New Zealand Travel Guide

Located roughly 900 miles east of Australia, New Zealand is an island nation comprised of two giant land lots—the North Island and South Island—and practically 600 smaller islands. Whether or not you’re seeking distinctive wildlife, world-class restaurants, pristine hiking, unmatched cultural experiences, kayaking in dolphin-stuffed waters, hair-elevating adrenaline sports or sandy, tropical beaches, New Zealand brings it all collectively in one unforgettable nation.

New Zealand is historically distinctive in that it was one of the last main land lots to be settled by humans. Estimates put the arrival of the primary Māori settlers between 1250 and 1300, and European explorers didn’t arrive till the 1642 voyage of the Dutchman Abel Tasman. The primary assembly between Māori and Europeans resulted within the demise of 4 of Tasman’s crew members and at the very least one injured Māori, and Europeans didn’t return until 1769, when James Cook mapped almost the entirety of the nation’s coastline.

Through the whaling and trading industries, European exploration of the world intensified, and starting within the early nineteenth century, Christian missionaries started changing much of the prevailing Māori. By the late 19th century, the Māori inhabitants was at forty p.c of its pre-European contact stage, due in large part to European-launched diseases.

On July 1, 1841, the Colony of New Zealand was officially shaped from the Colony of New South Wales, and in 1907, upon request from the New Zealand parliament, New Zealand was proclaimed a dominion within the British Empire. New Zealand fought in both World War I and World War II and suffered by way of the Great Depression as well.

In more current history, there’s been a resurgence of Māori tradition and a number of other movements aimed at promoting greater awareness of their traditions.

New Zealand is commonly the story of two teams, Māori and Pākehā (European tradition within New Zealand), and cultural achievements are not any exception. Within the Māori tradition, there are a lot of lovely examples of carvings and weavings, each of which typically have spiritual and storytelling significance. From the early Pākehā, landscape paintings and some Māori portraiture had been common.

One of the widely known cultural parts of the Māori folks is the haka, a posture dance that entails stamping toes, rhythmic cries and openly exposed tongues. The All Blacks, the New Zealand rugby union staff, has carried out this ritual before matches since 1905.

While there has historically been little international interest in New Zealand’s cultural exports, the film industry has seen a latest boon. New Zealand films As soon as Have been Warriors, The Piano, Heavenly Creatures and Whale Rider all enjoyed nationwide and international success, and the Peter Jackson–directed Lord of the Rings shot New Zealand into the mainstream spotlight.

On the music front, the Takapuna-born artist Lorde has damaged into worldwide acclaim, and the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords enjoys worldwide success as well.

When touring in New Zealand, hold a number of the following in mind:

CURRENCY
New Zealand’s currency is the New Zealand dollar. Solely in rare circumstances are you able to pay with US dollars right here, so at all times convert into the native currency. Most retailers accept major credit cards, and ATMs are plentiful. In the event you’re going someplace notably remote, just ensure that to stock up on cash beforehand. When exchanging money, the worst rates will possible be on the airport and in hotels. Simply withdrawing from an ATM tends to provde the most favorable rate.

TIPPING
While tipping’s not mandatory in restaurants, it’s nonetheless frequent, particularly in touristy areas. A 10 percent gratuity for significantly glorious service will all the time be appreciated. At hotels, it’s considered a pleasant gesture to tip anybody carrying your bags or cleaning your room. These tips tend to be a couple of dollars.

PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
New Zealand’s usually a quite relaxed, open and pleasant nation. Westerners received’t come up in opposition to too many strict social customs or taboos. There are, nonetheless, subtle variations between the coexisting European and Māori cultures. Māori, for instance, are more tied to social protocols, tradition and hierarchy.

ELECTRIC CURRENT
New Zealand operates on 230/240 volts. All the time check your US items to see if they’re suitable with a hundred and ten and 220. If not, you’ll need a converter. New Zealand uses two- or three-pin plugs that are angled, so an adapter’s obligatory as well.

PUBLIC BATHROOMS
Public bathrooms are clear, fashionable and readily available throughout New Zealand. You'll be able to expect sinks, running water and toilet paper to be provided.

Hold a particular eye out for "Exeloo" toilets. These high-tech restrooms point out with a light if the stall’s vacant, occupied or closed, they play light music over a speaker system, they allow you to lock the door at the push of a button, and the toilet automatically flushes whenever you wash your hands!

DRINKING WATER
Faucet water’s clean and protected to drink all through New Zealand. When you’re heading out for multiday adventures Backpacking in New Zealand the wild, use the same widespread sense you would anywhere. Don’t drink from stagnant swimming pools, and produce along your favorred water sterilization technique—just to be safe.

AUCKLAND REGION
Named after the nation’s largest city heart, the Auckland area comprises everything from metropolitan bars and eating places to the islands of Hauraki Gulf, where you’re liable to see whales and dolphins.

Auckland: A beautiful city of metropolitan and cultural significance, Auckland is a can’t-miss cease for anybody hitting the North Island. Take in the Sky Tower and gorgeous harbor, as well as the multicultural atmosphere. (Beware, though. Auckland has been ranked one of many world’s costliest cities.)

BAY OF PLENTY REGION
Situated within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, this region’s greatest identified for its extensive geothermal exercise, but it surely’s additionally a site of historical and cultural significance to the Māori people.

Rotorua: Whether or not you’re interested within the geothermal activity, trout fishing or Maori tradition, Rotorua will hold you spellbound. Don’t miss its array of scorching pools and geysers.

HAWKE’S BAY REGION
Nestled alongside the jap coast of the North Island, many come for the surroundings however keep for the wine. Hawke’s Bay is known internationally as the home to many award-successful reds and whites.

Napier: Devastated in a 1931 earthquake, this resilient metropolis rebuilt in its now-well-known Art Deco architectural style. Individuals flock right here 12 months-round for wine festivals and celebrations of their Artwork Deco history and heritage.

WAIKATO REGION
Black-sand beaches, revered surfing, natural harbors and pervasive livestock make this North Island area quintessentially Kiwi.