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Is it illegal to drive without shoes in NZ or is this an urban myth passed down from previous generations? Further to this, is it illegal to wear jandels while driving?

There is no law banning bare-foot driving, or driving with jandals for that matter, but it is illegal to drive a vehicle 'in a manner which could cause injury to any person' and this could apply in the case of jandals or other unsafe footwear.

Jandals have no grip and can easily slip off the pedals, causing the driver to lose control. This is especially a risk when your right foot is moving between the accelerator and brake pedals. Grip is especially compromised when the pedal is smooth or if the jandals are wet.

If you are wearing jandals, the AA recommends removing them while driving; bare feet is safer although close-fitting shoes with a treaded sole are best for maximum control and grip.

Just as I thought. I concur re jandels (I always remove them when driving). I would say high heels/stilletos (and some other shoes females wear) would fall into the "unsafe footwear" category. Thanks for your time on this matter.