| "Ki Ora! Welcome to New Zealand!" This is | | | | the Kiwi at the Kiwi house in Otorohanga. |
| often the comment you will get when you step | | | | Get up close and personal with this two |
| off the plane into one of our international | | | | legged flight less birds. They are gorgeous. |
| airports at Christchurch, Hamilton or | | | | |
| Auckland.New Zealand is an amazing place to | | | | |
| live and a fantastic place to visit. We have | | | | Taupo - my favourite place to be during |
| lush, green rolling hills surrounding us in | | | | summer and winter. Taupo has one of the |
| many parts of the country but then we also | | | | largest lakes in the world which is the |
| have acres and acres of lush, green flats | | | | crater left behind by one of the biggest |
| with flowing rivers all leading out to the | | | | volcanic explosions to rock this world. The |
| Pacific Ocean.There is so much to do here and | | | | lake is renound for its amazing trout |
| no matter what your age, there is something | | | | fishing. Also one of my favourite things to |
| for everyone. Having lived in New Zealand all | | | | do is para gliding behind a boat on the lake, |
| my life and having traveled around most of | | | | you get some amazing views! Take it that |
| the North and South Islands, I can tell you | | | | step further and do a tandem sky dive over |
| there is no other place in the world I would | | | | the Taupo district. My Dad did this for his |
| rather live.So, what can you do in New | | | | 50th birthday last year; he was on a high for |
| Zealand? Well, if you are into hiking and | | | | days after that!Drive an hour and half out of |
| camping, this is going to be like heaven for | | | | Taupo and you will come across some of the |
| you. We have some fantastic mountain ranges. | | | | best skiing in the world. Mt Ruapehu (which |
| The best places to go for hiking and camping | | | | is still an active volcano!) is one of the |
| are Taupo, which is in the middle of the | | | | busiest mountains during winter; you can ski |
| North Island, Wellington, Christchurch and | | | | on either side of the mountain as there are |
| the west coast of the South Island, where | | | | two ski fields. |
| there are some amazing hiking tramps down | | | | |
| there.Not into hiking or camping? Prefer | | | | Cape Kidnappers is another great historical |
| shopping? I have just the place for you! | | | | place to visit and it is one of the warmest |
| Auckland, our largest city, has got one of | | | | places in New Zealand. Take the tour up to |
| the best places for shopping ever! There are | | | | the point at Cape Kidnappers and visit the |
| so many factory shops and bargains to be had, | | | | colony of Gannets (birds) that gather there. |
| you will most certainly find something and | | | | Be warned about the smell though, it's |
| being a bargain shopper myself, I would | | | | something you have to experience! |
| recommend checking out "Dressmart" at | | | | |
| Onehunga, it is huge and has some of the best | | | | Catch the ferry at Wellington across to |
| shopping to be had! Another fantastic place | | | | Picton in the South Island and you will find |
| to shop is the main street of Wellington; | | | | a very different New Zealand. The South |
| catch a cable car to get around. | | | | Island is not so much hustle and bustle, it |
| Christchurch has some fantastic shopping | | | | is more a relaxed, take your time atmosphere, |
| malls also.Ok, so you are over shopping? | | | | a great place to chill out. |
| Want to see all the different attractions New | | | | |
| Zealand has to offer? Well, where do I | | | | Nelson is one of the fastest growing cities |
| start?! Here is a list of my favourites | | | | in New Zealand and it is not hard to see why. |
| spots throughout New Zealand, there are many | | | | This is a great beach side city and lots of |
| more but these are the ones I love:Swimming | | | | people are retiring here or bringing their |
| at 90 mile beach at the top of the North | | | | families to for the lifestyle. |
| Island. This is just past Kaitia which is | | | | |
| about 6 hours drive from central Auckland. | | | | Head down the west coast of the South Island |
| | | | and you will come across a town called |
| Fishing off Great Barrier Island. There are | | | | Kaikoura, where you can take a cruise on a |
| some great charters and this is some of the | | | | boat to see some of the most amazing dolphins |
| best deep sea fishing you can find. | | | | and whales, up close and personal. |
| | | | |
| Enjoying a good coffee on the waterfront at | | | | Queenstown is probably my favourite town in |
| Mission Bay in Auckland. This is a fantastic | | | | New Zealand, it has a great atmosphere all |
| place to be during summer.Visiting the | | | | year round, is surrounded by a beautiful lake |
| Auckland Museum for some history about our | | | | and one of the best ski fields in New |
| beautiful country. Learn about the Maori | | | | Zealand. Whether visiting during summer or |
| culture and how our country has evolved | | | | winter, you will love the locals and tourists |
| through the ages. | | | | a like, this is definitely a place to be. |
| | | | |
| Head on down to the Waitomo district and go | | | | Invercargill, where one of my brothers |
| to the Waitomo caves where you can go white | | | | lives, is a small town at the very bottom of |
| and black water rafting and see the amazing | | | | the South Island. On a clear day, you can |
| glow worms in the caves. This is a truly | | | | see Stewart Island in the distance. |
| surreal experience.Visit our national bird, | | | | |