New Zealand

Introduction

Baldwin Street1

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Rarely has a country been so effectively promoted by a feature film as New Zealand has. The Lord of the Rings trilogy has imprinted images of New Zealand into 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. Each town has a distinct and unique characteristic dependent on its history. No two places feel quite the same. Locations around the country have been used by many film makers to portray other countries around the world. Its climate is diverse and the wildlife is unique.

Brief History

New Zealand was settled by Polynesians somewhere between the 11th and 14th century. These original settlers are known as Māori. Māori legends are wild and fierce. They are influenced by the countries untamed beauty and raw volcanic power. Māori are a warrior race and tribal traditions still feature strongly despite outside influences. The most visible Māori tradition is the Haka, a challenge made famous by its use by New Zealand rugby and rugby league teams.

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. This treaty is known as the Treaty of Waitangi and was signed on the 6th February 1840. This date is still celebrated as a public holiday.

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. New Zealand's national remembrance day to commemorate those lives lost in the wars is on the 25th April (ANZAC Day).

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. Although still within the commonwealth New Zealand has been growing culturally, economically and politically apart from Britain since the 1950's.

In the 1980's New Zealand became a nuclear free zone prohibiting the manufacture or possession of any nuclear weapons or nuclear powered vessels. At the time this caused a major rift between New Zealand and the United States, and even today this limits the contact between the two countries. The legislation is the only one like it in the world and has become a political milestone and a symbol for green activists throughout the world.

Geography

New Zealand is one of the southernmost countries in the world, with the Tasman Sea to the west, the South Pacific Ocean to the east ans the Southern Ocean directly south of the country. 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 at over 3,700 metres. Lake Taupo on the North Island is the largest body of water in the country. To the south of the South Island is the third main island, Stewart Island. It is much smaller and predominately a national park. It 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. There are sand dunes here unlike anything to be seen in the rest of the country. The far north is also home to the unique Kauri trees some of which are over 1500 years old and 5 metres in diameter. In the centre of the island are the volcanic region 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 and geothermal activities as well, as mud pools are just below the surface and occasionally some eruptions do occur. When not causing eruptions however the volcanic activity is a source for hot thermal spas. The majority of the North Island is farm land, ranging from flat or rolling farm land through to rough and rugged lands, especially in the East Cape and King Country regions. In the west of the island is Mount Taranaki, a perfectly shaped volcano surrounded by flat farm land.

The west of the South Island is known for its great landscapes, with the Southern Alps forming the backbone and complemented by numerous glaciers and fjords. Fiordland National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, chosen because of its natural significance. Fiordland was once described by Rudyard Kipling as "one of the natural wonders of the world" and the area is extremely popular among travellers.

The eastern part is predominantly made up of grassy rolling hills, where sheep graze. Further north, there are vineyards, especially around the Marlborough region which is world famous for its wine production. Further south on the East side lies the Banks peninsula which formed as off shore volcanic islands, but which have now eroded. The craters now make up two big harbours in which dolphins can often be seen.

Thirty kilometres south of the South Island lies Stewart Island. Stewart Island is predominately a national park and is the most common location to see a wild kiwi bird. It has a wet climate. The hilly island is surrounded by a number of large and small islands off shore. The island is reportedly a great location for viewing the Aurora Australis (The Southern lights).

Regions

The two main islands comprising New Zealand, which are divided into smaller regions:

Several smaller islands, of which the Sub-Antarctic Islands are the least accessible to travellers:

• Stewart Island - 30 kilometres south of the South Island
• Chatham Islands - about 800 kilometres east of the South Island
• New Zealand's Sub-Antarctic Islands - consisting of 5 groups: Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island Group and The Snares. Together they form one UNESCO World Heritage Site. These can be difficult to get to and some of them need special Department of Conservation permission.

Cities

Auckland

Auckland Night Cityscape

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Wellington

Wellington is situated at the southern edge of the North Island, a short hop from the South Island. It is the capital city and invites visitors with its lively café culture and interesting galleries and museums. It is for many the gateway to the south island as the Interislander ferry makes many trips daily back and forth.

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. It is often described as a capital of Maori culture.

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. Its parks and museums are unique to the country and have a distinct English feel. This is as a result of the large numbers of English settlers who have moved here during its development. The cathedral in the centre of the city looks like it has been taken straight from the United Kingdom. It is also home to a British style seaside pier. Christchurch gets many cruise ship visits during the summer months and the visitors spend lazy afternoons punting on the River Avon.
Christchurch was severely damaged by two earthquakes, one in September 2010 and one in February 2011, the latter killing 181 people and damaging most of the central city including the cathedral.

Queenstown

Queenstown lies on the edge of Lake Wakatipu in South Island, overlooking the magnificent Southern Alps. It became a growing settlement after gold was discovered in the area in 1862. Besides offering beautiful views, Queenstown is also now the adventure capital of New Zealand. It is has more recently been identified as the party capital of the country. During the winter season the city is full of skiers and snowboarders and it is difficult to look in the air without seeing a skydiver or paraglider.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a town located in the northwest of the South Island, between Christchurch and Blenheim and is the whale watching 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. There are several wineries near Kaikoura 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, in a rich dairy farming region.
• Tauranga is a growing city on the northern Pacific shore. It is popular for its outdoor activities. It is the kiwifruit capital of the world and like many townships in the region has several volcanic hot pools to boast of.
• Gisborne is a town on the east coast of North Island. It is famous for being the first place in the world to see the sunrise, making it a popular destination for all night parties on new years eve.
• Napier is a picturesque seaside town in Hawkes Bay. It is an extremely popular destination for backpackers during the summer season. Its is famous for its 1930's art deco style (the city was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake) and this is celebrated every summer with the art deco festival.

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 south east coast of South Island. It has been described as a southern hemisphere version of Edinburgh due to the high numbers of Scottish immigrants who have settled here. It also has a large student population giving it a reputation as a part town.
• Invercargill is the southernmost city in the country and one of the southernmost cities in the world. Beware it can get quite cold in the winter.
• Blenheim is located at the heart of the Marlborough region and is world famous for its vineyards and wine production.

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.

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.

Glaciers

Franz below blue skies

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There are several magnificent glaciers to visit in the South Island's Alps, the best known being the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. 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 both glaciers.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a beautiful stretch of water in the Canterbury Region on New Zealand's South Island. Together with Lake Pukaki and Lake Ohau they are located at the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin. Located at about 700 metres above sea level it is around 83 square kilometres large and is a major attraction in the region. The town with the same name has plenty of options regarding accommodation, restaurants and activities. It is famous as a location for stargazers due to its high altitude and isolation from city lights.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound Waterfall

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Milford Sound, despite its remote location on the south western 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. The road to the sound is a spectacle on its own. Thousands of waterfalls flow from unseen heights due to the regions huge volume of rain fall.

Mount Cook

Mount Cook or Aoraki, which means "cloud piercer", is the highest mountain in New Zealand at 3,754 metres above sea level. Mount Cook is located in the Southern Alps on the South Island. Surrounding it are many glaciers and forests.

Both Fiordland National Park and the Mount Cook National Park are part of Te Wahipounahu, the south west of the South Island which is a huge natural paradise, with fjords, glaciers, mountains, mild rain forest, temperate beech forest and marine life. Most of the area is unspoilt by any human interference.

Mount Taranaki

Mount Taranaki (also known as Mount Egmont) is the second highest mountain on the North Island of New Zealand. It's an active volcano, but not as active as others. The last major eruption was around 1655, although a piece of the top of the mountain came down in 1855/1856. A second volcano crater has been forming at the southern flank of the mountain. Whilst from the other side it looks like an almost perfect symmetrical mountain. Due to the similarity to Mount Fuji, the area was used as a backdrop in the film The Last Samurai although the mountain itself was not used in the film. Since 1881 the mountain and the surrounding forest are a national park. You don't need to be an experienced climber to reach the summit in summer, but prepare the trip well and be prepared for the changing weather conditions of the mountain. The climb from the Stratford Plateau and return are about 9-10 hours of walking and climbing.

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). The region is also popular among skydivers.

Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is located in downtown Auckland. This large observation and telecommunications tower is over 328 metres (1,076 feet) 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/hour. Also the SkyCity, a casino and event centre, is located in the Sky Tower complex for a different kind of adventurous traveller.

Tongariro National Park

Home to the highest mountain on North Island, the 2,797-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. Its increasingly popular to visit due to the easiness of the walks and reputation as Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings film series.

TranzAlpine Railway

One of the most scenic routes in the world is the TranzAlpine between Christchurch and Greymouth on the South Island that has been in operation since 1987. The scenery along this 223-kilometre-long trip is outstanding, crossing the New Zealand Alps and passing many tunnels and viaducts, one of which is over 70 metres high! After leaving Christchurch, the train travels through the fertile Canterbury Plains past the Waimakariri River along the Main South Line, to Rolleston. It then turns onto the Midland Line, which passes through the Southern Alps past the spectacular Waimakariri River gorge, via the Otira Tunnel and Arthurs Pass, and terminates in Greymouth, on the West Coast.

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 south east of South Island, with Dunedin its largest city.
• Lake Taupo is a beautiful lake near the town of Taupo. It is one of the largest lakes in the southern hemisphere and is known for its boating, fishing and geothermal activities.
• Napier is one of the best preserved examples of art deco architecture in the world. The peaceful surrounding countryside is famous for it vineyards and orchards.
• Coromandel Peninsula is a lush and peaceful stretch of coast in the North Island, popular as a getaway for Aucklanders.
• Outer Islands, including the 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. Huge sand dunes unlike anything else in the country can be found here.
• 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. Most of the region is untouched and the roads are long and for the most part empty.
• Hidden away within Abel Tasman lies Harwood Hole, this is the deepest cave in New Zealand at a depth of 357 metres. It is famous among experienced cavers and is not an attraction for the faint hearted.

Events and Festivals

• New Years Eve falls in the middle of summer in New Zealand (and everywhere else in the southern hemisphere). Beach bonfires are a common way to celebrate.
• The biennial Te Matatini Maori Performing Arts Festival, formerly the 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 takes place in August.
• Christchurch buskers festival takes place in January and is a fun, family orientated festival in which the best street performers from all over the world entertain in the parks and town squares.
• New Zealand Comedy Festival is held both in Auckland and Wellington.
• Queensland Winter Festival
• Wellington International Jazz Festival
• From 9 September until 23 October 2011, the Rugby World Cup 2011 was staged in New Zealand. Matches were played at Eden Park in Auckland, Invercargill, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Wellington, Whangarei, Dunedin, Napier, Nelson, Palmerston North, Hamilton. Christchurch was unable to host matches due to the damage caused by the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes.

Weather

Named by the Maori as 'Land of the Long White Cloud', New Zealand has a temperate climate with summers that are either warm and dry or warm and wet (it is a changeable climate!) and cold wet winters, especially in the south or cool wet winters in the north. 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, especially the northern tip of the North Island is still nice and mild during those months.

The average summer temperature in the North Island is around 22-25 °C, with the South Island averaging 21-24 °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". Still, the North Island experiences much more of a subtropical climate, especially in the upper north, while the southern half of the South Island has a relatively cool maritime climate where high summer temperatures are not that common. Temperatures can drop well below zero in winter, especially at higher elevations, while temperatures in summer have been known to rise even slightly over 40 °C, most recently in February 2011.

For more information about the current weather, check the metservice.com website.

Getting There

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

By Plane

Auckland 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. Wellington International Airport and Queenstown Airport have some options as well. There are also international airports in Dunedin, Hamilton 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 London via Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

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 Singapore Airlines, China Southern, and Korean Air are serving the country.

Neighbouring Australia's Qantas and low-cost carriers Jetstar and Virgin Australia 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 or cargo ship.

Getting Around

By Plane

Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas and a few others have domestic flights between the main cities. There are smaller airports served by Air New Zealand Link, a subsidiary of Air New Zealand. Virgin Australia has also commenced operations on some routes.

Stewart Island Flights flies from Invercargill to Stewart Island three times daily for around NZ$95 one-way, NZ$165 return for an adult, children are charged NZ$55/NZ$95 respectively. The bus trip from the airport to Oban is included in the fare.

Air Chathams has flights to the Chatham Islands from Auckland, Wellington, Napier and Christchurch, taking around 2 hours. There are about 5 days with at least one flights, but not from every city every day. Napier has just seasonal flights (summermonths). It's wise to book ahead as seats are limited.

By Train

Tranz Scenic is the railway operator in the country. The Overlander is the main service between Wellington and Auckland, running once a day each way. There are no overnight services. One of the most scenic routes in the world is the Tranz Alpine between Christchurch and Greymouth on the South Island. The Coastal Pacific is a daily passenger service between Picton and Christchurch, stopping en route in 6 other places, including Blenheim and Kaikoura.

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 and petrol costs about $NZ2.10 per litre. Explore More is a cheap rental option with depots in Auckland and Christchurch offering several car and camper types. Some of the other options to rent cars in New Zealand include the following companies:

• Avis
• Hertz
• Budget
• New Zealand Rent A Car
• Thrifty
• Ace Rental Cars
• Go Rentals
• Europcar
• Omega Rental Cars
• Rent a Dent
• Rental Car Village

Before you rent, ask the rental company if they have any relocation deals. Even in high season there can be a bottle neck of cars and campers at certain locations that the hire company is willing to offer discounted sometimes free rental to move the vehicle, possibly right to where you want to go. The only down side is the vehicle often has a time restriction, but even this is negotiable, depending on how much the rental company needs the vehicle moved. If spending more than a few months in the country many travellers find it cheaper to buy rather than rent a car. Cars can be bought cheaply enough at the start of the winter months as backpackers arrive at Auckland or Christchurch to fly home. With the influx of visitors at the start of summer the prices tend to pick up again.

Hitching
Thumbing a lift is back in vogue in New Zealand. Both single travellers and couples are often seen with their thumb out, and Kiwi's are a friendly bunch that are quick to pick up a traveller. A sign telling where your going will help you get that ride. Kiwi's are always keen to show travellers the things that they would miss otherwise.

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 New Zealand, 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 United Kingdom. The new Nakedbus launched in 2006 with cheaper fares than Intercity on all their routes, which caused Intercity to lower some of their fares. NZ$1 tickets can sometimes be found if you book early enough on certain routes.

By Boat

Interislander operates a regular ferry service between Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island. It is about a three hour journey and in the summer it is advisable to book well in advance. Prices depend on the size and type of vehicle or if you are a foot passenger. Bluebridge also operates between the North (Wellington) and South Islands (Picton) with up to four sailings a day between the two cities.

The Stewart Island Experience Ferry runs three times daily between Bluff on the South Island and the main settlement Oban on Stewart Island. It takes around one hour and costs are around NZ$55 for an adult, half-price for children. There are shuttles to Bluff with the same company from Invercargill, Te Anau and Queenstown.

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

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to New Zealand.

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

See also Travel Safety

New Zealand is a safe country to travel in, with low crime figures. Take the usual precautions with your belongings, do not leave them in view in a vehicle as most of the crimes are of a dishonesty nature, i.e. theft. 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.

Although New Zealand generally is not prone to severe weather, hurricanes or other climatological aspects, earthquakes on the other hand are a major threat. Recently, in September 2010 and February 2011, the area in and around Christchurch was severely hit, causing deaths and many buildings to collapse.

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

See also International Telephone Calls

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 domestic mail, namely Standard Post and Fast Post. Fast Post is used next day delivery between major towns and cities (two days from rural areas), whereas Standard Post will take a few working days to deliver nationwide. Standard costs NZ$0.40 for letters/postcards (NZ$0.80 for larger envelopes), Fast Post costs NZ$0.80 (NZ$1.20 for larger envelopes). International mail takes about 3-6 days to Australia (NZ$1.50), and 6-12 days to Europe, Asia and the United States (NZ$2). Post boxes are white, red and black and can be found in many areas throughout towns and cities, including information about when their contents are collected. Most post offices and smaller post shops have opening hours from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 12:30pm on Saturday. You can buy stamps here, or at newsagents and general stores. For parcels, you can use the NZ Post or otherwise courier companies like TNT, DHL, UPS or FedEx.

External Links

• Official Tourism Website
• Official Governmental Website