WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth - the last major landmass to be discovered. It has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both our Maori and European heritage. Amazing Maori historic sites and taonga (treasures), some dating back almost a thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial buildings. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country we have become. New Zealand is an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth. It has a diverse multi-cultural population of 4 million people, the majority of whom are of British descent. New Zealand's indigenous Maori make up around 14 percent of the population. The Maori made an epic journey from the legendary Hawaiki, probably in Polynesia to the north of New Zealand, about 1000 years ago. The great explorer Kupe named the new land Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud. The first documented European to discover New Zealand was Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, who came here in 1642 in search of the fabled great southern continent. Over a 125 years later, Captain James Cook claimed it for Britain in 1769 and produced a map of the country. New Zealand is a modern country with a well-developed economy and a government structure based on the British parliamentary system. New Zealand has long been a sovereign nation in its own right with only tenuous ties to Britain through New Zealand's membership of the British Commonwealth. You can find more information on New Zealand's government and its monetary policy at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and New Zealand Government Online. The kiwi bird was named for the sound of its chirp - kiwi, kiwi, kiwi! This flightless bird, about the size of a domestic hen, has an extremely long beak and plumage that is more like hair than feathers. New Zealanders have adopted this nocturnal, flightless and endearing creature as their national emblem. Referring to New Zealanders as Kiwis probably dates back to the First World War, when New Zealand soldiers first acquired this nickname. In the international financial markets, New Zealand’s basic currency unit, the New Zealand dollar, is frequently called ’the kiwi’ The dollar coin features a kiwi bird on one side. Perhaps the best-known kiwi is the delicious kiwifruit. Originating in China, kiwifruit were grown in New Zealand domestic gardens for decades as ‘Chinese gooseberries’. However, when enterprising New Zealand farmers began propagating the fruit intensively for export, it was given the name kiwifruit and has since achieved worldwide fame. If you're travelling with a pack on your back, there are hundreds of places to rest your head and share stories with like-minded people. New Zealand's backpacker lodges and youth hostels have a reputation for being clean and comfortable. Very good value too! Some lodges are individually owned and operated, others are part of a backpackers' network. Room types vary from lodge to lodge. Some only offer dormitory rooms (single sex on request), others provide a choice of dormitory, double, twin and single rooms. In most cases, bathroom and kitchen facilities are shared. Communal dining and living areas are great for meeting people and finding out about where to go next. If you're not travelling with a sleeping bag, you can hire bed linen. Laundry facilities are available so you can catch up on washing. New Zealand motels offer clean and cosy, superior accommodation with all the comforts of home. Motels usually have one or two bedrooms, lounge, bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. They are ideal if you prefer to cook your own meals.You will find motels everywhere. Larger motels often have facilities similar to hotels - swimming pool, spa, sauna, in-house video, laundry facilities, room service, breakfast, restaurant and so on. Most motels are quality rated under the Qualmark standard, so look for the star indicators. Hotels in New Zealand come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. You can expect to find top international hotel chains, such as Sheraton, Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, Rydges and InterContinental. You'll also discover smaller hotels that are memorable for their individuality and in convenient locations on all the main travelling routes. Large international chains are mostly found in the major cities - Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. They're also located in key holiday destinations, such as Rotorua and Queenstown. Character and boutique hotels, which range from heritage buildings to purpose built facilities in stunning regional locations, vary in price according to their level of luxury. Hosts are welcoming and provide insight into the local culture and attractions. Medium-price chains provide a consistent level of quality and a high standard of facilities, including swimming pools and spas. Getting between New Zealand destinations is half the fun of being here. The scenery you’ll discover on the road, in the air or along the rail tracks makes every journey totally enjoyable. New Zealand has a well-maintained road network and the main islands are linked by ferry and air services. Our network of international and domestic airports throughout the country has New Zealand air travel covered.