New Zealand has a reputation for being a beautiful country with plenty to offer the outdoor enthusiast. The video below certainly bares that out with some stunning landscapes captured in timelapse. The footage was captured over a three month period during which filmmaker Shawn Reeder took more than 100,000 photos. The results pretty much speak for themselves.

Oneness New Zealand from Shawn Reeder on Vimeo.

While we're on the topic of trail running today, I wanted to point out that the latest issue of Trail Run magazine is now available online in .pdf format, as well as in the Kindle Fire and Apple app stores for your favorite tablet device. If you haven't had a chance to look at this excellent e-zine in the past, now is the perfect time to check it out. It has the same level of quality that you would expect from a traditional print magazine delivered in an environmentally friendly electronic format.

In this issue, you'll find gear reviews for new shoes and winter gear (the magazine is focused on trail running in Australia and New Zealand), as well as some thoughts on PocketFuel for keeping your energy up while on a long run. There are also a couple of athlete profiles, trail guides for Oz and NZ, rundowns of some upcoming events and plenty of other articles that will be of interest to avid trail runners, whether they run "Down Under" or not.

The .pdf version of Trail Run is absolutely free while issues on the Kindle or iPad will set you back a few dollars for each back issue, although a discount given for a year (4 issues) subscription. I happen to be a big fan of electronic magazines (that's how I get several of my favorite mags now!), particularly when they are this high in quality. The only thing that separates this from something you would pick up  on a newsstand is the method of delivery. Give it a go. It think you'll like it too.

If you're going to take your time touring the world you might as well do it on the back of bicycle. That seems to be the approach that Richard and Stani Velomad have taken since they left their home in France more than eight years ago on their second epic cycling journey. The married couple's journey recently took them to Islambad, Pakistan, where they now estimate that they have covered more than 150,000 km (93,205 miles) on the back of their bikes.

Richard and Stani made their first long distance cycling trip back in 1996 when they started riding from Alaska to Argentina. It took them nearly four years to complete that ride which took them through the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile along the way. By the time they had finished, they had completely run out of cash and had to return home to France in order to earn some cash to fund their next ride.

They spent the next four years working 85+ hours a week and saving every penny they could. The bought a house, fixed it up and then sold it, all so they could get back out on the road. In 2004 they set out again and have been on the road ever since.

Their second cycling tour has taken them to such places as Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, Austria, Germany, Russia, Mongolia, China and into South East Asia. They've ridden across Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia before turning south to New Zealand and Australia. They've since returned to Asia to ride through Burma and back into China, which is where they crossed the border into Pakistan. They say they don't know how long they'll keep riding, but their on their way to India now, in a roundabout fashion.

Obviously living on the road hasn't been without its challenges. They've faced all kinds of dangers along the way, including hostile locals and the threat of being shot (in the U.S. of all places). But they've also experienced the kindness of strangers and interacted with some amazing cultures. While in Burma for instance, they were surprised to find that everyone offered them tea no matter where they went and they remarked on how welcoming and friendly the people of Pakistan have been as well.

Eight years seems like an incredibly long time to be on the road, but the lifestyle seems to be working for them. Who knows how long they'll keep it up, but looking over the list of places that they've been, it seems they haven't explored too much of Africa just yet. That should keep them busy for another eight years at least.

Thanks to my friend Zeeshan Nawaz Kahn for sharing this great story with me!

A few weeks back, 25 amazing students completed a 100km (62 mile) paddling expedition down the Whanganui River on the North Island in New Zealand. That alone would be a pretty cool story, but they also made the journey in kayaks made out of plastic bottles. The video below gives us a glimpse of that journey and those kayaks, which I have to say look fantastic. A longer documentary of their adventure will come later and you can find out more on the group's Facebook page.

Thanks Lou-Phi for sharing this great video! Great stuff!

 

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Want to know why New Zealand is so popular with outdoor lovers? Just take a look at the video below and you'll completely understand. This beautiful short film captures some amazing landscapes in timelapse and is likely to inspire even more of us to want to visit these places for ourselves. The entire thing was filmed on the North Island and breathtaking from start to finish.

New Zealand Landscapes Timelapse Volume Two from Bevan Percival on Vimeo.

I know that for many of my readers spring is now just a few days away. But if you simply can't get enough fresh powder and other winter conditions, outdoor apparel company Mons Royale has just the contest for you. The company known for its stylish and technical clothing made from merino wool is looking to send one lucky winner to New Zealand for a backcountry snowboard adventure of a lifetime.

Entering the contest couldn't be easier. Simply visit the Mons Royale Facebook page and hit the "like" button or follow them on Instagram at #monsroyalewintervibes. Then, upload an original photo that best conveys the sense of the joy of the winter lifestyle, whether thats carving a perfect line, catching some big air in the pipe or something else entirely. Get creative, have some fun and do something unexpected. And once the image is uploaded, start sharing it with friends and family to garner votes and attention for your image.

And the grand prize if your images is selected at the winner? An all expense paid trip to New Zealand for some of the best snowboarding and skiing on the planet. The winner will get to drive a rental 4x4 for their entire visit and receive free passes from Treble Cone, Cardrona and Snowpark NZ. They'll even get to fly into the famous Wanaka backcountry to go heliskiing on untouched powder. And at the end of the day, they'll relax at the luxurious Oakridge Resort and Spa in beautiful Lake Wanaka. And if that wasn't enough, they'll also receive a $3,000 Mons Royale shopping spree. Find out more on the official contest page by clicking here.

Seems like a pretty great prize for someone who just can't get enough time on the slopes. Good luck everyone, I hope one of you gets to visit NZ later this year.

Last week I shared a funny safety video that Bear Grylls made for New Zealand Air. It mixed Bear's trademark outlandish survival tips with a huge dash of humor to convey the message. Judging from the feedback and the number of views on that post, I'd say it was a hit.

Now we have  a follow-up video with some behind the scenes footage from the making of that safety film. It gives us a glimpse of the tremendous effort that went into making the safety film, which turns out was quite a production. It seems like it was a lot of fun to make and the three young boys steal the show.

Back at the start of February ultrarunner Jez Bragg completed his audacious attempt to run along the length of Te Araroa trail in New Zealand, crossing that country north-to-south on foot. Along the way he covered over 3054 km (1898 miles) in some of the most scenic backcountry found anywhere on the planet. It was a long, grueling run that took 53 days, 9 hours to complete, which was a new record but just off his goal of finishing in 50 days even. In the video below we learn exactly why Jez missed his target (hint: three days in bed sick doesn't help!) and what it was like for him out on trail for all that time.

Ultrarunner Jez Bragg has completed his epic run across New Zealand, completing his adventure in record time. Bragg reached the finish line on Saturday at approximately 4 PM local time. His official time for the 3054 km (1897 mile) run was 53 days, 9 hours and 1 minute.

Jez started his long distance footrace back in mid-December, setting out from New Zealand's northernmost point in Cape Reinga and proceeding south from there. Following the Te Araroa trail, a long distance backpacking route that is quickly growing in popularity, Bragg wound his way along coastlines, through open grassland, up mountain passes and across both the North and South Islands before arriving in Bluff, the southernmost point in the country. Along the way he also spent some time in a kayak, crossing some rivers and lakes, but most importantly he paddled between the two islands themselves. At the mid-way point of the journey, Jez and a few companions crossed the Cook Strait before resuming the run south.

The journey actually proved to be more difficult and challenging than Jez had expected. He had hoped to complete the run in just 50 days, but ultimately it took him three more than planned. When you consider the length of time he was running, the conditions he faced on the trail and the daily grind that goes into an endeavor such as this one, that is an amazing achievement and I'm sure his sense of relief was overwhelming when he was finished.

As if running 3000+ km wasn't challenging enough, Jez managed to update his blog on a regular basis long the way, keeping followers well informed of his progress and the challenges he faced. If you ever wondered what it like to undertake an expedition of this nature and what goes through these long distance runner's head while their on the trail, it is a good read. Definitely a lot to be learned from his insights, particularly for those planning to hike the Te Araroa in the future.

Congrats to Jez on a job well done. I think its safe to say he's earned a bit of a rest.

A little more than a month ago, British ultra-runner Jez Bragg set out on an attempt to run the length of New Zealand, north to south, in a record time of just 50 days. To accomplish this feat, Jezz would have to cover 3054 km (1897 miles) along the epic Te Araroa Trail, a hiking route that begins in Cape Regina and ends in the small town of Bluff. Now 35 days into his journey, I thought it would be a good idea to see how far he has come and what challenges still await.

As of today, Jez has now covered 2214 km (1375 miles), leaving him with just 840 km (521 miles) to go until he is done. That puts him on pace to break the record, as he is currently knocking off about 60 km (37 miles) per day. If he continues at that rate, he'll finish up in approximately two weeks and right at his goal of 50 days. Of course, a lot can happen in two weeks and there is still a lot of ground to cover, but so far you have to be impressed with his progress.

Throughout the run, Jez has been posting brief updates to the Te Araroa Expedition site and more detailed accounts of his experience on his own blog. Those reports have not only conveyed a great sense of the challenges he faces while attempting to run such long distances each day but they also serve as a great travelogue to what the Te Araroa Trail has to offer. This relatively new hiking route crosses through all kinds of terrain, including lush forests, rugged coastlines and of course beautiful mountains.

It hasn't been all running of course. There has been the occasional stream or lake to paddle, which we knew from the beginning. But perhaps the biggest challenge thus far was crossing the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands. That paddle was a crucial part of the entire expedition and while it was delayed a bit due to weather, Jezz and a few companions were able to hit the water and make that crossing, despite strong headwinds and tidal currents. After that, it was back to the trail where he continued running south.

With just two weeks left to go, it seems that Bragg is doing well, feeling good and feels optimistic about his chances. We'll know soon enough if he manages to set a new record, but either way this has been an impressive performance so far.

 

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Last week I mentioned that British ultrarunner Jez Bragg was getting ready to attempt a speed record on the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand, which runs the entire length of the country, north to south. Today Jez actually got underway by officially launching the Te Araroa Expedition at a place called Ninety Mile Beach in Cape Reigna. He now hopes to cover 3054 km (1897 miles) in just 50 days, ending in a town called Bluff at the southernmost end of the country.

For his first day out, Jez took it easy by "only" running 100km (62 miles). That's a great start for a long distance run like this one, but the trails are a bit easier in this area. As he moves way from the city and gets out into the wilderness, conditions will be a lot more challenging and difficult. Still, he has to be pleased with his start and reading his initial blog post, it seems he's feeling good about the run ahead.

The Te Araroa is a relatively new trail, having just opened last year, but it is already garnering plenty of attention amongst thru-hikers and backpackers alike. Jez is hoping that he'll be able to set a speed record for its entire distance, and to do so he'll need to run between 60-80 km (37-49 miles) each and every day. While out on the trail, he also expects to burn about 6000 calories per day as he spends about 80% of the time on off-road trails.

Just which speed record he'll be attempting to break remains to be seen. As I also mentioned last week, Australian ultrarunner Richard Bowles is also out on the Te Araroa and is hoping to set the mark himself. Richard actually set a goal of completing the entire run in just 60 days, but it now looks like he'll miss that mark by 2-3 additional days. He should finish things up this coming weekend, giving Jez a target to set his sights on.

You'll be able to follow Bragg's progress both on his own website and on the North Face Journal. It should be fun to see if he can catch the Aussie over the next month and a half.

Earlier in the week I posted a story about ultra-runner Jez Bragg who will launch his attempt to run the length of New Zealand starting next week. The entire run is expected to take 50 days to complete, covering 3054 km (1898 miles) along the way. Turns out Jez isn't the only one making this run however, as Australian ultra-runner Richard Bowles is doing the exact same run along the Te Ararora Trail.

Bowles actually set out on his run back on October 13 with an eye on finishing in what would be a current record of 60 days. If he is successful in this pursuit, he should wrap up the run late next week in Bluff, the southernmost point on New Zealand's South Island. You can follow his progress on Facebook and Twitter, where Richard is sharing daily mileage updates and info on trail conditions. He also has a livetracker that updates automatically with his progress. Looking at his current location, it seems he should be on track to finish as expected.

It is interesting that two talented long-distance runners are both doing the exact same run. The Aussie will throw down the gauntlet by finishing his run within just a few days of the Brit launching his attempt. Richard's 60 days will be a new record for covering the length of the Te Ararora, but Jez feels like he can shave ten days off of that record just a month and a half after the new record is set. Will he be able to do it? I guess we'll just have to follow-along to see.

Next week, British ultra-runner Jez Bragg will set out on quite an expedition. Beginning December 12 (12-12-12), he'll attempt to set a speed record for running the length of New Zealand north to south. He expects the journey to take approximately 50 days to complete, covering some 3054 km (1898 miles) in the process.

Jez has dubbed his journey as The Long Pathway and daily coverage will begin soon. But this excellent infographic helps put the challenge into perspective. He'll begin in the extreme north of New Zealand at Cape Reinga on the North Island. From there, he'll follow the entire length of the Te Araroa trail, eventually ending in Bluff at the southernmost point of the South Island. According to the infographic, Bragg intends to cover approximately 60-80 km (37-49 miles), consuming 10 liters of water and 6000 calories per day.

Of course, not all of this route can be done on foot, as obviously there are a few water crossings that the  Brit will have to deal with. That includes the Cook Strait, which separates the two islands. But Jez won't simply hop a ferry when he comes to these water crossing, but will instead use a kayak to continue his southerly journey. All told, he expect to paddle approximately 345 km (214 miles) across the length of the expedition. He also estimates that about 285 km (177 miles) will be done on roads, while the remaining 2424 km (1506 miles) will be on trail.

What a great challenge through an amazingly beautiful country. I'll be thinking of Jez tonight when I go for my evening run, which will only be about 5 miles in length and barely scratch the surface of what he's about to attempt. It should be fun to follow along. Watch for more updates on this epic run starting next week.

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There’s a reason the sun shines on New Zealand before anywhere else – every new day in Aotearoa is something to cherish! Small, remote and thinly populated, yes, but NZ punches well above its weight with its outlandish scenery, fabulous festivals, superb food and wine, and magical outdoor experiences. Equally impressive is NZ’s potent, mainstream Maori culture. This is a country that recognises and celebrates its indigenous people – the world is a kinder, gentler, more respectful place down here! And while the fanfare surrounding the Lord of the Rings trilogy is waning, visiting the real-life Middle-earth still has a geeky allure - LOTR director Peter Jackson's filmmaking prowess still holds Wellington (aka ‘Wellywood’) in its thrall.

In 2007, around 2.2 million overseas visitors tramped, wheeled, wined and dined across the country, up almost 40% from a relatively meagre 1.6 million in 1999. But at what cost? Extra visitors strain the clean, green environment NZ is renowned for, and all this wilderness frenzy is having an impact: the skies above Franz Josef Glacier buzz with droning aeroplanes, tourists still shampoo in creeks, and locals simply avoid entire chunks of NZ because of the tourist hordes. In response, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has implemented a booking system for its Great Walks - there are nine including the Milford Track, Routeburn Track and Abel Tasman Coast Track - to avoid overcrowding and minimise environmental damage. The NZ tourism industry is embracing all things ‘eco’, while regionally, eateries and farmers markets selling local produce present sustainable options. Regardless, hardcore environmentalists claim the industry and government aren’t moving fast enough. Drought and climate change are fanning the flames...

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Introduction
Come Te Papa. Bound by its magnificent harbour, with wooden Victorian buildings terraced up steep hills, New Zealand's capital is home to its parliament and national treasures. Spectacular views, challenging walks, a thriving cafe and entertainment scene, and serious dedication to the arts make Wellington an enormously enjoyable place in which to spend a few days.
Destination Facts
Time zone:cGMT +12
Area:290
Coordinates:-41.3348350525 latitude and 174.807220459 longitude
Population: 379000
Area codes: 04

Getting there and away
From Wellington airport (tel: 04 385 5100; www.wellington-airport.co.nz), Air New Zealand (tel: 0800 737 000; www.airnz.co.nz) offer direct domestic flights between Wellington and most major centres, including Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Rotorua and Quuenstown. Qantas (tel: 0800 808 767; www.qantas.co.nz; 2 Hunter St) also runs connections to/from Wellington to Auckland and Christchurch. Origin Pacific (tel: 0800 302 302; www.originpacific.co.nz) connects Wellington with Blenheim, Nelson and Christchurch and Soundsair (tel: 0800 505 005; www.soundsair.co.nz) runs services between Wellington and Picton, Kaikoura and Nelson via Blenheim. Holders of backpacker and student cards may be eligible for discounts. There are two ferry companies running regular services across the strait between Wellington and Picton on the South Island, Bluebridge Ferries (tel: 0800 844 844; www.bluebridge.co.nz) and Interislander (tel: 0800 802 802; www.interislandler.co.nz. The crossing takes around three hours and you can take a car, motorbike, surfboard or bicycle across with you for an extra cost. Note that the Lynx high-speed catamaran ceased operating in April 2005. Wellington is an important junction for bus travel, with buses north to Auckland and all major towns in between. InterCity (tel: 04 385 0520; www.intercitycoach.co.nz) and Newmans (tel: 04 385 0521; www.newmanscoach.co.nz) buses depart from Platform 9 at the train station. Tickets are sold at the travel centre in the train station. Kiwi Traveller (tel: 0800 500 100; www.kiwitraveller.co.nz) operates a daily service through the heart of the North Island, from Wellington north to Palmerston North (2.25hr), National Park (5.5hr), Taupo (7hr) and Rotorua (8hr). Wellington train station has a travel centre (tel: 04 498 3000, ext 44324) that books and sells tickets for Tranz Scenic trains, Intercity buses, Interislander ferries, tours and more. Long-distance services operated by Tranz Scenic (tel: 0800 872 467; www.tranzscenic.co.nz) include the Overlander operating daily between Wellington and Auckland (12hr) and the Capital Connection, primarily a commuter service between Wellington and Palmerston North (2hr).

Getting around
The Stagecoach Flyer (tel: 0800 801 700; www.stagecoach.co.nz/flyer) is a local bus running between the airport, Wellington city and Lower Hutt, calling at major stops. Wellington has an efficient local bus system. Stagecoach (tel: 0800 801 700; www.stagecoach.co.nz/wellington), has frequent services from 07:00-23:30 on most routes. Most depart from the Lambton Quay interchange (beside the train station) and from the major bus stop on Courtenay Place at the intersection with Cambridge Terrace. The City Circular (10:00-16:45) is the name given to the distinctive bright yellow buses that take in Wellington's prime inner-city locations, making it handy for travellers wishing to see the major sights. These buses loop the city every 15 minutes. The After Midnight Bus Service (tel: 0800 801 700) has buses departing from the central entertainment district (Courtenay Pl or Cuba St) until 03:00 Saturday and Sunday to a number of outer suburbs. As well as the major car-hire companies, Wellington has a number of operators that will negotiate cheap deals, including Ace Rental Cars (tel: 0800 535 500; www.acerentalcars.co.nz), Apex Car Rental (tel: 0800 939 597; www.apexrentals.co.nz) and Omega Rental Cars (tel: 0800 667 722; www.omegarentals.com). Taxi companies include Wellington Combined Taxis (tel: 0800 384 4444) and Wellington City Cabs (tel: 0800 388 8000). Tranz Metro (tel: 0800 801 700; www.tranzmetro.co.nz) operates five suburban train routes. Trains run frequently from 06:00- 24:00, departing from Wellington train station.

Weather
November to April are the warmer months and the best time to visit; average maximum temperatures during this time hover around 20 ° C (68 ° F). During the colder, wetter months, May to August, the daily temperature lurks around 12 ° C (54 ° F). Wellington is renowned for being windy - the city's maritime climate catches the blustery, persistent and often chilly winds that whistle through the Cook Strait.

Places of Interest
Bound by its magnificent harbour, with wooden Victorian buildings terraced up steep hills, New Zealand's capital is home to its parliament and national treasures. Spectacular views, challenging walks, a thriving cafe and entertainment scene, and serious dedication to the arts make Wellington an enormously enjoyable place in which to spend a few days.

Related Posts: New Zealand Country, Christchurch City, Auckland City

Introduction
Beneath the veneer of understatement lies a vibrant city of new ideas. The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is perfect as a pleasant jumping-off point for the mountains, ocean beaches, rivers, lakes and wide-open spaces less than an hour from the city centre. But Christchurch is more than just a springboard.

Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT +12
Area: 452
Coordinates: -43.5239982605 latitude and 172.638000488 longitude
Population: 344100
Area codes: 03

Getting There
The peak travel time in New Zealand is the summer school holidays, from late December to late January - this is also the best time for beach weather. The warmer months (November to April) in general are busy, and you should consider booking accommodation in advance.

Getting there and away
Christchurch is the main international gateway to the South Island, with flights to Australia and a limited number of other countries. The airport is 12km (7.5mi) from the city centre. Both the international and domestic terminals have excellent facilities, including a bureau de change, ATMs, car rentals and left luggage. Air New Zealand is the main domestic carrier and there are daily direct flights between Christchurch and Auckland, Blenheim, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hokitika, Invercargill, Nelson, Queenstown, Wanaka and Wellington, with connections to other centres. Other carriers also offer daily direct flights to the bigger centres. Departure tax for international flights is payable at the airport. Trains run to Picton via Blenheim with connections to the Interislander ferry to Wellington. The train station is 2km (1.2mi) southwest of the city centre. Regular coach services will get you south to Queenstown, Picton, Mt Cook and Dunedin and west to Greymouth and Hokitika via Arthur's Pass.

Getting around
Trains run to Picton via Blenheim with connections to the Interislander ferry to Wellington. The train station is 2km (1.2mi) southwest of the city centre. There is a daily TransAlpine train service that runs from Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur's Pass - dubbed one of the world's great train journeys. Regular coach services will get you north to Picton, south to Queenstown, Mt Cook and Dunedin and west to Greymouth and Hokitika via Arthur's Pass. Christchurch's bus service is good, cheap and efficient. Most city buses run from the well-organised City Exchange, which can be accessed from Colombo Street. Christchurch's compact size and flat topography make it ideal for cycling, and hired bikes can be delivered to your accommodation. Taxis are plentiful, as are car rentals. Christchurch is the best place on the South Island to rent a car or a motor home.

Weather
Christchurch has a temperate climate, although summers can be hotter than the norm for the South Island. They are usually pretty dry too, thanks to the shelter of the nearby mountains. Winter temperatures can be cold, with snow at sea level not unheard of. Christchurch has its own notorious wind - a fiery springtime nor'wester - that can cause widespread damage when at gale force.

Introduction
Pacific-lapped Auckland is perfect for water babies. This waterside city has a strong pulse and a nautical twinkle in its eye. Its location on a thin stretch of the North Island, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, is complemented by the lush subtropical forests of nearby hills and the volcanic terrains of nearby islands.

With its spectacular harbour and bridge, New Zealand's largest city ranks with the best and its districts weave their way around a variety of bays ideal for swimming, water sports and particularly yachting - hence the nickname 'City of Sails'.

Administratively, Auckland consists of a number of cities forming one vast urban sprawl. Auckland City proper lies between the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. North Shore City, including the suburbs of Takapuna and Devonport, is just over the harbour bridge. Manukau City is to the south of Auckland proper, Waitakere City is to the west. The lively waterfront, with its stylish Viaduct Harbour and Princes Wharf development, is a good place to start an exploration of the city. The commercial heart is Queen St. It runs from Queen Elizabeth II Square near the waterfront uphill to cosmopolitan Karangahape Rd (K Rd), passing Aotea Square.Parnell, just east of the city centre, is a fashionable area of renovated wooden villas crammed with restaurants and boutiques. Tamaki Drive (sometimes called Waterfront Drive) starts from here and continues east all the way to St Heliers Bay, passing the swimming beaches at Okahu Bay and Mission Bay en route. Offshore, the Hauraki Gulf is dotted with islands. Southeast of the centre is the huge green expanse of Auckland Domain, one of 22 parks in the city. To the west are the fashionable cafe district of Ponsonby and upmarket Herne Bay. And visible from just about everywhere in Auckland is the Sky Tower, which soars above the city centre.

Destination facts
Time zone: GMT +12
Area: 16140
Coordinates: -36.9039993286 latitude and 174.761001587 longitude
Population: 1300000
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$)
Daylight Saving: From first Sunday in October to third Sunday in March
Area codes: 09

Getting there and away
Most international flights to New Zealand go through Auckland. Direct flights connect to and from west coast USA; east coast Australia and Perth; London and Frankfurt, and several cities in Asia. There's a departure tax for all international flights from Auckland, payable at the airport. A number of domestic airlines connect Auckland with other major centres in New Zealand. There are regular bus services between Auckland and most larger towns and tourist areas; they operate from the Sky City Coach Terminal on Hobson St. There's an early morning train and an overnight train to Wellington daily. Hiring a car and driving around New Zealand is easy, although the roads can be spoiled by cowboy behaviour.

Getting around
Auckland airport is 21km (13mi) southwest of the city centre and airport shuttles run to several accommodation places and Aotea Square in the city. A taxi will cost around 30.00.The Britomart Transport Centre provides a hub where you can access buses, trains and ferries as well as general transport information. Because it is such a sprawling city, the car is king in Auckland. The place is crawling with car-hire operators. If you're a cyclist, hire a bicycle and try the pleasant waterfront rides. Taxis are easy to hire from ranks or from the sidewalk. Ferries run between the city centre and various spots on the North Shore and the gulf islands.

Weather
Auckland's maritime climate ensures that temperatures never go to the extremes they would if the city were landlocked. Temperatures usually stay in the mid 20 ° s (high 70 ° Fs) in summer, and rarely fall near freezing in winter (June-August) - although the ground in some sheltered low-lying areas may at times receive a coating of frost. In summer the weather can become quite humid.

Places of Interest
This waterside city has a strong pulse and a nautical twinkle in its eye. Its location on a thin stretch of the North Island, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, is complemented by the lush subtropical forests of nearby hills and the volcanic terrains of nearby islands. With its spectacular harbour and bridge, New Zealand's largest city ranks with the best and its districts weave their way around a variety of bays ideal for swimming, water sports and particularly yachting - hence the nickname 'City of Sails'.

Events
Summer is a happening time in Auckland. In January there are the Open Tennis Championships and the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, commemorating the arrival of Captain Hobson in New Zealand. Come March, the hugely popular Pasifika Festival celebrates Polynesian culture through music and performances at Western Springs. The Waiheke Jazz Festival also tunes up in March and full-size Maori waka (war canoes) take to the Waikato River, Ngaruawahia, for the Turangawaewae Regatta. November blooms with the Ellerslie Flower Show at the Botanic Gardens, and the year is wrapped up in December with the Auckland Cup at Ellerslie Race Course. Various small food, wine and music festivals crop up throughout the year.