New Zealand Journey Guide
Situated roughly 900 miles east of Australia, New Zealand is an island nation comprised of massive land lots—the North Island and South Island—and nearly 600 smaller islands. Whether you’re seeking distinctive wildlife, world-class restaurants, pristine hiking, unmatched cultural experiences, kayaking Backpacking in New Zealand dolphin-stuffed waters, hair-raising adrenaline sports or sandy, tropical beaches, New Zealand brings all of it together in one unforgettable nation.
New Zealand is historically distinctive in that it was one of many final main land plenty to be settled by humans. Estimates put the arrival of the first Māori settlers between 1250 and 1300, and European explorers didn’t arrive till the 1642 voyage of the Dutchman Abel Tasman. The primary assembly between Māori and Europeans resulted within the loss of life of four of Tasman’s crew members and at the very least one injured Māori, and Europeans didn’t return till 1769, when James Cook mapped virtually the whole thing of the nation’s coastline.
Via the whaling and trading industries, European exploration of the area intensified, and beginning in the early nineteenth century, Christian missionaries began converting much of the existing Māori. By the late nineteenth century, the Māori inhabitants was at forty p.c of its pre-European contact level, due in large part to European-introduced diseases.
On July 1, 1841, the Colony of New Zealand was formally formed from the Colony of New South Wales, and in 1907, upon request from the New Zealand parliament, New Zealand was proclaimed a dominion within the British Empire. New Zealand fought in each World War I and World War II and suffered through the Nice Depression as well.
In more recent history, there’s been a resurgence of Māori culture and a number of other movements geared toward promoting larger awareness of their traditions.
New Zealand is commonly the story of two groups, Māori and Pākehā (European culture within New Zealand), and cultural achievements are not any exception. Within the Māori tradition, there are lots of lovely examples of carvings and weavings, each of which often have non secular and storytelling significance. From the early Pākehā, panorama paintings and some Māori portraiture had been common.
One of the most well known cultural parts of the Māori folks is the haka, a posture dance that includes stamping ft, rhythmic cries and overtly uncovered tongues. The All Blacks, the New Zealand rugby union crew, has performed this ritual earlier than matches since 1905.
While there has historically been little worldwide curiosity in New Zealand’s cultural exports, the film trade has seen a current boon. New Zealand films As soon as Have been Warriors, The Piano, Heavenly Creatures and Whale Rider all enjoyed nationwide and worldwide success, and the Peter Jackson–directed Lord of the Rings shot New Zealand into the mainstream spotlight.
On the music entrance, the Takapuna-born artist Lorde has broken into worldwide acclaim, and the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords enjoys worldwide success as well.
When touring in New Zealand, maintain some of the following in mind:
CURRENCY
New Zealand’s foreign money is the New Zealand dollar. Solely in uncommon circumstances can you pay with US dollars here, so all the time convert into the native currency. Most retailers accept main credit cards, and ATMs are plentiful. When you’re going someplace particularly distant, just make sure to stock up on cash beforehand. When exchanging money, the worst rates will probably be at the airport and in hotels. Merely withdrawing from an ATM tends to provde the most favorable rate.
TIPPING
While tipping’s not mandatory in restaurants, it’s still frequent, particularly in touristy areas. A 10 p.c gratuity for particularly glorious service will always be appreciated. At hotels, it’s considered a pleasant gesture to tip anybody carrying your bags or cleaning your room. The following pointers tend to be just a few dollars.
PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
New Zealand’s usually a quite relaxed, open and pleasant nation. Westerners gained’t come up against too many strict social customs or taboos. There are, nonetheless, subtle differences between the coexisting European and Māori cultures. Māori, for instance, are more tied to social protocols, tradition and hierarchy.
ELECTRIC CURRENT
New Zealand operates on 230/240 volts. Always check your US objects to see if they’re compatible with one hundred ten and 220. If not, you’ll need a converter. New Zealand makes use of - or three-pin plugs which are angled, so an adapter’s crucial as well.
PUBLIC BATHROOMS
Public loos are clean, modern and readily available all through New Zealand. You may expect sinks, running water and bathroom paper to be provided.
Preserve a special eye out for "Exeloo" toilets. These high-tech restrooms indicate with a light if the stall’s vacant, occupied or closed, they play mild music over a speaker system, they will let you lock the door at the push of a button, and the toilet automatically flushes while you wash your hands!
DRINKING WATER
Faucet water’s clear and safe to drink all through New Zealand. If you happen to’re heading out for multiday adventures within the wild, use the identical widespread sense you would anywhere. Don’t drink from stagnant pools, and bring along your wantred water sterilization technique—just to be safe.
AUCKLAND REGION
Named after the nation’s largest city center, the Auckland area incorporates everything from metropolitan bars and eating places to the islands of Hauraki Gulf, the place you’re liable to see whales and dolphins.
Auckland: A good looking city of metropolitan and cultural significance, Auckland is a can’t-miss cease for anyone hitting the North Island. Take in the Sky Tower and beautiful harbor, as well because the multicultural atmosphere. (Beware, though. Auckland has been ranked one of the world’s most costly cities.)
BAY OF PLENTY REGION
Situated within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, this area’s greatest recognized for its in depth geothermal exercise, nevertheless it’s also a site of historical and cultural significance to the Māori people.
Rotorua: Whether you’re interested in the geothermal exercise, trout fishing or Maori tradition, Rotorua will maintain you spellbound. Don’t miss its array of hot pools and geysers.
HAWKE’S BAY REGION
Nestled along the japanese coast of the North Island, many come for the surroundings but keep for the wine. Hawke’s Bay is understood internationally as the house to many award-successful reds and whites.
Napier: Devastated in a 1931 earthquake, this resilient city rebuilt in its now-well-known Artwork Deco architectural style. Folks flock right here year-spherical for wine festivals and celebrations of their Art Deco history and heritage.
WAIKATO REGION
Black-sand beaches, revered surfing, pure harbors and pervasive livestock make this North Island area quintessentially Kiwi.
New Zealand is historically distinctive in that it was one of many final main land plenty to be settled by humans. Estimates put the arrival of the first Māori settlers between 1250 and 1300, and European explorers didn’t arrive till the 1642 voyage of the Dutchman Abel Tasman. The primary assembly between Māori and Europeans resulted within the loss of life of four of Tasman’s crew members and at the very least one injured Māori, and Europeans didn’t return till 1769, when James Cook mapped virtually the whole thing of the nation’s coastline.
Via the whaling and trading industries, European exploration of the area intensified, and beginning in the early nineteenth century, Christian missionaries began converting much of the existing Māori. By the late nineteenth century, the Māori inhabitants was at forty p.c of its pre-European contact level, due in large part to European-introduced diseases.
On July 1, 1841, the Colony of New Zealand was formally formed from the Colony of New South Wales, and in 1907, upon request from the New Zealand parliament, New Zealand was proclaimed a dominion within the British Empire. New Zealand fought in each World War I and World War II and suffered through the Nice Depression as well.
In more recent history, there’s been a resurgence of Māori culture and a number of other movements geared toward promoting larger awareness of their traditions.
New Zealand is commonly the story of two groups, Māori and Pākehā (European culture within New Zealand), and cultural achievements are not any exception. Within the Māori tradition, there are lots of lovely examples of carvings and weavings, each of which often have non secular and storytelling significance. From the early Pākehā, panorama paintings and some Māori portraiture had been common.
One of the most well known cultural parts of the Māori folks is the haka, a posture dance that includes stamping ft, rhythmic cries and overtly uncovered tongues. The All Blacks, the New Zealand rugby union crew, has performed this ritual earlier than matches since 1905.
While there has historically been little worldwide curiosity in New Zealand’s cultural exports, the film trade has seen a current boon. New Zealand films As soon as Have been Warriors, The Piano, Heavenly Creatures and Whale Rider all enjoyed nationwide and worldwide success, and the Peter Jackson–directed Lord of the Rings shot New Zealand into the mainstream spotlight.
On the music entrance, the Takapuna-born artist Lorde has broken into worldwide acclaim, and the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords enjoys worldwide success as well.
When touring in New Zealand, maintain some of the following in mind:
CURRENCY
New Zealand’s foreign money is the New Zealand dollar. Solely in uncommon circumstances can you pay with US dollars here, so all the time convert into the native currency. Most retailers accept main credit cards, and ATMs are plentiful. When you’re going someplace particularly distant, just make sure to stock up on cash beforehand. When exchanging money, the worst rates will probably be at the airport and in hotels. Merely withdrawing from an ATM tends to provde the most favorable rate.
TIPPING
While tipping’s not mandatory in restaurants, it’s still frequent, particularly in touristy areas. A 10 p.c gratuity for particularly glorious service will always be appreciated. At hotels, it’s considered a pleasant gesture to tip anybody carrying your bags or cleaning your room. The following pointers tend to be just a few dollars.
PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
New Zealand’s usually a quite relaxed, open and pleasant nation. Westerners gained’t come up against too many strict social customs or taboos. There are, nonetheless, subtle differences between the coexisting European and Māori cultures. Māori, for instance, are more tied to social protocols, tradition and hierarchy.
ELECTRIC CURRENT
New Zealand operates on 230/240 volts. Always check your US objects to see if they’re compatible with one hundred ten and 220. If not, you’ll need a converter. New Zealand makes use of - or three-pin plugs which are angled, so an adapter’s crucial as well.
PUBLIC BATHROOMS
Public loos are clean, modern and readily available all through New Zealand. You may expect sinks, running water and bathroom paper to be provided.
Preserve a special eye out for "Exeloo" toilets. These high-tech restrooms indicate with a light if the stall’s vacant, occupied or closed, they play mild music over a speaker system, they will let you lock the door at the push of a button, and the toilet automatically flushes while you wash your hands!
DRINKING WATER
Faucet water’s clear and safe to drink all through New Zealand. If you happen to’re heading out for multiday adventures within the wild, use the identical widespread sense you would anywhere. Don’t drink from stagnant pools, and bring along your wantred water sterilization technique—just to be safe.
AUCKLAND REGION
Named after the nation’s largest city center, the Auckland area incorporates everything from metropolitan bars and eating places to the islands of Hauraki Gulf, the place you’re liable to see whales and dolphins.
Auckland: A good looking city of metropolitan and cultural significance, Auckland is a can’t-miss cease for anyone hitting the North Island. Take in the Sky Tower and beautiful harbor, as well because the multicultural atmosphere. (Beware, though. Auckland has been ranked one of the world’s most costly cities.)
BAY OF PLENTY REGION
Situated within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, this area’s greatest recognized for its in depth geothermal exercise, nevertheless it’s also a site of historical and cultural significance to the Māori people.
Rotorua: Whether you’re interested in the geothermal exercise, trout fishing or Maori tradition, Rotorua will maintain you spellbound. Don’t miss its array of hot pools and geysers.
HAWKE’S BAY REGION
Nestled along the japanese coast of the North Island, many come for the surroundings but keep for the wine. Hawke’s Bay is understood internationally as the house to many award-successful reds and whites.
Napier: Devastated in a 1931 earthquake, this resilient city rebuilt in its now-well-known Artwork Deco architectural style. Folks flock right here year-spherical for wine festivals and celebrations of their Art Deco history and heritage.
WAIKATO REGION
Black-sand beaches, revered surfing, pure harbors and pervasive livestock make this North Island area quintessentially Kiwi.
