NZers' overseas requests for help treble

More and more New Zealanders are finding themselves in trouble abroad, prompting a campaign aimed at making travellers better prepared.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said requests for help from New Zealanders overseas almost trebled over the six years to June 30, 2005 -- rising from 2500 to 7000.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said many were caught up in unforseeable events such as natural disasters, but for others it was a simple case of insufficient planning.

"The fact is that people are travelling much more frequently now," said Mr Peters, who launched the "safe travel" campaign today.

"At the same time, however, risks are increasing and while most New Zealand travellers do plan carefully, more and more are getting into difficulties while overseas."

Simple precautions like insurance, health check-ups and passport checks could prevent problems later on, he said.

Useful information was contained on a new website safetravel.govt.nz .

The website also linked to a new registration database, which allowed people to register their travel details so they could be quickly contacted in case of an emergency.

Mr Peters said the travel, insurance and airline industries would promote the website and help distribute Safe Travel brochures, which would also be mailed to the 400,000 people who applied for a new passport each year.

- NZPA