New Zealand ( land of the long white cloud), truly is one of the most picturesque and photogenic places on earth.

A small island nation of just over 4.5 million people, New Zealand is made up of two major land masses (North Island and South Island) and a number of smaller islands including Stewart Island located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

The two main islands are divided by a 22km stretch of water called the Cook Strait.

New Zealand is located approximately 1,500km east of Australia and about 1,000km from the Pacific Islands. Due to its relative remoteness and being water locked, New Zealand was one of the last countries to be found and settled.

New Zealand

History of New Zealand

The history of New Zealand dates back at least 700 years to when it was discovered and settled by Polynesians

(The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language family, culture, and beliefs. Historically, they were experienced sailors and used stars to navigate during the night.)

The first European explorer to sight New Zealand was Abel Janszoon Tasman on 13 December 1642.

Captain James Cook, who reached New Zealand in October 1769 on the first of his three voyages, was the first European explorer to circumnavigate and map New Zealand

New Zealand Weather and Climate

New Zealand has a largely temperate climate.

While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10 C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.

Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south.

The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20 - 30ºC and in winter between 10 - 15ºC.

•Spring - September, October, November•Summer - December, January, February•Autumn - March, April, May•Winter - June, July, August

New Zealand Currency

New Zealand dollar

48.32 Indian Rupee

How to reach New Zealand ?

All nationalsCalimatecurrencyVisaHow to reachAttraactionsAdd facts

Top 10 Attractions1. Coromandel Peninsula

This north-eastern peninsula is famous for its white and golden sand beaches that frame magnificent coastal scenery, forests perfect for days of exploration and other natural wonders

2. Abel Tasman National Park

Located on the northern tip of the country’s South Island, this vast national park is a hiker’s dream. Closed to vehicles, one must enter by boat, foot or small plane, but the trip is well worth it

3. Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is an observation and telecommunications tower located in New Zealand’s largest city. At a height of 328 meters (1,076 ft) it is the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere

4. Napier Art Deco

Napier, a small city in Hawke’s Bay on the North Island’s east coast, is famous for its eye-catching art deco architecture

This small coastal town on the South Island is a haven for seafood lovers. You can spot fur seals, dolphins, and albatrosses off the shore, then indulge in a feast of fresh crayfish, mussels, blue cod and more.

5. Kaikoura

6. Franz Josef Glacier

This glacier, located within Westland National Park in the southwest, is one of the world’s most accessible. Visitors can walk right up to the foot of the massive glacier or take a helicopter ride over the dazzling Ice Age remnant.

7. Wai-o-tapu

This park is filled with geothermal activity, and you can hike through volcanic landscapes that look more like outer space than the rest of New Zealand. At Wai-o-tapu, one of the highlights is the Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts daily with a show-stopping display straight up into the air. Nearby, geothermal spas give you the perfect place to unwind after a day of hiking along Wai-o-tapu’s volcanic trekking paths.

8. Tongariro Alpine Crossing

In the Tongariro National Park, located in the center of the North Island, is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This crossing is a day-long hike that covers Mount Tongariro itself and passes along the base of Mount Ngauruhoe. The crossing might be recognizable to film buffs, because scenes from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy were filmed there. The Blue and Emerald Lakes are major scenic attractions along the way, and both have historic significance to the local Maori people and should therefore be treated with the utmost respect.

9. Bay of Islands The Bay of Islands is one of the most popular holiday destinations in New Zealand. The picturesque area contains 144 islands, many secluded bays and some great sandy beaches. This beautiful bay has an abundance of marine life including whales, penguins, dolphins and the big marlin. Not surprisingly, it is a popular tourist spot for sailing yachts on world cruises and international sport fishermen.

10. Milford Sound

Milford Sound is among the most famous tourist attractions in New Zealand. Lying at the most northern and accessible end of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound offers some of the world’s most staggering coastal scenery with its dramatic peaks and dark blue waters. The area’s frequent downpours only enhance this South Island beauty, sending numerous waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.

BUNGY JUMPING

For many visitors, bungy jumping in New Zealand has almost become a rite of passage, that they take that heart-stopping leap of faith while they're here.

How to reach New Zealand ?U ll definitely need a visa.Being a tourist or a group of tourists its mandatory to have a visiting visa to touch New Zealand.

Visitor Visa This visa is for you if...

… you want to come to New Zealand as a tourist, visit family and friends, or study a short course. You’ll need enough money to support yourself and everyone included in your application during your stay.

Criteria you must meet

• You must show that you’re a genuine tourist or visitor and intend to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.

• You must have enough money to live on while you’re in New Zealand or have an acceptable sponsor. You must have a ticket to leave New Zealand or be sponsored for the cost of your onward travel.

How long can I stay on this visa

Depending on your plans, up to 9 months.

With this visa you can...

Visit friends and family, explore New Zealand or enjoy amateur sports, or adventure activity.

Study for up to 3 months.

After this visa...

...you can apply for another Visitor Visa, or one of our student or work visas.

TimingYou can apply for it any time

Group Visitor Visa

This visa is for you if...

…you’re organizing a group trip to New Zealand and your group is travelling for the same purpose and has the same travel arrangements.

Criteria you must meet •Your group must travel to and leave New Zealand together.•As well as the group leader completing a ‘Group Visa Application’, each individual group member will need to complete a ‘Visitor Visa Application’.

How long can I stay on this visa

1 month

With this visa you can... Travel to New Zealand as a group.

After this visa... You have to return home

Timing Apply any time

Travel by Flight11,963 kmDistance from India to New Zealand

How much will it cost?

Transportation For TouristsBuses and coachesMotorhomesRail JourneysRental Cars

Accommodation1. Apartments : 575$-750$

Backpackers & hostels : Inexpensive Lodging 30$ - 130$

sleeping accommodation for a night and a meal in the morning, provided in guest houses and hotels.

Bed And Breakfast 465$ - 600$

Boutique & Lodge

Boutique hotel is a term used initially in North America and the United Kingdom to describe small hotels which have typically between 10 and 100 rooms

Farmstays are a unique accommodation option if you want a real taste of rustic, authentic Kiwi farm life

Farmstays

Other accommodation facilities Available are : 1. Motels2. Hotels3. Holiday homes4. Luxury Lodges etc.

Facts About New Zealand That’ll Blow Your Mind

1. The longest place name in the world is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, a hill in Hawkes Bay. 2. Blue Lake, in Nelson Lakes National Park, has the clearest water in the world

3. There are no land snakes, native or introduced, in NZ

4. Ever since the first The Lord of the Rings movie was released in 2001, New Zealand has been known as the 'Home of Middle-earth'.

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