New Zealand Travel Guide
Positioned approximately 900 miles east of Australia, New Zealand is an island nation comprised of two large land plenty—the North Island and South Island—and nearly 600 smaller islands. Whether you’re in search of distinctive wildlife, world-class eating places, pristine hiking, unmatched cultural experiences, kayaking in dolphin-filled waters, hair-elevating adrenaline sports or sandy, tropical beaches, New Zealand brings all of it together in one unforgettable nation.
New Zealand is historically unique in that it was one of the last main land lots to be settled by humans. Estimates put the arrival of the primary Māori settlers between 1250 and 1300, and European explorers didn’t arrive till the 1642 voyage of the Dutchman Abel Tasman. The primary meeting between Māori and Europeans resulted within the death of 4 of Tasman’s crew members and a minimum of one injured Māori, and Europeans didn’t return till 1769, when James Cook mapped virtually everything of the nation’s coastline.
By way of the whaling and trading industries, European exploration of the realm intensified, and starting within the early nineteenth century, Christian missionaries began changing much of the prevailing Māori. By the late nineteenth century, the Māori population was at 40 % of its pre-European contact stage, due largely to European-launched diseases.
On July 1, 1841, the Colony of New Zealand was formally shaped from the Colony of New South Wales, and in 1907, upon request from the New Zealand parliament, New Zealand was proclaimed a dominion within the British Empire. New Zealand fought in each World War I and World War II and suffered through the Nice Melancholy as well.
In more current history, there’s been a resurgence of Māori tradition and several other movements aimed at selling higher awareness of their traditions.
New Zealand is often the story of two groups, Māori and Pākehā (European culture within New Zealand), and cultural achievements are no exception. Within the Māori tradition, there are a lot of lovely examples of carvings and weavings, both of which usually have religious and storytelling significance. From the early Pākehā, landscape paintings and a few Māori portraiture were common.
One of the crucial widely known cultural components of the Māori individuals is the haka, a posture dance that involves stamping ft, rhythmic cries and overtly exposed 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 international interest in New Zealand’s cultural exports, the film industry has seen a recent boon. New Zealand films As soon as Had been Warriors, The Piano, Heavenly Creatures and Whale Rider all loved nationwide and international 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 damaged into worldwide acclaim, and the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords enjoys worldwide success as well.
When traveling in New Zealand, keep a number of the following in mind:
CURRENCY
New Zealand’s forex is the New Zealand dollar. Only 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. In case you’re going somewhere particularly distant, just be sure to stock up on cash beforehand. When exchanging money, the worst rates will possible be on the airport and in hotels. Simply withdrawing from an ATM tends to provde the most favorable rate.
TIPPING
While tipping’s not necessary in restaurants, it’s still common, particularly in touristy areas. A 10 percent gratuity for notably wonderful service will all the time be appreciated. At hotels, it’s considered a pleasant gesture to tip anybody carrying your bags or cleaning your room. The following pointers are typically a number of dollars.
PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
New Zealand’s typically a fairly relaxed, open and friendly nation. Westerners received’t come up towards 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 items to see in the event that they’re appropriate with 110 and 220. If not, you’ll want a converter. New Zealand makes use of - or three-pin plugs which might be angled, so an adapter’s needed as well.
PUBLIC BATHROOMS
Public bogs are clear, trendy and readily available all through New Zealand. You can anticipate sinks, running water and toilet paper to be provided.
Keep a particular eye out for "Exeloo" toilets. These high-tech restrooms point out with a light if the stall’s vacant, occupied or closed, they play light music over a speaker system, they let you lock the door on the push of a button, and the toilet automatically flushes if you wash your palms!
DRINKING WATER
Faucet water’s clean and safe to drink all through New Zealand. For those who’re heading out for multiday adventures in the wild, use the same common sense you'd anywhere. Don’t drink from stagnant pools, and bring along your favorred water sterilization technique—just Fun things to do in New Zealand be safe.
AUCKLAND REGION
Named after the nation’s largest urban center, the Auckland area accommodates everything from metropolitan bars and restaurants to the islands of Hauraki Gulf, the place you’re liable to see whales and dolphins.
Auckland: A beautiful metropolis of metropolitan and cultural significance, Auckland is a can’t-miss stop for anybody hitting the North Island. Take within the Sky Tower and gorgeous harbor, as well as the multicultural atmosphere. (Beware, though. Auckland has been ranked one of many world’s costliest cities.)
BAY OF PLENTY REGION
Situated within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, this region’s finest identified for its intensive geothermal activity, nevertheless it’s also a site of historical and cultural significance to the Māori people.
Rotorua: Whether or not you’re interested in the geothermal activity, trout fishing or Maori tradition, Rotorua will maintain you spellbound. Don’t miss its array of hot swimming pools and geysers.
HAWKE’S BAY REGION
Nestled along the japanese coast of the North Island, many come for the scenery but keep for the wine. Hawke’s Bay is known internationally as the house to many award-profitable reds and whites.
Napier: Devastated in a 1931 earthquake, this resilient metropolis rebuilt in its now-well-known Art Deco architectural style. Individuals flock right here 12 months-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 unique in that it was one of the last main land lots to be settled by humans. Estimates put the arrival of the primary Māori settlers between 1250 and 1300, and European explorers didn’t arrive till the 1642 voyage of the Dutchman Abel Tasman. The primary meeting between Māori and Europeans resulted within the death of 4 of Tasman’s crew members and a minimum of one injured Māori, and Europeans didn’t return till 1769, when James Cook mapped virtually everything of the nation’s coastline.
By way of the whaling and trading industries, European exploration of the realm intensified, and starting within the early nineteenth century, Christian missionaries began changing much of the prevailing Māori. By the late nineteenth century, the Māori population was at 40 % of its pre-European contact stage, due largely to European-launched diseases.
On July 1, 1841, the Colony of New Zealand was formally shaped from the Colony of New South Wales, and in 1907, upon request from the New Zealand parliament, New Zealand was proclaimed a dominion within the British Empire. New Zealand fought in each World War I and World War II and suffered through the Nice Melancholy as well.
In more current history, there’s been a resurgence of Māori tradition and several other movements aimed at selling higher awareness of their traditions.
New Zealand is often the story of two groups, Māori and Pākehā (European culture within New Zealand), and cultural achievements are no exception. Within the Māori tradition, there are a lot of lovely examples of carvings and weavings, both of which usually have religious and storytelling significance. From the early Pākehā, landscape paintings and a few Māori portraiture were common.
One of the crucial widely known cultural components of the Māori individuals is the haka, a posture dance that involves stamping ft, rhythmic cries and overtly exposed 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 international interest in New Zealand’s cultural exports, the film industry has seen a recent boon. New Zealand films As soon as Had been Warriors, The Piano, Heavenly Creatures and Whale Rider all loved nationwide and international 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 damaged into worldwide acclaim, and the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords enjoys worldwide success as well.
When traveling in New Zealand, keep a number of the following in mind:
CURRENCY
New Zealand’s forex is the New Zealand dollar. Only 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. In case you’re going somewhere particularly distant, just be sure to stock up on cash beforehand. When exchanging money, the worst rates will possible be on the airport and in hotels. Simply withdrawing from an ATM tends to provde the most favorable rate.
TIPPING
While tipping’s not necessary in restaurants, it’s still common, particularly in touristy areas. A 10 percent gratuity for notably wonderful service will all the time be appreciated. At hotels, it’s considered a pleasant gesture to tip anybody carrying your bags or cleaning your room. The following pointers are typically a number of dollars.
PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
New Zealand’s typically a fairly relaxed, open and friendly nation. Westerners received’t come up towards 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 items to see in the event that they’re appropriate with 110 and 220. If not, you’ll want a converter. New Zealand makes use of - or three-pin plugs which might be angled, so an adapter’s needed as well.
PUBLIC BATHROOMS
Public bogs are clear, trendy and readily available all through New Zealand. You can anticipate sinks, running water and toilet paper to be provided.
Keep a particular eye out for "Exeloo" toilets. These high-tech restrooms point out with a light if the stall’s vacant, occupied or closed, they play light music over a speaker system, they let you lock the door on the push of a button, and the toilet automatically flushes if you wash your palms!
DRINKING WATER
Faucet water’s clean and safe to drink all through New Zealand. For those who’re heading out for multiday adventures in the wild, use the same common sense you'd anywhere. Don’t drink from stagnant pools, and bring along your favorred water sterilization technique—just Fun things to do in New Zealand be safe.
AUCKLAND REGION
Named after the nation’s largest urban center, the Auckland area accommodates everything from metropolitan bars and restaurants to the islands of Hauraki Gulf, the place you’re liable to see whales and dolphins.
Auckland: A beautiful metropolis of metropolitan and cultural significance, Auckland is a can’t-miss stop for anybody hitting the North Island. Take within the Sky Tower and gorgeous harbor, as well as the multicultural atmosphere. (Beware, though. Auckland has been ranked one of many world’s costliest cities.)
BAY OF PLENTY REGION
Situated within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, this region’s finest identified for its intensive geothermal activity, nevertheless it’s also a site of historical and cultural significance to the Māori people.
Rotorua: Whether or not you’re interested in the geothermal activity, trout fishing or Maori tradition, Rotorua will maintain you spellbound. Don’t miss its array of hot swimming pools and geysers.
HAWKE’S BAY REGION
Nestled along the japanese coast of the North Island, many come for the scenery but keep for the wine. Hawke’s Bay is known internationally as the house to many award-profitable reds and whites.
Napier: Devastated in a 1931 earthquake, this resilient metropolis rebuilt in its now-well-known Art Deco architectural style. Individuals flock right here 12 months-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.
