About New Zealand

New Zealand is a country of magnificent scenery (showcased so spectacularly in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy). Its two main islands stretch from the sub-tropical north to the temperate south, making it a land of great contrast. The beaches, lakes, forests, glaciers and mountains of the great outdoors are matched by vibrant towns and cities, making New Zealand the perfect holiday destination.

There’s plenty to see and do from adventure tourism to quiet times enjoying the internationally acclaimed New Zealand wines and excellent fare at our many superb cafes and restaurants up and down the country.

Here’s just a sample of what’s on offer.

Auckland

Auckland in the northern North Island is our largest city. It is known as the Gateway to New Zealand and the City of Sails. It is also the world's biggest Polynesian city with Maori and Pacific Island people adding to the city's vibrant culture. Auckland is home to many fine galleries and museums, including the Auckland Museum, the Auckland City Art Gallery and the Hobson Wharf Maritime Museum.

There’s plenty to see and do. Take a harbour cruise or relax at the beach. Get up close and personal with penguins and sharks at Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. Enjoy theatre, great shopping including local markets, and a remarkable array of restaurants. And get a great look around from the Sky Tower – at 328 meters, it’s one of the world’s tallest structures.

Rotorua

No visit to New Zealand is complete without taking in the sights of Rotorua in the central North Island. Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland. It’s a world of bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers and steaming hot pools. The area is steeped in Maori history and is a wonderful place to visit to learn about and enjoy aspects of Maori culture. (We recommend you visit Tamaki Maori Village (four times winner of the national heritage and cultural tourism awards) and Whakarewarewa Thermal Village). Another popular attraction is Rainbow Springs where you can see New Zealand wildlife in a natural bush setting, including kiwis and tuatara (New Zealand’s ‘living’ dinosaur). The region is also home to lakes and rivers ideal for water sports and some of the country’s best trout fishing.

Wellington

Wellington is built on largely on hills surrounding a beautiful harbour at the southern tip of the North Island. As well as being the nation’s political capital, Wellington is known as New Zealand’s arts capital. It is home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, opera companies, theatre, art galleries, and Te Papa - our award-winning national museum. Other attractions include the Cable Car, Botanic Gardens and the Carter Observatory as well as great shopping, cafes and restaurants.

Nelson

The Nelson region is next to Marlborough at the top of the South Island. It is known for its great climate, boutique wineries and wonderful array of seafood. The region includes the Abel Tasman National Park and the Nelson Lakes National Park and is perhaps best know for its spectacular bush and coastal walks. Many of New Zealand’s finest craftspeople live and work in the Nelson region. If you’re arts inclined, you will also enjoy visiting one of our finest regional art galleries, the Suter Art Gallery.

Queenstown

The alpine resort of Queenstown in Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destinations. There you’ll find some of New Zealand’s most striking scenery with snow-capped mountains rising dramatically from lakes and the valley floor. Attractions include skiing, white water rafting, bungy jumping, jet boating, helicopter sightseeing adventures, paraponting, mountain biking, horse riding and parachuting. More gentle pastimes include golf, lake cruises on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship, the Skyline Gondola ride, and visits to Walter Peak Station (a high country farm) and the historic goldmining village of Arrowtown. Central Otago also has a growing reputation as a wine-producing region.