New Zealand Travel Guide

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

New Zealand is historically unique in that it was one of many final major land masses to be settled by humans. Estimates put the arrival of the first 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 loss of life of four 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 area intensified, and beginning in the early 19th century, Christian missionaries began converting a lot of the existing Māori. By the late nineteenth century, the Māori inhabitants was at forty p.c of its pre-European contact degree, due in large part Fun things to do in New Zealand European-introduced 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 each World War I and World War II and suffered through the Great Melancholy as well.

In more recent history, there’s been a resurgence of Māori tradition and several other movements geared toward selling greater awareness of their traditions.

New Zealand is commonly the story of 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 stunning examples of carvings and weavings, each of which typically have religious and storytelling significance. From the early Pākehā, panorama paintings and a few Māori portraiture have been common.

One of the crucial well known cultural components of the Māori individuals is the haka, a posture dance that involves stamping feet, rhythmic cries and overtly exposed tongues. The All Blacks, the New Zealand rugby union staff, has performed this ritual earlier than matches since 1905.

While there has historically been little worldwide interest in New Zealand’s cultural exports, the film business has seen a latest boon. New Zealand films Once Have been Warriors, The Piano, Heavenly Creatures and Whale Rider all loved nationwide and worldwide 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 international acclaim, and the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords enjoys worldwide success as well.

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

CURRENCY
New Zealand’s foreign money is the New Zealand dollar. Solely in uncommon circumstances can you pay with US dollars right here, so at all times convert into the native currency. Most retailers settle for main credit cards, and ATMs are plentiful. If you happen to’re going somewhere notably distant, just be certain to stock up on cash beforehand. When exchanging money, the worst rates will doubtless be at the airport and in hotels. Simply withdrawing from an ATM tends to give you the most favorable rate.

TIPPING
While tipping’s not necessary in restaurants, it’s still common, especially in touristy areas. A 10 % gratuity for notably excellent service will all the time be appreciated. At hotels, it’s considered a pleasant gesture to tip anyone carrying your bags or cleaning your room. These tips tend to be just a few dollars.

PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
New Zealand’s usually a quite relaxed, open and pleasant nation. Westerners won’t come up towards too many strict social customs or taboos. There are, nonetheless, subtle variations between the coexisting European and Māori cultures. Māori, for example, 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 in the event that they’re compatible with a hundred and ten and 220. If not, you’ll want a converter. New Zealand uses - or three-pin plugs which are angled, so an adapter’s obligatory as well.

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

Keep a particular eye out for "Exeloo" toilets. These high-tech restrooms indicate with a light if the stall’s vacant, occupied or closed, they play light music over a speaker system, they let you lock the door on the push of a button, and the bathroom automatically flushes once you wash your hands!

DRINKING WATER
Tap water’s clean and secure to drink all through New Zealand. If you’re heading out for multiday adventures within the wild, use the identical frequent sense you'd anywhere. Don’t drink from stagnant pools, and produce along your preferred water sterilization technique—just to be safe.

AUCKLAND REGION
Named after the nation’s largest urban center, the Auckland region contains everything from metropolitan bars and restaurants to the islands of Hauraki Gulf, the place you’re liable to see whales and dolphins.

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

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

Rotorua: Whether you’re interested in the geothermal activity, trout fishing or Maori culture, Rotorua will preserve 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 scenery but stay for the wine. Hawke’s Bay is thought internationally as the home to many award-successful reds and whites.

Napier: Devastated in a 1931 earthquake, this resilient city rebuilt in its now-famous Artwork Deco architectural style. People flock 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.