New Zealand Basics
| Capital | Wellington |
| Population | 4 315 800 |
| Area | 103 738 sq miles |
| Language | English and Maori |
| Distance from London | |
| Climate | |
| Currency | New Zealand dollar NZD |
| Visa | |
| Health/Vaccinations | |
| Governmment | Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy . Head of state is Queen Elizabeth II of the UK |
| Links | Wikipedia New Zealand World Travel Guide New Zealand |
New Zealand Adventure Guide
NewZealand is considered the best adventure destination on the planet. North Island has volcanoes, sailing,beaches,canoeing and great weather. South Island boasts the Southern Alps,Milfordsound, Franz Joseph Glacier and Queenstown. Queenstown has every kind of adventure activity you can imagine from bungy jumping to jet boating.
History and Culture
Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealnd and means "land of the long white cloud".
Polynesians arrived in New Zealand between 700 and 2000 years ago and their culture is very similar to the rest of Polynesia rather than nearest neighbour Australia.
In 1642 Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to see New Zealandbut it was not until Captain Cooks arrival in 1768 that the new land was mapped and explored by Europeans.
Britain eventually signed the treaty of Waitangi which gave Britain sovereignty and the Maoris their rghts. However the Maoris did lose land in the internal wars of the 1860s and 70s.
New Zealand was a loyal member of the Empire and Commonwealth and continues to be a magnet for British people seeking a new start.
The All blacks is feared name in the world of Rugby and NZ has a very strond sporting heritage in rugby,cricket,sailing and outdor pursuits.
Famous New Zelanders include Rusell Crowe,Rachel Hunter,Sam Neil,Sir Edmund Hilary.
Top Adventure Activities
Milford Track Tramp
53km over 4 days through the heart of New Zealands Fjordland NP, NZ s most famous walk . Take the boat across Lake te Anau ,walk ove rthe Mackinnon pass to Milford Sound. An organised trip will get you apermit and your accomodation along the way. It may rain!!! 7m/year www.ultimatehikes.co.nz
Routeburn Track
45km through Fjordland and Mt. Apping NPs along the base of the Southern Alps. A north to south route where aprebooked trip will provide you with huts,showers and meals. www.ultimatehikes.co.nz
Tangiro Crossing
A one day trek (8-9hours) through across a dramatic volcanic landsape, one of the best day walks in New Zealand. Start out from National Park Village ,near Ruapehu. If you are feeling fit you can climb Mt. Ngauruhoe or Mt.Tongariro. You will need to be shuttled from the start and end of the track .www.peakbagging.co.nz
White Island Volcano
White Island (321m from sea surface) lies at the northern end of the Taupo volcanic zone and is an andesitic stratovolcano. Its maori name of "Te Puia o Whakaari" means Dramatic mountain its English name was given by Captain Cook in 1769. It is the most continuously active volcano in New Zealand and the one most inhospitable to visitors. It lies 30 miles from the northern coast and can be reached by boat or helicopter from the mainland.Boats leave Whakatane for a 6 hour trip daily and you get a 2 hour guided tour of the volcano with plenty of time for photos.Make sure you get a hard hat . You can go by Helicopter from Rotorura or Whakatane.
Ruapehu helicopter and bike
Ruapehu lies within Tongariro National Park, 40km SW of the southern shore of Lake Taupo. It is possible to stay on the shores of Lake Taupo and go to Ruapehu for the day. You can also make National Park Village at the base of the volcano your base. The volcano has two ski areas, Whakpapa and Turoa which provide accommodation, services and lifts up to. The park is named after the Tongariro volcanic complex which inlcudes Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe which featured in The Lord of the Rings. www.peakbagging.co.nz
Queenstown Adrenalin
The adrenalin adventure capital of the world! The ledge bungee or the Cable car bungee 134m, 109m above the ground big swing,Jet boats,Milford sound flight,canoe the Dart river,hot air balloon rides and whitewater rafting plus more.www.everythingqueenstown.com
Rafting the Karamea
Take a helicopter ride to the top of the gorge then raft for2 days over class 5 rapids such as asskicker. Includes 400m of class 4. Wahoo!
Climbing Mt.Cook
Follow in the footsteps of Sir EdmundHilary and climb snowy Mount Cook(3754m)This is proper miuntaineering over glacies and crevasses so you 'll need a guide www.alpineguides.co.nz.