Introduction
From the the peaks of adrenalin to the lap of luxury. New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant native forests, long, deserted beaches and a variety of fauna, such as the kiwi, endemic to its shores.
Any number of vigorous outdoor activities - tramping (hiking), skiing, rafting and, of course, that perennial favourite, bungy jumping - await the adventurous. You can swim with dolphins, gambol with newborn lambs, whale-watch or fish for fattened trout in pristine streams and rivers.
Geography:
New Zealand is in the South Pacific Ocean, 1600km (994mi) southeast of Australia. It stretches 1600km (994mi) from north to south and consists of two large islands and a smattering of smaller islands - some hugging its shores, others hundreds of kilometres away. The North Island (115,000 sq km/44402 sq mi) and the South Island (151,000 sq km/58301 sq mi) are the two major land masses; the next largest is Stewart Island (1700 sq km/656 sq mi), which lies directly beneath the South Island. The North Island has a number of large volcanoes (including the recently active Mount Ruapehu) and highly active thermal areas, while the South Island boasts the Southern Alps - a spine of magnificent mountains running almost its entire length. Another notable feature of New Zealand is its myriad rivers and lakes: notably the Whanganui River and the breathtaking lakes Waikaremoana, Taupo and Wanaka.
Destination Facts
Capital: Wellington
Prime Minister: John Key
Queen: Elizabeth II
Government: Independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations
Time zone: GMT +12
Area: 268680
Population: 4000000
People: 68% New Zealand European (Pakeha), 15% Maori, 5% other European, 5% Polynesian, 6% Asian, 1% other
Languages: English and Maori are the two official languages. English is more widely spoken, though the Maori language, for so long on the decline, is now making a comeback thanks to the revival of Maoritanga. A mellifluous, poetic language, Maori is surprisingly easy to pronounce if spoken phonetically and each word split into separate syllables.NZSL or New Zealand Sign Language was made an official language in 2006.
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
GDP: Approx. NZ$85000000000
Major industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, iron and steel, machinery, tourism
Major Trading Partners: Australia, Japan, UK, China and the USA
Daylight Saving: From first week of October to end of March
Country Dialing Code: 64
Getting there
The weather is never so miserable that there's no point in going to New Zealand: there are things to see and do all year round. The warmer months (November to April) are busiest, especially during the school holidays from December 20 to the end of January. Ski resort towns are obviously busier during the winter months. If you're travelling during peak periods (especially the Christmas season) it's best to book ahead, as much accommodation and transport fills up. It's probably more pleasant to visit either before or after this hectic period, when the weather is still warm and there aren't as many other travellers around.
Getting there and away
The overwhelming majority of visitors arrive by air. There are seven airports that handle international flights: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Wellington. A few cruise ships visit New Zealand, but there are no regular passenger ship services and working your way across the Pacific as crew on a yacht now seems a thing of the past.
Getting around
Although New Zealand is compact and generally easy to get around, it makes good sense to fly - especially for the views over the mountains or volcanoes. A variety of discounts also make flying economical. Air New Zealand flies widely (including smaller routes via partly owned smaller airlines), and smaller regional airlines fill in the gaps. Altogether there's very thorough coverage of the country - kiwis can fly. New Zealand also has an extensive bus network, with the main operator, InterCity (servicing both the North Island and South Island), and subsidiary Newmans, running frequent (at least once a day) services on main bus routes including a cheap fare on the main Auckland to Wellington route. An alternative is to use shuttle bus companies, which are smaller, cheaper and friendlier than the large bus companies. Some of them are designed to cater especially to foreign travellers and/or backpackers and have lots of little 'extras' that make them particularly attractive; other companies, perhaps drawing on the experiences of Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, can take you around New Zealand on 'alternative' buses, which can be an unhurried way of seeing the country. Train routes are few, though train travel is reasonably fast and the trains modern and comfortable. Tranz Scenic's Overlander route runs between Auckland and Wellington; on the South Island, it offers services from Picton to Christchurch and Christchurch to Greymouth (known as the TranzAlpine). Car travel (New Zealanders drive on the left) is recommended as the roads are good and well signposted and the distances short. Rentals of cars, motorcycles and campervans are popular, with a range of special deals available. There are plenty of boat services, including the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries (operating between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island). And finally, there's always cycling around the country. Many travellers describe New Zealand as a cyclists' paradise: it's clean, green, uncrowded and unspoiled, and there are plenty of places where you can camp or find cheap accommodation. Bicycle rental can be daily, weekly or monthly and is inexpensive.
Visa:
Only a valid passport is necessary for citizens of most countries. All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.
Weather
New Zealand sits squarely in the 'roaring forties' latitude, which means a prevailing and continual wind blows over the country from west to east; this can range from a gentle breeze in summer to a buffeting, roof-stripping gale in winter. The North Island and South Island, because of their different geological features, have two distinct patterns of rainfall: in the South Island, the Southern Alps act as a barrier for the moisture-laden winds from the Tasman Sea, creating a wet climate to the west of the mountains and a dry climate to the east; while the North Island's rainfall is more evenly distributed without a comparable geological feature such as the Alps. Temperatures are a few degrees cooler in the South Island, and both islands receive snow in winter. Winter falls in the months of June through August and summer from December through February. It is important to remember that New Zealand's climate is maritime, rather than continental, which means the weather can change with amazing rapidity and consequence. The busy tourist season falls in the warmer months between November and April, though ski resorts, such as Queenstown, are full during winter.
Places of Interest
A rare place where superlatives can't match the actual beauty of the land. New Zealand isn't all caves, glaciers and geysers, though its natural marvels are epic in scope and you'd be mad not to sample at least some of them. On your way between albatross colonies and fjords check out the pleasures of its cities, which combine big-town cool with small-town charm.
New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant native forests, long, deserted beaches and a variety of fauna, such as the kiwi, endemic to its shores.
Any number of vigorous outdoor activities - tramping (hiking), skiing, rafting and, of course, that perennial favourite, bungy jumping - await the adventurous. You can swim with dolphins, gambol with newborn lambs, whale-watch or fish for fattened trout in pristine streams and rivers.
Events
Some of the noteworthy cultural events include: Summer City Programme (January to February; Wellington), which is a series of festivals around the city; Wine Marlborough Festival (2nd weekend in February; Blenheim); New Zealand Festival (February, even-numbered years only; Wellington), an entire month of national and international culture; Golden Shears Sheep-Shearing Contest (March; Masterton), a must for lovers of sheep and sweat; and Canterbury Show Week (November; Christchurch), which has agricultural exhibits, rides and local entertainment.
From the the peaks of adrenalin to the lap of luxury. New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant native forests, long, deserted beaches and a variety of fauna, such as the kiwi, endemic to its shores.
Any number of vigorous outdoor activities - tramping (hiking), skiing, rafting and, of course, that perennial favourite, bungy jumping - await the adventurous. You can swim with dolphins, gambol with newborn lambs, whale-watch or fish for fattened trout in pristine streams and rivers.
Geography:
New Zealand is in the South Pacific Ocean, 1600km (994mi) southeast of Australia. It stretches 1600km (994mi) from north to south and consists of two large islands and a smattering of smaller islands - some hugging its shores, others hundreds of kilometres away. The North Island (115,000 sq km/44402 sq mi) and the South Island (151,000 sq km/58301 sq mi) are the two major land masses; the next largest is Stewart Island (1700 sq km/656 sq mi), which lies directly beneath the South Island. The North Island has a number of large volcanoes (including the recently active Mount Ruapehu) and highly active thermal areas, while the South Island boasts the Southern Alps - a spine of magnificent mountains running almost its entire length. Another notable feature of New Zealand is its myriad rivers and lakes: notably the Whanganui River and the breathtaking lakes Waikaremoana, Taupo and Wanaka.
Destination Facts
Capital: Wellington
Prime Minister: John Key
Queen: Elizabeth II
Government: Independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations
Time zone: GMT +12
Area: 268680
Population: 4000000
People: 68% New Zealand European (Pakeha), 15% Maori, 5% other European, 5% Polynesian, 6% Asian, 1% other
Languages: English and Maori are the two official languages. English is more widely spoken, though the Maori language, for so long on the decline, is now making a comeback thanks to the revival of Maoritanga. A mellifluous, poetic language, Maori is surprisingly easy to pronounce if spoken phonetically and each word split into separate syllables.NZSL or New Zealand Sign Language was made an official language in 2006.
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
GDP: Approx. NZ$85000000000
Major industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, iron and steel, machinery, tourism
Major Trading Partners: Australia, Japan, UK, China and the USA
Daylight Saving: From first week of October to end of March
Country Dialing Code: 64
Getting there
The weather is never so miserable that there's no point in going to New Zealand: there are things to see and do all year round. The warmer months (November to April) are busiest, especially during the school holidays from December 20 to the end of January. Ski resort towns are obviously busier during the winter months. If you're travelling during peak periods (especially the Christmas season) it's best to book ahead, as much accommodation and transport fills up. It's probably more pleasant to visit either before or after this hectic period, when the weather is still warm and there aren't as many other travellers around.
Getting there and away
The overwhelming majority of visitors arrive by air. There are seven airports that handle international flights: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Wellington. A few cruise ships visit New Zealand, but there are no regular passenger ship services and working your way across the Pacific as crew on a yacht now seems a thing of the past.
Getting around
Although New Zealand is compact and generally easy to get around, it makes good sense to fly - especially for the views over the mountains or volcanoes. A variety of discounts also make flying economical. Air New Zealand flies widely (including smaller routes via partly owned smaller airlines), and smaller regional airlines fill in the gaps. Altogether there's very thorough coverage of the country - kiwis can fly. New Zealand also has an extensive bus network, with the main operator, InterCity (servicing both the North Island and South Island), and subsidiary Newmans, running frequent (at least once a day) services on main bus routes including a cheap fare on the main Auckland to Wellington route. An alternative is to use shuttle bus companies, which are smaller, cheaper and friendlier than the large bus companies. Some of them are designed to cater especially to foreign travellers and/or backpackers and have lots of little 'extras' that make them particularly attractive; other companies, perhaps drawing on the experiences of Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, can take you around New Zealand on 'alternative' buses, which can be an unhurried way of seeing the country. Train routes are few, though train travel is reasonably fast and the trains modern and comfortable. Tranz Scenic's Overlander route runs between Auckland and Wellington; on the South Island, it offers services from Picton to Christchurch and Christchurch to Greymouth (known as the TranzAlpine). Car travel (New Zealanders drive on the left) is recommended as the roads are good and well signposted and the distances short. Rentals of cars, motorcycles and campervans are popular, with a range of special deals available. There are plenty of boat services, including the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries (operating between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island). And finally, there's always cycling around the country. Many travellers describe New Zealand as a cyclists' paradise: it's clean, green, uncrowded and unspoiled, and there are plenty of places where you can camp or find cheap accommodation. Bicycle rental can be daily, weekly or monthly and is inexpensive.
Visa:
Only a valid passport is necessary for citizens of most countries. All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.
Weather
New Zealand sits squarely in the 'roaring forties' latitude, which means a prevailing and continual wind blows over the country from west to east; this can range from a gentle breeze in summer to a buffeting, roof-stripping gale in winter. The North Island and South Island, because of their different geological features, have two distinct patterns of rainfall: in the South Island, the Southern Alps act as a barrier for the moisture-laden winds from the Tasman Sea, creating a wet climate to the west of the mountains and a dry climate to the east; while the North Island's rainfall is more evenly distributed without a comparable geological feature such as the Alps. Temperatures are a few degrees cooler in the South Island, and both islands receive snow in winter. Winter falls in the months of June through August and summer from December through February. It is important to remember that New Zealand's climate is maritime, rather than continental, which means the weather can change with amazing rapidity and consequence. The busy tourist season falls in the warmer months between November and April, though ski resorts, such as Queenstown, are full during winter.
Places of Interest
A rare place where superlatives can't match the actual beauty of the land. New Zealand isn't all caves, glaciers and geysers, though its natural marvels are epic in scope and you'd be mad not to sample at least some of them. On your way between albatross colonies and fjords check out the pleasures of its cities, which combine big-town cool with small-town charm.
New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant native forests, long, deserted beaches and a variety of fauna, such as the kiwi, endemic to its shores.
Any number of vigorous outdoor activities - tramping (hiking), skiing, rafting and, of course, that perennial favourite, bungy jumping - await the adventurous. You can swim with dolphins, gambol with newborn lambs, whale-watch or fish for fattened trout in pristine streams and rivers.
Events
Some of the noteworthy cultural events include: Summer City Programme (January to February; Wellington), which is a series of festivals around the city; Wine Marlborough Festival (2nd weekend in February; Blenheim); New Zealand Festival (February, even-numbered years only; Wellington), an entire month of national and international culture; Golden Shears Sheep-Shearing Contest (March; Masterton), a must for lovers of sheep and sweat; and Canterbury Show Week (November; Christchurch), which has agricultural exhibits, rides and local entertainment.
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