trip to new zealand essay

13 Great Reasons to Visit New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. With its snow-capped mountains, ancient glaciers, rolling hills, and copious amounts of wine, it’s a destination unlike all others.

Tucked away in the corner of the world, it’s a country that requires some planning to visit. Flights here aren’t cheap, after all. Round-trip flights from the United States are almost always over $1,000 USD and the journey takes upwards of 23 hours.

And even when you arrive, the country itself is far from being budget-friendly.

Yet even with that in mind, it’s a destination I never get tired of visiting. New Zealand is worth every penny if you ask me.

While it has seen a boom in tourism in recent years, New Zealand is still the beautiful and pristine country I first visited many years ago.

Christchurch has recovered from its earthquakes and now a hip place to be; Wanaka is still offers incredible hiking; the glaciers were just as mind-blowing as ever; the forests still home to wonderful walks; and Kiwis just as fun and friendly as ever.

In short, if New Zealand isn’t on your travel list, it should be.

To help you plan your trip, here are my favorite places to visit and things to do in New Zealand that you shouldn’t miss:  

1. Explore Abel Tasman National Park

The park covers over 23,876 hectares (59,000 acres), and even though it’s the country’s smallest national park, there’s a ton to see here. If you want to explore the park beyond its hiking trails, rent a kayak. That way, you can visit the tiny coves and beaches that make the area so special. Full-day rentals start at around 85 NZD, or you can join a guided kayaking tour starting at 130 NZD.

The park is best as an overnight or multi-day trip as it’s too far from Nelson to really do it justice in a day trip.  

2. Glacier Trekking on Fox and Franz Josef

At present, the only way to trek on the glaciers now is via heli-hike (a half-day or full-day helicopter/hiking experience). They are expensive (485-499 NZD) but the helicopter ride, trekking, and whole experience are worth the price in my opinion.

Conversely, you can just go on a helicopter tour without the hiking (they last about twenty minutes and start at around 225 NZD) or just hike to the glacier face and take photos from a distance.

No matter what option you choose, pass through this area while you make your way down the South Island. You won’t regret it!  

3. Do an Extreme Sport

There are a million activities to choose from: you can skydive basically anywhere; Queenstown is home to Shotover jets (rocket-like boats that zip on shallow rivers), ziplines, and bungy jumps; and there’s caving, zorbing, transalpine hiking, paragliding, and so much more. If it can be done outdoors, it can be done in New Zealand.

Here are some prices for activities to help you budget and plan, with prices varying depending on where you go and length of the experience:

• Bungy jumping – 165-275 NZD
• White-water rafting – 135-225 NZD
• Zorbing – 40-85 NZD
• Skydiving – 300-600 NZD
• Paragliding – 100-200 NZD
• Ziplining – 100-150 NZD

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, don’t miss the Nevis Bungy Jump — it’s the highest in the country!  

4. Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

However, even if you aren’t a strong hiker (and I am not), the Tongariro Crossing is easily completed in a day (it usually takes between 6-8 hours). Trekking through this otherworldly, red-colored environment of volcanoes and sulfur was the highlight of my whole time in New Zealand.

Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, toilet paper, and a sweater or jacket (the weather can change rapidly).  

5. Learn About Maori culture

Rotorua is usually the best city to see Maori cultural shows , though there are other noteworthy sites around the country, including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Tane Mahuta in Bay of Islands and the Te Papa museum in Wellington .

Shows usually last around 2.5-3 hours and include a tour of a traditional village, performances, and a meal. Tickets range from 150-250 NZD.

6. Don’t Miss Wellington

It has a popping nightlife, tons of art galleries, great food, fantastic cafés, a beautiful harbor (that is best seen from Mount Victoria, which overlooks the entire city), and is easily walkable. Be sure to hit some of the world-class and award-winning museums like the Museum of Wellington and Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum.  

7. Check Out the Glow Worms

I found the three-hour trip long enough, but if you like to abseil, you should consider the five-hour version. This experience is one of my most lasting memories of my trip .

Tickets cost around 150 NZD for the three-hour rafting trip and 260 NZD for the five-hour trip. If you just want to walk around the caves and see the glowworms, tickets cost around 55 NZD.  

8. Hang Out in Queenstown

The city has such a feisty and outdoorsy energy to it. Even though it has become hugely popular and filled with people, I cannot express my love of Queenstown enough. It’s surrounded by beautiful peaks, has narrow streets and pedestrian lanes filled with shops and restaurants, a spectacular lake, tons of trails and parks, and Queenstown Hill watching over the city like a benevolent overlord.

This is one of the best spots in the country to do an extreme sport (bungy, skydive, shotover jet, etc), take a wine tour, or just chill out on a nearby beach.  

9. Visit Hobbiton

To see Hobbiton (located about two hours from Auckland or one hour from Rotorua), you’ll have to take a tour. The Classic Tour lasts around 2 hours and cost 89 NZD for adults. There are also several other experiential tours you can take here, including a Second Breakfast or Banquet Tour (both of which involve hobbit-inspired meals and drinks).  

10. Explore Fiordland

This region is home to the majestic Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the Milford and Keppler Tracks, and lots of camping and hiking opportunities. If you want to experience New Zealand’s nature away from the crowds, come here.  

11. Discover Stewart Island

Come here to see dolphins and do some single-day or multiday treks. If you aren’t into hiking, you don’t need more than a day or two here, unless you really want some peace and quiet, in which case, stay forever.  

12. Chill Out in Christchurch

If you’ll be there for a few days, be sure to check out the free Canterbury Museum, which has a detailed replica of the city during the Victorian era; and Quake City, an interactive museum dedicated to the 2010-11 earthquakes. Don’t miss riding the gondola into the nearby hills for a sweeping view of the city as well!  

13. Drink Copious Amounts of Wine

There are lots of biking trails around the wine regions as well, so you can drink and cycle around (which is better than drinking and driving!). It’s also much cheaper than paying for a guided tour (which costs around 100-250 NZD depending on the region and tour length). The Gibbston River Trail, an 11-kilometer (6.8-mile) walking and biking path near Queenstown crosses through a number of vineyards and is a fun way to explore and sample some of the area’s best vintages.

If it’s not clear from this list, I love New Zealand. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world and I never get tired of going back.

And, while these may be my 13 favorite things to see and do in New Zealand, this list only scratches the surface. There’s also the Bay of Islands and Raglan for surfing, the Coromandel and Dunedin for beer, Wanaka and Mt. Cook for hiking, Hammer Springs for hot springs, and, well, you get the idea. There’s a lot here. You’re never going to be bored, especially if you love the outdoors.

There’s a reason travelers never have anything bad to say about this country!

Book Your Trip to New Zealand: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

If you’re looking for more places to stay, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in New Zealand .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on New Zealand? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on New Zealand for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

Related Posts

GET YOUR  FREE TRAVEL STARTER KIT

Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

Essay Service Examples Geography New Zealand

New Zealand as a Travel Destination

• Proper editing and formatting
• Free revision, title page, and bibliography
• Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

• Clements, Fraser. New Zealand People. NewZealand.com. (Missing date). https://www.newzealand.com/sg/feature/new-zealand-people/ (Accessed 2018-12-15).
• Aurelie. Auckland, the City of Sails. iwheeltravel.com (2017-06-19). https://www.iwheeltravel.com/en/2017/06/19/auckland-city-of-sails/ (Accessed 2018-12-15).
• Barnard, Hugh. New Zealand Plants and Animals. NewZeeland.com.(Missing date). https://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/new-zealand-flora-and-fauna/ (Accessed 2018-12-15).
• Swarbrick, Nancy. Animal Welfareand Rights. TeAra.govt.nz.(2017-07-01). https://teara.govt.nz/en/animal-welfare-and-rights/print (Accessed 2018-12-18).
• Center for Biological Diversity. Yellow-Eyed Penguin. Biologigaldiversity.org (Missing date). https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/birds/penguins/yellow-eyed_penguin.html (Accessed 2018-12-18).
• Backpackerguide.nz. ‘New Zealand Travel Advice: How to Plan a Trip to New Zealand’. https://www.backpackerguide.nz/travel-advice-how-to-plan-a-trip-to-new-zealand/ (Accessed 2018-12-19).

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Related essay topics.

Get your paper done in as fast as 3 hours, 24/7.

Related articles

Most popular essays

• Factory Farming
• New Zealand
• Water Pollution

Dairy farming in New Zealand is the intensive production of milk. Milk must go through a process...

This proposal precedes an essay that would further critically analyze the potential impacts law...

New Zealand is a well-known global film and television production leader, and also a gathering...

• Health Care Policy
• Universal Health Care

The impact of the socio-economic and health status of a country is immense on the population of a...

• World War 1

Before the First World War, Australia and New Zealand were not highly regarded of by other...

• About Myself
• Cultural Identity

Culture is the main source of influence when it comes to perspectives, values, decisions and...

• Gender Inequality/Gender Discrimination
• Gender Wage Gap

Gender inequality has been an issue in New Zealand and around the world for thousands of years....

• Business Ethics

“Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and...

• Competition
• Strategic Management

In 1956 Charles Tiebout in his article “A Pure Theory of Local Expenditure” introduced the notion...

Join our 150k of happy users

• Get original paper written according to your instructions
• Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

Planning a Trip to New Zealand (2024)

By Author Katie

Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2024

Planning a trip to New Zealand doesn’t have to be a challenge; we share everything you need to know before you visit the natural beauty of NZ.

New Zealand, with its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is a dream destination for many travelers.

From the lush rainforests and towering mountains to the sparkling lakes and vibrant cities, this island nation offers a myriad of experiences for adventurers and explorers alike.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or a culture aficionado eager to delve into Maori traditions, the New Zealand bucket list has something to offer everyone.

Planning a Trip to New Zealand

How to travel New Zealand

New Zealand comprises two main islands: the North Island and the South Island, along with several smaller islands.

The North Island is known for its geothermal wonders, vibrant cities, and beautiful beaches, while the South Island is celebrated for its dramatic landscapes, including fjords, mountains, and glaciers.

North Island: Highlights include Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, and the Bay of Islands. This island is a hub of cultural activities and natural attractions.

South Island: Famous for Queenstown, Christchurch, and Fiordland National Park. The South Island offers spectacular outdoor adventures and stunning natural scenery.

Understanding the geography of New Zealand is crucial for planning your trip, as it will help you decide which regions to explore and how much time to allocate to each.

When to Visit New Zealand

New Zealand’s climate is varied, with the North Island experiencing subtropical temperatures and the South Island having a temperate climate.

Summer (December to February): Warm and ideal for outdoor activities. Perfect for beach lovers and hikers.

Autumn (March to May): Cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. A great time for scenic drives and wine tours.

Winter (June to August): Cold and snowy in the South Island, making it perfect for skiing and snowboarding. The North Island remains milder.

Spring (September to November): Pleasant weather and blooming landscapes. A wonderful time to explore gardens and parks.

Consider your interests and activities when choosing when to visit, as the weather can significantly impact your experience.

Planning your New Zealand itinerary

A well-planned itinerary will help you make the most of your time in New Zealand. Here’s a sample itinerary to inspire your trip:

Start your journey in Auckland, the largest and one of the best cities in New Zealand . Explore the Sky Tower for panoramic views, visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum to learn about Maori culture, and take a day trip to Waiheke Island for wine tasting and stunning beaches.

Travel to Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity. Visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, experience a Maori cultural performance, and relax in the natural hot springs.

Head to Wellington, the capital city. Wander through Te Papa Museum, stroll along the waterfront, and take the cable car to the Botanic Garden for fantastic city views.

Fly to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Try bungee jumping, skydiving, or a thrilling jet boat ride. Explore nearby Arrowtown and take a scenic drive to Glenorchy.

Fiordland National Park

Visit Fiordland National Park for awe-inspiring fjords. Take a cruise through Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound and experience the breathtaking scenery.

Christchurch

End your trip in Christchurch, known for its beautiful gardens and revitalized city center. Explore the Canterbury Museum, take a punting tour on the Avon River, and visit the nearby Antarctic Centre.

Getting Around New Zealand

New Zealand offers various transportation options to help you navigate its diverse landscapes:

Rental Car: Renting a car in New Zealand gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. The country’s road network is well-maintained, and driving conditions are generally good.

Before planning your New Zealand road trip , be sure to familiarize yourself with local driving rules, as New Zealand drives on the left side of the road.

Campervan: For a more adventurous experience, consider renting a campervan. This allows you to combine transportation and accommodation, providing the freedom to explore New Zealand’s natural beauty at your own pace.

There are numerous campervan hire options available, ranging from basic models to luxurious motorhomes.

For those on a budget, you can find affordable options by searching for cheap campervan hire in New Zealand . This mode of travel is particularly popular among travelers who wish to immerse themselves in the country’s stunning landscapes while enjoying the comfort of home on wheels.

Domestic Flights: With several regional airports, domestic flights are a convenient way to cover large distances quickly. Air New Zealand and other local airlines offer flights between major cities and popular destinations.

Public Transport: While cities like Auckland and Wellington have efficient public transport systems, rural areas may have limited options. Plan ahead if you intend to rely on buses or trains.

Best things to do in New Zealand

To make your trip truly epic, consider including these must-see attractions and activities:

Hobbiton: Visit the famous movie set in Matamata, where the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies were filmed. Take a guided tour to explore the picturesque village and learn about film production.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing: This day hike in Tongariro National Park is one of New Zealand’s most renowned treks. It offers dramatic volcanic landscapes and views of emerald lakes.

Milford Sound Cruise: A cruise through Milford Sound is a highlight of the South Island. Experience the majestic fjord, with its towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

Bay of Islands: Explore this subtropical region known for its clear waters, sandy beaches, and historic sites. Activities include sailing, fishing, and visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Queenstown Adventure: Engage in adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and paragliding in Queenstown, or enjoy a scenic gondola ride with stunning views.

Where to stay in New Zealand

New Zealand offers a range of accommodation options to suit various budgets and preferences:

Luxury Hotels: High-end hotels and resorts offer premium amenities and exceptional service. Consider staying in places like The Spire Hotel in Queenstown or the Sofitel in Wellington.

Mid-Range Hotels: Comfortable and well-located hotels provide good value. Chains like Novotel and Ibis offer consistency and reliability.

Budget Accommodation: Hostels, motels, and holiday parks are budget-friendly options. KiwiSaver hostels are popular among backpackers.

Unique Stays: Experience something different by staying in a historic villa, a luxury lodge, or a charming bed and breakfast. Look for properties that offer local character and unique experiences.

Cultural Etiquette and Tips

Respecting local customs and etiquette will enhance your experience in New Zealand:

Maori Culture: Be mindful of Maori customs and traditions. When visiting a Marae (Maori meeting ground), follow the protocols and participate respectfully in ceremonies.

Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory in New Zealand, but it is appreciated for exceptional service. Round up your bill or leave a small amount if you feel it’s deserved.

Environment: New Zealanders are environmentally conscious. Follow the “leave no trace” principle and dispose of waste properly. Respect local wildlife and natural habitats.

Safety: New Zealand is a safe destination, but always take standard precautions. Be cautious when engaging in adventure activities and follow safety instructions.

What to pack for New Zealand

When packing for New Zealand, consider the diverse climate and activities you’ll be engaging in:

Clothing: Pack layers, including waterproof and windproof items. Weather can be unpredictable, so having a range of clothing options will keep you comfortable.

Outdoor Gear: If you plan to hike or engage in outdoor activities, bring appropriate gear such as sturdy footwear, a backpack, and a water bottle.

Adapters and Chargers: New Zealand uses Type I power plugs, so bring the necessary adapters and chargers for your electronic devices.

Travel Insurance: Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers health, accidents, and adventure activities.

Planning an epic trip to New Zealand involves careful consideration of your interests, preferences, and the diverse offerings of the country.

By understanding the geography, choosing the right time to visit, crafting a thoughtful itinerary, and respecting local customs, you can create an unforgettable travel experience.

Whether you’re exploring vibrant cities, embarking on thrilling adventures, or immersing yourself in Maori culture, New Zealand promises to deliver a journey filled with awe-inspiring moments and lasting memories. Enjoy your adventure in this spectacular corner of the world!

Stay Creative!

Thank you for your support and love for Creative Travel Guide. If you are looking for more video tips, make sure to head over to your YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for daily tips and chats.

Share any questions or comments below and happy creative travels!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Just Go Exploring uses affiliate links. If you purchase something through them, I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my disclosures page for more info.

7 Reasons Why You Should Visit New Zealand in 2024: The Land of the Long White Cloud

• Last Updated: August 20, 2024
• Destinations , New Zealand , Oceania

There’s nowhere quite like New Zealand. This remote island nation is a must-visit destination for anyone with a heart for adventure and a thirst for wide open spaces and jaw-dropping scenery.

There’s never been a better time to plan your trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud. With its majestic mountains, serene fjords, and vibrant Māori culture, New Zealand has something for every kind of traveller.

Why Visit New Zealand?

New Zealand is a place where you can discover pristine beaches, majestic mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes – all in one day! It’s one of my favourite countries in the world and a place I’m itching to return to.

From the picturesque landscapes of Milford Sound to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, every corner of this enchanting country will leave you in awe.

There are so many reasons why you should mark Aotearoa on your map for 2024. Here are seven:

1. Unbelievable Natural Landscapes

New Zealand’s dramatic natural scenery is a breathtaking and unbelievably varied tapestry of landscapes.

The country is a canvas of ever-changing scenes. Volcanic plateaus give way to sandy beaches, and lush rainforests encircle glacial fjords. There are so many beautiful places to visit in New Zealand , it’s impossible to see them all on one trip alone.

If you’re seeking tranquillity, Lake Wanaka’s reflective waters offer a picture-perfect retreat with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Or venture up to the subtropical Bay of Islands in the far north.

Those more inclined to the rugged outdoors can tackle the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (see photo above), known for its dramatic volcanoes, emerald lakes, and lunar-like terrain.

Don’t miss a trip to Fiordland National Park and the iconic Milford Sound, where cascading waterfalls plunge hundreds of metres into deep blue waters, and towering peaks pierce the sky.

2. Adventure Activities

New Zealand is the undisputed heavyweight champion of thrill-seeking. This is the country where bungee jumping was born after all.

Skydiving offers an unparalleled view of the country’s towering mountains, pristine lakes, and picturesque landscapes, from the golden beaches of the North Island to the snow-capped peaks on the South.

Taking a thrilling ride on the world’s first commercial jet boat on Queenstown’s Shotover River should also be on your bucket list.

If you want a slightly more relaxed adventure, New Zealand’s cycling trails and nature walks offer endless opportunities to take in the remarkable scenery. You can kayak through tranquil fjords or explore ancient forests.

The Bay of Islands is ideal for sailing. Surfers can catch epic waves on the beaches of Gisborne. Or hit up one of New Zealand’s epic multi-day hiking trails .

Join My (Free) Travel Tribe!

Get insider tips, hidden gems, and detailed guides delivered straight to your inbox. Join my mailing list for exclusive content you won’t find on the blog.

We respect your privacy. You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy .

You’re In!

Welcome to the Tribe! Check your inbox (and your spam folder), and get ready to uncover the world’s best hidden gems.

Travel smarter. Never stop exploring!

3. Māori Culture and Heritage

Immerse yourself in the living history of New Zealand by experiencing the culture of the Māori people. The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, known for their traditional haka war dance, skilled craftsmanship, and hangi feasts.

You can witness these customs at a Marae (a communal or sacred place) and learn about the ancient Māori myths and legends that shape their culture.

Don’t miss a trip to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland and a significant centre of Māori cultural life.

Here, you can embrace the warmth of Māori hospitality and understand the importance of their relationship with the land as you soak in the healing waters of the natural hot springs.

4. Unique Wildlife

New Zealand’s geographic isolation has resulted in the evolution of a unique set of flora and fauna that aren’t found anywhere else on Earth.

The country is a paradise for birdwatchers, with species like the flightless kiwi bird, the curious kea, and the critically endangered kakapo (or “owl parrot”).

Listen out for my favourite NZ bird, the tui , with its bizarre and distinctive call.

Head to the picturesque seaside town of Kaikoura for the chance to spot fur seals, playful dusky dolphins, and mighty sperm whales.

You may even see a Hector’s dolphin, one of the world’s smallest dolphins that’s only found in New Zealand.

5. Thriving Food and Wine Scene

New Zealand’s culinary scene is a reflection of the country’s diverse cultural influences and abundance of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. There’s also a strong movement in New Zealand towards sustainable and ethical food production.

For a taste of Māori-inspired cuisine, restaurants across New Zealand serve up traditional dishes with a contemporary spin. Try hangi (meat and vegetables cooked in an earth oven), or a classic Kiwi fish and chips in one of the many seaside towns.

There are food festivals throughout the year celebrating everything from seafood to cheese and chocolate.

Venture through the grapevines of Marlborough to sample world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc. Or Central Otago, famous for producing award-winning Pinot Noir.

Take a wine-tasting tour and visit some of the picturesque vineyards for tastings and a leisurely lunch.

6. Film Tourism and Iconic Locations

New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes have not only captured the hearts of travellers but also caught the attention of filmmakers.

The country has been the backdrop for numerous blockbuster films, including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Fans can visit iconic filming locations like Hobbiton in Matamata for a behind-the-scenes look at the Shire. Hike to Mount Doom (aka Mount Ngauruhoe) in Tongariro National Park.

Venture further into the wilderness to discover Isengard, Rohan, and the Misty Mountains. Or explore the real-life Middle Earth in the lush forests and rolling hills of the Waikato region.

Take a helicopter tour over Milford Sound and the rugged landscapes of Mount Cook, which provided majestic backdrops in The Chronicles of Narnia.

Don’t forget to snap a photo at one of the many “Wellywood” movie landmarks in Wellington, nicknamed for its thriving film industry. Immerse yourself in the magic and allure of New Zealand’s many iconic film locations, and let your imagination run wild.

7. Sustainable Tourism Initiatives

New Zealand is a global leader when it comes to ecotourism and conservation efforts.

The country’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its extensive network of protected natural areas, including national parks, marine reserves, and conservation estates.

Encounters with nature (from whale-watching boat trips to guided treks) are often structured to minimise disturbance and contribute to local conservation efforts.

This emphasis on kaitiakitanga (Māori for guardianship) makes New Zealand an ideal destination for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of nature while also minimising their impact on the environment.

(Other than the thousands of kilos of CO2 emitted by flying there, of course…)

Additional Information on Visiting New Zealand

New zealand travel tips:.

• New Zealand is renowned for its safety and friendliness, but it’s always wise to take precautions.
• Keep your belongings secure, especially in tourist areas.
• English is the primary language spoken in New Zealand, but you’ll also hear Māori, the Indigenous language, spoken in many places. Learning a few Māori greetings shows respect for the culture and will be appreciated.
• Public transport in New Zealand is generally pretty efficient and affordable and is an eco-friendly way to get around.
• Consider hiring a car if you want to get off the beaten track and explore more remote areas.

Best Time to Visit New Zealand:

• The best time to visit New Zealand depends on your preferences. Summer (December to February) is perfect for outdoor activities, beach time, and hiking.
• Autumn (March to May) offers pleasant (albeit cooler) weather, stunning foliage, and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time for exploring.
• Winter (June to August) is great for skiing and snowboarding in the Southern Alps, while spring (September to November) is a good time to enjoy blooming gardens and wildlife.

Top Destinations to Visit:

• Auckland: New Zealand’s largest city is known for its gorgeous natural harbour, vibrant arts scene, and iconic landmarks like the Sky Tower.
• Queenstown: The adventure capital of the world offers epic bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, skiing, hiking, and access to Fiordland National Park.
• Rotorua: Explore geothermal wonders and Māori culture, and relax in natural hot springs.
• Tongariro National Park: Spectacular volcanic landscape home to one of the best day hikes in the world, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
• Milford Sound: Witness the breathtaking fjords, waterfalls, and wildlife on a scenic cruise through this iconic New Zealand destination.
• Wellington: The capital city boasts museums, galleries, and the excellent Wētā Workshop for film buffs.
• Abel Tasman National Park: Enjoy pristine beaches, hiking trails, and kayaking in this coastal paradise.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot I love about New Zealand. Its breathtaking natural landscapes, the countless opportunities for outdoor adventure, the high quality of life, and the rich Māori culture that adds depth to every experience.

It’s an incredibly captivating country, offering a unique blend of adventure, culture, and natural serenity. I can’t wait to return.

Essential Travel Resources

🛏️   Book cheap hotels

I always use Booking.com to find the best deals on hotels. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗  Find cheap rental cars

Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍  Book the best tours

Viator and GetYourGuide  have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️  Find cheap flights

I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights. 

Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑   Do I need travel insurance?

YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.
• World Nomads – for  adventurous travellers , covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as  skydiving, heli-skiing,  rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here ).

💻  Do I need a VPN?

YES! Always use a VPN whenever you use public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.

Alex Tiffany

I believe in transparency: Please note that some links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase something through them, I might earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. (For example, a s an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through some of these links.)  However, I only link to products and companies that I trust and honestly recommend. See my  disclosures page for more information. The income goes towards keeping this site up and running. Thanks for your support.

Comments are closed.

• I’m Alex Tiffany. Originally from the UK, I’ve been travelling on-and-off for 13+ years. I love offbeat travel and discovering lesser-known spots.
• I’m here to help you explore the best off-the-beaten-path destinations & hidden gems around the world.
• Read more about me and my mission here .
• Need some help planning the perfect trip?  Hire me as your Personal Travel Planner .

Popular Posts

• 23 Epic Off-The-Beaten-Path Travel Destinations
• 29 Hidden Gems in Scotland
• 8 Best National Parks For Safari In Sri Lanka

Copyright © 2024 Just Go Exploring. All rights reserved.

  Privacy Policy | Disclosures | Terms of Use & Disclaimers | Sitemap

NEW ZEALAND SMALL GROUP TOURS • FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1971

LATEST BROCHURE

Home » New Zealand Travel Blog » Why travel to New Zealand?

Why travel to New Zealand?

• Last Updated: 10 May 2024
• Publish Date: 10 Nov 2017
• Miles Clark
• Before you visit NZ , Māori Culture , NZ Travel Info

There are many reasons why New Zealand is such a popular travel spot right now, here’s a quick and handy guide to help you answer the question “why travel to New Zealand?”

Did you know that Lonely Planet recently voted New Zealand as one of its top five countries in the world to visit? The Land of the Long White Cloud is currently one of the hottest travel destinations in the world, why is New Zealand travel on everyone’s travel bucket list?

New Zealand has a dazzling wealth of breathtaking scenery, friendly and fun-loving people, plenty of things to see and do, mouthwatering food and wine and a vibe that is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Plus, it is safe and easy to travel, making it accessible to everyone even if you don’t have a lot of travel experience. New Zealand has everything you could wish for in a destination and it’s delightfully easy to get around.

Top reasons to visit New Zealand

We could list hundreds of reasons why you will love visiting New Zealand – there’s just so much to enjoy here. However, let’s take a look at the five main reasons why Aotearoa New Zealand makes a fantastic travel destination.

• The scenery
• There’s so much to do
• The food and wine are amazing

#1 reason to visit New Zealand – the unreal scenery

New Zealand is a stunning natural playground.

When you see the beautiful scenes in Tourism New Zealand videos of Milford Sound or Abel Tasman National Park, the vibrant hues of the landscape almost jump off the screen.

Or, perhaps you watched Frodo and friends go from the adorable rolling green hills of the Shire to larger-than-life landscapes of majestic mountains and wondered if the vistas were too beautiful to be real.

The good news is that Middle Earth (aka New Zealand) is just as stunning as it looks in the films. There are beautiful places all over this world, but the landscapes in New Zealand are a cut above. Few places in the world can compare with what you will see here.

Diversity of natural environments

One of the amazing things about this country is how such a huge diversity of landscapes can be packed into such a small area.

It’s hard to believe that towering snow capped mountains with ancient glaciers can exist on one part of New Zealand, while volcanic sand beaches and tropical rainforests exist on the other.

For example, you could take a drive from Lake Wanaka to Glacier Country and in one day you will see arid high country, massive lakes, lush rainforests, glacial valleys, beaches and glaciers again.

The landscapes in New Zealand are unlike anything you have seen before. For example, when you see the bubbling geothermal pools in Rotorua you will be amazed at how this super-hot spring water can come up out of the depths of the earth, creating steaming, sulphurous craters.

Amazing night skies

New Zealand is also one of the best places in the world for stargazing, due to the lack of light pollution. When you look up at the night sky from the International Dark Sky Reserve at Tekapo and Mount Cook you will see a dazzling canopy of sparkling points of light and the dusty sweep of the Milky Way.

Protected natural landscapes

All of this spectacular nature is very well maintained. One third of the landmass of New Zealand is protected conservation area, which means that the national parks are pristine and unspoiled. Plus, with a small population of only 5 million people, the cities and infrastructure in New Zealand don’t encroach on the environment and there are a lot of wide open, wild spaces to explore.

Fun fact about New Zealand

Did you know that people make up only 5% of the population of New Zealand? The rest are animals. (Don’t believe us? Verify that fact and 68 others here)

That means that New Zealand is a great place to spot wildlife, including penguins, seals, whales and dolphins.

The most famous animal of all is the kiwi, an adorable little flightless bird that has become the national symbol of New Zealand.

#2 reason to visit New Zealand – the Kiwi people

Another one of the amazing aspects of traveling New Zealand is how wonderful the people are. Many travellers say this is what makes New Zealand special.

New Zealanders, or “kiwis” as we are known, are laid back, friendly and always up for an adventure.

Kiwis will stop for a chat, help you with directions and they will want to know how long you are visiting, where you will be going, where you are from, etc.

They love the outdoors and are passionate about showing visitors the best their beautiful country has to offer.

In general, the people in New Zealand are open to meeting new friends, have a great sense of humour and don’t take themselves too seriously. Even if you’re visiting overseas, make the effort to drop into a community centre or event and you’ll be treated like an old friend.

Warning – the Kiwi sense of humour is dry!

New Zealand humour is wonderfully silly and fun. For example, take a look at this hilarious Air New Zealand safety video.

When you are spending time with your Kiwi friends, the mood will often be light and the jokes will be free flowing. Kiwis love to laugh and playfully tease each other in a very entertaining way.

If you’re visiting from the UK or Australia, you’ll find our wit quite similar. If you’re visiting from North America you may be initially surprised by some of the deadpan lines coming out from Kiwis’ mouths. An easy rule of thumb, if you’re not sure if someone is joking or not, they probably are.

The Māori in New Zealand

Meeting the Māori people of New Zealand is something that you will never forget.

Māori culture is wonderfully kind and welcoming and hospitality towards visitor plays a very important part.

Manaakitanga is a Māori word that translates roughly to hospitality and it is a traditional value that is considered to be incredibly important. The Māori people believe that it is very important to welcome visitors and make them feel at home when they come to visit.

Māori also have a concept called Kaitiakitanga which describes a deep kinship between humans and the natural word.

They see themselves as guardians of the land they live on and they believe that taking responsibility to preserve the environment is very important.

Today all New Zealanders play a part in restoring Māori culture and the natural environment, taking great care to ensure that New Zealand stays green, clean and beautiful for future generations to enjoy.

Find out more about the unique Māori culture you can experience on our tours here.

#3 reason to visit New Zealand – there’s so much to do

When it comes to things to see and do in New Zealand, you will be spoiled for choice.

New Zealand isn’t just beautiful to look at – it is an endless playground of fun activities and adventures.

There’s a huge choice of unique and exciting activities all over the country so you are sure to find something that excites you.

Adventure Activities

If you are into adrenaline-pumping activities, consider taking the Dart River Jetboat from Queenstown to zoom across the water while surrounded by towering peaks.

If you really want to go beyond your comfort zone, why not try bungy jumping in Queenstown?

New Zealand is also famous for being one of the best destinations in the world for sky-diving. There are jump opportunities all across the country, including at Abel Tasman National Park, Franz Josef Glacier and Queenstown.

Or perhaps you can try zorbing, which is rolling down a hill in an enormous clear inflatable ball. You could sweep overtop of beautiful Milford Sound on a scenic flight. The Glacier Landing on Franz Josef allows you to feel the chill of a real, ancient glacier under your feet.

Walking & Hiking

If you love to hike, you might want to tackle the Tongariro Crossing. It is considered to be the best day hike in all of new Zealand and it played the part of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings films. This surreal, sulphur-smelling, volcanic landscape of colored sand and jagged rock might make you feel like you are walking on another planet.

There’s also the famous Milford & Routeburn Tracks too, from day walks to multi-day adventures.

Another one of the most amazing things you can do in New Zealand is visit glow worm caves, which are subterranean caves filled with phosphorescent glow worms that shimmer like stars.

Read our beginner’s guide to walking in New Zealand here.

Food, Wine & Art

If you want to do something a little more laid back, how about sipping a perfect glass of Sauvignon Blanc at a vineyard in beautiful Marlborough on the South Island?

You could even take a cycling tour through the vineyards, stopping off at each winery to enjoy a tasting.

Or, you could spend the day enjoying the cultural offerings of New Zealand’s vibrant cities like Wellington and Auckland – packed with art galleries, museums, quirky boutiques, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Here are a few more of our favourite activities in New Zealand

• Go fishing in the Bay of Islands and see if you can make an epic catch.
• Follow the tracks of the historic Otago Rail Trail.
• Soak in the hot pools at the luxurious spas of Rotorua.
• Take a scenic cruise through the waters of Doubtful or Milford Sound and enjoy marvelling at their stunning birdlife and marine wildlife.
• Stand in the spot where the treaty of Waitangi was signed and learn about New Zealand’s history.
• Take a tour of the Lord of the Rings filming locations and learn how the landscape was transformed into Middle Earth.
• Take the challenging hike to Arthur’s Pass and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Southern Alps.
• Go on a thrilling whitewater rafting trip on the mighty Shotover River in Queenstown.
• Sandboarding in Northland, it’s like riding a body board down a sand dune.

#4 reason to visit New Zealand – the food and wine are amazing

Speaking of winery tours, another reason to visit New Zealand is that the food and wine are superb.

There are so many yummy things to enjoy during your visit. When you start researching before traveling to New Zealand, the food might not be the first thing that you think of. However, when you discover what a great culinary scene New Zealand has, it will be a pleasant surprise.

Fresh New Zealand seafood

One of the most iconic culinary treats in New Zealand are Greenshell Mussels, which are 30% larger than the typical blue mussels you might be used to and are wonderfully flavoursome.

After all, New Zealand is one of the best destinations in the world for seafood – the coastline is teeming with fresh fish including hapuka, snapper and John Dory.

If you are a seafood lover you will be able to get your fill of oysters from the Hokianga, Snapper from the Bay of Islands, Greenshell Mussels from Marlborough, Crayfish from Kaikoura, Fiordland Blue Cod and much more.

Take a look at the best food and wine we love when we travel around New Zealand – guaranteed to make your mouth water.

Fresh seasonal produce

But New Zealand cuisine isn’t just about delicious treats from the ocean. There’s plenty more to enjoy. The food here is driven by local ingredients and changes with the seasons, as this island nation has a primarily agricultural economy.

There are a lot of different influences on the cuisine here, including Pacific Rim, Mediterranean and British. Throughout history other influences have included Southeast Asian, East Asian and Māori culture.

In the summertime you will have the wonderful opportunity to dine outside, as barbeques are a huge part of the Kiwi culture. There’s a lot of variety in what kiwis will throw on the barbie, including lamb, venison, lobster, shellfish and fresh fish.

Another New Zealand culinary classic is Fish n’ Chips, which you should absolutely try during your visit. (Due to the kiwi accent, the locals refer to it as “Fush n’ Chups.”)

Award winning New Zealand wines

You won’t struggle to find a superb wine to pair with your meal – New Zealand produces some high quality bottles.

Although winemaking is still relatively new in New Zealand, winemakers are already producing wines that receive praise from international experts.

The four main wine-producing areas of the country include Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Auckland.

Read more in this article about the best wineries to visit in New Zealand.

Traditional Māori dining – the hāngi

One of the most quintessential New Zealand culinary experiences you can enjoy during your trip is a traditional Māori hāngi .

This meal is cooked underground – the food is placed into a deep hole filled with red hot stones and covered in leaves. The meat (usually chicken, pork and lamb) along with potatoes, kumara (sweet potato) and other vegetables is left to cook buried beneath the earth for several hours.

When it is finally removed from the earth, the slow-steamed, smoky flavour is unlike anything else you have ever tasted. A hāngi is an important social event that lasts for hours and involves musical performances, dances and lots of fun and conversation.

Here are a few more New Zealand foods that you should try during your visit

• Cookie Time Original Chocolate Chunk Cookies, a local favorite.
• Lamingtons – a sponge cake coated in chocolate or raspberry and sprinkled with shaved coconut.
• Afghans – chocolate cookies with cornflakes mixed in, coated with chocolate icing with half a walnut on top.
• Marmite – a standard item in any New Zealand pantry, it is a yeast extract that is combined with a few different herbs and spices. Try it spread on toast with a little bit of butter.
• Tuatua – try this New Zealand shellfish, a delicacy that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
• Mince and Cheese Pie – tuck into this juicy, mouthwatering pastry with a flaky crust and a meaty, cheesy filling.

#5 reason to visit New Zealand – Kiwi magic

What do we mean by the “Kiwi Magic”? It’s hard to explain but once you’re here you’ll know what we’re talking about, it’s the unique atmosphere and vibe in New Zealand that is different than anywhere else in the world.

You might assume that New Zealand is the same as other English speaking countries such as Canada, the UK, the USA and Australia.

Yes, it does have some similarities but it’s actually quite distinct. For example, New Zealand feels different than Australia, as the ties to Polynesia are much closer and our Māori culture is much more visible in everyday life.

Take it easy in New Zealand

Being in New Zealand just feels different. Things move a little slower here, which is a good thing.

You’re more likely to end up chatting with the locals, as people are pretty laid back and not in a hurry.

New Zealanders don’t “live to work” but rather “work to live” and they aren’t workaholics. They are generally passionate about their careers, but they understand the importance of a good work/life balance and they take time to enjoy the great outdoors and spend time with their family as well.

You feel safe here, there’s no need to be constantly on your guard. You’re unlikely to experience crime in New Zealand and safety is not an issue.

Plus, when you are walking or hiking in the wilderness it’s nice to know that nothing much can get you. You don’t have to worry about snakes, spiders, bears, crocodiles or any other wild creatures.

When you relax into this safe, friendly environment you will be able to enjoy a trip that is free from the stressful aspects of travel, allowing you to focus more on the amazing environment around you.

You will notice the laid back atmosphere as soon as you arrive at the airport. While going through airport security and customs in other countries can be extremely stressful, in New Zealand it’s quite a pleasant experience. You’ll find out for yourself when you arrive.

You might even say that, although it is a country of 5 million people, New Zealand still has the atmosphere of a small, friendly town. Spending time with others and building a strong community is valued here and when you visit you will feel welcome and accepted.

You’re going to love New Zealand

These are just a few of the reasons why New Zealand should be on top on your list of places to travel to.

It’s like nowhere else in the world and once you discover what it has to offer, you will fall in love and never want to leave. We’re not the only ones who think so, read Lonely Planet’s article on why regenerative tourism will make New Zealand one of the best places to visit post Covid-19.

MoaTrek, proudly showing visitors around New Zealand since 1971

At MoaTrek, we’re proud Kiwis and have been proudly showing guests our favourite holiday spots on our small group tours since the 1970s.

You’ll get to meet Kiwis, visit them in their homes and learn about the culture in a fun and casual way. There’s plenty of flexibility to do your own thing and explore the aspects of New Zealand that interest you the most.

You’ll get to enjoy the best of New Zealand’s scenery and activities while dining on delicious local food and wine along the way, all in the expert care of your Kiwi Guide.

To find out more about visiting New Zealand and to learn about small group tours, please feel free to contact us today.

More New Zealand travel articles you will love

When is the best time to travel to New Zealand?

How long do I need to travel around New Zealand?

How to get to New Zealand?

• 10 Nov 2017

POPULAR POSTS

Meet our kiwi guide team, tour safety, new zealand tours for seniors, how long should i visit new zealand for, tours you'll love.

SEE TOUR ITINERARY

Kakapo 21 day tour.

Call the MoaTrek team today

• New Zealand
• 14 Reasons Everyone Should Visit...

14 Reasons Everyone Should Visit New Zealand At Least Once

New Zealand is not some faraway dreamland that should stay in travellers’ imaginations. It’s very easy to get to, and the journey across the Pacific will reward you with plenty of incredible attractions and local treasures. If you need some convincing, here are 14 reasons everyone should visit this lovely destination at least once in their lifetime.

You Might Also Like: The ‘Real Life’ Gandalf Touring New Zealand And Taking Instagram By Storm

The sublime landscapes

Even if you haven’t seen the The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit films, you’ll know New Zealand is incredibly scenic. The South Island is lined with exquisite mountain ranges, glaciers, and lush forestry while the North is renowned for its breathtaking coastlines, geothermal treasures, and remarkable glowworm caves. And this is just a quick taster — you need to see the majestic landscape from up close to truly appreciate its beauty.

It’s a no-frills travel destination

Reaching New Zealand is as easy as getting the right visa, hopping on a plane, and arriving some 12-14 hours (if you’re in North America, more if you’re coming from Europe) later. Getting around is as easy as hiring a car or campervan, or even getting a travel pass from a local bus company. The exchange rate tends to be favorable towards the US Dollar, British Pound and Euro too, so even though the country is slightly more expensive than other destinations, you’ll be able to stretch your budget and make it last.

The remarkable Maori culture

There aren’t many places in the world which have made as big of an effort to preserve and respect their indigenous culture as New Zealand has. Maori phrases feature prominently in street signs, TV programmes, and everyday interactions. Waitangi Day, albeit controversial, is very much a part of local tradition. There are also plenty of attractions especially devised to bring New Zealand’s visitors closer to the Maori culture, heritage and history.

New Zealand friendliness is hard to beat

Hospitality is New Zealand’s middle name. In the smaller cities, it’s not uncommon for people to smile at passing strangers and say hello. Enter just about any hotel, bar or restaurant and nine times out of 10 you’ll be greeted with a smile. New Zealanders are just naturally polite and friendly — and that alone is a bonus for travellers visiting this lovely country.

The world-famous vineyards

New Zealand’s temperate climate and soil diversity have helped the country stamp its place in the global viticulture stage. The whites tend to be the best renowned, though a dedicated network of vineyards in Central Otago bring plenty of red grape varieties to the forefront. Marlborough is the country’s leading wine producer, and there are many others scattered around the North and South Islands too.

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $1,200 on our unique trips..

See privacy policy .

New Zealand is relatively safe

Obviously, the usual precautions apply: always lock up your valuables, steer clear of spotty neighbourhoods and so forth. Still, comparably speaking, New Zealand is much safer than many places around the world. For the most part, you can walk comfortably at night in all the major cities (again, provided you avoid the shady areas) and solo travellers can enjoy all the best attractions without worrying about their safety.

It’s jam-packed with adventure activities

Bungy jumping in Queenstown . Abseiling in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges . Caving and canyoning in Waitomo. Zorbing in Rotorua. White water rafting, jet boating, kayaking, skydiving, heli-skiing… you get the idea. New Zealand is the perfect playground for adrenaline junkies and sports enthusiasts of all kinds. If that’s the kind of thing you’re into, you’ll definitely be spoiled for choice when it’s time to map out your must-dos.

Hikers will relish the Great Walks

Known for their challenging terrains and breathtaking backdrops, the nine Great Walks have become a favourite among local and visiting hikers of all abilities. Two of these walks reside in Fiordland National Park, while others are nicely spread across the North and South Islands. You can take a guided tour, or tick these walks off your bucket list on your own. Remember to pack for all seasons, as these hikes are also infamous for their volatile weather conditions.

There’s something for every season

Not only does New Zealand have clearly-defined seasons, there are plenty of attractions to suit every passing phase. The Cardrona Valley transitions from a prime ski destination in the winter into a cool mountain biking terrain in the summer. Not too far away, Arrowtown is renowned for its autumn festival, bringing plenty of foliage to admire as the temperatures drop. And, of course, the summers are the best time to soak up those wonderful coastlines you’ll come across during your stay.

An incredibly diverse wildlife awaits

Birds, prehistoric reptiles, rare dolphins and many other marine creatures — a trip to New Zealand will bring animal-lovers a trove of wildlife to discover. The famed kiwi birds can be seen at selected reserves and zoos, particularly in Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington. There are various tours that will expose you to the marine life, and you’ve got your pick of predator-free islands along the Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf, Wellington, and Marlborough Sounds to explore as well.

The glistening lakes

New Zealand’s crystal blue lakes will astound anyone who sees them. Hidden gems like Lake Quill are a once-in-a-lifetime sight, and distinctive wonders like Lake Taupo are consistently complemented by magnificent waterfalls. Then there’s also Lake Rotorua and Tongariro’s Emerald Lake, which will amaze passing visitors with their geothermal-induced colours.

Embrace the dark skies

Here’s one key reason to visit that sometimes gets overlooked. New Zealand’s clear, dark skies enable the keenest star gazers to get a good glimpse of the Milky Way and the Southern Cross. The best locations to escape the light pollution and appreciate the twinkling formations are Castlepoint in Wairarapa, Mount John Observatory in Tekapo, Big Sky Stargazing in Aoraki/Mount Cook, Wellington’s Carter Observatory, and the Auckland Stardome.

Enjoy all things Tolkien

Not just Hobbiton, either. The Department of Conservation keeps a handy list of places that enabled Peter Jackson to turn Middle-earth into a reality. Even without the visual effects, orcs and fantastical creatures, the landscapes are magical in their own right. Glenorchy, near Queenstown, is among the prime filming spots to check out, as is the neighbouring Mount Earnslaw. Hardcore film buffs should also keep an eye out for other movie-worthy destinations around the country.

Get into all the local festivals

Auckland and Christchurch come alive every Chinese New Year with their Lantern Festivals. Wellington’s Cuba Street is home to their own eclectic festivities, Tauranga holds the Jazz Festival every Easter, Queenstown’s Winter Festival is an annual occurrence, and there are oodles of concerts and events throughout the year. In other words, no matter where you’re heading, you’ll always be entertained by a regular lineup of local activities.

The Best Budget Accommodation Options in Waitomo, New Zealand

The Best Areas to Stay in Queenstown

The Most Beautiful Towns in New Zealand

11 Awesome Native Animals You Can Only See in New Zealand

The Best Places to Stay in Coromandel, New Zealand

The Best Hotels and B&Bs to Book Near Waitomo, New Zealand

The Best Places to Live in New Zealand

Must-Visit Attractions in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands

The Best Places to Go Wine Tasting in New Zealand

The 31 Best Things To See And Do in New Zealand

The 37 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in New Zealand

The Top Wineries in New Zealand

Culture Trip Summer Sale

Save up to $1,200 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

• Post ID: 1245680
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

• Travel Accessories
• Travel Bags
• Shop by Collection

Cookie Policy

We use cookies and similar technologies to provide the best experience on our website. Refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.

Your cart is empty

Best Sellers

• Camden | Convertible Backpack
• Esprit AT | Travel Sling Bag
• Hyk | Hip Pack
• Meridian | Hardside Carry-On Luggage
• Metro | Convertible Travel Sling
• Sadie | Crossbody Purse
• Soleil | Convertible Travel Backpack
• Tulum | RFID Wristlet Wallet
• Vale | Convertible Travel Crossbody
• Zoom | Small Crossbody Bag

Magic in the Mundane: A New Zealand Travel Story

Jul 11, 2023

By Tess Victoria

Do you ever think about how life is really just a collection of moments? The big ones might mark the miles, but there is significance in every step. Small moments, though often uncredited, comprise the majority of our lives. When I’m home, it’s easy to let these moments get lost in the mix of obligation. But when I travel, I find myself in a state of presence where every moment really seems to belong to me. This is one of the things I love most about the travel experience. I have realizations abroad that I very well could have had at home, but I'm usually not present enough to indulge them.

This is a story about small moments. Not to say my time in New Zealand didn’t include milestones, but as these always steal the spotlight, I can’t say I feel like documenting them. Not when my experience included so many gems amidst the mundane. Each one is a precious, worthy thing to explore (a statement that goes double for New Zealand).

In case you also feel called to explore the wonder of life’s smaller moments, I’ve included a few journal prompts meant to help you do just that. Now, onto the adventure...

I arrived in New Zealand with a sense of finality. This place was to be the last stop on what was literally a trip around the world. For the past six weeks, I had been traveling eastward. My feet had touched ground on five continents during my circuitous route to the southern hemisphere.

The thing about traveling for an extended amount of time is that you drop into this mindset where tomorrow’s logistics don’t matter. Before I left the States, I was obsessively counting down the days until my trip. But upon reaching my first country, I couldn’t care less about the one that was to come. It felt like time was working differently abroad, but in reality, I was .

A shining example of this happened before the plane even touched down in Auckland. Having just spent Halloween in Perth, Australia ( a story for another time ), I hadn’t managed to put two-and-two together about flying from Australia’s west coast. What I had pegged as a quick flight to the country "next door," turned out to have an equal flight time as heading from New York to Los Angeles. Apparently, it takes some time to fly across the sixth-largest country in the world, the peculiar stretch of the Pacific Ocean we call the Tasman Sea, and into New Zealand’s most populated city.

I landed in Auckland on a Spring November morning. Yes, you read that right. My personal travel theory is to not think too hard about the abrupt changes that accompany a new place. When I arrive somewhere, I merely accept new time zones, daylight patterns, seasons and traffic laws. In this regard, I am a sheep - but we haven’t gotten to that part of the story yet.

I should clarify that it was actually we who arrived in New Zealand, a mother-daughter duo on a mission to circumnavigate the globe. The ordeal included vastly different climates and cultural norms that somehow, we were always prepared for, despite carrying only a backpack . (On second thought, there’s no mystery here, it was just my mother’s expertly planned packing list.) After weeks of travel, we had reached our final destination, where we were about to see some familiar faces.

Soon after us, my brother arrived. Though we had come from Perth, he had made the more arduous journey from our home state of Colorado. Meeting up for this final week abroad, we were now a travel trio. We hopped in our rental car and drove, on the left side of the road, to the home of Charlie, our expatriate family friend. It’s always nice to know a local.

I’ll try not to gush about Charlie for too long. The kid who grew up in the Rocky Mountains; ninety minutes and yet a world away from my suburban front door. The teenager who bought a one-way ticket to Alaska the same week as graduation. The nomad who hitchhiked across South Africa on his own. The man who landed carefree in New Zealand and asked a sheep rancher for work. The husband he became to Anna, that rancher’s daughter. The father he became to Walter, their son, who was turning one while we were in town.

Prompt: Come to think of it, Charlie might just be the most fearless person I know. Who is yours, and what have they done to inspire you?

So our New Zealand adventure began, very appropriately, on a sheep ranch. Eleven-hundred acres of brilliant green hills, all tended by this Colorado mountain kid that I grew up with. It was beautiful, and I would know. By this point in my travels, my eyes were well used to seeing beautiful things.

Driving the ATV around the ranch felt like bobbing in an endless green ocean, riding out the waves. Up and down, up and down. Rolling hills in every direction, for as far as you can see.

Charlie says sheep are “barely smart enough to keep themselves alive.” From the little I witnessed, I’m inclined to agree. The spring weather had dotted the ranch with patches of mud. My job was to drive around and look for sheep who had tipped over and gotten themselves stuck. I couldn’t help but think of those old life-support necklace commercials - “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”

A precious moment occurred when Charlie told me to dismount the ATV and quietly climb to the top of a hill. I was rewarded with the sight of a tiny, wobbly lamb, estimated to be less than an hour old. The precious cycle of new life brought on by spring.

Speaking of springtime babies, little Walter’s birthday was approaching. Anna wanted to get a watermelon as the base for an alternative “cake” made out of fruit.

Of all things, it was this birthday melon that led me to some deep introspection.

Watermelon season is in the summer, which in New Zealand is from December to March (again, it’s best not to think about it too hard). Since it wasn’t yet watermelon season, we could only get one for an outlandish price. If my memory serves me right,  we paid close to thirty dollars for the damn thing .

Rather than being enraged, I found myself bubbling with curiosity. I again credit the travel mindset for this shift. In New Zealand the price of fruit changes dramatically  with its respective season. In addition, importing goods to an island will always bring up their price.

The sticker shock is what encourages locals to eat with the seasons. Previously, I hadn’t paid much attention to seasonal eating, but I liked the sound of it right away. Fresh fruit in the summer, hearty soup in the winter, it just makes sense. In America, we seem pretty far removed from this natural way of life.

Maybe it was helping out on the ranch or embracing a November spring, but New Zealand had me feeling very connected to the land. Eating with the seasons is a pivotal part of this, and for the local people, it is a regular way of life.

To me, it makes sense to have to pay more for something that took more effort to arrive on my table. Seasonal eating aligns with my love of nature and never ending quest for mindfulness. As a minimalist traveler, the practice of seasonal eating was the perfect New Zealand souvenir; something I could take with me back home.

Prompt: Curiosity is a helpful lens for approaching cultural differences. What cultural mentality resonates with you, despite not being brought up that way?

I ended the watermelon day outside, flat on my back, staring skyward. And what a sight the night sky was, far away from light pollution on that rural ranch. It was like seeing a whole new set of stars. Wait, I was seeing a whole new set of stars. The southern hemisphere is a trip.

We left Charlie’s house feeling grateful to have had the local experience of ranch life. With sore muscles and full hearts, we set off on a road trip to explore more of New Zealand’s North Island.

We wandered about in small towns, collecting moments the way a kid might collect cool rocks. A park full of poetry. A mural that made me tearful. A funny little bird sanctuary whose exotic residents will flutter down from the roof and perch, unprompted, upon your shoulder. One day, I dug my toes into a black sand beach and tried to wrap my head around the fact that the breeze in my hair was coming off of Antarctic glaciers.

Prompt: What small travel moments does your mind return to again and again? Can you let them take up the space they deserve on the pages of your journal? What about in the forefront of your mind?

These things felt anything but mundane, but I recognize they aren’t exactly New Zealand’s staple attractions. If you must know, we all survived an adrenaline-fueled experience in a glowworm cave that I can’t recommend enough (though click here for my attempt). Also, the Hobbiton™ Movie Set tour deserves an honorable mention.

Leaving New Zealand was hard for many reasons. I was concluding the journey that had finally made me into the thing I had always wanted to be: a world traveler. I had been forever changed by my experiences abroad, and capping them off in such a breathtaking place as New Zealand was unmatched.

But it wasn’t only the adventure I had to say goodbye to.

At the time, I was living in Las Vegas, while my family was home in Colorado. Luckily, we were flying the first leg home together, from Auckland to San Francisco. As a last-ditch effort to get the most out of family time, I insisted they sit with me on the nearly empty plane. Amazingly, the three of us comprised what was probably the only full row on the aircraft. 

If people give up the luxury of an airline row to themselves to stay cramped by your side on a twelve-hour flight , this is how you know you are loved. In this style, we returned. First to the States, then to our respective ones. The circumnavigation was complete.

Prompt: Describe an unorthodox way in which you have recently received love, then describe an unorthodox way in which you have shown love to someone else.

Nearly five years have passed since this particular adventure. I have since moved home to Colorado (and Charlie and Anna have had two more sons!). New Zealand has stayed on all our minds, though. My dad even made it out there after we came back gushing about the place.

Of all my travels, New Zealand remains the place people are the most excited to discuss. It seems to be on everyone’s bucket list, and for good reason. I think this is because it’s so far away. Another world, in the opposite hemisphere as America. Exotic, untouched nature and a different way of life.

In a word, New Zealand is wonderful. I use this generic adjective in its truest form, as in “full of wonder.” The final entry in my travel journal ends with the three words I so often run into when leaving a destination…

Take me back.

Tess Victoria

Sherpani Team Member

The above post is part of an ongoing segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog . We want to highlight personal travel stories from the women in our community. Would you like to share your travel story with Sherpani? Email [email protected] for more information. We can’t wait to read about your adventure!

Reading next

Sherpani Travel: We Tried to Keep This New Zealand Experience a Secret… But We Caved

This International Dance Party Will Make Your Summer

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Based in Boulder, Colorado

Our Alpine Heritage: We are happy people who love what we do. We have been designing bags in Colorful Colorado for over twenty-one years.

Customer service

Questions? Comments? Design ideas? We love to hear from our community - reach out at [email protected]

Made Sustainably

In our award-winning history as a sustainable company, Sherpani has diverted 8.8 million (& counting!) plastic bottles from landfills & waterways

How to Write a Travel Essay About My Last Trip to New Zealand

Tuesday 17 October 2023, 1:59PM

Traveling to new places and exploring different customs and traditions is always exciting. You get to meet new people, enjoy breathtaking views, and visit some historical monuments. New Zealand is one of the popular travel destinations. It attracts visitors worldwide thanks to its natural beauty, including glorious mountains, clean lakes, magic forests, and panoramic beaches. Also, New Zealand served as the location for "Lord of the Rings". If you are a fan, you can visit many iconic filming locations throughout the country. In a word, you will not regret going there. However, you might regret not taking notes while traveling if you want to write an essay about your trip. But don't worry; you will find many practical writing tips in this article.

Whenever you get stuck and don't know how to structure your travel essay or what information to include in it, you can get college paper help from highly rated writers using reliable online services. It is easy to hire an assistant who will help you overcome all the obstacles of describing your last trip to an exciting place like New Zealand. Alternatively, you can follow the tips from this article to create a literary masterpiece on your own. The writing process becomes more manageable when you have a detailed plan.

Choose a Unique Angle

Find a specific theme that will help your essay stand out from the rest. Instead of a general overview, focus on a particular aspect of your trip, like a unique experience or personal transformation. After all, you had a reason for visiting New Zealand. Your journey is already unique. All you need to do is let the readers learn about your experience.

Choose a Suitable Structure

Organize your essay either chronologically, following the sequence of your trip, or thematically, grouping related experiences and insights. Either way, it should be easy for readers to follow the plot of your story. Ensure to include transitional phrases between paragraphs to create a natural flow of thoughts.

Engage Readers from the Very Beginning

Start with a compelling hook to pique the readers' interest and make them wonder what will happen next. Your introduction should make them want to read more. You can use an unexpected fact about New Zealand, a funny story you heard from one of the locals or a famous quote about this beautiful country.

Create Vivid Descriptions

Use descriptive language to bring the landscapes, people, and experiences of New Zealand to life. Paint a bright picture with your words, appealing to the readers' senses. However, don't overuse adjectives because reading your piece might get difficult. Instead, use verbs to make it easy for the audience to understand what you did and saw. On top of that, show your emotions and reactions. Let readers experience the journey through your eyes, feelings, and senses.

Include Personal Reflection

Share your thoughts and insights after the trip. Discuss how it affected you. Did you learn anything new? Was this journey the reason for your personal growth? Making your piece personal by sharing these things with readers creates an emotional bond between you and them. They start to empathize with you.

Include Dialogue

Recall the conversations you had with locals or fellow travelers. Add parts of such a dialogue in your essay to enrich it with authenticity and depth. The dialogue you include might not be funny or dramatic. It just needs to set the right mood for the upcoming events you are going to describe.

Add a Few Words About Local Culture

Reflect on the local culture, traditions, and customs you encountered. Explain how they influenced your experience. You can compare them to the customs and traditions of your home country and contrast the differences or find similarities. You can also write about something you wish your country borrowed from the traditions of New Zealand and explain why you want this to happen.

Balance Details and Storytelling

Even though you must have learned a lot of interesting facts during your trip, try to keep a healthy balance between providing factual information and storytelling. Don't overwhelm the readers with too many details, such as the color of the scarf a passenger sitting near you was wearing, if it is not critical for the readers to know. At the same time, ensure you provide enough context to make your experiences relatable.

Edit and Revise

After writing your initial draft, revise and edit your essay for clarity and grammar. Ensure that it flows smoothly. You aim to keep the reader engaged from start to finish. Use tools like Grammarly to spot any typos and grammar mistakes.

Use these points as guidelines while working on your piece, and you will create something outstanding. If possible, add visuals to your essay to make the picture complete for your readers. You can also add maps and infographics to make your essay more informative. In a word, many different writing techniques and strategies can turn an ordinary essay into a memorable literary piece you want to read again and again. Good luck, and have fun writing your essay!

• Best Time to Visit
• Weather & Climate
• Top Places to Visit
• North Island vs. South Island
• Cities to Visit
• Getting Around New Zealand
• Best Auckland Hotels
• New Zealand's Airports
• Driving in New Zealand
• Visiting New Zealand With Kids
• One Week in New Zealand
• North Island Road Trip
• South Island Road Trip
• Top Things to Do
• Best Beaches
• Skiing in New Zealand
• Top National Parks
• Museums & Art Galleries
• Hot Springs
• Wildlife Reserves
• Must-Try Food in New Zealand
• New Zealand's Wine Regions
• Best Restaurants
• Nightlife in New Zealand
• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Destinations
• Australia & New Zealand
• New Zealand

The 15 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand

New Zealand is only 1,000 miles long, 280 miles across at its widest, and home to just under five million people, but this long, narrow country contains many things to see and do. Travelers can ski on snow-capped mountains and bask on subtropical beaches, learn about Maori culture and discover its British heritage, sip on some of the world’s finest wines and hike through the uninhabited wilderness. Whatever travel experiences you enjoy, you can probably find them in New Zealand .

The country comprises two main islands—imaginatively named the North and South Islands in English, and Te Ika a Maui and Te Wai Pounamu, respectively, in Maori. Although the South Island is larger, more than three-quarters of New Zealand’s population lives in the North. Ideally, visitors should spend time on both islands, although picking one isn’t a bad approach. Here are the 15 best places to visit in New Zealand.

On the central North Island, Rotorua is famous for its geothermal features and Maori culture. Travelers short on time can visit on a day trip from Auckland, but it’s a convenient stop when traveling through the North Island. Hell’s Gate, Wai-O-Tapu, or Orakei Korako (on the way to Taupo) are good options for bubbling mud pools, boiling geysers, colorful rock formations, and many resorts and holiday parks in the area have hot spring bathing facilities. You can also learn more about Maori culture at tourist villages like Mitai, Whakarewarewa, and Tamaki with their cultural shows of traditional music and dancing and a hangi meal cooked in an underground pit.

Time commitment: One full day in Rotorua is ideal.

Waitangi is one of the most significant places in New Zealand's modern history. In 1840, Maori chiefs signed a treaty with representatives of the British Crown, the Treaty of Waitangi, a founding document that gave the sovereignty of New Zealand to British rule. Visit for a crash course in the country's history in this beautiful coastal location. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds include an indoor museum, the Treaty House, an ornately carved marae (Maori meeting house), and a ceremonial waka (canoe) spread over a large area. There are beautiful views of the Bay of Islands.

Time commitment: The Waitangi Treaty grounds deserve at least half a day.

Hokianga Harbour

The Hokianga Harbour is an alternative to the Bay of Islands, often overlooked by travelers and perfect for camping or RV adventures. The area is sparsely populated and predominantly Maori. Dune boarding, hiking, horse trekking, and dolphin watching are popular activities in the Hokianga. Base yourself in one of the nearby villages of Omapere, Opononi, and Rawene. To expand your exploration, the Waipoua Forest, just south of the Hokianga, is home to two of the largest living native kauri trees.

Time commitment: Aim to spend two days to a week in the Hokianga area.

Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula reaches 50 miles into the Hauraki Gulf, across the Firth of Thames from Auckland. It’s a microcosm of all that’s good in northern New Zealand—stunning beaches, hiking trails, and arty, laid-back towns. During low tide at Hot Water Beach, dig a few inches beneath the sand to create your own natural hot spring bath, spend the day at Cathedral Cove, one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches (which is saying something), and hike the Pinnacles Walk or Coromandel Coastal Walkway.

Time commitment: To explore the whole Coromandel Peninsula, you’d need at least a week, but it’s possible to make a quick overnight trip from Auckland or Tauranga.

Tongariro National Park

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

On the high central plateau of central North Island, Tongariro National Park is a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed both for its natural and cultural significance. Most sights and activities revolve around three volcanic peaks: Mounts Tongariro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a moderately challenging day hike that is spectacular. In winter, ski at the Whakapapa or Turoa ski fields. 

Time commitment: You need a day to hike the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing (where you can spot the gorgeous emerald lake). With other hikes, biking trails, and skiing options in the winter, it’d be possible to spend several days in and around the park.

Hawke's Bay

Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s premier wine-producing regions and the oldest—there are more than 200 vineyards. The area is popular for its sunny climate, Art Deco allure, and the world’s largest gannet colony. The city of Napier, in particular, is famous for its Art Deco architecture because, after a massive earthquake in 1931, much of the town was rebuilt in this style. Keen bird watchers should visit the gannet colony at the Cape Kidnappers Reserve.

Time commitment: Hawke’s Bay is quite a long drive from other North Island centers (or a short flight to Hawke’s Bay Airport), so spend at least a couple of days here to make it worth the trip.

At the bottom of the North Island, Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. Equal parts bureaucratic formality and bohemian arts hub, Wellington is a perfect small city to explore. The New Zealand Parliament building, known as the ‘Beehive’ (you’ll understand why when you see it), and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (known simply as Te Papa) shouldn’t be missed. The Weta Workshop is a film special effects company founded by Peter Jackson, director of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," so fans of the film should consider a tour.

Time commitment: Budget at least two days for the central city and another few to visit outlying areas like the Kapiti Coast or Cape Palliser.

Abel Tasman National Park

TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris

Many travelers take the Interislander Ferry from Wellington to Picton, at the top of the South Island, and drive west to the Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand’s smallest national park. Abel Tasman is all about the golden beaches, turquoise seas, and forested hiking trails. For longer hikes, enter the park from the tiny town of Marahau. You can also enter the park by kayaking from Kaiteriteri.

Time commitment: If staying in nearby Nelson or Motueka, it’s easy to visit the park on a day trip. To complete the popular Coast Track walk, you’ll need three to five days.

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

On the eastern coast of the upper South Island, Kaikoura is famous for its whale and dolphin watching. It’s a marine-life hotspot because of the unique currents and deep trench just offshore. Whale-watching cruises operate all year, and while sperm whale sightings are never guaranteed, there’s a very high chance you’ll see them and dolphins, seals, and albatross.

Time commitment: Many travelers pass through Kaikoura while traveling between Picton and Christchurch. You only need a day for a whale-watching cruise, but extra days in Kaikoura can be spent hiking or enjoying the beaches.

Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula

Jutting southeast from Christchurch, the Banks Peninsula is a volcanic landmass comprising several volcanos. There are many harbors and bays, wildlife-spotting opportunities, and the French settlement of Akaroa, the oldest town in the Canterbury province. There are many 19th-century buildings there and cute French cafes. The Hector’s dolphin—the world’s smallest and rarest—live in the waters off the Banks Peninsula. (Sea kayaking is an excellent way to see them.) There are also many biking and hiking trails on the peninsula.

Time commitment: Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula are an easy day trip from Christchurch, but staying a couple of days will allow you to drive to more remote spots.

Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is one of the largest dark sky reserves in the world. In the central South Island, far from any major settlements, it’s almost entirely free of light pollution, making it an incredible destination for stargazing. Stargazing tours are informative, or you can find a quiet, dark spot on your own. You might also see the Aurora Australis (the Southern Lights, similar to the Northern Lights) if you're lucky. Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain (12,220 feet), is also in this area.

Time commitment: The tiny towns within the reserve—Lake Tekapo Village, Twizel, and Mount Cook Village—are a long way from anywhere, so these are not a quick getaway. Cloud-free skies are essential for stargazing, so you may need to spend a few days here.

Queenstown is not a typical Kiwi town—its real estate is among the most expensive in the country, and the style is more designer than farmer. But there’s no denying that Queenstown is blessed with beautiful geography as it's set on Lake Wakatipu with views of the Remarkables mountain range. Take the cable car to the top of the hill behind the city for spectacular views. Popular activities in the area include mountain biking, bungee jumping, speedboat rides, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canyoning, skiing in winter, or hiking the many trails.

Time commitment: Queenstown city only needs a day to look around, but it’s an ideal base for exploring the Central Otago wineries, trying adventure sports, and making day trips to Glenorchy, Wanaka, Arrowtown, or Fiordland.

Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula

Dunedin is a university town on the South Island’s east coast. Dunedin is the Scots Gaelic name for Edinburgh, and the Scottish influence is strong. The neo-gothic architecture of the University of Otago, the Dunedin Railway Station, and some churches lend an Old World aesthetic to Dunedin. The world’s second steepest street (as of August 2019), Baldwin Street, is also a quirky sight. (The first is in Harlech, Wales.)

A short drive from Dunedin is the hilly, windswept Otago Peninsula, one of New Zealand’s finest eco-tourism and bird-watching destinations. Drive (or take a tour) out to see the penguin, albatross, and seal colonies of the Otago Peninsula, stopping at Larnach’s Castle en route. 

Time commitment: Two or three days are needed here, divided between the city and the peninsula.

Fiordland National Park

In the southwest of the South Island, the Fiordland National Park is New Zealand’s largest, and it’s part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. A vast area of forests, mountains, and glacial fiords, visitors can be as active or relaxed as they like here, on sightseeing cruises, scenic flights, or multi-day treks. The small town of Te Anau is a good base and has caves with glow worms. 

Milford Sound is perhaps the most famous sight, with pointy Mitre Peak rising from the water, offering perfect reflections on a clear day. Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri are beautiful places to cruise or kayak.

Time commitment: Some travelers visit the Fiordland National Park on a quick day trip from Queenstown or Wanaka, while others stay for longer to explore. The famous Milford Track trek between Te Anau and Milford Sound takes four days.

Stewart Island /Rakiura

Off the southern coast of the South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura is New Zealand’s third-largest island. Around 85 percent of the island is a national park reserved for penguins, kiwis, and seals. While the temperatures are generally quite cold this far south, the beaches are empty and worth the trip across the Foveaux Strait from Bluff.

Birdwatching and hiking are popular activities, especially within the park's boundaries. The Rakiura Track is a 20-mile (32-kilometer) hiking trail that circles the Rakiura National Park, and it takes two to four days to hike the entire length. The small capital, Oban, is a welcoming town that serves up seriously fresh seafood.

Time commitment: As it’s necessary to get a ferry to Stewart Island/Rakiura (or take a short flight from Invercargill to Oban), it’s worth spending a few days here. Camping is a good option.

Related Articles

More related articles.

9 things only New Zealand locals know

Aug 16, 2024 • 9 min read

Pack with a view to changeable conditions as the weather on this island nation can be unpredictable. Getty Images

While I was born and bred here in  New Zealand – or Aotearoa, the country's Māori-language name – I’ve spent enough years away to understand how it’s a destination that can feel both comfortingly familiar and completely strange to visitors all at once. 

The butter is bright, beta-carotene yellow. Pies are filled with meat. You usually go up to the counter to pay for your meal. And you never, ever, sit on a table – it’s a taboo that has spread from Māori to the wider population.

But this diverse country of boiling mud pools, soaring mountains, subtropical beaches, rainforests and friendly people will make you feel – well, "sweet-as" (yes, that means good). Here are some things to know before going to New Zealand.

1. New Zealand’s weather may be relatively mild – but it also has the potential to be wild

An archipelago in the Pacific , New Zealand is a long, skinny country moored in tempestuous oceans heavily influenced by Antarctica . Its landmass stretches between 34 and 47 degrees south – the rough equivalent of northern Morocco to southern France – and the climate is often compared to Britain . What does this all mean? The weather can turn bad quickly. It pays to pack for all seasons, with a hat and sunscreen being must-haves. New Zealand’s peak UV levels can be 40% higher than those in similar North American latitudes, thanks in part to its clean air. For some, a blistering burn can happen in minutes and will ruin your holiday for a good week or more. In summer, plan shadier activities (such as visiting galleries and museums) for the peak hours of the day.  

2. It’s OK to dress down

Casualness rules in New Zealand, even in urban areas. Depending on what region you’re in, even a wedding might see some Kiwis in jeans, their cleanest "bush shirt" (a tough woolen shirt) and gumboots (rubber boots/ Wellington boots) or jandals (flip-flops). This is unremarkable.

Something particularly disconcerting to travelers is New Zealanders’ penchant for bare feet. When you’re out of the main cities you’ll see tough-soled Kiwis hot-stepping over bubbling tarmac and strolling through the supermarket unshod.

Feel free to pack casual clothes.

3. What do you mean, there’s no bus?

Unbelievably, New Zealand’s public transport  was arguably far better in the mid-20th century. But with many tram and railways ripped up for the sake of roads, the country has become very car-dependent. 

With a population of only 5.2 million living on a landmass the size of Italy, car culture is proving difficult to shake. While cycling and public transport are making strong incursions, outside of Auckland there is nowhere near the density, quality, affordability and regularity of public transport you may be used to at home. Many New Zealand towns do not even have Uber or other rideshare apps. 

With that being said, the country is reasonably well set up for visitors. For example, there are regular shuttle services to popular tourist destinations, such as Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves – but it pays to plan your transport well ahead.

4. Biculturalism is at the heart of Aotearoa’s culture

Unlike many colonized nations, in 1840 the British Crown signed a founding treaty, the  Treaty of Waitangi  with indigenous Māori, who have lived in New Zealand since at least the 1300s. Although colonization’s effect on Māori continues to spark debate and protest, the result is that modern New Zealand is a strongly bicultural nation.

Te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) is an integral part of even everyday interactions. This is evident to visitors and there are countless Māori-led tours, eateries and experiences to learn more. 

To show respect, ask about local iwi (tribe) customs. As an example, don’t stand on the summit of maunga (mountains) including Ngāuruhoe (Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings films) or Taranaki , if you go for a hike. As the head of an ancestor, mountain tops are regarded as tapu (sacred). New Zealand’s most famous son, Sir Edmund Hillary, may have said “we knocked the bastard off” when he and Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest in 1953, but modern travelers don’t have to. 

Many place names and road signs are also in te reo Māori (the Māori language) . When it comes to speaking it, Kiwis will appreciate visitors  trying to pronounce  words as accurately as possible ("wh," for example, is generally pronounced "f").  An online pronunciation guide or podcast will help you with some of the more unfamiliar sounds; try Everyday Māori  for starters.

5. If you want to make local friends, ask about our birds 

New Zealanders absolutely love talking about their native birds and will immediately consider you a "good sort" (a kind and likable person) if you show interest. 

But prepare to settle in. From tūī, kererū (wood pigeons), pīwakawaka (fantails) or whio (blue ducks), everyone has their favorite. Conservation organization Forest and Bird even runs a hotly contested Bird of the Year competition, which got global attention in 2023 when John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight , campaigned on behalf of the pūteketeke (the Australasian crested grebe).

We love our birds because we understand how precious they are. Many are endangered, some critically so. New Zealand was a paradise of birds before people arrived around the 1300s, bringing with them rats, pigs, dogs, stoats, mice, cats, rabbits, weasels and possums. These have wreaked havoc and sent biodiversity  plummeting ; in the last 1,000 years, 40 indigenous species have become extinct. (Thank goodness early settlers did not introduce the mongoose to control the rabbit population, as was suggested in the 19th century.) 

The country is currently in the first 10 years of its Predator Free 2050 strategy, which aims to eradicate as many introduced mammals as possible by 2050. It is hugely ambitious and has resulted in a massive groundswell of support as everyday Kiwis exercise their bloodlust, setting rat traps in the backyard.

As a traveler, you'll encounter many tourism operators doing the same. You can learn more about these efforts as you zipline across regenerating forests at Rotorua Canopy Tours or stay at Maruia River Retreat , which is in the process of converting to a fully electric resort powered by renewable sources. Projects are even popping up where tourists can help check traplines, such as Tongariro River Rafting's Blue Duck Experience .

Predator-free bird sanctuaries abound in many areas, including the  Zealandia  sanctuary in Wellington, a sprawling and peaceful city oasis where you may be lucky enough to see wild kiwi on a guided night tour. 

6. ACC is a wonder – but not a replacement for travel insurance

One of the most humane things about New Zealand is its no-fault accident compensation scheme, ACC . Fall and break your leg skiing? Get a bit banged-up on a big night out? It doesn’t matter whose fault it is and that you’re a tourist; if it’s an accident, your medical care is free. 

Of course, you’ll need to have your own travel insurance. There are a lot of things – such as travel delays or extra accommodation needs – that ACC won’t cover if you get injured. 

7. New Zealand is generally safe, but… 

 New Zealand is a safe and welcoming country, but crime happens. For travelers, avoiding downtown clubbing areas after midnight is a good way to avoid most problems. Tourist vans can be a goldmine for thieves, and are targeted especially when parked at freedom camping sites.

Many travelers have had an unfortunate souvenir of their time in New Zealand: a local newspaper article about how they lost everything in a break-in, ruining their dream Kiwi holiday. If you need urgent help, the emergency number is 111. 

8. Pies are savory, not sweet

Kiwis love international cuisine, and you should be able to find something vaguely familiar to eat, especially in the main centers. But you must try a few quintessential New Zealand treats, too. Other than the fun you’ll have browsing the supermarket and trying every block of Whittaker’s chocolate on the market, roadside eateries (called "tearooms") and cafes offer a range of classic snacks. 

One of the most filling and affordable small meals is a savory pie, sold just about everywhere. They’re golden, crispy pastry cases with fillings like butter chicken, mince (beef) and cheese, and steak and mushroom. Hint: The best pies are made in the local bakery. To get a winner, choose pies sold in plain white paper bags (not branded plastic) and bite into it straight from the bag. 

If you’re down south and spot cheese rolls on the menu, try them, too. Known as "Southland sushi," a magical alchemy occurs when white bread is spread with a mix of grated cheese, evaporated milk, onion and other flavorings, like mustard or garlic, then rolled, brushed with butter and toasted into an oozy, golden delight. 

"Slices" are also popular and similar to what Americans call "bars." A cross between a tart and a cookie with a topping or two, they’re baked or refrigerated in a square tin and cut into squares or rectangles. Popular slices are peppermint, caramel (millionaire bar), tan square (caramel shortcake) and the unbeatable ginger crunch. 

Lolly cake is another favorite: a coconut-malt, no-bake cookie studded with colorful marshmallow-like fruit puffs.

9. Driving is very different in New Zealand

Unlike the wide, multi-lane expressways of other countries, many of our major roads are only dual carriageway or a two-way divided highway. They’re often winding and hilly, with the added obstacles of construction and "slips" (a Kiwi word for landslides).

Before you head off, check NZTA for potential road closures. Take care not to plan an overly ambitious road-trip itinerary , such as driving from Auckland to Cape Reinga in a day with stops for activities along the way. That might look like five-and-a-half hours on Google Maps, but it’ll probably be slow and exhausting. There’s no such thing as setting the cruise control and chilling out, letting drivers pass on the lanes around you.

You'll need your wits about you, particularly if it is your first experience driving on the left. When everyone’s driving in single file, people get frustrated. Also note: Kiwi drivers can follow too close for comfort, pass aggressively and have a particular disdain for camper vans.

If you’re feeling nervous and notice a long line of cars behind you, you’ll be more relaxed if you regularly pull over (where it’s safe to do so) and let the line of impatient locals pass. And they’ll usually give a friendly toot of thanks.

This article was first published Oct 12, 2023 and updated Aug 16, 2024.

Explore related stories

Tips & Advice

Sep 6, 2024 • 7 min read

Morocco is a country of dazzling diversity with mountains, deserts, beaches and ancient cities. Here are the best places to visit in Morocco.

Sep 5, 2024 • 7 min read

Sep 3, 2024 • 9 min read

Sep 2, 2024 • 7 min read

Aug 27, 2024 • 5 min read

Aug 24, 2024 • 7 min read

Aug 23, 2024 • 7 min read

Aug 21, 2024 • 4 min read

Jul 31, 2024 • 7 min read

Jul 31, 2024 • 5 min read

• PHOTO GALLERY

Ten reasons to visit New Zealand now

These lesser known activities make for an unforgettable trip to Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud.

While many of the millions who visit New Zealand each year spend their time in the Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington areas, the country has plenty more to offer. Here are 10 off-the-beaten-path reasons to visit New Zealand.

Hike Mou Waho Island

Though only a 30-minute boat ride from the town of Wanaka, Mou Waho—tucked out of sight behind a mountain range—feels seriously remote. Managed by the Department of Conservation, the island is a predator-free haven for endangered species like the feisty, flightless buff weka; the Southern Alps gecko; and the mountain stone weta, a cricket-like insect.

The 1,551-foot (473-meter) climb to the island’s rocky summit takes about 40 minutes and offers stunning views of colorful Arethusa Pool, a little lake on Mou Waho with its own islet.

A campsite (toilet included) near the landing zone means visitors can pitch a tent for the night; for those without boat access, Eco-Wanaka runs guided tours.

See an Okarito Beach Sunset

There’s no better place to witness a dazzling west coast sunset than below the Southern Alps’ snowy peaks and glaciers on deserted, storm-blasted Okarito Beach.

Sit on a driftwood log and toast the blood-red sun as it sinks into the ocean. Then use the modest beachside camping ground as a base while exploring the beautiful Okarito Lagoon area, a refuge for thousands of native birds, including the only New Zealand breeding ground of the rare, sacred kotuku (white heron). The critically endangered rowi (Okarito brown kiwi) also lives in a nearby protected area.

Ski Soho Basin

In the winter, powerful snowcats plow their way up Soho Basin’s steep slopes, loaded with up to 24 skiers and snowboarders ready to spread out across the vast, pristine terrain.

Lifts and base facilities are a few years out: Soho Basin is formally joining the adjacent Cardrona field to create New Zealand’s largest alpine resort.

Until then, visitors relish the solitude of this unique backcountry—plus the added luxury of a gourmet lunch and Amisfield wines at a tiny day lodge tucked into the valley.

Roam Macetown's "Ghost Town"

Ghosts, ruins, and a few restored buildings are all that remain of the once thriving Macetown , settled in the early 1860s at the height of the Central Otago gold rush—and abandoned by the 1920s when the gold ran out.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

The nine-mile (15-kilometer) track up the steep-sided Arrow River gorge is spectacular any time of the year, but especially in autumn, when the golden poplars set the hills ablaze. Stop to pick wild gooseberries and raspberries, and smell the pastel lupins that flower in the summer, then explore the restored huts and general store at the Chinese village in nearby Arrowtown. Finish off with a tour of the excellent local museum to learn more about the region’s colourful history.

Ride the TranzAlpine Train

There are few countries you can traverse in half a day without taking to the air. New Zealand is tall but slim: A stylish, leisurely train trip from the golden sands of the Pacific Ocean to the black sands of the Tasman Sea—or vice-versa—takes just five hours.

The breathtaking TranzAlpine , justifiably known as one of the world’s great train journeys, takes passengers across the lush, green Canterbury Plains; over vertiginous viaducts spanning the turquoise Waimakariri River; and through the snowy Southern Alps by way of Arthur’s Pass, where many disembark to explore local hiking and climbing trails.

After descending the five-mile (8.5-kilometer) Otira Tunnel, the train emerges on the west coast at Greymouth.

Encounter History at Poverty Bay

It was in Gisborne-Tairawhiti that, in 1769, British explorer Captain James Cook stepped ashore for the first time on Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Though Cook named it Poverty Bay, the area—famous for its exceptional wines, fruit, and vegetables—is more aptly known by its Maori name, Tairawhiti, “the coast upon which the sun shines across the water.”

Kaiti Hill-Titirangi Reserve is an ideal geographic and historic vantage point above the bay: The white cliffs of Te Kuri a Paoa are clearly visible from the summit; an obelisk at the hill’s foot marks Cook’s first step on land; and the first meeting between Maori and European took place at a rock which once stood in nearby Turanganui River.

Related: See more photos of New Zealand

Visit the Tairawhiti Museum to learn more about the region’s history.

Experience Tairawhiti's Maori Culture

There’s is no better place than Tairawhiti—where the population is 50 percent Maori—to immerse yourself in Maoritanga , or the culture, traditions, language, history, music, dance, and legends of the tangata whenua —the people of the land.

Two hours north of Gisborne lies Hikurangi, the sacred maunga , or mountain, of the Ngati Porou tribe. It’s also the first peak in the world to be touched by the rays of the rising sun, and the resting place of Maui-Tikitiki-a-Taranga, the famous Maori and Polynesian demi-god.

In 2000, a series of nine huge whakairo , or carved art works, were erected to celebrate the dawning of the new millennium. Visitors can arrange guided hikes plus overnight experiences to the mountain and the carvings, remembering to be sensitive at this sacred site.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Gisborne

A much-loved event in Gisborne celebrates 21 years this October, as the small, beachside city shakes off winter at an annual spring Wine and Food Weekend .

The three-day celebration shines at an event where participants tour three vineyards to sip fine wines, savor gourmet cuisine, and enjoy live entertainment among the lush grape vines. Other highlights include a long lunch, rosé garden party, a street fiesta, madcap races, a wine and comedy gala, newly-released-wine tastings, and an evening after-party.

Relax at Anaura Bay

Anaura Bay campers are secretive about their favorite holiday spot, an idyllic, white-sand bay perfect for swimming, surfing, hiking, and socializing. They’re even more tight-lipped about the best spot to fish (somewhere near Motuoroi Island) but they’ll readily share their catch with strangers.

An excellent hiking trail nearby offers wonderful views of the bay where local Maori chiefs gave a warm welcome to Cook’s HMS Endeavour at his second landing on Aotearoa.

En route to Anaura, walk to the end of the historic Tolaga Bay wharf, New Zealand’s longest, where it stretches into the blue-green sea against a backdrop of sheer white cliffs.

Explore Piha

Piha Beach is known for its dramatic land- and seascapes: black-sand beaches shining like pewter under ferocious waves; wispy waterfalls hurtling over sheer cliffs; cool nikau palm forests spreading beneath the dark, misty Waitakere Ranges.

From a safe vantage point at Puaotetai Bay, watch the spectacular battle of the tides at The Gap, a narrow, low point between island and cliffs. Opposing waves collide with massive force in a wall of white foam; their overflow creates the Blue Pool, a sandy swimming hole. A dramatic Maori legend adds to the area’s attraction.

Related Topics

• TRAIN TRIPS
• CULTURAL TOURISM

You May Also Like

10 best things to do in Switzerland

The essential guide to Switzerland

Visiting Switzerland? Here’s what the locals love

An overnight adventure travelling from Sofia to Istanbul by train

10 reasons to visit the East Coast in 2024

Wild Memphis: how a new paddle-powered tour sees the musical city in a new light

How new flights to Akureyri are opening up northern Iceland

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Why Visit New Zealand Essay

6 Reasons to Visit New Zealand Every Year One trip to see them all. Have you ever seen the movie Lord of the Rings? The film was shoot in one of the most picturesque country in the world, New Zealand. And just like how it was portrayed in the film, the country is charming, if not magical. New Zealand ’s unspoilt sceneries from its breathtaking glaciers, lush green forests, quaint rolling hills and crystal clear lakes has attracted millions of tourists. The country is also compact and is easy to travel from its northern and southern islands thanks to budget ferries. Renting a campervan or a motorhome is a great way to explore this small country. You can pick them up in two of New Zealand’s largest cities- Christchurch and Auckland. Here …show more content…

Maori Culture The Maori people is perhaps one of the most passionate people in the world. Just listening to their “haka” war dance, popularized by the All Blacks Rugby team, lets out a fire inside your heart. The film , Whale Rider, has perfectly portrayed the life and traditions of this vital Kiwi tribe. Nowhere in New Zealand can you experience Maori culture more genuinely than in Rotorua. The indigenous people of New Zealand are welcoming and gladly lets visitors in their homes in the spirit of Manaakitanga (hospitality). Grab a seat as locals perform their evening cultural dances or join classes on how to carve and weave traditional Maui patterns. Satisfy your hunger with steamy hangi food that are slowly cooked through thermal heat. Aside from the unique local culture, Rotorua is also a haven for adrenaline-pumping extreme sports. The surrounding lush green forest has trails perfect for all mountain bikers, rushing rivers draws many kayakers and river rafters, and bush walks are perfect for all-terrain bike

Summary Of Waimea Summer

Throughout the novel Waimea Summer, we see the how the protagonist Mark Hull struggles with experiencing “Native” Hawaiian culture as opposed to his half - haole Hawaiian culture. Throughout this paper, the term “Native” Hawaiian culture will refer to the social construct caused by Hawaiian history from 300 – 800 BCE right up to the annexation of Hawaii in 1898. The haole Hawaiian culture refers to the social construct as caused by colonizers, which started in 1778 and continues to this present day. By experiencing Native Hawaiian culture, Mark changes his perception of Old Hawaii as being a pristine, comfortable, and safe place, into one that views Old Hawaii as harsh, un-sanitized, and bloody. His struggle to cope with such a culture shock

Laframboise Island Culture

At this island you can picnic, bike, join water sports, fish, birdwatch, and winter activities. There are eight miles of trails to walk and explore with your family and

Mauna Keea Research Paper

Mauna Kea Imagine the most breath- taking view. Do you think you could ever stop looking? If there was one place I 'd like to go, it would be Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea is a shield/ hotspot volcano located on the Big Island of Hawaii. I want to go to Mauna Kea because of the beautiful summit, exciting topography, as well as the otherworldly drive up and down the mountain.

Moon Of The Crusted Snow Themes

Cultural traditions establish a direct relationship to one's ancestors and ancestry. It provides a sense of belonging and helps people to connect with their cultural identities. The characters' commitment to Anishinaabe traditions and practices helps them keep a connection to their Indigenous origin and shapes their individual and communal identities in the novel. Cultural traditions are usually practiced within the framework of a community. They draw people together, cultivating a sense of belonging, shared experiences, and mutual support.

How The Great Mahele Affect The Lifestyle Of The Hawaiians

Foreigners did not take long to transition Hawaiians from their previous lifestyles with new ideas. However, not everyone was fond of the new way of life, but the beliefs of Hawaiians had no significance to foreigners. According to an article by Kuloku, it expressed that, “He paid no attention to our wishes.” Previously, each opinion was considered carefully until a consensus was formed. Hawaiians were ruined of their quality and feature as a consequence of the deception, apathy, and stubbornness of foreigners.

Whistler Research Paper

Another one would be The Whistler Hiking Trails. These trails range from breezy nature walks around Lost Lake to amazing mountain climbs. Five trailhead areas provide access to the provincial park from varied points between Squamish and north of Whistler. The Gondolas take hikers above the tree line, where the trails are especially lovely during alpine wildflower

Fort Belknap History

Chapter 5 - Areas To Visit Devils River This river is inside the Dolan Falls Preserve with many smaller waterfalls cascading off rocks in different directions. This remote section of land is great for seasoned paddle boarders and kayakers wanting a real rafting experience. Make sure to bring proper gear and take heed to danger warnings in the area before embarking on a rushing river adventure. Matagorda Island There are only a few ferries that travel here and some of the activities available for adventurers are fishing, picnicking, bird watching, scuba diving near the reefs, and hanging out in the dunes while relaxing in the sand.

The Red Headed Hawaiian Analysis

There are two kinds of people, the people who persist and try without giving up, and the people who make up excuses for why they aren't doing anything. In the short story “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, and the biography “The Red Headed Hawaiian” by Chris McKinney, the characters and people show culture by going back on what they know, and their traditions. In these two stories, it takes about how Jing-Mei and Rudy Puana are trying to find confidence and having to adapt to a new culture. Rudy Puana in “The Red Headed Hawaiian” struggles with trying to adapt to the new culture of the mainland, while also keeping his Hawaiian culture. The culture on the mainland is more family oriented, with family dinners every night.

Ferne Clyffe Research Paper

Limestone bluffs are exhilarating to sit on the edge of. Ferne Clyffe has a very large lake which is great for fishing. Fish populations

The Shasta-Trinity

The forest includes portions of Castle Crags, Chanchellulla, Mount Shasta, Trinity Alps and Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Areas. The main branch of the Trinity River, which is a designated Wild and Scenic River, runs through the forest. The forest lies within the

Xenophobia In Hawaiians

The Hawaiian Islands has this image of being the perfect vacation destination for people all around the world. The island’s welcoming “aloha” culture is very popular and spoken of around the world. Yet, lately not only native Hawaiians live there, many tourists visit all year long and many families and businessmen decided to move and live there as well. This makes the island diversified and multicultural. Through the years, many waves of immigrations took place and more non-locals began living in Hawaii.

Hawaiian Traditions: The New Hawaiian Culture

To teach new generations about the old Hawaiian culture, this research paper will detail what it was like years ago. It will also explain why the Hawaiian culture and traditions should be reinstated. This paper will explain how the traditions

Hawaii Vs Vacationing In Hawaii

In Hawaii, it is rare to see the traditional Hawaiian culture carried out. By contrast, Samoa is filled with amazing cultural traditions that are still practiced in every household. When vacationing in Hawaii I don’t get to experience any interesting traditions. Last time I was in Hawaii, my friends just shopped because there weren’t any other interesting activities to do. The most fun place in Hawaii is the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Personal Narrative: My First Trip To Hawaii

We stayed for only two weeks, yet they somehow became the most exciting weeks of our life. We are looking for another opportunity to visit Hawaii again. We will love to see the blue waters, the palms, and coconut trees, the buildings with such excellent architecture, the Pearl Harbor monument, and to chat with such delightful people as the friendly

Cultural Analysis Of Fiji Essay

Chapter 1: CULTURAL ANALYSIS The chapter pertains to the cultural environment of Fiji. We try to research and examine everything about the customs, traditions, beliefs, behaviors, and practices of Fijians to find out what will be our product. The introduction, tells us the main points in Fiji’s cultural analysis.

More about Why Visit New Zealand Essay

Related topics.

• Pacific Ocean
• New Zealand

8 Reasons Why Everyone Must Visit New Zealand

Whether you plan to make a trip to the South Island or the North Island in New Zealand, you will find many amazing things to do. 

New Zealand produces unique agricultural items, and the entire country is green and beautiful. It’s easy to feel close to nature when you visit New Zealand, and once you make a trip, it’s easy to see why so many people visit each year. 

When planning your vacation, be sure to consider checking out some of these fantastic attractions that include art and culture, national parks, and wildlife.  

8 Reasons Everyone Should Visit New Zealand

• 1. Natural Wonders

New Zealand has a diverse landscape with snow-covered mountains and minimal light pollution. You can see the night sky perfectly from places like Mt. Cook and enjoy great walks during the day in the caves and natural areas all around the country. 

Some of the world-famous sites in this beautiful nation are natural and wild. The breathtaking scenery is what makes New Zealand special and attracts thousands of people to the country every year. 

Also, many visitors can’t believe that a lot of the places in the country exist in that part of the world. For example, New Zealand has quite a bit of tropical areas that seem like they should belong to the Maldives, not New Zealand. 

If you love the beauty of nature, be sure to check out some of the most fantastic places in New Zealand, including:

• Waitomo Caves
• Pancake Rocks
• Glowworm Caves
• Cathedral Cove
• Stewart Island
• Arthur’s Pass
• Coromandel Peninsula
• 2. National Parks

When you visit New Zealand, you might just think you have found Middle Earth since the country was the filming location for the Lord of the Rings films.

If you’re a big fan of the trilogy, you will particularly appreciate Tongariro National Park , which is the home of Mount Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe). However, even those who have never seen the movies will fall in love with the park’s astounding mountains. 

Visitors to the country should also check out Abel Tasman National Park, one of the most popular parks in the country. Fiordland is also a sight to behold. 

Overall, people come from all over the world to visit these New Zealand parks, among others.

Read Also >> Best Glamping Spots In New Zealand

• 3. Snowy Sites

New Zealand has a unique climate, and you can see snow on one side of the country and experience warm weather on the other. Thus, you can observe winter’s most magnificent sights year-round. 

So, if you love snow-capped mountains and breathtaking wintery views, you won’t want to miss all these snowy sites when you visit New Zealand. 

• Fox Glacier
• Franz Josef Glacier
• Other ancient glaciers
• Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• Southern Alps

You can even take a helicopter ride above some of these places to experience their beauty from a bird’s eye view. 

• 4. Waterways

If you get a chance to make a trip to New Zealand and need a break from the thrills, you should enjoy some of the beautiful waterways found in this temperate climate, like the Milford Sound. Explore the waters and the areas around them to take advantage of fishing and fantastic wildlife. 

Popular waterways include:  

• Lake Tekapo
• Milford Sound

If you live for adventure and crave an adrenaline rush, there are plenty of unforgettable thrills to enjoy in New Zealand. In fact, some people travel to New Zealand just to go bungee jumping in one of the most beautiful places in the world. 

However, you don’t have to go bungee jumping to experience everything New Zealand has to offer. There are plenty of other thrills that are just as exciting in their own right. 

These adventure activities are things that New Zealanders love doing, and they are also bucket list ideas that tourists around the world come to do. 

So, if you are in New Zealand, be sure to try some of these exciting activities while visiting the adventure capital of the world.

• Helicopter rides
• Jet boating
• Heli-skiing
• Bungee jumping 

Read Also >> Best Day Hikes in New Zealand

• 6. Art and Culture

There’s more to New Zealand than just a day hike or the highest mountain peak. There’s plenty of art and culture to enjoy as well. 

Therefore, if you are looking for something unique or want to spend some time indoors on a rainy day, check out some of these exciting attractions in this beautiful country: 

• Te Papa Museum
• Exhibits containing Maori culture
• Multiple art galleries
• Hobbit Houses

You can even take a guided tour of many of these famous museums.

• 7. Wildlife

When you visit beautiful countries, you’ll want to see the stunning wildlife that calls it home. 

And in a nation as wild as New Zealand, animal lovers may expect to see a lot of unique wildlife, and they definitely will. New Zealand contains tons of amazing animals, including the country’s national symbol, the kiwi, a small flightless bird. 

Other creatures you might see include giant insects and adorable mammals that you can’t find in any other country. The North Island, South Island, West Coast, and East Coast are all great areas of New Zealand to check out the wildlife. 

Some animals you might see include:

• Avondale spider
• Maui dolphin
• New Zealand sea lion
• 8. Road Trips 

If you want to see all of New Zealand, you should plan on taking a road trip. On these trips, you can drive down scenic highways that take you throughout the city and the country. 

With a New Zealand highway journey, you can venture through lots of different areas so you can experience all of the nation’s best attractions. 

A favorite drive in the country is to go down Milford Road. Milford Road takes you from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a four-hour journey. 

On this road, you can see amazing sights such as fiords, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. You can even take some time to stop at unique destinations like the Te Anau Glowworm Caves . 

Or, you can try out the Thermal Explorer Highway. Here, you’ll drive through the vast city of Auckland as well as more rural geysers and hot springs. 

Read Also >> Best Things To Do in Taupo, New Zealand

• Tips For Planning Your Vacation To New Zealand

If you are lucky enough to visit New Zealand, there are some things you will want to keep in mind to ensure your vacation goes as planned and you get to make the most of it. Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning your New Zealand adventure. 

• Get travel insurance – Travel insurance will cover the costs of any medical emergencies that may occur while you’re on vacation. 
• Maps – Maps are a good idea in case you can’t get cell service or GPS. 
• Plan ahead – Planning will ensure that everything goes well so you can spend as much time as possible enjoying yourself. 
• Bring a camera – You don’t want to get home and realize you have no pictures to show your friends. 
• Conclusion 

New Zealand is full of breathtaking beauty, and millions of people visit this country every year. So, if you are planning a vacation to New Zealand, you may want to see some of the most popular areas known to attract tourists. 

But, remember that the suggestions above are just a few to keep in mind for your trip. To create the best vacation you can, you should research the country and decide which things you think you will enjoy the most. 

Overall, New Zealand has something for everyone, so no matter what type of adventure you are looking for, you are sure to find it here.

Table of Contents

Leyla’s love for travel started from childhood with her family trips around the world.

Happiest when she’s living out of her backpack, she’s currently based in Liverpool. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her reading on the beach, bartending, or planning her next trip abroad.

Leyla has been working with the team since early 2020, editing, optimizing, and keeping our content tasty fresh.

Once the world has gone back to normal, she’ll be bouncing around the globe with her laptop in hand.

• Undergraduate
• High School
• Architecture
• American History
• Asian History
• Antique Literature
• American Literature
• Asian Literature
• Classic English Literature
• World Literature
• Creative Writing
• Linguistics
• Criminal Justice
• Legal Issues
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Political Science
• World Affairs
• African-American Studies
• East European Studies
• Latin-American Studies
• Native-American Studies
• West European Studies
• Family and Consumer Science
• Social Issues
• Women and Gender Studies
• Social Work
• Natural Sciences
• Pharmacology
• Earth science
• Agriculture
• Agricultural Studies
• Computer Science
• IT Management
• Mathematics
• Investments
• Engineering and Technology
• Engineering
• Aeronautics
• Medicine and Health
• Alternative Medicine
• Communications and Media
• Advertising
• Communication Strategies
• Public Relations
• Educational Theories
• Teacher's Career
• Chicago/Turabian
• Company Analysis
• Education Theories
• Shakespeare
• Canadian Studies
• Food Safety
• Relation of Global Warming and Extreme Weather Condition
• Movie Review
• Admission Essay
• Annotated Bibliography
• Application Essay
• Article Critique
• Article Review
• Article Writing
• Book Review
• Business Plan
• Business Proposal
• Capstone Project
• Cover Letter
• Creative Essay
• Dissertation
• Dissertation - Abstract
• Dissertation - Conclusion
• Dissertation - Discussion
• Dissertation - Hypothesis
• Dissertation - Introduction
• Dissertation - Literature
• Dissertation - Methodology
• Dissertation - Results
• GCSE Coursework
• Grant Proposal
• Marketing Plan
• Multiple Choice Quiz
• Personal Statement
• Power Point Presentation
• Power Point Presentation With Speaker Notes
• Questionnaire
• Reaction Paper

Research Paper

• Research Proposal
• SWOT analysis
• Thesis Paper
• Online Quiz
• Literature Review
• Movie Analysis
• Statistics problem
• Math Problem
• All papers examples
• How It Works
• Money Back Policy
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• We Are Hiring

Tourism in New Zealand, Essay Example

Pages: 8

Words: 2329

Hire a Writer for Custom Essay

Use 10% Off Discount: "custom10" in 1 Click 👇

You are free to use it as an inspiration or a source for your own work.

The Lord of the Rings and Film-induced Tourism in New Zealand

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of Rings has reached millions of audiences around the globe, and a large portion of the budget spent for the film was used to sell New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery and landscape. The historic collaboration of the New Zealand Film Commission and the The Lord of the Rings films generated a large variety of tourism revenue for New Zealand.  New Zealand has 150 different tours related to The Lord of the Rings , which include Middle-earth, The Ultimate Hobbit, and the New Zealand 14-day Lord of the Rings tour. These attractions have doubled the country’s tourism industry and directly contributed to positive economic growth, world-wide recognition and massive media  exposure (Myers, 2010). In addition, the exposure has opened the door to new economic opportunities for New Zealand such as energy resources and agriculture (Packer, 2008). New Zealand has some of the richest energy resources in the world, as well as organic agriculture and food production.

Billions of dollars have been made at the box office from the proceeds from The Lord of Rings trilogy. As the distribution company, New Line Cinema is credited for obtaining all of the proceeds from the films. However, the New Zealand government managed to gain access to The Lord of Rings revenue streams while the global media outlets were saturated. This led to the New Zealand government to engage in a profitable Lord of the Rings tourism campaign (Shefrin, 2004). The marketing and advertising campaign brought in tourists and the distribution company could not stop New Zealand from capitalizing on these related Lord of the Rings ventures (Calder, 2002).  It was a brilliant way for New Zealand to embark on a historical advertising run  in China, Europe and the United States.

New Zealand has been searching for opportunities to become a major player in the global economy in an effort to provide their own platforms for oil and gas initiatives. This lead to the New Zealand government to take advantage of the new tourism, and at the same, pursue business efforts in their own natural gas and oil resources (Schiff & Becken, 2011). New Zealand is rich in economic resources, with their tourism plans and improved positioning for their own natural oil and gas resources (Asquith, 2008).

The astonishing feat by the government of New Zealand came in the form of a masterful world-wide tour promoting the New Zealand location. This tour put New Zealand in the driver’s seat for additional revenue while positioning their economy to make millions. In addition, they sanctioned the Middle Earth to be advertised and market heavily regardless of New Cinemas intention of making sequels (Jones & Smith, 2005). This may be the first time that a country has become just as famous as the movie Lord of the Rings while managing to divert revenues to New Zealand’s economy. It is evident that New Zealand has become the new destination for a glimpse of the tourism package that includes the magnificent Middle Earth.

Increased Tourism

New Zealand has benefited greatly from the Middle-earth scenery and has become one the world’s most recognizable movie locations. The government of New Zealand has utilized this opportunity to showcase their rich culture along with marketing New Zealand as a number one tourist destination (Jones & Smith, 2005). There are many films that use technology and direction to shoot breathtaking film footage, however New Zealand’s  surreal scenery has developed a reputation as a must see tourist destination. A popular filming location in The Lord of the Rings called Hakatere Potts Road has become a major flagship that draws millions of new tourists each year. The Hakatere Potts Road scenic drive displays the lakes, rivers and mountain backdrops that has people from all over the globe flocking to New Zealand. (New Zealand Travel Insider, 2015).

New Zealand’s government made a conscious decision to bring more tourism to the country while leveraging every potential dollar for the benefit of the country (Ateljevic, 2002). New Zealand concentrated on campaigns to help increase tourism from China because Chinese citizens are recognized as the largest market to spend major dollars on vacations worldwide. The current tourism packages visit over 150 spectacular and breathtaking locations that were used in the Oscar winning films (New Zealand, 2015).

New Zealand Economic Impact

New Zealand’s population benefited economically from the The Lord of the Rings because the exposure opened the world to the beauty of their land and mountains. The New Zealand (2015) tourism website states that New Zealand has tripled its revenues from increased tourism by marketing New Zealand vacations to other countries as a world-class destination. This has had an increase of 7 million dollars to the New Zealand economy (pg.1). The New Zealand tourism notoriety has grown significantly because of the advertising to Asian countries, specifically  China. Chinese tourists are well known around the world for bringing in millions in revenue on destination vacations. The genius of New Zealand’s government is apparent when they refused to slow down marketing of the Middle-earth attractions because New Line Cinema was concerned the exposure would hurt the box office revenues with upcoming sequels to The Lord of Rings movies (Morgan, 2010).The government of New Zealand quickly learned that the entertainment business can bring in huge amounts of revenue and used every media outlet to bring in more tourism for the attractions. New Zealand’s leaders understand the power of global exposure. Because The Lord of the Rings is a trilogy, and the sequels were also set to film in New Zealand, they benefited from millions of advertising and marketing dollars spent that are now paying huge returns to their economic structure (Calder, 2002). New Zealand’s tourism traffic has doubled  because New Line Cinema’s marketing of New Zealand’s scenery is a major part of the magic of Middle-earth for movie-goers. Chinese Central Television (CCT) has saturated advertising and marketing with the major attractions of Middle-earth. It has been estimated that Middle-earth attractions and branding will bring in another 50 million dollars into New Zealand from multiple levels in the years to come (Lawn & Beatty, 2005).

The Lord of the Rings became New Zealand’s flagship tourism flagship while creating a lucrative tourism explosion that brings in people from all over the world. New Zealand combined culture, tourism, marketing, and film to build a revenue stream that is becoming part of the country’s major economic markets (Lunt, 2009). In the advertising on New Zealand’s tourism website, The the Lord of Rings draws in more internet traffic from curious tourists than any of the other vacation destinations. The description comes directly from the script of The Lord of the Rings giving the tourist the feeling and experience of the movie in real life. This is the fantasy that is sold to the tourist along with the excitement of visiting the set of The Lord of the Rings . The New Zealand tourist program has managed to create a flagship similar to Disney World with Mickey Mouse as the main attraction, however, there are hundreds of other places to visit surrounding Disney World  that draw attention and revenue away from Disney. The Middle-earth attraction is part of New Zealand as a whole and has become one the most visited destinations with vacationers scheduling their visits months in advance (New Zealand Tourism Guide, (2015). It has become clear that New Zealand will continue to grow their tourism revenues well into the future.

New Zealand Film Commission

The New Zealand Film Commission is a major force in the development and economic growth of The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. They supported many diverse projects in New Zealand keeping a steady watch on other opportunities that would change the economics and perception of New Zealand as a tourist destination (Tourism New Zealand, 2015). New Zealand’s government and the New Zealand Film Commission turned the country into a world-class international media market,  gaining 6.3 million viewers from China’s CCTV, 3.8 million from France and 10.7 million viewers from the United Kingdom (Tourism New Zealand, 2015). However, the most significant and lucrative media relationship is with China’s Chinese Central Television (CCT), which is the main Chinese media outlet with 45 different Chinese broadcast programs (China Today, 2015).

In a short period of time, New Zealand’s government has forged a solid working relationship with the New Zealand Film Commission to capitalize on The Lord of the Rings . The New Zealand government was immediately advertised as one of the most exceptional travel destinations in the world (New Zealand Travel Insider, 2015). The New Zealand Filmmakers Commission has made contributions to improved economics because of their support with New Zealand film director Peter Jackson. The popularity of Peter Jackson became synonymous with New Zealand’s landscape and created a global platform for New Zealand’s Middle-earth marketing machine (New Zealand Middle Earth, 2015). The films’ production in New Zealand provided an economic opportunity for tourism in New Zealand and gained access to new revenue streams such as advertising, marketing and mass media channels that promote New Zealand as a tourist destination (Tourism New Zealand, 2015).

Furthermore, New Zealand’s government brilliantly aligned forces with Newman’s South Vacations, Air New Zealand, MTV, Chrysler, Entertainment Arts and Duracell (The Lord of the Rings, 2015). Research found that the New Zealand Film Commission, along with New Zealand’s government and partnerships, influenced travelers to come to New Zealand as a major, must-see attraction. They managed to divert some of the $3.155 billion made on The Lord of the Rings by pushing New Zealand’s tourism profits over $10 million, and the numbers continues to rise on a daily basis (Tourism New Zealand, 2015).

Recommendations

New Zealand’s government needs to concentrate on leveraging tourism revenues into the investment in their own oil initiatives. New Zealand has only one oil refinery and one underground storage facility, but has the natural resources to become one the primary exporters and storage locations of natural gas solutions in the world.  New Zealand also has coal, silver, iron ore, limestone and gold to add to their economic resources. According to Zabel, New Zealand has one of the largest untapped sources of natural gas and oil resources that could amass over 150 billion dollars (2009).

The second recommendation would the New Zealand government work together with New Line Cinema concerning The Lord of the Rings trilogy. New Line Cinema has raised concerns that the New Zealand government is saturating the market with The Lord of the Rings , which may make it difficult to continue selling consumers on future ventures. The government should try to incorporate some of the current media exposure to help New Line Cinema advertise the movie in specific countries, especially in China. New Line Cinema understands the impact of the Middle-earth campaign because they already have millions of loyal customers patronizing the Middle-earth attraction. The Middle-earth attraction can become a major theme for the Lord of Rings allowing them to build future ventures based on the Middle-earth story. It would be in the best benefit for both New Line Cinema and New Zealand to work in unison to keep the revenues flowing.

The New Zealand government should enter into an exclusive marketing deal that would bring additional revenue to New Zealand, while bringing new consumers to The Lord of the Rings and subsequent films. It would be win-win for both parties because New Zealand will continue to bring in revenue for years to come and New Line Cinema will continue to earn residual income, and together they can make movie history. New Zealand’s leadership needs to think about future relationships with New Line Cinema because they could decide to move the filming locations to another country. The easiest way for New Zealand to keep making revenue from the films is to build a solid relationship with the film’s leadership. In the movie industry,  certain films have popularity but slowly loose fans and movie-goers, often from over-saturation in the market. However, The Lord of the Rings has proven to have followers from all over the world while reaching across a wide range of demographics.

Asquith, A. (2008). Managing Middle Earth: The Evolving Role of Local Authority Chief Executive Officers in Auckland, New Zealand. Local Government Studies , 34 (5), 625-640.

Ateljevic, S. (2002).Representing New Zealand: Tourism imagery and ideology. Annals of Tourism Research. Vol.29, Issue 3, pgs. 648-667

Calder, P. (2002, Dec). New Zealand: ‘lord of the rings’ breaks silence. Variety, 389 , 2-B1, B12. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/236235568?accountid=34899

China Today. (2015).About CCTV. Today’s reports: Viewers. Retrieved from http://www.cctv.com/program/chinatoday/01/index.shtml

Jones, D., & Smith, K. (2005). Middle-earth meets New Zealand: Authenticity and Location in the Making of The Lord of the Rings. Journal of Management Studies , 42 (5), 923-945. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6486.2005.00527.

Lawn, J., & Beatty, B. (2005). Getting to Wellywood: national branding and the globalization of the New Zealand film industry. Post Script , 24 (2/3), 122-139.

Lunt, N. (2009). The rise of a ‘social development’ agenda in New Zealand. International  Journal of Social Welfare , 18 (1), 3-12. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2397.2008.00557.x

Morgan, A. a. (2010). The Lord of the Rings – a mythos applicable in unsustainable times?.  Environmental Education Research , 16 (3/4), 383-399. doi: 10.1080/13504621003613111

Myers, L. (2010). Women Travellers’ Adventure Tourism Experiences in New Zealand. Annals  of Leisure Research , 13 (1/2), 16-142.

New Zealand. (2015).The Lord of the Rings: Lord of the Rings tours. Retrieved from http://www.newzealand.com/int/lord-of-the-rings/

New Zealand Middle Earth. (2015).110% Pure New Zealand: Take a journey through Middle Earth. Retrieved from http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/middle-earth/

New Zealand Travel Insider. (2015). Lord of the Rings scenery on Hakatere Potts Rd. Retrieved  from http://www.newzealandtravelinsider.com/scenic-drives/lord-of-the-rings-scenery-hakatere-potts-road-new-zealand.htm

Packer, M. (2008). Algal capture of carbon dioxide; biomass generation as a tool for greenhouse gas mitigation with reference to New Zealand energy strategy and policy. New Zealand  Energy Strategy .Vol.37, Issue 9, pgs.3428-3437

Schiff, A., & Becken, S. (2011).Demand elasticity estimates for New Zealand tourism. Tourism Management. Vol.32, Issue 3, June 2011, pages 564-575

Shefrin, E. (2004). Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and participatory fandom: mapping new congruencies between the internet and media entertainment culture. Critical Studies In Media Communication , 21 (3), 261-281. doi: 10.1080/0739318042000212729

The Lord of the Rings. (2015). Promotional Partners: Official Licensed Merchandise. Retrieved from http://www.lordoftherings.net/index_partners.html

Tourism New Zealand. (2015, Jul).Film tourism: Corporate website. Retrieved from http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/markets-stats/sectors/film-tourism/

New Zealand Tourism Guide (2015).Lord of the Rings-New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.tourism.net.nz/lord-of-the-rings.html

Stuck with your Essay?

Get in touch with one of our experts for instant help!

What Is Six Sigma? Essay Example

Quality of Care for Patients in the Veterans Health Administration, Research Paper Example

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Plagiarism-free guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Secure checkout

Money back guarantee

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Voting as a civic responsibility, essay example.

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Words: 356

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 448

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Words: 2293

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Pages: 4

Words: 999

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

Words: 371

23 Things Every First-Time Traveller in New Zealand Should Know

New Zealand is the land of the long white cloud and sheep, Hobbits, glaciers, camper vans and extreme sports. This beautiful country down under should be on everyone’s travel bucket list; if it’s not on yours, add it now. For those already planning a trip to New Zealand, these 23 tips will make your trip more enjoyable.

1. Travel from North to South

If you believe in saving the best for the last, begin your journey in North Island and move towards the South Island. While North Island is undoubtedly gorgeous, South Island’s landscapes are a tad more dramatic, with lofty mountains and mystical fjords.

2. Learn the lingo

Don’t be alarmed if someone says “see you later” even if both of you know that you have no intention of seeing each other ever again; “see you later” is the equivalent of goodbye. There is also “choice” and “sweet as” meaning cool / good, and many many more.

3. Be prepared for all weather

Many places in New Zealand can go from ‘hot and sunny’ to ‘cold and rainy’ in one day so be prepared. If you’ll be travelling the length of the country, this is even more important – it may be hot and humid in Northland but by time you get to Wellington, the wind will make you feel like you’re on your way to the South Pole (which you are, sort of).

4. Know business opening hours

In large centres you can expect all retail businesses, including banks, to be open 7 days a week. Typical opening hours are 9am–5pm during weekdays and 10am–4pm on weekends but this varies. Supermarkets are typically open from 7am–10pm.

5. On a budget? Stay in hostels

New Zealand is a great destination for backpackers because their infrastructure for budget travellers is well-developed. If you’re on a budget, stay in hostels. New Zealand has a wide variety of hostels at every destination, ranging from those belonging to hostel chains like YHA and Base Backpackers to independent ones.  

6. Visit Grabone and Bookme; it will save you money

Grabone is a voucher site which can save you a lot of money and make your trip to New Zealand so much more affordable.  New deals are released regularly. You can expect to find discounted accommodation, meals and experiences (e.g. hiking tours). Another site that is popular with travellers is Bookme , which offers special last-minute deals for activities, tours, rentals and more. Do read the fine print.

7. Go hiking

The number one thing to do at every destination in New Zealand is to find a trail to conquer. New Zealand has a wide network of hiking trails and backcountry huts, and your choices vary from day hikes to multi-day Great Walks. So put on your hiking shoes; this is the best way to see the country.

8. Be sun safe

Although the weather can be grey and cold, don’t let that fool you. New Zealand’s sun is harsh and it will burn you even on days that are not sunny. Be sure that you slip, slop and slap – slip on clothes that protect your skin, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat.

9. Visit The Warehouse or Kmart for random things you need

New Zealand can be expensive. After all, everything does need to be shipped to the end of the world so it’s understandable. But if you know where to shop, you can get reasonably good quality items to use while you’re on holiday.

The Warehouse (aka The Red Shed where everyone gets a bargain) and Kmart both stock a range of clothing and homewares at very affordable prices. If you need and extra T-shirt, a towel, a USB stick, stationery or anything in between, one of these shops is worth a visit. You’ll find one or both in most medium to large towns.

10. Lower your expectations about internet access

New Zealand has come a long way in the last few years in terms of internet access but it still isn’t as good as many other countries. Increasing numbers of cafes and public areas offer free WiFi which is great and can help offset the cost of expensive mobile data. Speaking of which, if you are off on an adventure out of an urban area you can expect to have no cellphone coverage, including no internet.

Also Read: 28 Photos that Prove New Zealand is the Epitome of Earth’s Beauty

11. No need to factor in tipping

There is no tipping culture in New Zealand. What’s on your bill is what you pay.  Occasionally there may be a jar on the counter labelled tips but there isn’t any obligation to put anything in them.

12. Drink coffee

There may be no tipping culture but there certainly is a coffee culture. You’ll find coffee at just about every turn, including petrol stations. Part of the true Kiwi experience is ordering a “flat white”.

13. Hire a campervan

Campervans don’t have the best reputation but they are very popular and for good reason: transport and accommodation all rolled into one. If you plan ahead, you can get great deals on campervans that has flexible drop-off points.

There are plenty of campgrounds which accommodate campervans. You can also be more adventurous and go freedom camping – just be sure that this is allowed in the area that you stop.

14. Learn the road rules

If you’re planning to drive in New Zealand, research the road rules. Not only will this make your driving experience more enjoyable, it will also help keep you and other drivers safe. The basics are: drive on the left, wear your seatbelt and keep to the speed limit. Remember to be considerate when driving – if you’re holding up traffic, pull over and let other cars pass.

Interesting road signs add extra sparkle to road trips; most are self explanatory but a couple will make you wonder.

15. Put your own petrol / gas in your car

Most New Zealand gas stations are self service but they will have someone to offer assistance during business hours.

16. Don’t smoke in restaurants, cafes or bars

New Zealand has a no-smoking policy in eateries (though you may find a smoking area outside) and many public areas are also becoming smoke-free. If you’re a smoker, look out for signs telling you where you can and can’t smoke.

17. Don’t wait for the restaurant bill

It’s customary in New Zealand to either pay at the time of ordering or to go up to the counter after your meal and pay for it. If you wait for your bill to be brought to you, you’ll be waiting a long time.

18. Stop looking for 1c, 2c and 5c pieces

There aren’t any. Your bill will be rounded up or down to the nearest 10c when paying by cash. Debit cards (called eftpos cards) are accepted just about everywhere and most shops also accept credit cards.

19. Understand that Kiwis are a casual bunch

Don’t be surprised to see someone wearing pyjamas at the supermarket or shorts and sandals at a restaurant. And don’t take offence if someone says they will arrive at a certain time but are late; punctuality is often not a priority.

20. Forget about the sheep

Gone are the days that sheep outnumbered people in New Zealand. You’ll see a plenty but don’t expect to see them at every turn.

21. Relax, there are no snakes

One of the great things about New Zealand is that there aren’t any dangerous snakes (or any snakes at all) or spiders (although some people debate the spider statement).

22. Do not bring fresh fruit or veggies into the country

New Zealand takes their biosecurity very seriously; try to sneak in (knowingly or not) a piece of fruit and you are guaranteed to regret it. When in doubt, either throw it in one of the bins provided or declare it. No one want to start their holiday with a fine for a piece of fruit. Of course if that does happen, you’ll have a great story to tell.

It’s not just fruit and vegetables that New Zealand border control doesn’t tolerate, they are wary of all organic matter (basically anything that could harm the delicate NZ ecosystem). So you’ll need to declare animal products, sea shells, wood, dirty camping or hiking gear, etc.

23. Know what to do during an earthquake

Unfortunately, parts of New Zealand are at risk for earthquakes so you need to know what to do if one strikes. “Drop and cover” is the magic phrase.

Also Read: 20 Incredible Experiences You Must Have in New Zealand

If you’ve already visited New Zealand and have a great tip that’s been missed out, let us know in the comments.

About Author

Angela Bridger

Angela is a homebody with a quiet sense of adventure (read: she likes to travel in style with a book by her side). Getting lost in London taught her to plan plan plan so now she double checks travel routes and always triple checks her passport. Angela has a soft spot for vibrant culture and rugged landscapes. Alaska, Cowboy Country and Russia are currently on the to-do list.

CLICK TO SEE MORE ARTICLES BY Angela Bridger

Related Posts

Recommended Reads

12 best places to visit in new zealand during spring, melbourne ranks first in best cities for retirees in 2024, my new zealand adventure: 12 things to do in the north island, 5 best hikes in new zealand’s aoraki / mount cook national park, 28 photos that prove new zealand is the epitome of earth’s beauty, tongariro crossing: a stunning day hike in new zealand, 超详细【新西兰】9天行程+10项活动大推荐！, 《百日梦游绵羊国》文化大冲击！我在纽西兰发现的趣事, coming soon: a train that runs across new zealand on a six-day journey, marvel at new zealand’s night skies at this stargazing livestream, new zealand winter travel guide: what to see and things to do, top 10 family-friendly destinations for the june holidays – take your pick.

See More >>

Advertising & Collaboration

Advertise | Cut through the noise with integrated marketing solutions across multiple channels.

Press | Send us your Press Releases & Media Invites.

Editorial | Contribute your travel stories or submit content enquiries.

Get the TripZilla Newsletter

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Adventure — Study on New Zealand’s Adventure Travel

Study on New Zealand’s Adventure Travel

• Categories: Adventure

About this sample

Words: 2045 |

11 min read

Published: Jan 15, 2019

Words: 2045 | Pages: 4 | 11 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Geography & Travel

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 606 words

6 pages / 2762 words

6 pages / 2676 words

5 pages / 2488 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Adventure

In the vast expanse of the Alaskan wilderness, a young man named Chris McCandless embarked on a journey that would captivate the hearts and minds of countless individuals. His story, chronicled in Jon Krakauer's book "Into the [...]

In summation, the adventure trip to Patagonia served as an embodiment of the transformative power of exploration. Beyond the picturesque landscapes and physical challenges, the journey offered a holistic experience that [...]

Traveling is often considered a path to self-discovery, cultural enrichment, and broadening one's horizons. It provides an opportunity to step out of the comfort zone and experience the diversity that the world has to offer. My [...]

Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, the wilderness stands as a sanctuary of serenity and a wellspring of inspiration. Nature, in all its untamed glory, has a profound impact on our well-being, both individually and [...]

Adventure Time with Finn and Jake is an animated comedy/adventure cartoon created by Pendleton Ward about a boy named Finn and his magical-mutated dog Jake. Being siblings, Jake often acts as Finn's mentor and adventure [...]

Axum also was known as present-day Eritrea is located near the red sea and is close to Ethiopia’s northern border. Aksum had a region of high central plateaus that differ from 1,290 to 3,000 ft above sea level and the highest [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Before you travel I mua i tō haerenga

Get organised before you travel to make your arrival into New Zealand as easy as possible.

New Zealand entry requirements

Check that you have the right documentation to enter New Zealand, including a valid passport and visa or NZeTA, if required.

Valid passport

You must have a valid passport to enter New Zealand. Check its expiry date to make sure it meets the rules for acceptable travel documents. If you are a New Zealand citizen and you need to renew your passport, make sure you allow plenty of time before you travel.

Renew or replace your adult passport – Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa New Zealand Government

Before you travel to New Zealand – Immigration New Zealand

Visa or NZeTA, if required

If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) to enter New Zealand.

Check if you need a visitor visa or an NZeTA – Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa New Zealand Government

Information about NZeTA – Immigration New Zealand

Travel insurance

When coming to New Zealand to visit, study or work, you are strongly encouraged to get travel insurance. Some visa categories require you to hold insurance as a condition of your visa.

Before you buy travel insurance, check what cover it provides. New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom.

Reciprocal health agreements – Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand

What you can't bring into New Zealand

There are strict rules for what you can and cannot bring into New Zealand. If you do not declare prohibited or restricted items, you could be fined or prosecuted. This includes items in your checked in luggage and carry-on bags.

Check if you can bring or send an item to NZ – Mānatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries

Prohibited and restricted items – Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa New Zealand Customs Service

Check to see if items or products you are bringing into NZ need a CITES permit (CITES protects many plants and animals globally) – Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation 

Travel restrictions for New Zealand

There are no longer any COVID-19 related travel restrictions for New Zealand. You do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand.

Unite against COVID-19

New Zealand Traveller Declaration: Before you travel

Kia ora, Travellers arriving into Aotearoa New Zealand by air need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. Children and infants need their own declaration too. It’s free, takes about 10 minutes, and you can do it on your mobile device or computer. You can complete your digital declaration within 24 hours of starting your trip to New Zealand.

Go to TravellerDeclaration.govt.nz or download the NZTD app.

Remember, check if you need a visa or NZeTA to enter New Zealand.

Support and resources in other languages .

Last updated: 10th July 2023

Travelling or returning to New Zealand

Passports and visas for entry into new zealand.

• You will need a valid passport .
• If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or a  New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for traveling to or transiting New Zealand.
• Don't forget to check travel requirements for any  countries/regions  you will pass through in transit and on your return journey.
• All passengers entering New Zealand have the option to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration instead of a paper Passenger Arrival Card. Passengers transiting internationally do not need to complete a declaration.

Transit in New Zealand

• If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or a  New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for transiting through New Zealand
• Remember to check your final destination's entry requirements .
• Travellers do not require proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test to enter New Zealand.
• Air New Zealand does not require passengers to provide proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test. We do ask that if you're feeling unwell and test positive for COVID-19, please consider changing your travel plans. 

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Get us in your inbox

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest and greatest from your city and beyond

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

New Zealand is tripling its tourist tax – here’s why

The government has said more funding is needed to protect New Zealand’s environment, but the hike has been criticised by tourism bodies

If there’s one thing New Zealand is known for, it’s knockout scenery. Whether you’re hiking, cycling or driving around the place, pretty much everywhere you look offers you desktop-background worthy, jaw-dropping views – it was voted the world’s all-round most beautiful country , after all. 

However, from October 1, the country plans to hike its tourist tax to triple the current amount – from NZ$35 to NZ$100 (€20-€56). Given that post-pandemic visitor numbers remain low (in June this year, numbers were around 84 percent of those in the same period from 2019), what’s the thinking behind this leap in price?

Well, the higher fee will be used to boost conservation initiatives and mitigate the impact of visitors. Before the pandemic, New Zealand’s tourism was its largest export industry, and while the country’s biggest appeal is its environment, the sheer number of visitors leads to significant degradation. 

Not only are people damaging the environment they’re coming to see, but the degradation leaves New Zealand less resilient to disasters such as flooding and wildfires which are already worse due to climate change. 

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy was introduced back in 2019, and is a flat rate fee that must be paid by people applying for tourist visas or New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. People from Australia and lots of Pacific islands are exempt. 

So far, the money has been used to fund projects such as restoring habitats and eradicating pests to maintaining cycling trails, but the money raised – around NZ$80 million (€44.8 million) – just isn’t covering the cost of the amount of work that needs to be done, apparently. 

When you compare this fee to those of nearby tourist destinations such as Bali, it’s extortionate (Bali charges visitors a one-time fee of €9), however, when compared to other ecologically delicate destinations such as the Galapagos, (which increased it’s entry fee to €184 back in March – read more here ), it’s relatively reasonable. 

Clearly, protecting New Zealand’s wonderful environment is a must, but some tourism bodies are concerned the high amount will deter visitors. According to euronews , NZ Airports argued this new fee hike will be ‘bad for the economy’, and Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) has dubbed it a ‘barrier making New Zealand incredibly expensive to visit’.

What’s more, the hike will be introduced at around the same time as the cost of a New Zealand visa undergoes a 60 percent increase, meaning the cost of entering the country will be €280. 

We’re so over overtourism

From all these destinations upping their tourist taxes to these destinations that just want people to stay away , overtourism is one hell of a hot topic right now. Plus, we did some digging recently into whether Europe’s cities will ever recover from its impacts – check that out here . 

Did you see that you will soon have to start paying to visit the EU ?

Plus: Another European country is set to crack down on holiday lets . 

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news. 

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out Worldwide

• All Time Out Locations
• North America
• South America
• South Pacific