Māori tourism operators are already seeing results from a recent
Tourism New Zealand-organised trip to the UK and Europe. The group
was on a mission to educate New Zealand sellers on Māori culture
and Māori tourism.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

Māori tourism operators are already seeing results from a recent
Tourism New Zealand-organised trip to the UK and Europe. The group
was on a mission to educate New Zealand sellers on Māori culture
and Māori tourism.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

An official delegation including Prime Minister and Minister of
Tourism John Key today bid farewell to a piece of Māori art that
will take centre stage at this year’s Shanghai World Expo.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

A ceremonial gateway, or waharoa, symbolising the deepening
cultural and business ties between New Zealand and China reached
its final resting place in China on Friday 10 September.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

This week marks the start of Matariki celebrations, a unique New
Zealand event that heralds the beginning of the Māori New Year.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand’s Giant Rugby Ball will officially open in Sydney
this Thursday (2 September), marking the start of the Ball’s fourth
and final international appearance.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

Have you dreamed of visiting Down Under? Traveling through New Zealand will provide an experience for everyone. It is a trip worth careful and thoughtful planning. Prepare well in advance to get the most enjoyment from your trip.

Imagine an incredible array of vistas provided courtesy of Mother Nature. From rugged coastline to majestic mountains, New Zealand has that and everything in between. A trip to New Zealand will require spending a great deal of time in the outdoors in order to get the best experience possible.

The Maori culture plays a big part in New Zealand life. Discovering and exploring this culture will entrance you. About 200 years before European history begins, Polynesians migrated to New Zealand. Many of the names of the places, arts, and architecture in New Zealand originate from the Maori culture and is a reflection of the influence that they had on this society.

Many places in New Zealand are steeped in history. The Treaty of Waitangi changed the course of New Zealand history and the Treaty Grounds can be visited at Waitangi. Otago displays many artifacts from the gold rush era that was so significant to New Zealand’s history. The port city of Napier, nicknamed Art Deco City, boasts some of the world’s finest examples of Art Deco architecture. When the city was decimated in 1931 by an earthquake and fire, the rebirth was essentially a city of Art Deco building since most of the earlier buildings were eradicated..

Hearing stories in every town and city make traveling through New Zealand an interesting experience. Ask questions of the locals and they will direct you to the most fascinating areas or sites. Friendly and loquacious, encounters with Kiwis (those from New Zealand) can certainly enhance your trip. They are proud of their country and love to share their knowledge with tourists.

You will never forget your trip to New Zealand. The great outdoors, wild beauty, raging coasts, scenic plains, and incredible history will be vividly imprinted on your memory forever.

The diverse culture of New Zealand is steeped in the history and culture of the indigenous Maori. Legend has it that, more than 1000 years ago, the Maori came to New Zealand from Hawaiki, their ancestrial home, in open boats similar to the traditional crafts that some still use.

Two main islands and several small islands off the southwest coast of Australia is the isolated island country of New Zealand. Across the Tasman Sea lies Australia and Tonga and Fiji are to the north. New Zealand occupies an area of 268670 square kilometers. The area is a bit less landmass than is occupied by Japan and slightly more than the UK. New Zealand has substantial marine resources and is the fifth largest EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) on the Earth. This means New Zealand can lay claim to more than over four million square kilometers, more than fifteen times its landmass, for their exclusive “exploration and use of marine resources”.

New Zealand’s temperate climate means that temperatures seldom go higher than 30°C (86°F) or drop lower 0°C (32°F). Wet, cold, and mountainous; South Island is the largest of the two islands and the Southern Alps, running length wise through the island, divides the east side of the island from the west side. In contrast, North Island is dry, continental and pocked by volcanoes. An active volcano, Mount Ruapehu, is the highest mountain on North Island at 9,176 feet. The popularity of the island landscape soared in popularity after the Lord of the Rings trilogy was shot there.

New Zealand has total population of over four million people with the Maori making up the largest minority. Other significant minority populations are composed of Asians and Polynesians (non-Maori), most visibly in urban areas. Although Elizabeth II is a figurehead, she holds the title of the Queen of New Zealand. The office of New Zealand’s Prime Minister holds the true political power in the elected Parliament.

The government has been remodeling the economy ever since 1984 so that it is more of an industrialized free market and far less dependent on the British market. In order for that model to work, there must be significant agricultural exports. Leading in this area are meat/dairy/forest products, vegetables and fruit, wool, and fish.

Many other cultures have had a significant influence on the culture in New Zealand. The heaviest influences come from the Irish, British and Maori. Polynesians gravitated to this landmass in 1000AD and established the indigenous population of Maori. Scottish settlers have had an impact on the culture of New Zealand, to the extent that New Zealand now has more bagpipe bands than Scotland does.

The Kiwi is the national bird of the country and has been adopted as a nickname for New Zealanders. It is also often used as an adjective when referring to their culture.

New Zealand has many facets to be explored and relished. Book your visit now!

Although in the shadow of its neighbor, Australia, New Zealand is a world apart from anything you may experience elsewhere. A former British colony, with indigenous influences permeating the culture because of its proximity to the Polynesian islands and its Maori heritage, New Zealand offers some of the most diverse tourist experiences in the world. Year after year, the green rolling meadows; easily accessible geysers; guided glacier walks; and unending stretches of incredible beaches tempt many tourists to travel across oceans to soak up New Zealand’s natural beauty.

Discovered around 800AD by Kupe, the landmass known as New Zealand was one of the last to be settled. A steady influx of migration from the time of Captain James Cook has seen this island nation grow. The indigenous Maori are a minority but have had a tremendous enriching influence on life in New Zealand.

New Zealand is divided into two main islands, North Island and South Island. The season and destination will dictate what wonders you are exposed to. Both islands offer all manner of extreme sports, including the New Zealand invention – bungee jumping.

South Island is renowned for the relics from the last Ice Age; the Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers that rise to just below majestic Mount Cook, the tallest peak in the Southern Alps. These valley glaciers are unique in that, when the world’s glaciers are retreating, these continue to flow. Moving steadily toward sea level, these spectacular glaciers flow at a rate that is about ten times faster than other valley glaciers. Winter in the Southern Alps provides an excellent opportunity to participate in skiing, filmmaking and mountaineering. Some scenes filmed for The Chronicles of Narnia were shot here. South Island’s Otago Peninsula lets you experience cozy accommodations in the midst of seal, sea lion, penguin and sea elephant habitat.

North Island has a milder climate and a warmer summer than South Island. A trip to the legendary Lake Taupo, a 660 square meter lake formed by a volcanic explosion, will fill you with awe. Black water rafting, or cave rafting, as it is sometimes known as, is popular on the west coast. A black water rafting experience, especially a tour through the Ruakuri Cave, will give you an adrenaline rush that you will always remember. If you are not seeking that much of an adventure, make your way to Ninety Mile Beach located at the far north end of North Island. The origin of its name is not known but the beach takes in 55 breathtaking miles of coastline, including the stunning northern dunes. To the east, Great Barrier Island offers a unique and wondrous underwater world for scuba divers to explore. It also gives you the opportunity to bask in the Kaitoke hot springs, commune with nature in the Glenfern Sanctuary, or just take in the sensational sight of Mount Hobson rising majestically above this barrier island.

A four-season destination, New Zealand is filled with enough activities and city life to whet your appetite for more. Wellington, Queenstown and Auckland all appeal to the spirited, youthful and adventurous tourists. The culture and spirit of New Zealand surrounds you even in the urban areas. Is New Zealand worth visiting? The only answer is a resounding YES!