New Zealand:

New Zealand is spread over two large islands and several smaller ones. The more developed North Island is home to the main cities, while the vast empty spaces of South Island are best for escaping the crowds.

Getting around is easy as the country has a modern and efficient transport network, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. Enjoy the chance to explore two of the richest New World wine regions on the planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on moody beaches, tramp through the national parks or over alpine passes on well-maintained, beautifully sited tracks.

Life in New Zealand is very much tied to the Great Outdoors, and no visit to the country would be complete without spending a fair chunk of your time in intimate contact with nature. The country is perfect for every kind of outdoor activity. Not surprisingly, some of the world's most cutting-edge adventure activities originated in New Zealand. Take the plunge: this is the world's prime destination for bungee jumping. Test your paragliding skills or experiment with zorbing, which involves being strapped into an inflatable transparent plastic ball that is then rolled down a grassy hill. Opt for jetboating, another New Zealand invention, which consists of high-speed boat trips in special powerboats. Go swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands, Seek the thrill of white-water rafting or go caving in the famous Waitomo Caves. Enjoy stunning national parks and protected forest areas. Popular walks include the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the Lake Waikaremoana Track, the world-famous Milford Track.

In Rotorua's arts centre, see how young Maori learn the skills of traditional bone, wood and greenstone carving. Visit a Marae (a Maori meeting house) and enjoy a concert of traditional songs, the haka (a Maori challenge usually witnessed before All Black rugby matches) and a hangi (a delicious feast cooked in an earth oven). Visit the bubbling mud pools and performing geyser at Wai-O-Tapu to see the best of Rotorua's thermal attractions. Check out the volcanoes at Tongariro to see the explosive power of these eruptions.

The Polynesian Maori, a well-ordered tribal society, first settled New Zealand at least 1,000 years ago. The first European arrival was Dutchman Abel Tasman in 1642, although it was not until the voyages of Captain James Cook, in 1769 and 1779, that the islands were charted and explored.

Since then the country has developed into one of the cleanest, greenest, most popular places to live and visit. Visitor numbers rocketed around the release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which showcased New Zealand's fantastic scenery to a worldwide audience.

What you need to know:

CLIMATE:
Subtropical in the north and temperate in the south. The north has no extremes of heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the south, with snow in the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions in summer; the west, particularly in South Island, has more rain.

FOOD:
New Zealand has a reputation as a leading producer of meat and dairy produce with lamb, beef and pork on most menus. Venison is also widely available. A variety of fish is available, including snapper, grouper and John Dory. Seasonal delicacies such as whitebait, oysters, crayfish, scallops and game birds are recommended. New Zealand is also establishing a reputation for French-type cheeses: bleu de Bresse, brie, camembert and montagne bleu.

National specialties:

• Kumara (native sweet potato) in Auckland.
• Feijoa (local fruit) and golden-fleshed Zespri Gold kiwi fruit from the Bay of Plenty.
• Battered fish and chips from Gisbourne.
• Salmon and green-lipped mussels from Marlborough.
• Paua (abalone) from Stewart Island.
• Toheroa (clam) from Ninety Mile Beach.

CURRENCY:

The currency is the Kiwi dollar, or "buck", divided into 100 cents. There are $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 notes made of a sturdy plastic material, and coins in denominations of $2 and $1, and 50¢, 20¢ and 10¢ grocery prices are given to the nearest cent, but the final bill is rounded up or down to the nearest ten cents.

LANGUAGES:
English and te reo Maori, the Maori language, share joint status as New Zealand's official languages, but on a day-to-day basis all you'll need is English, or its colourful Kiwi variant. All Maori speak English fluently.

Glossary:

We recommend:

1.	South Island Explorer – 15 Days
		From quaint Christchurch and picturesque Queenstown to the rugged mountains of the Southern Alps and the inspiring Milford Sound, this trip makes the most of the South Island's adventurous spirit. more

2.	The Full Monty – 31 Days
		You'll see volcanoes, glaciers, beautiful beaches, rainforests and an abundance of wildlife. You'll travel with like-minded people as well as meet a host of local characters. more

3.	Land of the Long White Cloud - 28 Days
		Experience the many wonders of New Zealand on this all-encompassing trip. Whether you're hanging out with Maoris in a traditional 'marae', living dangerously in the adventure sport capital of Queenstown or watching fur seals frolic in Kaikoura, this is a trip where great memories and wonderful experiences come thick and fast. more

4.	Grand Adventurer - 13 Days
		Featuring: North Island and South Island, including Auckland, Christchurch and Milford Sound more

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