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New Zealand
The World's No 1 Tourist Destination Quick Facts -
Getting There
 New Zealand is a country of great contrasts and is renowned for it's clean green image and friendly people.
It offers clean air, water
and outstanding scenery. There are dense subtropical and temperate forests, semi-desert
regions and lots of green fields and rolling hills covered with
vineyards, sheep and
other animals. In all a spectacle of natural beauty without much
obvious pollution or crowds of people.
Adventure
One of the worlds best known adventure destinations, New Zealand has
plenty to offer. There is white water rafting, jet boating, surfing, bungee jumping, sky diving,
parasailing, skiing, and all this in one day if
you can keep up the pace. Choose your own activities and set your
own itinerary and experience the time of your life in paradise.
Active Sports.
People
New Zealanders are down to earth and friendly English speaking
people with Indigenous Polynesian, European and Asian races with
growing numbers from African and the Mediterranean.
Film
A film makers paradise and many great films have been made here
including King Kong and Lord of the Rings trilogy. If you liked the scenery in these films,
then come and enjoy it for real.
New Zealand
Primarily
two Islands, North and
South with the smaller
Stewart Island below
and the Chatham Islands to the South East.
 North
island
In
the North Island you will find two thirds of the population,
the cities of Auckland and Wellington, magnificent beaches both safe and wild. Volcanic features like hot
pools, boiling mud and active volcanoes and geysers with thermal
spa's, glow-worm and limestone caves, beautiful lakes
and parks, superb fishing and diving.
learn more.
South Island
 The South Island is an area of huge
contrasts. The mighty Southern Alps form a dividing
line between the rugged landscape of the
West Coast
with its magnificent temperate rain forests and
glaciers. On the more tranquil East Coast plains of
Canterbury lay the cities of
Christchurch and Timaru, with beautiful beaches and sunshine.
learn more
National Parks
World renowned National Parks provide space to commune with nature
and walk some of the many trails. See the sun rise
or set over the Milford or Doubtful Sounds, or go
whale watching and swim with the dolphins at
Kaikoura
or Akaroa.
 When
to visit?
As to the best time to visit, it depends on your interests. It is
cold from April to November and there are fewer tourists then.
Health care
A highly skilled, peer regulated industry in natural therapies
features a range of spas, health resorts, and practitioners in a
wide range of healing arts. The makes New Zealand an excellent place
to come not only for the scenery, but for healing and restoration of
your body mind and spirit.
The public health system is under pressure, most hospitals now
insist on payment and insurance is recommended. A doctors visit
costs from $40.00 plus medications. Insurance companies provide
quotes and there is more information at
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf.
Accommodation
For the traveller
there is a wide variety of accommodation
available from simple backpackers hostels, to motels, campervans and
the most luxurious hotels and to meet some of the locals, you are
welcome to browse the New Zealand
Personals.
Sheep
New Zealand is
famous for it sheep. Once the food basket of Europe
sheep numbers have declined from some 90 million back
in the late 1960s, to less than 60 million now. There are
farms where you can see sheep being shorn and participate in some farm activities. (The
sheep have been replaced with deer, goats, llamas, emus, ostriches
and other tasty animals and crops.
Economy. climate, politics, energy.
Getting To New Zealand
Just 3 hours flying time from eastern Australian cities with major carriers; Air
New Zealand, Air Emirates, Qantas, Virgin Airlines and others. New Zealand is
also visited regularly by 100's of cruise liners.
Quick Facts
 Languages: English and Maori
Capital City: Wellington
Population: 4.1 million
Area: 104,515 square miles
Telephone Calling Code(s): 64
Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz
Currency: As of 25-Jun-2007: 1 New Zealand Dollar = £0.77 US
Seasons
Spring; October - November
Summer; December - February
Autumn;
March - May
Winter; June - September
Rainfall
There is a wide variation with Milford in the south west getting up to 3 metres
per year and diminishing to the north and east with a national average of
around 185 centimetres
Entry Requirements:
New Zealand does not require visas for citizens of the United States. A valid
passport is sufficient for a three-month stay.
National Holidays
New Year; January 1st and 2nd
February: 6, Waitangi Day to commemorate the reconciliation between the
indigenous Maori and the European settlers.
April: 25, ANZAC Day
Queen's Birthday holiday;
First Monday in June,
Labor Day
Fourth Monday in
October:
December: 25, Christmas Day; 26, Boxing Day
Easter: Good Friday; Easter; day after Easter, Easter Monday
learn more
Learn more about NZ
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