New Zealand Nature’s beautiful adventure playground
Aotearoa, or the Land of the Long White Cloud, is the name of New Zealand in its native Maori language. But this country could equally be called The World in Miniature. From fjords and mountains in the south to bays and islands in the north, New Zealand has hugely diverse yet spectacular scenery. No wonder it became Middle Earth in the films of The Lord of the Rings. With all manner of natural adventures on offer, this is the place to relish the outdoors.
Where it is
Oceania
When to go
September to May
Why go there
Dramatic landscape
Maori culture
Outdoor adventure
What to see
Milford Sound
Rotorua
Napier
Deep fjords and mighty peaks
The ethereal beauty of Milford Sound is unmissable from a boat but even more dramatic from the air: with Cosa you can experience both.
Hot springs and boiling mud
Soak in a hot mud bath and see geysers shooting straight up. In the heart of the North Island is Rotorua, a geothermal paradise of sulphurous activity.
Finding Art Deco heaven
A catastrophic earthquake in 1931 destroyed Napier and the town was rebuilt in style. Today is a living museum of splendid Art Deco architecture.
Having a whale of a time
The South Island town of Kaikoura is a delight for wildlife fans, thanks to the migrating whales off the coast. Take to the sea to see these giants.
Travel in New Zealand
Although New Zealand is slightly larger than the UK, its population is much smaller, at just over five million (and greatly outnumbered by the 25 million sheep). The reduced number of customers means that national public transport isn’t great so the best way of getting around is by car – remember to drive on the left! A good car ferry service from the capital, Wellington, links the North and South Islands so you can easily explore the whole country.
New Zealand facts
The Maoris settled the islands in the 13th century, with the British arriving almost 600 years later. New Zealand eventually became independent but has kept the British monarch as head of state. Maoris make up around 16% of the population (with the rest mainly of European or Asian origin) and their culture and language can be seen almost everywhere. New Zealanders are colloquially known as kiwis, after the native flightless bird.
Time zone
UTC +12
Flight time
24 hours from Switzerland
Local currency
New Zealand dollar
Dialling code
+64
