NZers told to take care in Asia

New Zealanders are being urged to avoid "bars, nightclubs and commercial premises with a strong Western identity" throughout Southeast Asia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a travel advisory giving a range of venues to avoid in "non-Western countries", and recommending sensible precautions such as "avoiding ... places where people gather and large public events".

Although the advisory applies to the entire region, it says New Zealanders should specifically avoid non-essential travel to East Timor and areas bordering West Timor.

Civil disturbances had occurred recently in the capital Dili, Baucau and parts of the western districts, the ministry said.

Travellers were advised to keep themselves well informed of security developments through media reports and by accessing travel advisory notices on the ministry's website.

"New Zealanders should review security where they are staying, maintain a low profile and avoid behaviour that might provoke or offend local sensitivities," the advisory said.

Travellers to East Timor were advised to go through Darwin, not Bali in Indonesia.

The advisory said the New Zealand Consulate-General in Dili would be closed from December 24 to December 27 and would operate only limited services from December 30 to January 3.

- NZPA