Holiday checklist

If you're heading away this summer, plan ahead using our holiday checklist so you can relax properly.

Get your house holiday-ready

It's that time of year when many Kiwi families pack the car and head away for their summer holidays. Before you head off, make sure everything at home is safe and sound. The last thing you want to is come home to a burst water pipe or burgled house. 

Before you go

Before you head away on holiday, make a list (and check it twice) of all the things you need to sort and pack. Once you've nailed this, you can use it as a standard packing and action list you can pull out before every holiday.

Top tips for getting your house holiday-ready include:

• Empty the bins and the jug
• Turn off heated towel rails, underfloor heating and other heated appliances
• Arrange for the rubbish and recycling to go out
• Cancel or put on hold your newspaper subscriptions
• Turn off the water to reduce the risk of burst pipes or flooding
• Lock away any valuables
• Make sure your contents insurance policy is up to date.

You might want to consider getting a friend or neighbour to help create the impression that there's someone at home by collecting the mail or putting away the recycling bins. Find out more about how to protect your home while you're on holiday.

On the road

Check that your car is ready to go before you embark on a roadie. Check the tyre pressure, make sure all the lights are working, and be cautious that anything you're towing isn't too heavy for your vehicle. If you're taking your boat with you, check that your boat insurance is up to date.

If you have a MAS Contents insurance policy, your contents are covered anywhere in New Zealand. Even so, you should take precautions to protect your precious gear from theft. Don't leave bikes on racks or items in roof boxes unattended. And if you're in doubt, bring them inside with you if you can.

At the holiday house

If you're staying at your own holiday house, remember to turn the power and mains water off at the end of the break before you head back home. If you've had tradespeople in since your last stay, consider changing the lockbox number if you have one. 

If you're at an Airbnb or a rented bach, follow the owner's instructions for checking out carefully to make sure don't incur any extra fees, and make sure you photograph any damage and let the owner know about it ASAP.