San Fermines Festival: The Running of the Bulls

Advice for those attending the festival

A large number of New Zealand citizens travel to Pamplona, Spain for the San Fermines festivities that take place from 6 to 14 July. Unfortunately many become victims of robberies, sometimes losing all their important documentation such as passports, tickets, and bankcards. We strongly urge New Zealand citizens to take particular care of your possessions, especially on public transport and in transport stations and terminals. You are strongly advised to leave your important documents in safe deposit boxes in hotels, hostels or camping grounds. The Pamplona City Council is also planning to provide a 24 hour left luggage service. For further information on this service visit the website www.pamplona.es .

If you do get into trouble, and need to contact the New Zealand Embassy in Madrid, the phone number is + 34 915 230 226. Outside of standard working hours please also ring the above number and you will have the option to be transferred to an after-hours number.

If you have had your money stolen, the quickest way to get cash sent to you from New Zealand is though Western Union. Their free phone number in Spain is 900 633 633. The Embassy can fax a letter to the Western Union office at the Post Office in Pamplona to assist you to release your money if your passport and other photo ID’s were also stolen/lost.

Full replacement passports are only issued by the Passport Office in London. Only in emergency situations can the Embassy issue a limited validity Emergency Travel Document (ETD). For further information and forms, visit the Department of Internal Affairs website www.passports.govt.nz . Before taking any action, you should check with the Pamplona Police 24 hour lost and found service, available in English, on + 34 948 420 100 or 010 in case your passport has been handed in. The service is located at Calle Monasterio de Irache, 2.

The New Zealand Embassy in Madrid can help you contact relatives and friends back home and provide lists of local doctors and lawyers should you need it, but we cannot pay hotel, travel, medical or legal expenses, nor give you legal advice or get you out of prison. New Zealanders are subject to the laws of the country they are visiting. If you are coming to Spain for the festival we encourage you to respect local laws and customs.

For additional information or to register your travel details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade go to www.safetravel.govt.nz .

Advice regarding running of the bulls

Running with the bulls is dangerous. The run takes place in a narrow crowded alley in which there are two particularly dangerous sections where a number of deaths have occurred. Every year a number of people are injured and hospitalised. New Zealanders have been amongst them.

The Embassy’s advice is not to run but rather watch and enjoy the festivities.

If you do decide to run visit the website sanfermin.pamplona.es for the basic rules.