New Zealand

Quick Facts

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Local name

Aotearoa (Māori)

Capital

Wellington

Government

Parliamentary Democracy

Nationality

New Zealander

Population

4 270 360 ^[1]

Languages

English, Maori

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Currency

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Calling Code

+64

Time zone

UTC+12

Daylight Saving Time

UTC+13

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Introduction

Wai-O-Tapu

© All Rights Reserved -reece-

Rarely has a country been so effectively promoted by a feature film as New Zealand has. Lord of the Rings has imprinted images of New Zealand in the minds of millions. The epic proportions of the film are perfectly enhanced by the epic proportions of New Zealand's landscape.

This is a country for adventure sports and photo cameras. North Island's bubbling volcanic peaks and South Island's Southern Alps are a hiker's paradise. Or, if you prefer, they're also the perfect playground for bungee jumping, skiing, spelunking and much more.

New Zealand's attractions are not limited to natural beauty. Urban New Zealand is characterized by vibrant Maori culture and tasteful European modernism. Cities like Wellington and Auckland are not glamorous, but have a strong aesthetic appeal backed up by the surrounding landscape.

Brief History

New Zealand was settled by Polynesians somewhere between the 11th and 14th century. These original settlers were known as Māori.

The first Europeans to arrive in New Zealand were led by Dutchman Abel Tasman, who anchored in Golden Bay, at the northern end of South Island in December 1642. After a clash with local Māori, he moved on to Tonga. He did, however, sketch the west coasts of the two major islands and named them Staten Landt, after the States-General of the Netherlands. That name was later changed to Nova Zeelandia by Dutch cartographers, who named it after the Dutch province of Zeeland.

More than a hundred years after Tasman's visit, Captain James Cook visited the islands and was the first to circumnavigate them. Various whaling, sealing and trading ships visited the islands from the 1790s onwards, offering European goods for Māori supplies and services.

In 1840, a treaty was signed between Māori chiefs and the British, which brought New Zealand into the British Empire and gave Māori the same rights as British citizens. Land quickly became an issue in the following decades, eventually leading to the loss of much of the native land through wars and bureaucracy.

In the early 20th century, the economy was highly regulated and an extensive welfare state emerged. During the World Wars, New Zealand, as part of the British Empire, committed significant numbers of troops to fight alongside Britain.

In the 1950s, Māori were moving to the cities in large numbers. This developed into a protest movement, which led to better race-relations in the late 20th century. Towards the end of the 20th century, the economy became increasingly deregulated. Foreign policy became more independent, rather than following the lead from Britain or the United States.

Geography

New Zealand is one of the southernmost countries in the world, totally surrounded by the South Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea. It consists of two main islands: the volcanic and subtropical North Island and the South Island, with snow capped mountains and fjords. In between lies the 30-kilometre-wide Cook Strait. The highest summit is Mount Cook on the South Island, over 3700 metres and Lake Taupo on the North Island is the largest body of water in the country. South of the South Island is a third main island, Stewart Island. It is much smaller, but can be visited by boat or plane and is a good place to spot the elusive Kiwi bird (mostly during the night), the national symbol of the country.

The extreme north of the North Island is subtropical with magnificent beaches and the Bay of Islands. Further inland are the volcanic ranges of Tongariro National Park, with its three summits Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, also featured in the Lord of the Rings movies. Rotorua is a good place to see volcanic activities as well, as mud pools are just below the surface and occasionally some eruptions do occur. The rest of the North Island is more gentle, with flat or rolling farmland, although in the southwest of the island is Mount Taranaki, a perfectly shaped volcano surrounded by flat landscapes.

The west of the South Island is known for its great landscapes, with the New Zealand Alps forming the backbone and complemented by numerous glaciers and fjords. Fiordland National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage sites, chosen because of its natural significance.

The eastern part is predominantly made up of grassy rolling hills, where sheep graze. Further north, there are some vineyards as well, for example around Blenheim.

New Zealand has some sub polar islands as well, but it is time consuming and/or expensive to get to those.

Regions

The two main islands comprising New Zealand:

• North Island
• South Island

Several smaller islands, not necessarily easily accessible to travellers:

• Stewart Island
• Chatham Islands
• Sub-Antarctic Islands

Cities

Auckland

Auckland Night Cityscape

© All Rights Reserved ArnaMarie

Wellington

Wellington is situated at the southern edge of North Island, a short skip from South Island. It is the capital city and invites visitors with its lively café culture and interesting galleries and museums.

Rotorua

Rotorua probably is the cultural capital of New Zealand, located in the heart of the North Island. Although touristy, a deeper inside view of the Maori culture is recommended when you visit this town. Other features include the thermal springs and mud pools. A walk through the city park with its sulphur (rotten eggs) smell is great as well.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on South Island. Founded in the mid-1800s, the city boasts a rich history, readily apparent through its Gothic architecture.

Queenstown

Queenstown lies on the edge of Lake Wakatipu in South Island, overlooking the magnificent Southern Alps. Besides offering beautiful views, Queenstown is also the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a town located in the northwest of the South Island, between Christchurch and Blenheim and is the whale capital of the country. There are many tour operators offering whale-watching tours and other marine tours, including diving and snorkeling. Fishing and kayaking trips are also possible. Wildlife includes many species of whales, but also dolphins, seals, and many aquatic birds. Near Kaikoura are wineries as well and the town itself has splendid seafood.

Other cities

On North Island:

• Hamilton is a city on the banks of the Waikato River, south of Auckland.
• Tauranga is a growing city on the northern Pacific shore. It is popular for its outdoor activities.
• Gisborne is a town on the east coast of North Island.

On South Island:

• Nelson is a small city with one of the country's strongest arts scenes. It is located near several national parks.
• Dunedin is the country's fifth largest city, located on the southeast coast of South Island.
• Invercargill is the southernmost city in the country and one of the southernmost cities in the world.

Sights and Activities

New Zealand has many sights and activities and its natural beauty is of outstanding quality. Apart from that it is also the adrenaline country of the world.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound Waterfall

© All Rights Reserved Laur456

Milford Sound, despite its remote location on the southwestern coast of New Zealand's South Island, is one of the country's most popular attractions. Boat tours around the Sound (which is technically a fjord, not a sound) are the most popular way to get around, though the more adventurous travellers can set out in their own kayak.

Doubtful Sound

To the south of Milford Sound is the altogether more remote feeling Doubtful Sound. Both the Milford and Doubtful Sound are part of the Fiordland National Park.

Tongariro National Park

Home to the highest mountain on North Island, the 2797-metre-tall volcano Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park is one of the highlights of any visit to New Zealand. It became the first cultural landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1993.

Mount Cook

Mount Cook or Aoraki, which means "cloud piercer", is the highest mountain in New Zealand at 3754 metres above sea level. Mount Cook is located in the Southern Alps on the South Island.

Both Fiordland National Park and the Mount Cook National Park are part of Te Wahipounahu, the southwest of the South Island which is a huge nature paradise, with fjords, glaciers, mountains, mild rain forest and marine life.

Glaciers

Franz below blue skies

© All Rights Reserved sopherie

There are several magnificent glaciers to visit in the South Island's Alps, the best known being the Franz Jozef and Fox Glaciers. Options for visiting are plentiful and including day hikes up the glacier or helicopter flights. Have a look at The Franz Josef Glacier or at Fox Guides for some more information about possible visits at bot glaciers.

Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park

Nelson is the geographical heart of the country and is known as the sunniest place in New Zealand. Although the town itself and its nearby beaches are fun, the adjacent Abel Tasman National Park is the real gem in this area. There are great (multiple) day hikes along the beaches, coastline, through forests with huge ferns and the views are awesome. You will have to travel west from Nelson by road and be transported by boat further into the park where you can walk back in a day (or more if you like).

Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is located in downtown Auckland. This large observation and telecommunications tower is over 328 m (1,076 ft) tall making it the tallest free standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere. For the more adventurous traveller there is even an option to Sky Jump off the tower at speeds up to 85 km/h. Also the SkyCity, a casino and event centre, is located in the Sky Tower complex for a different kind of adventurous traveller.

Other Sights and Activities

Carol dangles from the Kawarau Bridge in QUeenstown

© All Rights Reserved Blakei

• The Catlins is an area of green rolling hills, abandoned coastline and wildlife like the albatross and rare yellow eyed penguin. It is found in the southeast of South Island, with Dunedin its largest city.
• Stewart Island is New Zealand's version of Australia's Tasmania, with its huge forested wilderness areas. It is the best place in the country to see the Kiwi, the national symbol.
• Lake Taupo is a beautiful lake near the town of Taupo. It is one of the largest lakes in the southern hemisphere.
• Napier is one of the best preserved examples of art deco architecture in the world.
• Coromandel Peninsula is a lush and peaceful stretch of coast in the North Island, popular as a getaway for Aucklanders.
• Mount Taranaki, also known as Mount Egmont, is an enormous hull of an extinct volcano dominating the region of Taranaki in the South of the North Island.
• Outer Islands, including Chatham Islands and the Sub-Antarctic Islands.
• North Cape is a haven of culture and beaches. Cape Reinga is the northernmost point of New Zealand.
• Scenic Drives: Drive down the west west coast of the South Island from Nelson to Queenstown and see some of the most beautiful coastline in the world.

Events and Festivals

• New Years Eve falls in the middle of summer in New Zealand (and everywhere else in the southern hemisphere).
• The biennial Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts Festival celebrates Maori music and dance from all over New Zealand.
• Waitangi Day is a holiday held on February 6th every year to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi which gave land and citizenship rights to Maori people.
• Auckland Festival is a festival where you can enjoy the work of great composers, choreographers, directors, dancers and artists.
• Christchurch Arts Festival
• New Zealand Comedy Festival is held both in Auckland and Wellington.
• Queensland Winter Festival
• Wellington International Jazz Festival

Weather

Named by the Maori as 'Land of the Long White Cloud', New Zealand has mild temperatures and moderately high rainfall with many hours of sun in most parts. New Zealand's warmest months are December through March, its summer. Winter spans from June to August and mountains on the South Island make New Zealand a popular skiing destination in this period. Most of New Zealand lies close to the coast however, resulting in mild temperatures and plenty of sunlight year round.

The average temperature in the very north of New Zealand is around 15 °C, with the far south averaging 9 °C. Although New Zealand does not have a large temperature range, the weather can shift suddenly and it is not uncommon to experience "4 seasons in 1 day".

Getting There

Being an island, there are really only two ways to get to New Zealand: boat or plane.

By Plane

Auckland International Airport (AKL) is the country's busiest airport, followed by Christchurch International Airport (CHC), which is the main airport on the South Island and has a growing number of connections to destinations in the Pacific. There are also international airports in Dunedin, Hamilton, Queenstown, Wellington and Palmerston North, though these airports only have flights to/from Australia or, in some cases, Fiji.

The national carrier for New Zealand is Air New Zealand, which operates flights to New Zealand from/via most Pacific islands and Australia. There are also connections with Europe via the United States. Most flights originate from London and fly via Los Angeles or San Fransisco, which provides a good option for seeing something in between as well.

Many smaller carriers from neighbouring countries serve almost all the Pacific islands, including Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. Also carriers from South America, like Aerolineas Argentinas and Lan Chile and carriers from Asia, like Japan Airlines and Korean Air are serving the country.

Neighbouring Australia's Qantas and low-cost carriers Jetstar and Virgin Blue have many daily connections between Australia and New Zealand.

By Boat

There are no regular boat connections with other countries. The only feasible way of getting there by boat is by private yacht or the occasional cruise ship.

Getting Around

By Plane

Air New Zealand and Qantas have domestic flights between the main cities. There are smaller airports served by Air New Zealand Link, a subsidiary of Air New Zealand. Pacific Blue has also commenced operations on the main routes.

By Train

Toll New Zealand and Tranz Scenic are the two railway operators in the country. Most main cities are linked and there are even a few overnight trains between Wellington and Auckland, but without the possibility of having a sleeping cabin. One of the most scenic routes in the world is the Tranz Alpine between Christchurch and Greymouth on the South Island.

By Car

Renting or buying a car is incredibly cheap and easy in New Zealand. Coupled with the relatively short distances it helps explain why road transport is the preferred way to travel around New Zealand. To see the entire country in detail one would need several months, however it is quite possible to see several major attractions in the space of a few weeks when travelling by car. Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Explore More is a cheap rental option with depots in Auckland and Christchurch offering several car and camper types.

By Bus

As with car transport, the distances and infrastructure make bus travel a great way to see a lot of the country inexpensively. The Kiwi Experience, Magic and Stray backpacker buses are a popular "hop-on, hop-off" method to travel around, visiting most of the major sights with commentary and advice provided by the driver. There are many different long-distance bus providers in NZ, which are all listed on the Bus and Coach Association New Zealand website. The two main nationwide bus companies are Intercity and Nakedbus. Intercity is the established operator with the largest number of routes and departures, while Nakedbus is a budget operator rather like MegaBus in the UK. The new Nakedbus launched in 2006 with cheaper fares than Intercity on all their routes, which caused Intercity to lower some of their fares.

By Boat

Interislander operates a regular ferry service between Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island.

Red Tape

Always check your passport and visa are still valid before leaving for New Zealand. As a visitor to New Zealand, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan on leaving the country.

You do not need a visa to visit New Zealand if you are ANY of the following: ^[2]

• a New Zealand or Australian citizen
• a New Zealand resident with a returning resident visa
• a current Australian permanent resident or have a current Australian resident return visa
• a citizen of a visa-free country

If you are not from a visa-free country, you will need to apply for a visitor visa or permit on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Money

See also: Money Matters

The New Zealand currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD). 1 dollar is divided into 100 cents.

• Banknotes: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
• Coins: 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2

Work

There are several options for those who are looking to work and live in New Zealand, either permanently or temporarily.

New Zealand is a very popular destination for working holidaymakers from countries with a reciprocal agreement. Successful applicants of the Working Holiday Schemes will be granted visas which allow short term employment in New Zealand.

For Skilled Migrant Category, applications are processed via a points-based immigration system. Points are awarded for significant professional experience, relevant and recognised qualifications and working in a skill shortage area. Being related to someone already living in New Zealand is also a big bonus.

Popular short-term or working holiday jobs include fruit picking (mostly during summer) and working in ski resorts (mostly during winter). Short-term jobs in hospitality and catering are available year round, particularly in tourist centres such as Queenstown, though there may be keen competition for jobs. For temporary office work Auckland is the best bet.

Particular skill shortage areas at the moment include medicine/health care, high level IT (including technical and management) and some construction trades.

Study

Generally, participation in education in New Zealand is high against international standards, but slightly lower than OECD neighbours. ^[3] The proportion of young people progressing to Higher Education is similar to OECD neighbours, however New Zealanders are nearly twice as likely to return to university to study as adults. ^[3]

Academic standards in New Zealand's universities have been creeping upwards, with five universities in the 2007 Top 100 Asia Pacific Universities: The University of Auckland, Massey University, University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington. ^[4] Fees for international students are generally slightly lower than those for universities of a comparable standard in Europe, Asia and the USA.

New Zealand is also a popular destination for those studying English as a Foreign Language.

Language

English is the main language of New Zealand and is spoken by everyone. Although Maori is an official language it is not spoken much outside Maori circles.

Eat

With volcanic soil, a moderate climate and clean, clear water, New Zealand is blessed with an abundance of top quality produce. Items one might find on the menu include green-lipped mussels, crayfish, abalone (known locally as paua), venison, kumara, feijoas, tamarillo, and of course kiwi fruit. The quality of New Zealand lamb is legendary, and New Zealand has a fine reputation for its apples.

A traditional Maori way of cooking is the hangi. An earth oven is created by digging a deep hole which is filled with piping hot stones. The oven is filled with a stew of mixed meats and potatoes - including kumara, naturally.

Fish and Chips is a fast food favourite, including the uniquely kiwi fried whitebait fritters.

Haute Cuisine in New Zealand leans towards the 'keep it simple' approach, with well-presented top quality ingredients. There's certainly a pacific influence, with meat-fruit combinations popular.

Sleep

Browse budget accommodation in New Zealand.

New Zealand has one of the best independent hostel networks in the world and you'll never find yourself too far away from a bed for the night. Hostels are usually of a high standard, with rooms the quality of a good basic hotel, sometimes better. These beds come at a very good rate of around $10 to $20.

There are plenty of moderately priced hotels and bed breakfasts across country with rooms from $50 to $100. It is possible to get very good deals on many rooms during the off season at these locations. Top end hotels and resorts are the same price they are at any country in the world.

New Zealand is also home to some really top-end luxury pads, including the luxurious Huka Lodge in the North Island and Blanket Bay at Glenorchy in the South Island.

Drink

Some of the world's top white wines come from New Zealand. The regions of Marlborough and Hawkes Bay are particularly suitable for viticulture and a wine tour of either of these regions is highly recommended.

New Zealand also boasts a good range of small breweries concentrating on flavourful, high quality beer. Monteith's of Greymouth have proved particularly successful and their brews can now be found worldwide. Other popular brewers include Speights and Emerson.

Health

See also: Travel Health

With no poisonous wildlife, no tropical diseases and a world-class health system, New Zealand is a particularly safe place to travel. Take the same health precautions that you would at home, with a little extra care as appropriate if you head out into the wilderness.

The highest risks to a traveller's health come from exposure to the elements. Use a high factor (higher than 48 SPF) when out in the sun and be sure to take on enough water when undertaking activities on hot days. Wear thermal clothing in suitable layers when out at altitude to avoid hypothermia, and be aware of the risk of altitude sickness.

Safety

New Zealand is a safe country to travel in, with low crime figures. When going hiking or walking alone, always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.

Some areas of Auckland are known to be less safe at night - make sure you stick to familiar areas after dark.

Adventure sports activities can pose some risks to safety. Ensure that you're using appropriate and properly functioning equipment at all times. Some activities may require you to make use of a guiding company, particularly for mountaineering, caving, glacier/ice climbing and whitewater sports. Make sure that you are confident of the reputation and credentials of the company before making use of their services.

In case of emergency, dial 111 from any phones for police, fire and ambulance services. The worldwide emergency number for GSM mobile phones, 112, can also be used.

Keep Connected

Staying connected in New Zealand is an easy affair in most towns and cities, although naturally if you are heading off the beaten path it can become harder.

Internet

Internet cafés are widely available throughout New Zealand at affordable rates. Besides internet and e-mail services, most big internet cafés also offer some way for travellers to connect their digital camera and burn cds.

Phone

Most payphones in New Zealand require the use of phone cards for payment and it is getting harder to find payphones that accept coins. As phone cards are available at a lot of outlets, they are easy to purchase and very handy as a backup in case of emergencies.

Dial 111 for emergency police, fire or ambulance services. The worldwide emergency number for GSM mobile phones, 112, can also be used.

Local calls are free from residential phones and charges for calling outside that area can be found at the front of the regional phone books, amongst many other services.

Post

Most areas have dedicated PostShops, however stamps can also be bought at grocery shops, supermarkets and book stores. There are two main formats for mail, namely Standard Post and Fast Post. Fast Post is used for international airmail letters as well as next day delivery between major towns and cities, whereas Standard Post will take a few working days to deliver nationwide.