WELCOME TO OUR New Zealand PROJECT
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Summary: All the help you will need in planning a trip, break or holiday in New Zealand
From arranging flights and accommodation to knowing what the best nightspots are you will find all you need to know in our project list below
OVERVIEW: NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific ocean, some 1250 miles (2000kms) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.
New Zealand comprises two main islands, the North and South Islands and also includes several groups of smaller islands: Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands. The most significant of the smaller inhabited islands include the Chatham Islands, Stewart Island, in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, and the Great Barrier Island, located to the east of the Hauraki Gulf.
Separated by the Cook Strait, the two main islands run some 1,000 miles (1,600kms) north/northeast along its main axis and have over 9,400 miles of coastline, with a combined area of 103,735 sq miles (266,200 sq km). The South Island is the largest land mass of New Zealand, and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps. There are 18 peaks over 10,000 ft (3000 metres) in the South Island, of which the highest is Mount Cook reaching 12,320 ft (3754 metres).
The North Island is less mountainous and more volcanic. In fact the highest North Island mountain, Mount Ruapehu (9,177 ft /2,797 m ), is an active cone volcano! The capital city of Wellington is on the southern end of the North Island, and is the southern most capital city in the world.
The Maori people are the indigenous people of New Zealand (Aotearoa), a country that recognises and celebrates its indigenous people and their culture has impacted on all aspects of life. There are many authentic Maori cultural activities available throughout the country and Maori historic sites and taonga (treasures), some dating back almost a thousand years, can be found in the modern cities around New Zealand.
Dramatic mountains, unpolluted beaches and green countryside, lush vegetation and unique wildlife – it is easy to see why New Zealand is such a popular place to visit despite being the other side of the world! It is possible to see every aspect of this beautiful country from mountain ranges to sandy beaches, rainforests, glaciers and fiords and even active volcanoes all in a few days driving, which is perhaps one of the best ways to explore.
New Zealand has been greatly popularised by the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, which was filmed there, bringing its natural beauty to a much wider audience across the world. Recognising it’s unique place in the wolrd, the government has established 13 national parks, 3 maritime parks and hundreds of nature reserves and ecological areas. In fact around 30 percent of New Zealand's land area is now classed as protected conservation land.
The number of things to do in New Zealand is almost as diverse as it’s landscape and there is certainly plenty to do! Water based activities like sailing, sea kayaking, diving can all be enjoyed, as can whale watching and even swimming with one of the many types of dolphin. On land, caving, climbing, mountain biking or walking, or winter sports such as ski-ing and snowboarding – the choice is virtually endless.
Benefitting from a temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variations makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.
If you would like to email with any of your experiences of this country we would be very pleased to publish your thoughts. Click here
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