New Zealand

New Zealand, ’Land of the Long White Cloud’, is a small, sparsely populated country consisting of two major islands, North and South Island, and a scattering of smaller ones. Despite its small size it is crammed with magnificent natural beauty and has an incredible amount to offer; the only complaint travellers have is that they hadn’t allowed enough time in the country. Fresh air, breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities are the main attractions of New Zealand, with a tremendously friendly, honest and helpful population, colloquially nicknamed after their country’s distinct symbol, the unusual but amiable flightless kiwi bird.
New Zealand's separation from other land masses for more than 100 million years has allowed many ancient plants and animals to survive and evolve in isolation. Complementing the unique flora and fauna is a landscape that contains an unrivaled variety of landforms. In a couple of days' drive it is possible to see everything from mountain ranges to sandy beaches, lush rain-forests, glaciers and fjords and active volcanoes.
The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 was New Zealand’s founding document, an attempt to settle disputes between the European settlers and the Maoris, conceding the country to British rule while guaranteeing the Maori people possession of their land and cultural identity. Today, integration has been replaced by a policy of upholding two different cultures alongside each other. Their shared love of sport, most notably the revered national sport of rugby union, and their enthusiasm for adventure and the outdoors is the unifying factor among the whole population.
The two islands of New Zealand have surprisingly different characters. The North Island has dramatic volcanic landscapes and highly active thermal areas, long stretches of beautiful beaches and excellent sailing, ancient indigenous forests and a strong Maori cultural influence. The South Island has a slower pace of life dominated by a magnificent spine of mountains, the snow-covered Southern Alps, and the spectacular scenery of the southern waterways of the fjord-lands, with glaciers, deep lakes and verdant forests.
New Zealand offers a huge variety of action-packed and laid back activities, from bungy jumping to skiing, swimming with dolphins, scenic flights and boat cruises on the fjords, as well as several world famous walking trails with unrivaled scenery.
Alternatively visitors can immerse themselves in culture at the museums and galleries of the country’s main cities - Auckland and the capital Wellington in the North, and Christ Church in the south.
Auckland, New Zealand's largest and most cosmopolitan city, is a great starting point for exploring the north of the country. Known as the "City of Sails" for its numerous yachts, and with its beautiful harbor and sandy beaches, Auckland is at its prime in the summer. Auckland's Sky Tower is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere.
Wellington is the capital city, and is located at the southern tip of the North Island. Increasingly referred to by locals as "Wellywood" due to the huge success of film director Peter Jackson [Lord of the Rings Trilogy], Wellington regularly plays host to international films stars. The capital also boasts a symphony orchestra, opera house, several live theaters, the excellent Embassy Cinema and the national museum Te Papa. There are also regular daily ferry services to the South Island.
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and is often called the "Garden City". It is most likely the most European of New Zealand's cities. Many activities can be organized from here. Trekking to Mount Cook is just one of the many things you can do.
New Zealand is an easy and compact place in which to travel and its spectacularly dramatic landscape alone, famous for its setting for the ’The Lord of the Rings’ film trilogy, makes the long trip to these southern islands more than worthwhile.