What to Do in New Zealand

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