NEW

ZEALAND

New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically
comprises two main landmasses that of the North Island, or Te Ika-a-Mui, and the South Island, or Te
Waipounamu and numerous smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometers (900 mi)
east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometers (600 mi) south of the Pacific island
areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be
settled by humans. During its long isolation, New Zealand developed a distinctive biodiversity of animal,
fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern
Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city
is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland

ETHYMOLOGY AND HISTORY OF NEW

ZEALAND
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted New Zealand in 1642 and called it Staten Landt, supposing it
was connected to a landmass of the same name at the southern tip of South America. In 1645
Dutch cartographers renamed the land Nova Zeelandia after the Dutch province of Zeeland. British
explorer James Cook subsequently anglicized the name to New Zealand.

New Zealand was one of the last major landmasses settled by humans. Radiocarbon dating, evidence
of deforestation and mitochondrial DNA variability within Mori populations suggest New Zealand was first
settled by Eastern Polynesians between 1250 and 1300, concluding a long series of voyages through the
southern Pacific islands. Over the centuries that followed these settlers developed a distinct culture now
known as Mori. The population was divided into iwi (tribes) and hap (sub tribes) who would sometimes
cooperate, sometimes compete and sometimes fight with each other. At some point a group of Mori
migrated to the Chatham Islands (which they named Rkohu) where they developed their
distinct Moriori culture. The Moriori population was all but wiped out between 1835 and 1862, largely
because of Taranaki Mori invasion and enslavement in the 1830s, although European diseases also
contributed. In 1862 only 101 survived and the last known full-blooded Moriori died in 1933.
Following Cook, New Zealand was visited by numerous European and North
American whaling, sealing and trading ships. They traded food, metal tools, weapons and other goods for
timber, food, artifacts and water. The introduction of the potato and the musket transformed Mori
agriculture and warfare. Potatoes provided a reliable food surplus, which enabled longer and more
sustained military campaigns. The resulting intertribal Musket Wars encompassed over 600 battles
between 1801 and 1840, killing 30,00040,000 Mori. From the early 19th century,
Christian missionaries began to settle New Zealand, eventually converting most of the Mori
population. The Mori population declined to around 40 percent of its pre-contact level during the 19th
century; introduced diseases were the major factor.

POLITICS
Government
New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, although its constitution is not
codified.[58] Elizabeth II is the Queen of New Zealand and the head of state. The Queen is represented
by the Governor-General, whom she appoints on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Governor-General
can exercise the Crown's prerogative powers, such as reviewing cases of injustice and making
appointments of ministers, ambassadors and other key public officials, and in rare situations, the reserve
powers (e.g. the power to dissolve Parliament or refuse the Royal Assent of a bill into law).[63] The
powers of the Queen and the Governor-General are limited by constitutional constraints and they cannot
normally be exercised without the advice of Cabinet
New Zealand is identified as one of the world's most stable and well-governed nations. As of 2011, the
country was ranked fifth in the strength of its democratic institutions and first in government transparency
and lack of corruption New Zealand has a high level of civic participation, with 79% voter turnout during
the most recent elections, compared to an OECD average of 72%. Furthermore, 67% of New Zealanders
say they trust their political institutions, far higher than the OECD average of 56%

Foreign relations and the military

Early colonial New Zealand allowed the British Government to determine external trade and be
responsible for foreign policy. The 1923 and 1926 Imperial Conferences decided that New Zealand should
be allowed to negotiate their own political treaties and the first commercial treaty was ratified in 1928 with
Japan. On 3 September 1939 New Zealand allied itself with Britain and declared war on Germany with
Prime Minister Michael Savage proclaiming, "Where she goes, we go; where she stands, we stand."
New Zealand has a strong presence among the Pacific Island countries. A large proportion of New
Zealand's aid goes to these countries and many Pacific people migrate to New Zealand for employment.
Permanent migration is regulated under the 1970 Samoan Quota Scheme and the 2002 Pacific Access
Category, which allow up to 1,100 Samoan nationals and up to 750 other Pacific Islanders respectively to

become permanent New Zealand residents each year. A seasonal workers scheme for temporary
migration was introduced in 2007 and in 2009 about 8,000 Pacific Islanders were employed under it. New
Zealand is involved in the Pacific Islands Forum, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (including the East Asia Summit). New Zealand is also a
member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization and the Five Power
Defense Arrangements.
The New Zealand Defense Force has three branches: the Royal New Zealand Navy, the New Zealand
Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. New Zealand's national defense needs are modest because
of the unlikelihood of direct attack, although it does have a global presence. The country fought in both
world wars, with notable campaigns in Gallipoli, Crete, El Alamein and Cassino. The Gallipoli campaign
played an important part in fostering New Zealand's national identity and strengthened
the ANZAC tradition it shares with Australia. According to Mary Edmond-Paul, "World War I had left scars
on New Zealand society, with nearly 18,500 in total dying as a result of the war, more than 41,000
wounded, and others affected emotionally, out of an overseas fighting force of about 103,000 and a
population of just over a million." New Zealand also played key parts in the naval Battle of the River Plate
and the Battle of Britain air campaign. During World War II, the United States had more than 400,000
American military personnel stationed in New Zealand.
New Zealand ranks 8th in the Center for Global Development's 2012 Commitment to Development Index,
which ranks the world's most developed countries on their dedication to policies that benefit poorer
nations. New Zealand is considered the fourth most peaceful country in the world according to the
2014 Global Peace Index.

Local government and external territories

The early European settlers divided New Zealand into provinces which had a degree of autonomy.
Because of financial pressures and the desire to consolidate railways, education, land sales and other
policies, government was centralized and the provinces were abolished in 1876. As a result, New Zealand
now has no separately represented sub national entities. The provinces are remembered in regional
public holidays and sporting rivalries.
New Zealand is one of 16 realms within the Commonwealth. The Realm of New Zealand is the territory
over which the Queen of New Zealand is sovereign and comprises New Zealand, Tokelau, the Ross
Dependency, the Cook Islands and Niue. The Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing states in free
association with New Zealand. The New Zealand Parliament cannot pass legislation for these countries,
but with their consent can act on behalf of them in foreign affairs and defense. Tokelau is a non-selfgoverning territory that uses the New Zealand flag and anthem, but is administered by a council of three
elders (one from each Tokelauan atoll).The Ross Dependency is New Zealand's territorial claim in
Antarctica, where it operates the Scott Base research facility. New Zealand citizenship law treats all parts
of the realm equally, so most people born in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and the Ross
Dependency before 2006 are New Zealand citizens. Further conditions apply for those born from 2006
onwards.

ENVIROMENT
Geography
New Zealand is located near the centre of the water hemisphere and is made up of two main islands and
a number of smaller islands. The two main islands (the North Island, or Te Ika-a-Mui, and the South
Island, or Te Waipounamu) are separated by the Cook Strait, 22 kilometers (14 mi) wide at its narrowest
point. Besides the North and South Islands, the five largest inhabited islands are Stewart Island, the
Chatham Islands, Great Barrier Island (in the Hauraki Gulf), d'Urville Island (in the Marlborough
Sounds) and Waiheke Island (about 22 km (14 mi) from central Auckland). The country's islands lie
between latitudes 29 and 53S, and longitudes 165 and 176E.

New Zealand is long and narrow (over 1,600 kilometers (990 mi) along its north-north-east axis with a
maximum width of 400 kilometers (250 mi)), with about 15,000 km (9,300 mi) of coastline and a total land
area of 268,000 square kilometers (103,500 sq mi) Because of its far-flung outlying islands and long
coastline, the country has extensive marine resources. Its Exclusive Economic Zone is one of the largest
in the world, covering more than 15 times its land area.
New Zealand is not part of the continent of Australia, but of the separate, submerged continent
of Zeelandia. New Zealand and Australia are both part of the wider regions known
as Australasia and Oceania. The term Oceania is often used to denote the region encompassing the
Australian continent, New Zealand and various islands in the Pacific Ocean that are not included in the
seven-continent model.

Climate
New Zealand has a mild and temperate maritime climate (Kppen: Cfb) which mean annual temperatures
ranging from 10 C (50 F) in the south to 16 C (61 F) in the north.[149]Historical maxima and
minima are 42.4 C (108.32 F) in Rangiora, Canterbury and 25.6 C (14.08 F)
in Ranfurly, Otago. Conditions vary sharply across regions from extremely wet on the West Coast of
the South Island to almost semi-arid in Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin of inland Canterbury
and subtropical in Northland.[151] Of the seven largest cities, Christchurch is the driest, receiving on
average only 640 millimeters (25 in) of rain per year and Wellington the wettest, receiving almost twice
that amount. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all receive a yearly average of more than 2,000
hours of sunshine. The southern and south-western parts of the South Island have a cooler and cloudier
climate, with around 1,4001,600 hours; the northern and north-eastern parts of the South Island are the
sunniest areas of the country and receive about 2,4002,500 hours. The general snow season is about
early June until early October in the South Island. Snowfall is less common on the North Island, although
it does occur.

Biodiversity
New Zealand's geographic isolation for 80 million years and island biogeography is responsible for the
country's unique species of animals, fungi and plants. They have either evolved from Gondwanan wildlife
or the few organisms that have managed to reach the shores flying, swimming or being carried across the
sea. About 82 percent of New Zealand's indigenous vascular plants are endemic, covering 1,944 species
across 65 genera and includes a single endemic family. The number of fungi recorded from New Zealand,
including lichen-forming species, is not known, nor is the proportion of those fungi which are endemic, but
one estimate suggests there are about 2300 species of lichen-forming fungi in New Zealand[156] and 40
percent of these are endemic. The two main types of forest are those dominated by broadleaf trees with
emergentpodocarps, or by southern beech in cooler climates. The remaining vegetation types consist of
grasslands, the majority of which are tussock
The forests were dominated by birds, and the lack of mammalian predators led to some like
the kiwi, kakapo and takah evolving lightlessness. The arrival of humans, associated changes to habitat,
and the introduction of rats, ferrets and other mammals led to the extinction of many bird species,
including large birds like the moa and Haast's eagle.
Other indigenous animals are represented by reptiles (tuataras, skinks and geckos), frogs, spiders
(katipo), insects (weta) and snails. Some, such as the wrens and tuatara, are so unique that they have
been called living fossils. Three species of bats (one since extinct) were the only sign of native land
mammals in New Zealand until the 2006 discovery of bones from a unique, mouse-sized land mammal at
least 16 million years old. Marine mammals however are abundant, with almost half the
world's cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and large numbers of fur seals reported in New
Zealand waters. Many seabirds breed in New Zealand, a third of them unique to the country. More
penguin species are found in New Zealand than in any other country.

Since human arrival almost half of the country's vertebrate species have become extinct, including at
least fifty-one birds, three frogs, three lizards, one freshwater fish, and one bat. Others are endangered or
have had their range severely reduced. However, New Zealand conservationists have pioneered several
methods to help threatened wildlife recover, including island sanctuaries, pest control, wildlife
translocation, fostering, and ecological restoration of islands and other selected areas. According to the
2012 Environmental Performance Index, New Zealand is considered a "strong performer" in
environmental protection, ranking 14th out of 132 assessed countries.

Economy
New Zealand has a modern, prosperous and developed market economy with an estimated gross
domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita of roughly NZ$47,784. The currency
is the New Zealand dollar, informally known as the "Kiwi dollar"; it also circulates in the Cook Islands
(see Cook Islands dollar), Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands.[181] New Zealand was ranked sixth in
the 2013 Human Development Index, fourth in the The Heritage Foundation's 2012 Index of Economic
Freedom, and 13th in INSEAD's 2012 Global Innovation Index.[Unemployment peaked above 10 percent in
1991 and 1992, following the 1987 share market crash, but eventually fell to a record low of 3.4 percent in 2007
(ranking fifth from twenty-seven comparable OECD nations). However, the global financial crisis that followed had
a major impact on New Zealand, with the GDP shrinking for five consecutive quarters, the longest recession in over
thirty years, and unemployment rising back to 7 percent in late 2009. At May 2012, the general unemployment rate
was around 6.7 percent, while the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 21 was 13.6 percent. In the September
2014 quarter, unemployment was 5.4%. New Zealand has experienced a series of "brain drains" since the
1970s that still continue today. Nearly one quarter of highly skilled workers live overseas, mostly in
Australia and Britain, which is the largest proportion from any developed nation. In recent years, however,
a "brain gain" has brought in educated professionals from Europe and lesser developed countries.

Trade
New Zealand is heavily dependent on international trade, particularly in agricultural products. Exports
account for a high 24 percent of its output, making New Zealand vulnerable to international commodity
prices and global economic slowdowns. Food products made up 55% of the value of all the country's
exports in 2014; wood was the second largest earner (7%). Its major export partners are Australia, United
States, Japan, China, and the United Kingdom. On 7 April 2008, New Zealand and China signed the New
ZealandChina Free Trade Agreement, the first such agreement China has signed with a developed
country. The service sector is the largest sector in the economy, followed by manufacturing and
construction and then farming and raw material extraction. Tourism plays a significant role in New
Zealand's economy, contributing $15.0 billion to New Zealands total GDP and supporting 9.6 percent of
the total workforce in 2010. International visitors to New Zealand increased by 3.1 percent in the year to
October 2010 and are expected to increase at a rate of 2.5 percent annually up to 2015.
In 1984 New Zealand eliminated agricultural subsidies.

Wool has historically been one of New Zealand's major exports.

Wool was New Zealands major agricultural export during the late 19th century. Even as late as the 1960s
it made up over a third of all export revenues, but since then its price has steadily dropped relative to

other commodities and wool is no longer profitable for many farmers. In contrast dairy farming increased,
with the number of dairy cows doubling between 1990 and 2007, to become New Zealand's largest export
earner. In the year to June 2009, dairy products accounted for 21 percent ($9.1 billion) of total
merchandise exports, and the country's largest company, Fonterra, controls almost one-third of the
international dairy trade. Other agricultural exports in 2009 were meat 13.2 percent, wool 6.3 percent, fruit
3.5 percent and fishing 3.3 percent. New Zealand's wine industry has followed a similar trend to dairy, the
number of vineyards doubling over the same period, overtaking wool exports for the first time in 2007.

Infrastructure
In 2008, oil, gas and coal generated about 69 percent of New Zealand's gross energy supply while 31%
was generated from renewable energy, primarily hydroelectric power and geothermal.
New Zealand's transport network comprises 93,805 kilometers (58,288 mi) of roads, including 199
kilometers (124 mi) of motorways, and 4,128 kilometers (2,565 mi) of railway lines. Most major cities and
towns are linked by bus services, although the private car is the predominant mode of
transport. The railways were privatized in 1993, but were re-nationalized by the government in stages
between 2004 and 2008. The state-owned enterprise Kiwi Rail now operates the railways, with the
exception of Auckland commuter services which are operated by Transdev. Railways run the length of the
country, although most lines now carry freight rather than passengers. Most international visitors arrive via
air and New Zealand has six international airports, but currently only the Auckland and Christchurch
airports connect directly with countries other than Australia or Fiji.
The New Zealand Post Office had a monopoly over telecommunications until 1987 when Telecom New
Zealand was formed, initially as a state-owned enterprise and then privatized in 1990. Telecom
was rebranded as Spark New Zealand in 2014. Chorus, which was split from Telecom in 2011, still owns
the majority of the telecommunications infrastructure, but competition from other providers has increased.
The United Nations International Telecommunication Union ranks New Zealand 12th in the development
of information and communications infrastructure, having moved up four places between 2008 and 2010

Demography

New Zealand's historical population (black) and projected growth (red)

As of June 2015, the population of New Zealand is estimated at 4.597 million. New Zealand is a
predominantly urban country, with 72 percent of the population living in 16 main urban areas and 53
percent living in the four largest cities of Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Hamilton. New Zealand
cities generally rank highly on international livability measures. For instance, in 2010 Auckland was
ranked the world's 4th most livable city and Wellington the 12th by the Mercer Quality of Life Survey.
Life expectancy for New Zealanders in 2012 was 84 years for females, and 80.2 years for males. Life
expectancy at birth is forecast to increase from 80 years to 85 years in 2050 and infant mortality is
expected to decline. New Zealand's fertility rate of 2.1 is relatively high for a developed country, and
natural births account for a significant proportion of population growth. Consequently, the country has a
young population compared to most industrialized nations, with 20 percent of New Zealanders being 14
years old or younger. By 2050 the population is forecast to reach 5.3 million, the median age to rise from
36 years to 43 years and the percentage of people 60 years of age and older to rise from 18 percent to 29
percent. Despite the high life expectancy, mortality from heart disease is higher in New Zealand than it is
in various other developed Western countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.

Largest urban areas in New Zealand

Statistics New Zealand June 2014 estimate[239]

Rank

Name

Region

Auckland

Auckland

Wellington

Wellington

Pop.

Rank

Name

Region

1,413,700

11

New Plymouth Taranaki

55,600

393,600

12

Whangarei

54,400

Northland

Pop.

Auckland

Christchurch

Canterbury

375,200

13

Invercargill

Southland

49,800

Hamilton

Waikato

218,800

14

Kapiti

Wellington

41,000

Napier-Hastings

Hawke's Bay

128,800

15

Whanganui

Manawatu-Wanganui

39,200

Tauranga

Bay of Plenty

127,700

16

Gisborne

Gisborne

35,400

Dunedin

Otago

116,200

17

Blenheim

Marlborough

30,200

Palmerston North Manawatu-Wanganui

82,400

18

Pukekohe

Auckland

28,400

Nelson

Nelson

64,100

19

Timaru

Canterbury

28,400

10

Rotorua

Bay of Plenty

56,200

20

Taupo

Waikato

23,400

Christchurch

Ethnicity and immigration

In the 2013 census, 74.0% of New Zealand residents identified ethnically as European, and 14.9% as
Mori. Other major ethnic groups include Asian (11.8%) and Pacific peoples (7.4%). The population has
become more diverse in recent decades: in 1961, the census reported that the population of New Zealand
was 92 percent European and 7 percent Mori, with Asian and Pacific minorities sharing the remaining 1
percent.
While the demonym for a New Zealand citizen is New Zealander, the informal "Kiwi" is commonly used
both internationally and by locals. The Mori loanword Pkeh has been used to refer to New Zealanders
of European descent, although others reject this appellation. The word Pkeh today is increasingly used
to refer to all non-Polynesian New Zealanders.
The Mori were the first people to reach New Zealand, followed by the early European settlers. Following
colonization, immigrants were predominantly from Britain, Ireland and Australia because of restrictive
policies similar to the white Australian policies. There was also significant Dutch, Dalmatian, Italian, and
German immigration, together with indirect European immigration through Australia, North America, South
America and South Africa. Following the Great Depression policies were relaxed and migrant diversity
increased. In 200910, an annual target of 45,00050,000 permanent residence approvals was set by the
New Zealand Immigration Servicemore than one new migrant for every 100 New Zealand
residents. Just over 25% of New Zealand's population was born overseas, with the majority (52%) living
in the Auckland region. In the late 2000s, Asia overtook the UK and Ireland as the largest source of
overseas migrants; at the 2013 census, 31.6% of overseas-born New Zealand residents were born in Asia
(mainly China, India, the Philippines and South Korea), while 26.5% were born in the UK and Ireland.
Australia, the Pacific Islands, and South Africa are also significant sources of migrants. The number of
fee-paying international students increased sharply in the late 1990s, with more than 20,000 studying in
public tertiary institutions in 2002.

Language
English is the predominant language in New Zealand, spoken by 98 percent of the population. New
Zealand English is similar to Australian and many speakers from the Northern Hemisphere are unable to
tell the accents apart. The most prominent differences between the New Zealand English dialect and
other English dialects are the shifts in the short front vowels: the short-"I" sound (as in "kit") has
centralized towards the schwa sound (the "a" in "comma" and "about"); the short-"e" sound (as in "dress")
has moved towards the short-"I" sound; and the short-"a" sound (as in "trap") has moved to the short-"e"

sound. Hence, the New Zealand pronunciation of words such as "bad", "dead", "fish" and "chips" sound
like "bed", "did", "fush" and "chups" to non-New Zealanders.
After the Second World War, Mori were discouraged from speaking their own language (Te reo Mori) in
schools and workplaces and it existed as a community language only in a few remote areas. It has
recently undergone a process of revitalization, being declared one of New Zealand's official languages in
1987, and is spoken by 4.1 percent of the population. There are now Mori language immersion schools
and two Mori Television channels, the only nationwide television channels to have the majority of their
prime-time content delivered in Mori. Many places have both their Mori and English names officially
recognized. Samoan is one of the most widely spoken languages in New Zealand (2.3 percent), followed
by French, Hindi, Yue (Cantonese, Spoken in Hong Kong) and Northern Chinese. New Zealand Sign
Language is used by about 28,000 people. It was declared one of New Zealand's official languages in
2006.

Education
Primary and secondary schooling is compulsory for children aged 6 to 16, with the majority attending from
the age of 5. There are 13 school years and attending state (public) schools is free to New Zealand
citizens and permanent residents from a person's 5th birthday to the end of the calendar year following
their 19th birthday. New Zealand has an adult literacy rate of 99 percent, and over half of the population
aged 15 to 29 holds a tertiary qualification. There are five types of government-owned tertiary institutions:
universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, specialist colleges, and wnanga, in addition to private
training establishments. In the adult population 14.2 percent have a bachelor's degree or higher, 30.4
percent have some form of secondary qualification as their highest qualification and 22.4 percent have no
formal qualification.[266] The OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment ranks New
Zealand's education system as the 7th best in the world, with students performing exceptionally well in
reading, mathematics and science.

Religion
Christianity is the predominant religion in New Zealand, although its society is among the most secular in
the world. In the 2013 Census, 55.0 percent of the population identified with one or more religions,
including 49.0 percent identifying as Christians. Another 41.9 percent indicated that they had no
religion. The main Christian denominations are Roman Catholicism (12.6 percent), Anglicanism (11.8
percent),Presbyterianism (8.5 percent) and "Christian not further defined" (i.e. people identifying as
Christian but not stating the denomination, 5.5 percent). The Mori-based Ringat and Rtana religions
(1.4 percent) are also Christian. Other significant minority religions include Hinduism (2.3
percent), Buddhism (1.5 percent) and Islam (1.2 percent). The indigenous Mori Christians tend to be
associated with the Anglican and Catholic churches, while Pacific people tend to be Presbyterian,
Methodist, Catholic and Latter-day Saint adherents.

Culture
Early Mori adapted the tropically based east Polynesian culture in line with the challenges associated
with a larger and more diverse environment, eventually developing their own distinctive culture. Social
organization was largely communal with families (whanau), sub-tribes (hapu) and tribes (iwi) ruled by a
chief (rangatira) whose position was subject to the community's approval. The British and Irish immigrants
brought aspects of their own culture to New Zealand and also influenced Mori culture, particularly with
the introduction of Christianity. However, Mori still regard their allegiance to tribal groups as a vital part
of their identity, and Mori kinship roles resemble those of other Polynesian peoples. More recently

American, Australian, Asian and other European cultures have exerted influence on New Zealand. NonMori Polynesian cultures are also apparent, with Pasifika, the world's largest Polynesian festival, now an
annual event in Auckland.

Niuean dancers at Auckland's Pasifica festival

The largely rural life in early New Zealand led to the image of New Zealanders being rugged, industrious
problem solvers. Modesty was expected and enforced through the "tall poppy syndrome", where high
achievers received harsh criticism. At the time New Zealand was not known as an intellectual country.
From the early 20th century until the late 1960s Mori culture was suppressed by the attempted
assimilation of Mori into British New Zealanders. Because in the 1960s, as higher education became
more available and cities expanded urban culture began to dominate. Even though the majority of the
population now lives in cities, much of New Zealand's art, literature, film and humor have rural themes.

Art
As part of the resurgence of Mori culture, the traditional crafts of carving and weaving are now more
widely practiced and Mori artists are increasing in number and influence. Most Mori carvings feature
human figures, generally with three fingers and either a natural-looking, detailed head or a grotesque
head. Surface patterns consisting of spirals, ridges, notches and fish scales decorate most carvings. The
pre-eminent Mori architecture consisted of carved meeting houses (wharenui) decorated with symbolic
carvings and illustrations. These buildings were originally designed to be constantly rebuilt, changing and
adapting to different whims or needs.
Mori decorated the white wood of buildings, canoes and cenotaphs using red (a mixture of red ochre and
shark fat) and black (made from soot) paint and painted pictures of birds, reptiles and other designs on
cave walls. Mori tattoos (moko) consisting of colored soot mixed with gum were cut into the flesh with a
bone chisel. Since European arrival paintings and photographs have been dominated by landscapes,
originally not as works of art but as factual portrayals of New Zealand. Portraits of Mori were also
common, with early painters often portraying them as "noble savages", exotic beauties or friendly
natives. The country's isolation delayed the influence of European artistic trends allowing local artists to
develop their own distinctive style of regionalism. During the 1960s and 70s many artists combined
traditional Mori and Western techniques, creating unique art forms. New Zealand art and craft has
gradually achieved an international audience, with exhibitions in the Venice Biennale in 2001 and the
"Paradise Now" exhibition in New York in 2004.
Mori cloaks are made of fine flax fiber and patterned with black, red and white triangles, diamonds and
other geometric shapes. Greenstone was fashioned into earrings and necklaces, with the most wellknown design being the hei-tiki, a distorted human figure sitting cross-legged with its head tilted to the
side. Europeans brought English fashion etiquette to New Zealand, and until the 1950s most people
dressed up for social occasions. Standards have since relaxed and New Zealand fashion has received a
reputation for being casual, practical and lacklustre. However, the local fashion industry has grown

significantly since 2000, doubling exports and increasing from a handful to about 50 established labels,
with some labels gaining international recognition.

Literature
Mori quickly adopted writing as a means of sharing ideas and many of their oral stories and poems were
converted to the written form. Most early English literature was obtained from Britain and it was not until
the 1950s when local publishing outlets increased that New Zealand literature started to become widely
known. Although still largely influenced by global trends (modernism) and events (the Great Depression),
writers in the 1930s began to develop stories increasingly focused on their experiences in New Zealand.
During this period literature changed from journalistic activity to a more academic pursuit. Participation
in the world wars gave some New Zealand writers a new perspective on New Zealand culture and with
the post-war expansion of universities local literature flourished. Dunedin is a UNESCO City of Literature.

Media and entertainment

You can experience Bungee jumping in the popular resort town of Queenstown.
New Zealand music has been influenced by blues, jazz, country, rock and roll and hip hop, with many of
these genres given a unique New Zealand interpretation. Mori developed traditional chants and songs
from their ancient South-East Asian origins, and after centuries of isolation created a unique
"monotonous" and "doleful" sound. Flutes and trumpets were used as musical instruments or as signaling
devices during war or special occasions. Early settlers brought over their ethnic music, with brass
bands and music being popular, and musicians began touring New Zealand in the 1860s. Pipe
bands became widespread during the early 20th century. The New Zealand recording industry began to
develop from 1940 onwards and many New Zealand musicians have obtained success in Britain and the
USA. Some artists release Mori language songs and the Mori tradition-based art of kapa haka (song
and dance) has made resurgence. The New Zealand Music Awards are held annually by Recorded Music
NZ; the awards were first held in 1965 by Reckitt & Colman as the Loxene Golden
Disc awards. Recorded Music NZ also publishes the country's official weekly record charts.

Sports

A haka performed by the team before a game. A haka is a war cry by the Maori people with vigorous
movements and stamping of the feet.
Most of the major sporting codes played in New Zealand have British origins. Rugby union is considered
the national sport and attracts the most spectators. Golf, netball, tennis and cricket have the highest rates
of adult participation, while netball, rugby union and football (soccer) is popular among young
people. Around 54 percent of New Zealand adolescents participate in sports for their
school. Victorious rugby tours to Australia and the United Kingdom in the late 1880s and the early
1900s played an early role in instilling a national identity.[322] Horseracing was also a popular spectator
sport and became part of the "Rugby, Racing and Beer" culture during the 1960s. [323] Mori participation in
European sports was particularly evident in rugby and the country's team performs a haka, a traditional
Mori challenge, before international matches.[324]
New Zealand has competitive international teams in rugby union, netball, cricket, rugby league,
and softball and has traditionally done well in triathlons, rowing, yachting and cycling. New Zealand
participated at the Summer Olympics in 1908 and 1912 as a joint team with Australia, before first
participating on its own in 1920. The country has ranked highly on a medals-to-population ratio at recent
Games. The All Blacks, the national men's rugby union team, are the most successful in the history of
international rugby and the reigning World Cup champions. New Zealand is known for its extreme
sports, adventure tourism and strong mountaineering tradition. Other outdoor pursuits such as cycling,
fishing, swimming, running, tramping, canoeing, hunting, snow sports and surfing are also popular. The
Polynesian sport of waka ama racing has increased in popularity and is now an international sport
involving teams from all over the Pacific.

Currency
New Zealand's unit of currency is the dollar (NZ$). All major credit cards can be used in
New Zealand, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely. There is no restriction
on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand.
However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of
New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report. Foreign currency can easily
be exchanged at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at
international airports and most city centers.

EXCHANGE RATE

The New Zealand dollar was initially pegged to the US dollar at US$1.43 = NZ$1. This rate changed on
21 November of the same year to US$1.12 = NZ$1 after the devaluation of the British pound, although
New Zealand devalued more than the UK The New Zealand dollar's value is often strongly affected
by currency trading,[citation needed] and is among the 10 most-traded currencies.
On 11 June 2007 the Reserve Bank sold an unknown worth of New Zealand dollars for nine billion USD in
an attempt to drive down its value. This is the first intervention in the markets by the Bank since the float
in 1985.Two suspected interventions followed, but they were not as successful as the first: the first
appeared to be initially effective, with the dollar dropping to approximately US$0.7490 from near
US$0.7620. However, within little more than a month it had risen to new post-float highs, reaching
US$0.8103 on 23 July 2007.
After reaching its post-float record high in early 2008, the value of the NZ$ plummeted throughout much
of the 2nd half of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 as a response to the global economic downturn and
flight by investors away from "riskier" currencies such as the NZ$. The NZ$ bottomed out at
approximately US$0.50 on 6 March 2009. However, it rebounded strongly as the year progressed,
reaching the US$0.75 range by November 2009. By late 2012, the dollar was holding above 80 US cents,
occasionally reaching 85c, prompting calls from the Green Party for quantitative easing. Unions also
called on the Government and the Reserve Bank to take action, but as of February 2013, both have so far
declined.

Coins
On the introduction of the dollar, coins came in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, and 50c. The 1c
and 2c coins were bronze, the others cupro-nickel. To ease transition, the 5c, 10c and 20c were the same
size as the sixpence, shilling and florin that they respectively replaced. Until 1970 the 10c coin bore the
additional legend "One Shilling". The obverse designs of all the coins featured Arnold Machin's portrait
of Queen Elizabeth II, with the legend ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND [date]. The reverse sides of coins
introduced in 1967 did not follow the designs that were originally intended for them. Those modern
art and sculpture themed designs were leaked to a newspaper and met a very negative public reaction.
The final releases were given more conservative designs in line with public expectations.
In 1986, New Zealand adopted Raphael Maklouf's new portrait of the Queen. The 1c and 2c coins were
last minted for circulation in 1987, with collector coins being made for 1988. The coins were demonetized
on 30 April 1990. The lack of 1c and 2c coins meant that cash transactions were normally rounded to the
nearest 5c (10c from 2006), a process known as Swedish rounding.

On 11 February 1991, aluminum-bronze $1 and $2 coins were introduced to replace existing $1 and $2
notes. In 1999, Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of the Queen was introduced and the legend rearranged to
read NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II.
On 11 November 2004 the Reserve Bank announced that it proposed to take the 5c coin out of circulation
and to make the 50c, 20c and 10c coins smaller and use plated steel to make them lighter. After a threemonth public submission period that ended on 4 February 2005, the Reserve Bank announced on 31
March that it would go ahead with the proposed changes. The changeover period started on 31 July
2006, with the old coins usable until 31 October 2006. The old 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c pieces are now no
longer legal, but are still redeemable at the Reserve Bank. Prior to the change over these coins were
similar, save for the legend and reverse artwork, to international (mainly Commonwealth) coins of the
same British-derived sizes, which led to coins from other currencies, particularly older coins, being
accepted by vending machines and many retailers.

Current circulating coins

The reverse designs of the current circulating New Zealand dollar coins.

Technical Parameters

Description

Date of issue

Valu
e
Diameter

Thicknes
s

Mass

10c

20.50 m
m

1.58 mm

3.30
g

20c

21.75 m
m

1.56 mm

4.00
g

Composition

Copper-plated
steel

Edge

Plain

Obverse

Queen
Elizabeth II

"Spanish
flower"
Nickel-plated
steel

Reverse

A Mori koruru or carved head.

Mori carving of Pukaki, a chief of the Ngati

Whakaue iwi[13]
Queen
Elizabeth II

31 July 2006

50c

24.75 m
m

1.70 mm

5.00
g

Plain

HM Bark Endeavour and Mount Taranaki

$1

23.00 m
m

2.74 mm

8g

Intermittent
milling

Kiwi and silver fern

Aluminum
bronze
$2

26.50 m
m

2.70 mm

10 g

Queen
Elizabeth II
Grooved

31 July 2006

11 February
1991
Kotuku (great egret)

Banknotes
In 1967, notes were introduced in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 and $100, with all except the $5
replacing their pound predecessors. The original series of dollar notes featured on the obverse a portrait
of Queen Elizabeth II wearing Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik tiara, King George's VI festoon necklace,
and Queen Mary's floret earrings, while the reverse featured native birds and plants. The notes were
changed slightly in 1981 due to a change of printer (from De La Rue to Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co.) - the
most noticeable difference being the portrait based upon a photograph by Peter Grugeon, in which Queen
Elizabeth II is wearing Grand Duchess Vladimir's tiara and Queen Victoria's golden jubilee
necklace. The $50 note was added in 1983 to fill the long gap between the $20 and the $100 notes. $1
and $2 notes were discontinued in 1991 after being replaced with coins.
A new series of notes was introduced in 1992. The obverse of each note featured a notable New
Zealander, while the reverse featured a native New Zealand bird and New Zealand scenery. In
1999, polymer notes replaced the paper notes. The designs remained much the same, but were changed
slightly to accommodate new security features, with the most obvious changes being the two transparent
windows.

Current circulating banknotes

Description
Value

Dimensions

Date of issue

Main Color
Obverse

Reverse

$5

135 mm 66 mm

Orange

Sir Edmund Hillary

Aoraki/Mount Cook
Massey Ferguson tractor

Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin)

Campbell Island scene

$10

140 mm 68 mm

Blue

Kate Sheppard
White camellia flowers

Whio (blue duck)

River scene

$20

145 mm 70 mm

Green

Queen Elizabeth II
New Zealand Parliament Buildings

Karearea (New Zealand falcon)

New Zealand alpine scene

$50

150 mm 72 mm

Purple

Sir Apirana Ngata

Porourangi Meeting House

Kkako (blue wattled crow)

Conifer broadleaf forest scene

$100

155 mm 74 mm

Red

Lord Rutherford of Nelson

Nobel Prize medal

Mohua (yellowhead)
South Island lichen moth (Declana egregia)
Beech forest scene

Watermark

Queen Elizabeth II

1999

FOREGIN EXCHANGE
Global foreign exchange market
The New Zealand dollar contributes greatly to the total global exchange market - far in excess of New
Zealand's relative share of population or global GDP.
According to the Bank for International Settlements, the New Zealand dollar's share of global foreign
exchange market daily turnover in 2013 was 2.0% (up from 1.6% in 2010) giving it a rank of 10th. Trading
in the currency has climbed steadily since the same survey in 1998 when the NZD's ranking was 17th and
the share of turnover was just 0.2%.

Inflation and deflation

Because the New Zealand dollar has been a fiat currency (as opposed to a gold or precious metal backed
currency) for such a long time, very large and long term rates of inflation are possible. Also, because it is
not backed by anything, the only thing that gives it value is the amount of it in circulation. As an example,
on the television series "Pioneer House" Set at approximately 1900 (TVNZ, 2001), the #2 Grey Lynn,
Auckland house sold originally for 200 New Zealand pounds (1 was equal to $2 when New Zealand
moved to decimal currency) but as of 2001 sold for NZ$321,000.

RATES TABLE
1 New Zealand Dollar Rates table
Top 10 as of Sep 10, 2015
New Zealand Dollar

1.00 NZD

inv. 1.00 NZD

US Dollar

0.630849

1.585166

Euro

0.563453

1.774771

British Pound

0.410314

2.437161

Indian Rupee

41.978585

0.023822

Australian Dollar

0.893391

1.119331

Canadian Dollar

0.833532

1.199715

Singapore Dollar

0.894403

1.118064

Swiss Franc

0.615920

1.623587

Malaysian Ringgit

2.725748

0.366872

76.252970

0.013114

Japanese Yen

DESTINATIONS
AUCKLAND

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and main transport hub. Auckland, based around 2 large harbors,
is a major city in the north of New Zealands North Island. In central Queen Street, the iconic Sky Tower
has views of Viaduct Harbor, which is full of super yachts and lined with bars and cafes. Auckland
Domain, the citys oldest park, is based around an extinct volcano and home to the formal Winter
gardens. Mission Bay Beach is minutes from Downtown
Auckland's vast harbor, quiet islands and vibrant cityscape offer an exciting and accessible mix of urban,
water and wildlife activities. The harbor side city of Auckland is surrounded by natural attractions. There
are plenty of beautiful places to visit within an hour of the CBD. The Waitakere Ranges, spanning West
Auckland, are around 30 minutes from the city and are home to lush native bush, stunning waterfalls and
walking tracks. Just past these ranges youll find the ruggedly beautiful black-sand beaches of Piha,
Muriwai, Bethells and Karekare. Aucklands East Coast is home to more tranquil coastline that looks out
to harbours dotted with islands. Dont miss a visit to Goat Island a marine reserve and snorkeling
Mecca; Tawharanui Regional Park, or the quaint beaches of Devonport.
Auckland is also home to 48 dormant and extinct volcanic cones, many of which offer spectacular walking
paths and views at the top. Dont miss a short hike up Mount Eden, where youll find panoramic views of
the Auckland region, or catch the ferry to Rangitoto, a volcanic island in the Auckland Harbor

Auckland's Hauraki Gulf is home to a million hectares of sheltered, sparkling blue waters and islands
perfect for a boat cruise or sailing trip. From dolphin spotting to luxury dinner cruises or racing an
America's Cup yacht, theres a maritime experience to suit every taste and budget. Explore the citys inner
gulf on a day trip or cruise to one of the nearby islands for a few days. Getting out on the water allows you
to experience some of the best of what Auckland has to offer. Auckland's Hauraki Gulf is teeming with life
and is a popular place to fish. Commonly caught fish include snapper, kingfish, John Dory and trevally.
A fishing charter is likely to take you out to Auckland's inner islands - the waters off Motuihe, Waiheke and
Rangitoto have been known for their abundance of fish. Longer overnight charters may take you out
towards Tiritiri Matangi and Great Barrier Island. Most skippers will be only too happy to tailor a fishing
experience to your needs, and some will cook your catch up for lunch or dinner - delicious!

Auckland is home to award-winning wineries, delicious local produce and buzzing restaurants in the
inner-city precincts. Auckland is a food lovers paradise surrounded by fertile land and rich waters, its

home to world-class chefs, food producers and winemakers. Along with the citys impressive range of
restaurants, bars, cafs and markets, Aucklands wine regions are a must for foodies. Award-winning
pinot Gris and rich, full syrah are among the area's specialties.

QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown (Mori: Thuna) is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island.

It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by
glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkable, Cecil
Peak, Walter Peak and just above the town; Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill.
Queenstown has an urban population of 12,500 (June 2014 estimate), making it the 29th largest urban
area in New Zealand, and the third largest urban area in Otago, behind Dunedin and Oamaru.
The Queenstown-Lakes District has a land area of 8,704.97 square kilometers (3,361.01 sq mi) not
counting its inland lakes (Lake Hwea, Lake Wakatipu, and Lake Wanaka). The region has an estimated
resident population of 30,900 (June 2014 estimate). Its neighboring towns include Arrow
town, Glenorchy, Kingston, Wanaka, Alexandra, and Cromwell. The nearest cities are
Dunedin and Invercargill. Queenstown is now known for its commerce-oriented tourism, especially
adventure and ski tourism. It is popular with New Zealand, Australian and international travelers alike
With a buzzing atmosphere and stunning scenery, you'll find there's no other place in the world quite like
Queenstown.

Ride the Skyline Gondola for iconic views across Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
Visit Glenorchy, set amongst ancient beech forests and on the doorstep of the Mount, it's a great
place to enjoy horse riding, kayaking, walking and skydiving.
Take a scenic flight for a bird's eye view of the dramatic natural landscapes.
Draw inspiration from the amazing alpine surroundings as you play a round of golf on one
of Queenstown's world-renowned courses. For something a little different, check out the 18-object
Frisbee golf course at the Queenstown Gardens.
Marvel at the spectacular scenery on a day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound.
There's no shortage of things happening around the region with plenty of exciting events
throughout the year

Surrounded by seemingly endless mountain ranges, the Queenstown town centre is nestled
beside Lake Wakatipu. The scenic wonders of this area are well documented but never fail to
impress.

There are a number of outstanding walks in the area including the challenging Rees and Dart
Track, which winds through river valleys and is enclosed by towering mountains. Within the beech
forest of this walk, chances are you will be greeted by some of the local birdlife such as the
Mohua, kaka, kakariki, or even the cheeky kea (mountain parrots).

Surrounded by seemingly endless mountain ranges, the Queenstown town centre is nestled beside Lake
Wakatipu. The scenic wonders of this area are well documented but never fail to impress. There are a
number of outstanding walks in the area including the challenging Rees and Dart Track, which winds
through river valleys and is enclosed by towering mountains. Within the beech forest of this walk, chances
are you will be greeted by some of the local birdlife such as the Mohua, kaka, kakariki, or even the cheeky
kea (mountain parrots).
The Moonlight Track is another great option if youd like something more challenging. Begin the trip with a
gondola ride, and during your hike you will be rewarded for your efforts with invigorating views of the
Southern Alps. Youll also be able to take in views of the Shot over River. Nearby Arrow town is a highlight
of the area with its village feel and charming tree lined streets. It sits alongside the gold-bearing Arrow
River and there are several tell-tale signs of its gold rush days.
A visit to Queenstown wouldnt be complete without a vineyard sojourn. In the Gibbstown Valley, visit one
of the many vineyards and enjoy amazing views whilst sampling the pinot noir the Central Otago is

famous for. Lake Wakatipu is an attraction in its own right with its far reaching waters, overhanging
mountains, beaches and trout fishing opportunities. Its a tranquil spot to get some rest before setting out
on the next adventure. Shaped like a lightning bolt, Lake Wakatipu is the third largest lake in
New Zealand. The Dart River flows into its northern end; the Kawarau River, beginning near Queenstown,
handles its outflow.
The lake occupies a single, glacier-carved trench and is bordered on all sides by tall mountains, the
highest of which is Mount Earn slaw (2819 meters). Settlements around the lake shore include
Queenstown and the villages of Kingston, Glenorchy and Kinloch. Because of its unusual shape, Lake
Wakatipu has a 'tide' (more correctly, an unusually large seiche or "standing wave"), which causes the
water to rise and fall about 10 centimeters every 25 minutes or so. Maori legend links this phenomenon to
the heartbeat of a huge monster named Matau, who is said to be slumbering at the bottom of the lake.
The T.S.S. Earn slaw cruises the lake every day. Complete with a bright red funnel, white hull and kauri
timber decks, this vintage steamship is a New Zealand icon. Lake Wakatipu offers year-round trout fishing
- the mouths of the Greenstone and Lochy Rivers are particularly rewarding. In summer, the lake's
beaches are popular for swimming.
Queenstown is home to some of the most spectacular skiing in the world and offers everything from
beginners slopes to more challenging terrain. Queenstown offers two pristine ski fields. Coronet Peak is
the locals choice and offers diverse terrain and a large snowmaking system plus, its only 20 minutes
away from central Queenstown. The Remarkable offers three sunny bowls, finger chutes and three terrain
parks.
If youre itching for more, give heli-skiing a go and enjoy the most pristine and isolated steeps in the
Southern Alps via helicopter.Queenstown is known as the 'adventure capital of the world' & for good
reason. A skydive here is one of the most thrilling experiences you'll ever have.
Picture this youre free-falling 4,000 meters above the snowy peaks of the Remarkable and Lake
Wakatipu. Suddenly, your instructor deploys the parachute, and you get to slow down and soak in the
breathtaking panorama laid out kilometers below you. A skydive is a truly
quintessential Queenstown activity, and an unforgettable experience to have on a visit to New Zealand.

CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch (/krastrt/; Mori: tautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and
the country's third-most populous urban area. It lies on one third of the way down the South Island's east
coast, just north of Banks Peninsula, which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of Christchurch.
The population of Christchurch City at the 5 March 2013 census was 341,469.[2]
The city was named by the Canterbury Association, which settled the surrounding province of Canterbury.
The name of Christchurch was agreed on at the first meeting of the association on 27 March 1848. It was
suggested by John Robert Godley, who had attended Christ Church, Oxford. Some early writers called
the town Christ Church, but it was recorded as Christchurch in the minutes of the management committee
of the association.[3] Christchurch became a city by Charter on 31 July 1856, making it officially the oldest
established city in New Zealand.
The river that flows through the centre of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park) was
named Avon at the request of the pioneering Deans brothers to commemorate the Scottish Avon, which
rises in the Ayrshire hills near what was their grandfathers' farm and flows into the Clyde.
The usual Mori name for Christchurch is tautahi ("the place of tautahi"). This was originally the name
of a specific site by the Avon River near present-day Kilmore Street and the Christchurch Central Fire
Station. The site was a seasonal dwelling of Ngi Tahu chief Te Potiki tautahi, whose main home

was Port Levy on Banks Peninsula. The tautahi name was adopted in the 1930s. The Ngi Tahu
generally referred to the Christchurch area as the Karaitiana, a transliteration of the English word
Christian. The city's name is often abbreviated by New Zealanders to Chch. In New Zealand Sign
Language, the city's name is the finger spelled letter C (made by forming the hand into a C shape) signed
twice, with the second to the right of the first, while mouthing "Christchurch"
Framed by the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps, the Canterbury region offers a vast range of
breathtaking landscapes. Christchurch, the gateway to Canterbury, is well-known for its rivers, stately
parks, and world-class botanic gardens. From here, you can hop aboard the Transalpine Express to
Arthur's Pass - one of the most stunning train journeys in the world. Take in the views at Arthurs Pass
National Park, explore the charming bays and villages of Banks Peninsula, or hit the snow at Mt Hutt,
which boasts the longest ski season in Australasia. In Kaikoura, sperm whales can be seen almost every
day of the year, and seals, dolphins and penguins are also common sights. And in the Mackenzie country,
you'll marvel at the turquoise lakes, grand glaciers and New Zealands tallest mountain, Aoraki Mount
Cook.

Kaikoura is known as New Zealands whale-watching Mecca. Get up-close with majestic Giant Sperm
Whales; as well as Humpbacks, Pilot Whales and Orcas.
Whales are a very common sight in the waters off Kaikoura because of a 2-kilometre underwater canyon
that sits beside the coast. In this giant trench two powerful sea currents meet, drawing nutrients to the
surface of the water and attracting an abundance of fish. Hop on a boat cruise and experience whales
first-hand as they feed off the canyons nutritious marine-life. Christchurch is a cycling paradise, and
offers a huge range of scenic, accessible trails. The St James Cycle Trail, one of the 18 great rides under
the New Zealand Cycle Trail, is a 64km point-to-point ride offering stunning views of the Waiau Valley and
Spencer Mountains. The Okuti Valley, 30 mins drive from Christchurch, offers gravel mountain biking trails
overlooking the picturesque Lake Forsyth. Theres also the Port Hills the mountains that cradle
Christchurch City which offer brilliant cycling opportunities amidst stunning coastal views.

The Shoreline Walk from Point Kean leads you to colonies of fur seals and sea birds. Pack a picnic and
a camera. Situated about halfway between Christchurch and Piston on the east coast of the South Island,
Kaikoura is where the mountains almost reach the sea.
A branch of the Southern Alps, the Seaward Kaikoura Range rises almost directly out of the ocean in
places and many of its peaks are snow-capped for most of the year. The highest mountain in the range is
Manakau at 2610 meters, and the most imaginatively-named is Mount Horrible. This unique combination
of ocean and mountains offers stunning coastal alpine scenery and a host of eco-tourism activities
including whale watching, dolphin swimming and seal snorkeling. However it won't cost you a thing to
discover seal and bird colonies along the coast.

Ohau stream waterfall walk and seal pups

Baby seal pups can be found at the Ohau Stream just north of Kaikoura. Follow SH1 and as the road
descends towards the coast look out for the signpost indicating the Ohau Stream and Waterfall Walkway.

Shoreline Walk

The Shoreline Walk begins at Point Kean car park and follows the base of the cliffs across tidal rock
shelves to South Bay. Fur seals, wading birds and nesting colonies of sea birds can be seen in this area.
Further on the route passes spectacular limestone outcrops and sea caves before arriving at Atia Point,
known locally as The Sharks tooth. More seals and sea birds may be encountered here, so proceed with
caution. Once around Atia Point, the route follows the foot of the cliffs to a junction with the Link Track.
From here you can return via the Shoreline Walk, take the Link Track up to the Cliff Top Walk or continue
through South Bay to the Nga Niho Pa track which ends on Torquay Street.

Mount Fyffe
Another Kaikoura walking experience is the track up Mount Fyffe. You need to allow a whole day for this
journey, but from the mountain's summit you can see forever - Banks Peninsula to the south and the
North Island to the north. Mount Fyffe is named for George Fyffe, a whaler who built Kaikoura's oldest
remaining home - Fyffe House. This house is administered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and
is open to the public.

Boat cruises
Whale watching, glacial lakes, dolphin spotting, harbor cruises...the Christchurch-Canterbury region is a
fascinating place to take a boat cruise. If you're after an unforgettable marine encounter, take a boat
cruise in either Kaikoura or Akaroa - both found in the Christchurch-Canterbury region. In Kaikoura,
whales are often spotted offshore, and, if the conditions are right, you can have the opportunity to swim
with fur seals or dusky dolphins. Akaroa Harbor is the only place in the world you can swim with the rare
Hector's Dolphin - the smallest of the dolphin species. Youll also find spectacular glaciers in Mount Cook
National Park - see these giants up close when you take a glacier tour boat cruise. There are also
heritage sailboats you can cruise the Lyttleton Harbor on for a day; as well as quaint Punting on
Christchurch's Avon River with your very own Edwardian Punter.

WELLINGTON

Wellington is the capital city and second most populous urban area of New Zealand, with 393,600
residents. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka
Range. It is the major population centre of the southern North Island, and is the administrative centre of
the Wellington Region, which also includes the Coastland Wairarapa. Wellington is the world's
southernmost capital city of a sovereign state.
The Wellington urban area comprises four cities: Wellington city, on the peninsula between Cook Strait
and Wellington Harbor, contains the central business district and about half the
population; Porirua on Porirua Harbor to the north is notable for its large Mori and Pacific
Island communities; Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt are largely suburban areas to the northeast, together
known as the Hutt Valley.

The 2014 Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranked Wellington 12th in the world.[4] In 2011 Lonely Planet
Best in Travel 2011 named Wellington as fourth in its Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2011, referring to it as the
"coolest little capital in the world".
The harbor city of Porirua is just 15 minutes north of Wellington. It's the home of Pataka, one of
New Zealand's most important museums.
Porirua is a satellite city of Wellington situated at the southern end of the Kapiti Coast. It completely
surrounds Porirua Harbor, which is a popular spot for windsurfing, waterskiing and jet skiing. Best things
to do in Porirua include visiting Pataka, a museum and art gallery specializing in Maori and Pacific Island
art; shopping at Porirua Market, which is held every Saturday morning; exploring Battle Hill Farm Forest
Park; and several beaches for safe swimming. On Waitangi Day (February 6th) Porirua celebrates its
cultural diversity with the Festival of the Elements. Youll find plenty of motel accommodation, as well as
camping grounds and B & BS.

KAPTI ISLAND
Kapiti Island is a nature reserve hosting some of New Zealand's most endangered birds. Its protected
waters are home to an abundance of marine life. Creating a place where endangered species can once
again thrive has also created a rare experience for the small number of people who are allowed to visit
Kapiti Island each day.
Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is ten kilometers long and two kilometers wide. Visitor numbers are strictly
limited - access is only by licensed launch and a landing permit from the Department of Conservation is
required. For a summer visit, you'll need to apply for a permit one to two months ahead.

50km north of Wellington

Your launch departs from Paraparaumu Beach, 50 kilometers north of Wellington by car, coach or train.
Youll skim for 15 minutes across the surface of the marine reserve that lies between the mainland and
Kapiti Island.
Stepping ashore youll begin to understand what it takes to maintain a land before time. Having
eradicated all mammalian predators, and fostered the restoration of the once giant rainforests, todays
guardians of the island are not about to let this work be undone. Visitors luggage is inspected for small
stowaways, and smoking is only permitted under supervision at the waters edge.

Bird recovery
Kapiti Island is now one of New Zealands most important sites for bird recovery. Stitch bird, kokako,
takahe, brown teal, and saddleback have all been transferred to Kapiti since the 1980s. Earlier releases
(1890s to 1910s) included two types of kiwi and weka. The little spotted kiwi thrives on Kapiti Island. As
youd expect, the island is also home to dense populations of less endangered native and marine birds.
Having grown-up on the island theyre blissfully unaware of predators, and theyll show you a level of trust
seldom experienced by humans.
You may see black shags and little shags fanning their wings to dry, or black backed gulls nesting on rock
stacks during spring and early summer. Little blue penguins cross the beach at night. Their tracks can
often be seen along the beaches. Eagle rays sometimes bask in the shallows close to shore. Equipped
with the fresh knowledge from your professionally guided walk, youll have the opportunity to leave your
small group and explore the island on your own, before returning to the mainland.

CABLE CAR
A favorite of locals and visitors alike, the cable car allows easy access from the central business district to
the Kelburn lookout and the top entrance of the Botanic Garden. Take this short historic trip to enjoy
stunning views from the lookout over the city & harbor Te Whanganui-a-Tara and easy access to many of
Wellington's top attractions. The Cable Car Museum, Botanic Garden, Carter Observatory & Planetarium,
Zeelandia & Parliament, the cable car operates every day except Christmas Day and runs every 10
minutes from 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 10pm Saturday and 8:30am to 9pm Sundays &
Public holidays.

Wellington is home to a hub of world-class production and special effects facilities, as well as a number of
talented filmmakers.

Film capital of New Zealand

Miramar, a seaside suburb of Wellington, is home to a neighborhood of world-class movie-making talent
and technologies.

Weta
Weta was formed in 1993 by a group of young New Zealand filmmakers including Sir Peter Jackson and
Sir Richard Taylor, who were eager to push the boundaries of creative filmmaking. Later, the company
formed two separate halves Weta Digital (digital effects) and Weta Workshop (physical effects).Wetas
reputation for creativity and delivery keeps the company in high demand from some of the worlds leading
film studios. Legendary Hollywood director James Cameron chose Wellington to make the Oscar-winning
film Avatar because he was determined to make a ground-breaking movie. Other Hollywood
blockbusters Weta have worked on include King Kong, The Lovely Bones, The Avengers and
Prometheus.

Park Road Production

A premier post-production facility created by filmmakers for filmmakers, Park Road is home to a huge
number of resources to help filmmakers concentrate on the creative process. Only taking on a few
projects every year, Park Road has worked on blockbusters like The Adventures of Tintin, District
9, The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey and The Last Samurai.

Stone Street Studios

Offering a range of production facilities including two massive purpose-built sound stages, a wet stage
and four adapter warehouse stages, Stone Street Studios is another world-class resource for filmmakers.

Wellywood
Wellywood, as Wellington is affectionately known, offers a number of ways for visitors to experience the
citys film industry. Expert tour operators such as Wellington Rover Tours and Wellington Movie Tours will
take you to specific filming locations, showing and explaining what scenes were filmed there you might

even find yourself guided by an extra from one of the films! Many of these tours will visit the Weta Cave, a
mini-museum featuring movie props, collectables, artwork and behind-the scenes footage.

Activities for movie-buffs in Wellington

Weta Cave - A mini-museum of Weta, Weta Cave showcases some of the characters, props
and displays from the blockbusters Weta have worked on. Read about how they were brought
to life, and watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes screening about Weta that includes interviews
with Sir Peter Jackson.
Embassy Theatre - This historic theatre was built in 1926 and hosted the premiere of The Hobbit: an
Unexpected Journey. Check out the name plates with the actors and characters names by the leather
seats.

Roxy Cinema - Owned by Sir Richard Taylor and Jamie Selkirk amongst others, the beautifully
revamped Roxy Cinema combines the style of the art deco era with the modern technology of 20thcentury cinema watching. Enjoy the restaurant decorated by Weta Workshop.

Mount Victoria - The very first day of shooting for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy took place on Mount
Victorias city belt, where the Hobbit on Woods was filmed. Mount Victoria also has fantastic views of
Wellington City and harbor. Find & book flights
Wellington is home to a number of nature & wildlife experiences, ranging from eco-sanctuaries to kiwi
spotting. Many are situated close to the city centre. Zealandia is an award-winning eco sanctuary, home
to native birds and tuatara, as well as a state-of-the-art exhibition that tells the story of New Zealand's
history and conservation efforts. The predator-free islands of Kapiti and Matiu Somes allow immersive
hikes through native bush, as well as night time kiwi spotting tours in the wild. Wellington also has a fur
seal colony that is only 20 kilometers from the city centre; and Wellington Zoo is home to a range of
fascinating and endangered animals.

Wellington is home to New Zealand's national Museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, as well as many other
fascinating cultural attractions. Packed with national treasures, Wellington's museums tell the stories of
New Zealand's past. Right on the waterfront, you'll find Te Papa Tongarewa, the most visited museum in
Oceania. Here, six stories of exhibitions showcase aspects of the country's diverse art and visual culture.
A little further along the waterfront is the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, which is all about
Wellington City's cultural history. Pataka, 15 minutes north of the CBD, celebrates New Zealand's
multicultural history; specializing in showcasing Mori, Pacific Island, Asian and international
contemporary art & culture.
If you're a movie buff you'll love Weta Cave, the Academy-Award winning company that brought The Lord
of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies to life. There are also a number of small, quaint museums on offer in
and around the city centre.