and a rain jacket, even on a sunny summer day. Alpine weather can turn cold and wet in any month.
• Have a plan B. If the forecast turns, swap a mountain walk for a lower valley track.
• Watch the roads. Heavy rain can close roads through slips and flooding, and ice is common on alpine passes in winter.

DOC also warns that avalanches can occur in any season wherever snow and steep slopes combine, so check conditions before visiting alpine areas.

Water safety

Many drownings in New Zealand are preventable. Water Safety New Zealand’s Water Safety Code has five simple points:

• Know how to float. If you get into trouble, float on your back with your ears in the water, relax and breathe normally.
• Find the safest place. Look for dangers like strong currents and find the safest place to get in and out.
• If in doubt, stay out. If you are unsure of your ability, the weather or the water, wait for another day.
• Take care of yourself and others. Always go with a buddy and tell someone your plans. When children are in or near the water, a responsible adult should be within arm’s reach.
• Know how to get help. Raise your arm and call out. If you see someone in trouble, call 111 and ask for Police.

At the beach. Surf Life Saving New Zealand says patrols returned for the summer at Labour Weekend, from Saturday 24 October 2026. Head to a patrolled beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which lifeguards place in the safest area for the day’s conditions.

Drinking water. Do not assume streams or campsite taps are safe. DOC says untreated water at campsites should be boiled before drinking.

Hiking safety

DOC’s Land Safety Code has five rules:

1. Choose the right trip for you.
2. Understand the weather.
3. Pack warm clothes and extra food.
4. Share your plans and take ways to get help.
5. Take care of yourself and each other.

Two hazards deserve extra attention:

• Rivers. DOC says many tracks have unbridged stream and river crossings, and rivers can rise quickly and become dangerous. If a river is high, wait or turn back. It is never worth the risk.
• No mobile coverage. Much of the backcountry has no signal. DOC says a registered distress beacon is the lifeline that can summon help in a life-threatening situation.

Check our best day hikes guide for tracks that suit different fitness levels.

A simple safety kit

Most of these hazards are handled by a few items that live in your daypack:

• insect repellent with DEET, and a long-sleeved top and long trousers for sandfly spots
• sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
• a warm layer and a waterproof jacket
• extra food and water, plus a way to boil or treat water if you are camping
• a charged phone, and a registered distress beacon for backcountry trips
• antihistamine cream for bites

The bottom line

Pack repellent, sunscreen, a hat and a warm layer, check the forecast daily, swim between the flags, and leave your plans with someone before a hike. Do that and the worst thing that happens will be a few itchy ankles.