23rd Population Census Conference
Utilization of the 2000 and 2005 Rounds of Asia-Pacific Censuses
Christchurch, New Zealand, 16-18 April 2007
Hosted by
Statistics New Zealand
Organized by
Statistics New Zealand and the East-West Center
in cooperation with the
Association of National Census and Statistics Directors of America, Asia and the Pacific

MEMORANDUM OF ARRANGEMENTS

Revision Date: January 31, 2007

MEMORANDUM OF ARRANGEMENTS

We look forward to your attendance at the 23rd Population Census Conference, which will be held 16-18 April 2007 in Christchurch New Zealand. All participants are requested to read all the items in this memorandum carefully in order to facilitate arrangements for your participation. Please contact Mr. John Barnes, Statistics New Zealand or Ms. Ann Takayesu at the East-West Center if you have any questions regarding these arrangements.

Mr. John Barnes's contact information at Statistics New Zealand is the following:
Tel: (64-3) 964 8546. Fax: (64-3) 964 8601. Mobile: 021 761 256. E-mail: john.barnes@stats.govt.nz.

Ms. Ann Takayesu's contact information at the East-West Center is the following:
Tel: (1-808) 944-7426. Fax: (808) 944-7490 or (808) 944-7970. E-mail: TakayesA@EastWestCenter.org.

Meeting Dates and Venue
The conference dates are April 16-18, 2007. The venue is the Christchurch Convention Center (Meeting Rooms 6-7) which is in downtown Christchurch at 95 Kilmore Street. The Convention Centre is a 2-3 minute walk from each of the hotels and about 15 minutes walk from each of the motels listed in the hotel schedule and a comfortable distance from all the amenities in the Christchurch Central Business District.

Registration will take place in the Convention Centre outside meeting rooms 6-7 between 8-10 a.m., Monday, April 16, 2007.

Travel Arrangements
Conference participants should make their own arrangements for travel to and from Christchurch. Participants are expected to arrive on Sunday, April 15, and depart on Thursday, April 19, or Friday, April 20. Airfare and per diem expenses will be borne by participants.

Immigration Requirements
Each participant is required to possess a valid passport. You do not require a visa if you are from certain countries. Refer to link www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/visitors/.

If you do not belong to a visa free country you will need to apply for a visa. To obtain a visa refer to the following link www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres.

If you have questions regarding entry to New Zealand, please contact Mr. John Barnes at john.barnes@stats.govt.nz.

Health Clearance Form
No health clearances are required. Participants are advised to sign up for a traveler's medical insurance policy before arriving in New Zealand.

Agriculture Regulations
New Zealand has strict agricultural regulations and no foodstuffs are permitted into the country. If you are carrying foodstuffs please either dispose of these before entering the country or declare them on your agriculture form that is provided with the immigration cards handed out on the plane.

Foreign Exchange
Participants are advised to exchange home-country currency to NZ Dollars either within your own country or at the banks in Christchurch International Airport. The hotels also offer exchange services for small amounts of currency. There are banks close to the conference centre and hotels that will cash traveler's cheques or exchange currency for NZ $. Traveler's cheques and international credit cards such as American Express, Visa, and Master Card are accepted at the hotels.

Tipping
Gratuities or tipping for services in New Zealand is not an accepted part of the New Zealand culture.

Transfers from Auckland International Airport
If you are traveling to Christchurch through Auckland you will need to clear your bags from Customs and take your bags to the domestic airline booth in the International terminal. Your bags will be taken to the domestic terminal for loading onto your domestic flight to Christchurch. You should then proceed to the domestic terminal. The domestic terminal is about 10 minutes walk from the International terminal and the route is well signposted. If you prefer to go by bus there are courtesy buses outside the International terminal and they leave every 10 minutes for the domestic terminal.

Transfers from Christchurch International Airport
After custom clearance, please proceed through the Baggage Claim Area to the area for the Airport Shuttle service. The cost for the Shuttle is estimated at $12 per person. Discounts apply for couples or groups going to the same destination.

The quickest and most efficient way into Christchurch city is by taxi.

Taxi: Taxi fare from the airport to the Christchurch City area (about 20-25 minutes travel time), will cost approximately NZ$25-$35. The recommended taxi companies to use are First Direct, Gold Band, Blue Star or Corporate Cabs. They are located outside the domestic and international terminals in Christchurch.

Accommodations

Hotel Rates per person

Participants are requested to make their own hotel arrangements.

Transportation to and from the Convention Centre
There will be a taxi shuttle provided for participants staying in the Diplomat Best Western Motel and the Colonial Inn motel. Details of the pick up and drop off times will be provided to the motel management. Participants staying in the Copthorne Central, Durham and Crowne Plaza are in walking distance (3-5 minutes) from the Convention Centre

Lunch and morning and afternoon teas
Lunch and morning and afternoon tea will be provided to all participants in the Convention Centre in the breakout areas, except lunch will be on your own before the sightseeing excursion.

Language
The working language of the conference will be English. All documentation will be in English.

Clothing and Weather
April in Christchurch is comfortably crisp and cool. The conference room is temperature controlled and air-conditioned. The average outdoor temperature is around 15 degrees Celsius, and it is suggested you bring a jacket and jersey/pullover. Please plan your wardrobe accordingly.

Sightseeing Opportunities
Some of you may be accompanied by a spouse or other person who may be interested in sightseeing during the conference. Others of you may wish to stay on one or more days after the conference for sightseeing. www.christchurch.org.nz. There is an Information Centre located 5 minutes from the major hotels and each hotel holds information on things to do and see around Christchurch.

Transportation in and around Christchurch
There are buses and taxis and rental cars that can be hired to travel around the city. Participants should note that driving in New Zealand is on the left side of the road.

Registration Form
Please fill out and fax back the attached Registration Form.

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