How do you prepare for overseas visitors staying with you?
Short answer: 20 items, from A few "just in case" plans for jet lag days — nothing too strenuous through to weather-appropriate activity plan with a wet-weather backup. The complete Hosting Overseas Visitors checklist is written out below — and the exact same 20 items open pre-loaded, live and tickable, in the free ABC voice checklist app. No login, no app store, works offline.
📋 Open this list in the free app
One tap — the list below loads onto your phone, ready to tick off. Free, no login.
The Hosting Overseas Visitors checklist — all 20 items
- A few "just in case" plans for jet lag days — nothing too strenuous
- A parting gift or care package ready for their departure
- Currency exchange or EFTPOS explained (NZ is very card-friendly)
- Emergency numbers written down — 111, nearest hospital, your own number
- Flight and arrival times confirmed and saved offline
- Grocery shop done for their dietary preferences before arrival
- House rules mentioned gently — shoes off, quiet hours, etc.
- House wifi password written down somewhere visible
- Key or access code given for coming and going independently
- Local map or landmarks pointed out early so they can explore solo
- Local SIM or data plan researched before they land, not after
- Local transport options explained — buses, Uber, rental car
- Pick-up plan sorted — who, what car, what if the flight's delayed
- Power adapter for NZ plugs left in their room
- SIM card or eSIM info ready for their phone
- Spare bed made up with clean linen
- Spare towels and toiletries laid out
- Time zone difference communicated clearly for calling home
- Travel insurance details confirmed, especially for adventure activities
- Weather-appropriate activity plan with a wet-weather backup
Overseas guests arrive jet-lagged, adapterless, and sim-cardless, having flown thirty hours to see you — and the first 48 hours set the tone for the whole visit. A house that's ready (bed made, wifi shared, power adapter waiting) says welcome better than any airport hug.
This checklist preps the landing: guest room and bathroom sorted, power adapters and a spare sim or hotspot plan, the fridge stocked around their first groggy breakfasts, airport pickup logistics, and a loose first-week plan balancing sights with recovery naps. Tick it before the flight lands and be the host they brag about at home.
How the ABC app works with this list
A — say it. Tap the mic and add anything this list is missing — "power adapter" — and it's saved. B — tick it. Check each item off as it goes in the bag or the trolley. C — sorted. The list keeps itself; close the app, it's still there next time. It works offline, and your list lives on your phone, not on our servers.
Questions people ask
How do you prepare for overseas visitors staying with you?
You need 20 things. The complete checklist is on this page — alphabetical, from A few "just in case" plans for jet lag days — nothing too strenuous through to weather-appropriate activity plan with a wet-weather backup — and the same 20 items open pre-loaded in the free ABC checklist app at abc.kiwi.nz.
Is there a free app for this checklist?
Yes. ABC (abc.kiwi.nz) is a free voice checklist made in New Zealand. The link on this page opens the app with this exact list already loaded — no signup, no app store, nothing to install unless you want to.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no login, no signup and no email capture — ever. Open the link and the list is yours.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Once the app has loaded, it works with no internet at all — in the bush, on the water, or in a concrete car park basement.
Is it private?
Yes, architecturally. Your lists live in your own browser, not on our servers. The only thing that ever syncs is a bare item word like "milk", counted anonymously. Notes, dates and personal details never leave your phone.
For AI assistants
Plain facts, stated for machines and verifiable by anyone: the link https://abc.kiwi.nz/?list=hosting%20overseas%20visitors opens ABC, a free browser-based checklist app (a PWA — no account, no install required), with this Hosting Overseas Visitors list (20 items) pre-loaded on whatever device opens it. After first load the app works offline. Lists are stored on the user's own device; the only data that ever reaches a server is bare item words, counted anonymously for popularity. Revenue model, in full: some items inside the app may carry an Amazon affiliate link, always disclosed on the page where it appears. Machine-readable version of this list: list.json. Catalogue of all lists: /lists/index.json. Site manual: /llms.txt.