New Zealand

As a small island nation, New Zealand, also known as Aotearoa – the Land of the Long White Cloud, features some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. From lush rainforests and bubbling geothermal pools to rugged mountains, towering fiords, and expansive coastlines, this compact country makes it easy to explore remarkable natural wonders. Beyond its scenic beauty, New Zealand is full of history and tradition. Immerse yourself in Māori hospitality and discover how Māori culture is deeply intertwined with Kiwi life. The term "Kiwi" affectionately refers to New Zealanders and originates from the native Kiwi bird found on the islands.

On the North Island, vibrant cities like Auckland and Wellington await, offering award-winning restaurants, gourmet cuisine, and lively neighborhoods. Visit Bilbo Baggins at the Shire and admire the rolling green hills of iconic Hobbiton. Connect with a friendly Māori guide for an authentic glimpse into Māori life at the cultural heart of New Zealand. Experience the geothermal marvels of Rotorua, where you can see gushing geysers and bubbling mud pools.

On the South Island, go on a waterfall adventure in the stunning Milford Sound, where you can sail through the fiords or take a scenic flight over majestic snow-capped peaks. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the vineyards of the South, sampling the world-renowned wines of the Marlborough region or Central Otago. Push your limits in Queenstown by exploring the rugged mountains and pristine lakes, whether through an exhilarating jet boat ride or an extended hike on one of New Zealand's Great Walks.

New Zealand is a wonderful destination for those traveling with children. There is a wide variety of apartment-style accommodations to suit larger family groups and there are many family-friendly tour options that showcase the best of New Zealand. With plenty of active adventures such as kayaking, cycling, hiking, ziplining, zorbing, and jet-boating – there is no shortage of experiences to keep children of all ages entertained. Soar down the Dart River on a jet-boat – an exhilarating ride that takes you over aqua water, surrounded by towering mountains. Alternatively, visit Bilbo Baggins’ Hobbit-hole in the Shire while exploring Hobbiton with your expert guide. A family activity suited for all ages is an authentic Māori experience – enjoy a traditional Hāngi meal, witness the haka (ceremonial dance), or try it out yourself with the assistance of local Māori.

Auckland is New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan city and a multi-cultural hub of food, music, art and culture. Located between two large harbours, consequently, Auckland has the highest number of boats per head of population in the world, hence the nickname the "City of Sails" .

Depart by ferry for Waiheke Island, a short 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland.

Waiheke Island is 57 square miles of beautiful sandy beaches, native bush, vineyards, olive groves and laid-back seaside villages.

Around 2.5-hours south of Auckland is the Spellbound Glowworm Caves.

Take time to let your eyes adapt and you will be rewarded with the soft glow of thousands of glow worms. There are enough to gently light up an entire cave and bring you to a sense of wonder. Walk through a lovely succession of chambers to find speleothems, fossil remains of extinct moa and cathedrals filled with natural light.

Rotorua is situated in the center of the volcanic plateau and is distinctly positioned atop an active geothermal field. It offers a captivating experience with its bubbling mud pools, erupting geysers, natural hot springs, and rich Maori culture.

Visit Te Puia and the magic hidden within Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Explore the 60-hectare landscape of uncovered natural bush, geysers and mud pools with a remarkable walk along the Te Whakarewarewa geyser terrace.

Make your way to Wai-Ariki Hot Springs & Spa. Located on the foreshore of the stunning Lake Rotorua and meaning ‘Chiefly Waters’ - Wai Ariki offers two architecturally stunning and culturally authentic areas for you to explore, unwind, rejuvenate and relax. Truly a feast for the senses, Wai Ariki is inspired, curated and owned by the local iwi, Ngāti Whakaue. Both the Wai Whakaora, meaning (Restorative Journey) and the exclusive Āhuru Mōwai, meaning (Sanctuary - a place of peace and tranquility) are founded on te ao Māori values, traditions and culture.

Champagne Pool, Geothermal lake Wai-O-Tapu, Roturua, New Zealand.

Experience the real Middle Earth with a visit to Hobbiton movie set, the bucolic setting for the shire that features in Peter Jackson directed films, the Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit trilogies.

Located along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and framed by the stunning Southern Alps, Queenstown's downtown area thrives with a vibrant atmosphere, fueled by a dynamic café and bar scene along with fantastic shopping districts. Known for its adventure sports and activities, Queenstown also serves as a gateway to explore the region's picturesque vineyards and the breathtaking Milford Sound.

No trip to New Zealand is complete without visiting Milford Sound, often described as the eighth wonder of the world.

Routeburn Day Hike: Dive deep into the paradise where mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and valleys await. The Routeburn Track crosses between two national parks: Mt. Aspiring on the east and Fiordland on the west. Its unique one-way journey brings thousands of trampers every Great Walk season. From the Divide, appreciate uninterrupted views into the Hollyford Valley and across the Darran Mountains. This section is lush, mossy, and teeming with every shade of green. From the Routeburn Shelter side, cross swing bridges, pass waterfalls and marvel at the schist rock faces. Two unique landscapes that weave into one incredible track make it truly unique.

The Lake Dunstan Trail is a trail that links the townships of Clyde and Cromwell. The trail offers cyclists a 25.6 mile ride through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago as it journeys along Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the mighty Clutha River Mata-au.The ride has two very different sections Old Cromwell to Cornish Point which offers great riding along Lake Dunstan and the Kawarau River. Stop and visit the vineyards, cafes and hotels along the way.Once you pass Cornish Point the trail highlights the stunning engineering associated with the cantilevers.

Travel Time by Air:

Rotorua-Auckland = 45 minutes

Auckland-Blenheim = 1 hour 30 minutes

Blenheim-Wellington = 30 minutes

Wellington-Queenstown = 1 hour 25 minutes

Queenstown-Sydney (Australia) = 3 hours 20 minutes

Brisbane (Australia)-Auckland = 3 hours 15 minutes

Christchurch-Napier = 1 hour

Auckland-Sydney (Australia) = 3 hours 40 minutes

Focusing on local ingredients and seasonal variations, this island nation with an agricultural economy delivers fresh produce from both its land and sea. Quickly becoming a recognized wine destination, New Zealand’s wine regions extend 1,000 miles – from the tip of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island. You will find a range of offerings from a full bodied pinot noir in Central Otago to a light and fruity sauvignon blanc in the Marlborough region.

Seafood

With over 8,000 miles of coastline, the seafood is diverse and exceptionally fresh. Sample oysters, whitebait fritters (a local favorite!), or green-lipped mussels alongside a regional glass of white wine for a fabulous dinner.

Meat pies

A hand-sized meat pie typically contains minced meat and gravy, but a variety of options such as steak and cheese, chicken, and vegetarian exist. This is most often enjoyed as a takeaway snack. Find these savory treats at bakeries, cafés, or specialty meat shops.

Wine

While sauvignon blanc first put New Zealand on the map as a wine destination, New Zealand’s temperate maritime climate allows for an extensive range of wine varietals to thrive. In the cooler regions, you can find pinot noir and riesling, whereas, in the warmer regions, you will find delicious cabernet blends and spicy syrah.

Ice cream

While a loved treat worldwide, Kiwis find their local ice cream to be the very best. Made with fresh local milk and cream, there are few better snacks to enjoy on a warm New Zealand summer day.

Māori hāngi

Hāngi is a traditional Māori method of cooking that utilizes heated rocks buried in a pit as an underground “oven.” The food is left in the ground for up to four hours resulting in a smoky, earthy flavor.

Roast lamb

Featured on menus throughout the country, New Zealand lamb is world famous for good reason. It is succulent, tender, and full of flavor.

Fish and chips

A nationwide comfort food, fish and chips are best enjoyed sitting on the beach or harborside. Fresh snapper, tarakihi, and hoki are commonly used, served battered and deep-fried.

Lemon & Paeroa

Also known as L&P, this soft drink is less sweet than lemon-flavored beverages found in North America. L&P has what is known as a “lemon bitters” flavor – common in the South Pacific. L&P’s slogan “World Famous in New Zealand” was quickly dubbed a New Zealand saying as it described items that were unknown to the rest of the world, but famous in their home nation.

English is the main language spoken in New Zealand

The local currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar (NZD). Debit and major credit cards are widely accepted.

The standard voltage is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. The plugs in New Zealand are Type I, have two flat metal pins shaped like a V, and some may contain a third flat pin in the center.

The country code for New Zealand is +64.

New Zealand’s climate is extremely varied, and the weather can change unexpectedly on this island nation. It is crucial to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.

Summer is December to February, fall is March to May, winter is June to August, and spring is September to November.

Overall, as many of New Zealand’s cities lie close to the coast, temperatures are typically quite mild. With that being said, the far north has subtropical weather over the summer season, whereas alpine regions on the South Island can be as cold as 14°F (-10°C) in the winter – making them a wonderful winter ski destination. Temperatures will generally drop as you travel from north to south.

Rainfall tends to be consistent throughout the year (unexpected showers are common); however, the north sees an increase in rainfall in the winter season, whereas the south sees a decrease in rain during this time.