About New Zealand...
New Zealand's spectacularly beautiful landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests. It is famous for its magnificent natural beauty and outdoor attractions - walk on a mighty glacier, hike through the beautiful native bush, experience the thrill of swimming with dolphins, or dine among the vines in New Zealand's acclaimed wine regions. For the more adventurous, New Zealand has just about every adventure activity you can imagine, from rafting and canyoning to skydiving and mountaineering. You can kayak on a remote fiord, take to the skies in a hot air balloon, or try one of the uniquely New Zealand adventures like zorbing or bungy jumping. Comparable in size and/or shape to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million - making it one of the world's least crowded countries. It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.
The North Island:
The North Island of New Zealand is the smallest of the both islands and is home to both the largest city (Auckland) and the Capital (Wellington). The North Island has a hugely diverse landscape, from the rolling farmland of the Waikato, to the rugged ranges of the Coromandel. Its northern location means it enjoys a warmer, more temperate climate than much of the South Island, and is much more vastly populated. The northern areas of the North Island enjoy a sub-tropical climate. The centre of the island is primarily a volcanic landscape with vast forests, volcanic peaks, and picturesque lakes. The eastern side of the island is covered with vineyards. The North Island of New Zealand is perhaps best known for the unique volcanic plateau at its centre. This thermal belt contains active volcanoes - Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro - and magnificent examples of geysers, boiling mud pools, hot springs and steam vents. The North Island has four National Parks; Urewera, Egmont, Whanganui and Tongariro , offering a World Heritage Site, thermal fields, hot springs, ski areas, native forest, rivers and historic Maori sites.
Places we visit in the North Island:
Auckland, Bay of Islands, Pahia, Cape Reinga, 90 Mile Beach, Leigh, Goat Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Hahei, Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, Rotorua, Mitai Hangi, Thermal Wonderland, Taupo, Napier, Hastings, Wellington, Whanganui River, Bridge to Nowhere, Rangitikei River, Mokai Canyon, Tongariro National Park, Waitomo
The South Island:
The South Island is the larger of the two islands of New Zealand: the North Island being the more populous. The Maori name
for the South Island,'Te Wai Pounamu' means 'The Waters of Greenstone'
(greenstone being jade). The island is also known as 'Te Waka a Maui'
which means 'Maui's Canoe. The South Island offers breath taking
scenery, amazing attractions and an abundance of adrenalin activities.
With an incredible diversity of landscape, you can experience nature at
its best. Renowned for its natural beauty, the South Island is blessed
with tranquil lakes, rugged mountains, wild rivers and lush forest. A
massive mountain chain - the Southern Alps - runs down its spine,
taking in the country's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. The South
Island boasts ten National Parks - Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes,
Kahurangi, Paparoa, Arthur's Pass, Westland, Mount Cook, Fiordland,
Rakiura and Mount Aspiring. These majestic wilderness areas incorporate
World Heritage Sites, fiords and glaciers, lakes, ski areas, rugged
coastline, native forest, and world-class hiking tracks. The South
Island's largest city is Christchurch, known for its gracious parks and
English character. Dunedin, with its Scottish heritage, is the second
largest centre, and the country's best-preserved Victorian city.
Places we visit in the South Island:
Blenheim,
Marlborough wine country, Kaikoura, Christchurch, the Canterbury
Plains, the Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo, Omarama, Moeraki Boulders,
Dunedin, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka, the West Coast,
Haast, Fox Glacier, Pukekura, Hokitika, Punakaiki, Pancake Rocks, Abel
Tasman National Park, Nelson
History at a glance
New Zealand’s human history began with the Maori people, thought to
have arrived over 1,000 years ago on canoes from a South Pacific
homeland known as Hawaiki. Maori named the land Aotearoa, ‘Land of the
Long White Cloud’, and developed a very successful society.
The first European to sight New Zealand was Abel
Tasman, a Dutch explorer, in 1642. He never set foot on New Zealand
soil but annexed the country for Holland. In 1769, Briton Captain James
Cook was searching for a southern continent when his cabin boy sighted
land near Gisborne. Cook then successfully circumnavigated and mapped
the country and claimed it for the United Kingdom. The vessel Captain
Cook first arrived on was "Endeavour"
European migration began soon after and
by 1839 there were an estimated 2,000 Europeans in New Zealand. On 6
February 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, an agreement between
the British Crown and signatory Maori Chiefs establishing British law
while guaranteeing Maori authority over their land and culture. By 1907 New Zealand had become a self-governing Dominion and today has a
stable, western-style democratic government. The government is currently
negotiating the return of lands and assets to Maori tribes in accordance with
the Treaty of Waitangi.
New Zealand at a glance
National name: Aotearoa/New Zealand
Area: 268,680 sq km/103,737 sq mi
Capital: Wellington
Currency: New Zealand dollar
Population: 3,932,000 (2005 est)
Language: English (official), Maori
Time difference: GMT +12
With a land area of 268,000 square kilometres, New Zealand is similar in size to Britain and Japan. There are two main islands – North and South – a third, smaller island called Stewart Island, and a number of small satellite islands. More than half of New Zealand is farmland, and more than a quarter is forested. Thirteen percent is alpine terrain, with many peaks over 3,000 metres. New Zealand has over 15,000 kilometres of beautiful and varied coastline. In the Far North and on most of the East Coast of the North Island you’ll find long sandy beaches perfect for swimming, surfing and sunbathing. The North Island’s West Coast has dark sandy beaches, with sand heavy in iron. About a fifth of the North Island and two-thirds of the South Island are mountains.
The Maori people are the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and first arrived here in waka hourua (voyaging canoes) from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago. Today, Maori make up over 14 percent of the population. Their language and culture has a major impact on all facets of New Zealand life.
Language:
English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand. New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and you may hear many other languages spoken, including Maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.
Climate:
You should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature, particularly if you’re going hiking or doing other outdoor activities. In summer a jacket and sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting between May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing. The warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. Temperatures are not too extreme in the North Island, however at the bottom of the South Island temperatures can reach below zero during winter. Check out: http://www.worldclimate.com
- During spring (September to November) - hit the slopes in early spring for some of the best skiing of the season!
- Summer (December to February) is high-season, so crowds will be larger – but crowds are rarely big enough to be a real problem.
- In Autumn (March to May), summer crowds disperse but the weather usually remains settled and warm, making this a great time to visit.
- Winter (June to August) is the perfect time for a ski or snowboard holiday, but even off the slopes New Zealand is a great wintertime destination.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.
Smoking
To protect people from the health effects of second-hand smoke, smoking in all hospitality venues, including bars, restaurants, cafes, and casinos, is prohibited in New Zealand. If you smoke, please remember to smoke outside.
Money & Exchange Rates
You can calculate the value of your currency in NZ Dollars using the www.xe.com currency converter.
The NZ dollar is the basic unit, divided into 100 cents; Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c,
50c, $1 & $2. Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 & $
Banks open Monday-Friday (except public holidays), 9.30am- 4.30/5.00pm. Use of EFTPOS is
common. All international credit cards (American Express, Diners, JCB, VISA,
Mastercard) are accepted. Travellers' cheques may be changed at banks, hotels
and large stores in the main cities and tourist areas.
Tipping is neither required nor routinely expected in New Zealand, but it is
appropriate for very good service. So in New Zealand you don't usually tip in
restaurants, or if you take a taxi, or get a haircut. You may want to tip your crew at the end of a great trip. This is totally is up to you.
Time Difference
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand uses ‘daylight saving’, with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight saving begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of the following April, when clocks are put back to GMT+12. Check out: www.timeconverter.com or www.timeanddate.com
Subject to daylight saving, New Zealand is:
- 20 hours ahead of Los Angeles
- 17 hours ahead of New York
- 12 hours ahead of London
- 6.5 hours ahead of India
- 2 hours ahead of Sydney
Flight Times; From…..to New Zealand
Eastern Australia: 3.5 hours
West coast of the United States: 12 hours
East coast of the United States: 19 hours
Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo: 10 hours
London, Amsterdam, Paris: 25 hours
Dubai: 19 hours.
Passports, Visas & Arrivals
Airports:
New Zealand's international
airports are at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Some flights from
Australia also land at Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Dunedin.
Arrival Cards
Every person arriving in New Zealand
must complete the arrival card handed out on the aircraft.
Agricultural Restrictions and Quarantine
New Zealand's agricultural industries are free of many insect pests
and plant and animal diseases common elsewhere in the world. We put a lot of
effort at ports and airports into minimising the risk of these being introduced.
Heavy fines may be imposed on people caught carrying prohibited
materials. On arrival visitors should place any questionable items, particularly
fruit, in the bins provided.
Some Prohibited Items
You should not bring the following items into New Zealand:
- Firearms and weapons, unless a permit is obtained from New Zealand Police on
arrival at the airport (includes sporting firearms).
- Class A drugs, certain drugs (e.g. diuretics, depressants, stimulants, heart
drugs, tranquillisers, sleeping pills), unless in their original bottle with a
doctor's prescription
- Ivory in any form; tortoise or turtle shell jewellery and ornaments; medicines using musk, rhinoceros or tiger derivatives; carvings or anything made from whalebone or bone from any other marine animals; cat skins or coats.
Duty Free Goods
Visitors to New Zealand may purchase
duty-free goods, which are not subject to local taxes, from airport duty free
shops on arrival and departure. Duty-free stores in downtown Auckland,
Wellington and Christchurch will deliver purchases to aircraft departure
lounges. Apart from your own personal effects, and as long as you are over 17
years of age, you are allowed the following duty-free concessions:
- 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars, or a mixture of all
three weighing no more than 250 grams
- 4.5 litres of wine or beer (6 x 750ml bottles) and one 1125ml bottles of
spirits, liqueur or other beverages
- Goods up to a total of NZ$700 are free of duty and tax, but goods in excess of this may attract both duty and tax.
Departure Tax
A tax of about NZ$25 has to be paid at the
airport when you leave New Zealand. Please note that this tax is not included in
your ticket price.
Passports and Visas
Before you travel to New Zealand, please check that your passport is valid. Passsports must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date and not damaged, defaced or excessively worn.
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:
- A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
- An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
- An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
- A British citizen and or British passport holder who can produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK (you can stay up to six months)
- A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months)
Airlines that fly into New Zealand:
Useful words
| Aotearoa: | Maori name for New Zealand, meaning ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’.
|
| Bach: | Holiday home. |
| BYO: | Bring Your Own (a restaurant where you can bring your own bottle of wine). |
| Chilly Bin: | Insulated box for keeping food and drink cold (also ‘cooler’ or ‘esky’).
|
| Haere mai: | Maori term of welcome. |
| Haere ra: | Farewell |
| Hongi: | Greeting by pressing noses. |
| Iwi: | Tribal group. |
| Jandals: | Rubber sandals (also known as ‘flip-flops’ or ‘thongs’). |
| Kia ora: | Maori greeting. |
| Kiwi: | The national symbol: a flightless, nocturnal bird with a long beak – a name fondly applied to New Zealanders. |
| Kumara: | Polynesian sweet potato – originally a staple of the Maori, now popular New Zealand cuisine. |
| Marae: | Maori gathering place. |
| Silver Fern: | Symbol of New Zealand worn on the jersey of the All Blacks. |
| Waka: | Maori canoe. |
Interesting Facts:
- New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote (1893).
- A New Zealander, Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first person to climb Mount
Everest (with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953).
- Baron Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealander, was the first person in the world
to split the atom (in 1919). Rutherford also succeeded in transmitting and
detecting 'wireless waves' a year before Marconi, but left this work to pursue
researching radioactivity and the structure of the atom at Trinity College in
Cambridge, England. Rutherford was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work
- It was probably a New Zealander, Richard William Pearse who took the world's
first flight -nearly two years before the Wright Brothers in the United States
(this however cannot be proved). On 31 March 1902 Pearse managed to fly his
home-made aircraft 91 metres in a field near Timaru.
- William Hamilton, a Canterbury farmer, developed and perfected the
propellerless jet boat based on the principle of water jet propulsion. Following
this, Hamilton went on to invent the hay-lift, an advanced air compressor, an
advanced air conditioner, a machine to smooth ice on skating ponds; the water
sprinkler and also contributed to the improvements of hydro-power.
- There are more golf courses in New Zealand per capita of population, than
any other country in the world (over 400 golf courses for four million people).
- Auckland has the largest number of boats per head of population than any
other city in the world.
- New Zealand is the first country in the world to see each new day.
- Curio Bay in Southland is one of the world's most extensive and least
disturbed examples of a petrified forest, (the forest is approximately 180
million years old).
- New Zealand was the first country in the world to have a
government department for tourism. In 1901 the Department of Tourist and Health
Resorts was created.
- Wellington has more cafes and restaurants per capita than New York.
- New Zealand is the birthplace of the meringue dessert known as the
'Pavlova', named after the famous ballerina Anna Pavlova.
- The old Government Building in Wellington is the largest wooden structure in
the southern hemisphere (8200 square metres).
- The vineyards of Central Otago, New Zealand, are the southern most vineyards
in the world (45° South).
- New Zealand won the first ever Rugby World Cup in 1987. The New Zealand
Women's Rugby Team won the Women's Rugby World Cup in 1998.
- Tongariro National Park was the fourth national park to be established in
the world and the first in New Zealand, in 1887. (Yellowstone National Park in
the United States was the first in 1872.)
- The Hector's Dolphin (the world's smallest marine dolphin), and the world's
rarest sea lion, the Hooker's sea lion, are only found in New Zealand waters.
- New Zealand is home to the world's only flightless parrot, the Kakapo as
well as the only alpine parrot in the world, the Kea.
- The oldest living genus of reptile is the native New Zealand Tuatara.
Tuataras have a life expectancy of 300 years. It is estimated that Tuataras can
be traced back 190 million years to the Mesozoic era.
- A New Zealander invented the tear back velcro-strip.
- The pop-lid on a self sealing paint tin was also invented by a New
Zealander, as was the child-proof pill bottle and the crinkle in your hairpins
so that they don't fall out!
- A New Zealand archbishop's son invented the totaliser machine used for
racing and sports betting.
- Waikoropupu Springs located near Nelson, are reputedly the clearest fresh
water springs in the world with an outflow of approximately 2,160 million litres
of water every 24 hours.
- Frying Pan Lake near Rotorua, is the world's largest hot water spring
reaching a temperature of 200°C at it's deepest point.
Information: Adventure New Zealand
Some of New Zealand's top destinations and sites:
The Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful destinations. With 144 islands and a myriad of secluded beaches to discover, you can spend days here.
Rotorua
Rotorua's reputation as the ‘natural spa destination of the South Pacific’ began 160 years after word of the Pink and White Terraces spread worldwide. Minutes from the city centre, geysers of steaming water roar from the ground and pools of bubbling mud gurgle.
Queenstown and Arrowtown
If you’re seeking action adventure sports, Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, tramping, mountain biking, snow sports – even a simulated rocket launch. For more leisurely pursuits there are wine trails, golf, cruises, fishing, fine dining - or simply people watching along the banks of the picturesque Lake Wakatipu.
Arrowtown is an authentic gold-mining town rich in heritage. Just 20 minutes drive from Queenstown, Arrowtown is renowned for its relaxed ambience, great restaurants and as a location for the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Franz and Fox Glaciers
Tucked into the foothills of the Southern Alps, Fox Glacier township offers a range of quality accommodation, hotels & cafes. Local companies provide access to the Fox Glacier with guided walks, heli-hikes and scenic flights. Franz Josef Glacier penetrates as far as the lower rainforests. Few sights equal the spectacle of the ‘giant tongues of ice’ grinding down through temperate rainforest to just 250 metres above sea level (this is the only place in the world this occurs outside Argentina). Combine an awesome scenic helicopter flight over the glacier with a unique guided walk amongst the ice caves, pinnacles and seracs of this pristine, alpine environment.
Kaikoura is a combination of mountains and spectacular ocean scenery. The town is famous for its resident Sperm Whales, which can be seen all year round on the harbour.
Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound
Wet or fine Milford is incredibly grand and is by far the best known of all of the fiords and the only one that can be accessed by road. A unique feature of the Milford Sound environment is life under the Fiord.
At 421 metres, Doubtful Sound is the deepest of New Zealand’s fiords. It’s a haven for nature, with resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins. Kayak tours and eco-cruises reveal the mysteries of the fiord.
Napier and Cape Kidnappers
Napier is renowned for its 1930s Art Deco architecture and each year the town celebrates its heritage with an Art Deco Weekend. Cape Kidnappers Nature Reserve is home to the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. Known to Maori as takapu, these birds usually breed on islands.
Taupo
As the largest fresh water lake in Oceania, Lake Taupo is a dominating presence in this region. At 616 square km, it is as big as Singapore Island and was created in 181AD, by one of the largest eruptions the world has ever seen.
Waitomo Glow worm Caves
Discover the magic that has been attracting visitors for over 100 years. The Waitomo Caves were formed over 30 million years ago; and they attract thousands of visitors to its limestone caves, glow worms and adventure caving activities. Beneath the surface of this ancient limestone region is a series of vast cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow worms. Black Water Rafting enables you to explore subterranean rivers that flow through the ancient cave systems, while seated in an inner tube.
Abel Tasman NP
Named for Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who first visited the region in 1642, this national park is New Zealand's smallest - but it's perfectly formed for relaxation and adventure.
Lake Wanaka
Crystal clear lake waters lap the feet of the Southern Alps, which are home to winter ski fields and Mount Aspiring National Park. Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's fourth largest; its clean, blue waters are an inland sea for sailors and jetboaters to explore. Walking tracks and bridle trails wander the flats and foothills.
Mount Taranaki
Taranaki’s famous 2518 metre dormant volcano sits at the centre of beautiful Egmont National Park. The park offers outstanding hiking, climbing, skiing and photography opportunities. The close proximity of the mountain to the sea is one of Taranaki’s special features. It takes only 30 minutes to drive from mountain plateau to beach – making it possible to ski and surf in the same day.
Raglan