New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant native forests, long, deserted beaches and a variety of fauna, such as the kiwi, endemic to its shores.

Any number of vigorous outdoor activities - tramping (hiking), skiing, rafting and, of course, that perennial favourite, bungy jumping - await the adventurous. You can swim with dolphins, gambol with newborn lambs, whale-watch or fish for fattened trout in pristine streams and rivers.

New Zealand sits squarely in the 'roaring forties' latitude, which means a prevailing and continual wind blows over the country from west to east; this can range from a gentle breeze in summer to a buffeting, roof-stripping gale in winter. The North Island and South Island, because of their different geological features, have two distinct patterns of rainfall: in the South Island, the Southern Alps act as a barrier for the moisture-laden winds from the Tasman Sea, creating a wet climate to the west of the mountains and a dry climate to the east; while the North Island's rainfall is more evenly distributed without a comparable geological feature such as the Alps

Culture
New Zealand has a population of around 3.65 million. People from a wide range of European countries have arrived since Captain James Cook to make up 75% of the population while Maori make up about 10%. The Maori first arrived on these shores just over a 1000 years ago at the close of the last millennium. Today, the Maori have adopted western lifestyles but have actively been encouraged to keep alive their culture, language and art. Other ethnic groups have arrived from Polynesia (Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands) with Auckland now being the Polynesia capital of the South Pacific. People from China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, etc have also settled in New Zealand making for a diverse population mix.

The official languages are English and Maori with English being spoken by all. We have no official state religion although all religions are worshipped and accepted in New Zealand.

Events
Some of the noteworthy cultural events include: Summer City Programme (January to February; Wellington), which is a series of festivals around the city; Wine Marlborough Festival (2nd weekend in February; Blenheim); New Zealand Festival (February, even-numbered years only; Wellington), an entire month of national and international culture; Golden Shears Sheep-Shearing Contest (March; Masterton), a must for lovers of sheep and sweat; and Canterbury Show Week (November; Christchurch), which has agricultural exhibits, rides and local entertainment.

Wildlife
For millions of years New Zealand has been isolated and unique birds, animals and plants have developed here. Best known are our flightless birds such as the Kiwi. Because there were no ground based enemies for ancient birds many lost there ability to fly with the passage of time. Lizards, frogs, and bats are the only indigenous land animals in New Zealand. Dogs (kiri) and rats were introduced by the Maori, and red and fallow deer, trout, salmon, Australian opossum, rabbits, and domestic animals have been introduced over the last 150 years by European settlers. There are now strict regulations with very heavy penalties against the importing of plants, fruit and animals unless approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to protect the New Zealand environment.

New Zealand Wine & Agriculture
In the early 1880s new refrigerated ships designed in New Zealand made it possible for our farmers to begin to export dairy products and meat to the United Kingdom and the economy became heavily agriculturally based. Sheep and cattle graze on the rich farmland thoughout New Zealand, with dairy farming predominate around Hamilton, New Plymouth, and Whangarei n North Island. Deer farming is also popular through out the country for the export market. The are about 60 million sheep and 8 million cattle. Land unsuitable for dairy or sheep is generally used for forestry and New Zealand has some of the worlds largest man made forests of Radiata Pine.

About 1900 the Chinese gooseberry, later renamed the kiwi fruit, was introduced in New Zealand and we are now the world's main producer. Also because we are in the southern hemisphere, we can grow crops for customers in the north when it is their winter. Apples, strawberries, peaches, apricots and oranges are grown for the export trade.

In recent years New Zealand wines have also been exported in ever increasing quantities. The first vine was actually planted in the 1840s, however it is in the last 20 years that our wines 'have come of age'. The long New Zealand autumn plays an important part in ripening the grapes slowly. In the Marlborough region the Sauvignon Blanc grape grows well. While in Gisborne the Chardonnay grape is the favoured variety. White grapes are most common, however Cabernet Sauvignon is established in Hawke's Bay and Pinot Noir north of Wellington. Agricultural products account for over 30% of our export revenues. 15% of the land is under permanent cultivation.

Popular Places
¤ Auckland :This waterside city has a strong pulse and a nautical twinkle in its eye. Its location on a thin stretch of the North Island, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, is complemented by the lush subtropical forests of nearby hills and the volcanic terrains of nearby islands. With its spectacular harbour and bridge, New Zealand's largest city ranks with the best and its districts weave their way around a variety of bays ideal for swimming, water sports and particularly yachting - hence the nickname 'City of Sails'.

¤ Christchurch :The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is perfect as a pleasant jumping-off point for the mountains, ocean beaches, rivers, lakes and wide-open spaces less than an hour from the city centre. But Christchurch is more than just a springboard.

¤ Queenstown :Queenstown, on the northern shore of the serpentine Lake Wakatipu, is the epitome of the big-budget resort town, awash with organised tour groups. There's great skiing in winter and plenty of extreme substitute summer pastimes. Most activities are centred on the lake and many nearby rivers.

¤ Rotorua :Rotorua is the most popular and, inevitably, the most commercialised tourist destination on the North Island. It has the most energetic thermal activity in the country, with bubbling mud pools, gurgling hot springs, and gushing geysers. It's also a great place to catch traditional Maori ceremonies.

¤ Wellington :Bound by its magnificent harbour, with wooden Victorian buildings terraced up steep hills, New Zealand's capital is home to its parliament and national treasures. Spectacular views, challenging walks, a thriving cafe and entertainment scene, and serious dedication to the arts make Wellington an enormously enjoyable place in which to spend a few days.