banks Banks are generally open 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. All major credit cards can be used and travellers cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some retail stores. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available.

buses Most suburbs are linked to the CBD with a Metro service. The Orbiter and Metrostar run circuits around the suburbs, while the Shuttle is a free bus service to key central city locations running every 10 minutes. The After Midnight Express gets you in and out of the central city in the early morning hours on weekends. Phone 03 366 8855 or see www.metroinfo.org.nz for more information and timetables.

cinema Academy Cinema & Cloisters Film House, The Arts Centre, 03 366 0167, www.artfilms.co.nz. Hollywood Cinema Sumner, 03 326 6102, www.hollywoodcinema.co.nz. Hoyts Moorhouse, Riccarton, Northlands, 03 366 6367, www.hoyts.co.nz. Metro Gold Cinemas, Cathedral Junction, 03 377 5705, www.artfilms.co.nz. Movieland Hornby Mall, 03 349 2365, www.movielandhub.co.nz. Reading Cinemas, The Palms, 03 375 7080, www.readingcinemas.co.nz. Regent on Worcester, Cathedral Square, 03 366 3594, www.hoyts.co.nz. Rialto Cinemas, Moorhouse Ave, 03 374 9404, www.rialto.co.nz.

cycling There are more than 58 km of on-road cycle lanes and 73 km of off-road paths. There are covered cycle stands in several parking buildings.

disabled access The law requires new buildings to provide access for people with disabilities. To obtain a mobility parking permit, phone 03 365 5661.

liquor stores Decant Vintners & Epicures, 61 Mandeville St, 03 343 1945 The Grape Escape, 69 Centaurus Rd, 03 332 0233 Vino Fino, 188 Durham St, 03 365 5134.

parking Art Gallery Car Park (Gloucester St); Farmers Car Park (Oxford Tce); Hospital Car Park (Antigua St); Crowne Plaza Car Park (Kilmore St); Lichfield Street Car Park; Manchester Street Car Park; Oxford Terrace Car Park ; Rolleston Avenue Car Park; The Crossing Car Park (Lichfield St); Tuam Street Car Park.

postal services Most PostShops are open during business hours and on Saturday mornings. The most central post office is the Cathedral Square North branch at 736 Colombo St.

shopping Throughout New Zealand, most shops are open seven days, usually from 9am to 5pm. Late nights are usually on a Thursday or Friday, although some businesses (especially beauty clinics) have other late nights.

smoking Smoking is prohibited in most public places, including bars and restaurants.

taxis Blue Star Taxis 03 379 9799 Corporate Cabs 03 379 5888 Gold Band Taxis 03 379 5795 Regency Cabs 03 357 8008

telephones Public telephones can be operated with phone cards or most major credit cards. The international dialling code for New Zealand is +64. 0800 and 0508 numbers are free to call within New Zealand. 0900 numbers incur an additional charge. The area code for Christchurch is 03.

theatre Isaac Theatre Royal, 145 Gloucester St, 03 366 6326, www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz. Repertory Theatre, 146 Kilmore St, 03 379 8866, www.repertory.co.nz. The Court Theatre and The Forge, The Arts Centre, 03 963 0870, www.courttheatre.org.nz. The Mill Theatre, 24 Wise St, 03 338 4699, www.riccartonplayers.co.nz. The Open Stage, 510 Hagley Ave, 03 364 5155, www.hagleytheatreco.co.nz.

TICKETING AGENTS Ticketek, 03 377 8899, www.ticketek.co.nz. iTicket, 03 974 3111, www.iticket.co.nz. Ticketmaster, 0800 111 999, www.ticketmaster.co.nz.

visitor information Christchurch i-SITE Old Chief Post Office Bldg, Cathedral Sq, 03 379 9629, www.christchurchnz.com.

weather information For the latest weather reports and forecasts see the MetService website at www.metservice.co.nz.