New Zealand

Information and Tourism

The country of New Zealand is situated with the Tasman Sea to the West and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. The two main islands are the North Island and the South Island, are there are also several smaller islands. Originally inhabited by the Maori, a Polynesian people that came to New Zealand in the 14th century, New Zealand became a British colony in 1840.

There is a wealth of accommodation in New Zealand to suit all travellers including budget lodging suitable for New Zealand backpackers, travel lodges, bed and breakfast and luxury hotels. New Zealand offers numerous tourist attractions, which include national parks, glacial mountains, volcanic thermal areas, forest reserves, breathtaking beaches, and spectacular gardens and arboretums. There is also an abundance of cultural and historic attractions including landmarks, monuments, museums and art galleries. Visitors can also enjoy whale watching or swim with the dolphins. New Zealand is now famous for the abundance of extreme sports that are offered such as skiing, white-water rafting, sky diving, mountainboarding, kiteboarding, and of course, bungy jumping. The world-famous film 'Lord of the Rings' was filmed in several breathtaking locations of New Zealand.


There are many interesting cities to visit in New Zealand - Wellington, the historic capital city of New Zealand, situated at the south-east part of the North Island; Auckland, on the North Island, offering visitors a variety of things to do and many beautiful sandy beaches, and the sights and activities of Christchurch in Canterbury, South Island.

As the largest of all the cities in New Zealand by far, Auckland features a population of roughly three times that of Wellington. Hotels in Auckland are certainly in good supply, with some of the most popular being found within the Mount Eden and Parnell neighbourhoods. In Christchurch, the most desirable accommodation is close to Cathedral Square and Latimer Square, while in Wellington, Courtenay Place and Lambton Quay are home to some of the most appealing hotels.

	WORLD GUIDES TO NEW ZEALAND
	North Island - South Island
	World Guide to Auckland, New Zealand Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most exciting city and Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand. With a breathtaking coastal location, Auckland lies next to the Hauraki Gulf and contains many bays and harbours.
	World Guide to Christchurch, New Zealand Christchurch is a thriving, vibrant city on the South Island of New Zealand and Christchurch is the capital city of the Canterbury region. New Zealand's third largest city, Christchurch is the only city containing an international airport on the South Island.
	World Guide to Milford Sound, New Zealand The sheer natural beauty of the Milford Sound scenery draws tourists by the busload, who frequently come to enjoy a leisurely cruise. The huge expanse of water contrasts greatly with the Mitre Peak and neighbouring granite peaks.
	World Guide to Queenstown, New Zealand When it comes to outdoor adventure sports in Australia, Queenstown certainly stands out. Located next to Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown features a stunning mountainous backdrop provided by the Remarkables.
	World Guide to Wanaka, New Zealand The lively resort town of Wanaka serves as an exciting outdoor destination. Lake Wanaka, the neighbouring Mount Aspiring National Park and nearby seasonal ski resorts all combine to provide endless recreational opportunities.
	World Guide to Wellington, New Zealand Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, is situated on the southern coast of New Zealand's North Island and is the second largest city in New Zealand. The important city of Wellington boasts a number of harbours, scenic views and a thriving city centre.

New Zealand Information / New Zealand Facts

• Country: New Zealand
• Area: 103,720 square miles / 268,700 square km
• Population: approximately 4,000,000
  
• Capital city: Wellington
• Language: English
• Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Time zone: NZST (UTC + 12 / UTC + 13)
• Country dialing code: +64
• Religion: various religions

Map of New Zealand