Recently in New Zealand Category

I don't think I'd be satisfied with a month or two of NZ in all my lifetime.  I'd like to keep it as a happy escape, a retreat that's always open. And I'd feel best about it if there was a business waiting for me there. New Zealand is brimming with businesses that you can get yourself into. Keep them going while you're away.
There's immense choice of businesses from a picture framing venture for sale by a couple who've devoted their life to it and now need to slow down. Or there's the photographic business for sale under 50 grand. Of course food makes the best business sense anywhere... get yourself a Steak and Ale House in Hastings for 100-150 grand or a bakery house for 50-100 grand. Choose from cafes or health products set ups. Give rein to your won secret entrepreneurial dreams and just take off.

The Kaukapakapa Hotel is a house, business and a lifestyle all in one. I'm all for anyone luring me with a lifestyle! For NZD $1,900,00, the hotel is a revitalized country pub and is bursting with the potential to expand further into accommodation and restaurant ventures. The hotel comes with a public bar, juke box, pool table, landscaped gardens and a restaurant in a separate area. The deal will also bring you dishwashers and microwaves, fryers, and hotplates and more. Eight separate motel units and separate 4 bedroom house for yourself or for a manager you lure in to take care of the place in your absence is also part of the property. How I'd love to take off and buy this place!

A furnished 13 bedroom bed and breakfast is just an hour away from an airport. The property comes with  restaurant, english bar, dance floor and beautiful suites. With a golf course (9 hole short links), tennis court, swimming pool, croquet, spa, sauna, massage rooms, gym, full size billiard room and full conference facilities, the place is also great for business get- together's or wedding parties and the like. A gazebo on the lake makes it an ideal romantic setting. Situated on 25 acres of streams and rainforests and landscaped gardens, it's a lovely place not just for a boutique hotel but also if you wish to use it as a private residence instead.

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A completely furnished apartment in the adventure center of the country with 2 double bedrooms is up for grabs. Besides your bedrooms you'll have a open plan lounging room, a dining room with gas fire, 2 bathrooms with toilets and a separate laundry room complete with washer and dryer. The kitchen comes equipped with gas-cooking, dishwasher and range hood. The stylish property comes with state of the art furniture including 3 LCD TV's, surround sound, cutlery, ironing board and more. The internal garage comes with lockable storage units.
Conveniently enough you can split the apartment into a one bedroom studio unit with cooking facilities and separate fridge and a larger one bedroom apartment.
Why it makes sense to buy this property is because you'll have the lakes and the ski fields, the wine regions and the views right at your doorstep. More importantly, the development will be part of the Hilton Hotel complex and you'll have the convenience of restaurants and ski pick up points right next to you. Buy now for the smartest investment! It's going for £320,000.

Two luxury apartments with harbor views are left for you to snap up. The apartments are spacious with the sun dancing through the day. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a designer kitchen are the basics. Let your feet walk over cool Italian marble or sink into plush 100% wool carpets.  Enjoy mountain views from your patio or marvel over the sparkling waters of the ocean from your terrace. Lounge on spacious decks or soak away the tiredness in the spa pool. All the basic appliances, cable TV, secure car park in the basement and laundry room come with the apartment. In a prime beach resort area, this place offers you the most stunning views. (They exploit this completely with a glass fronted lift!) All this for a negotiable $2,100,00 NZD to $2,600,000 NZD.

A fully furnished studio apartment placed in a sunny corner of a Wellington street building has one bedroom and bathroom. Open plan kitchen and dining make this place a cozy home. The kitchen comes equipped with electric Cooking, laminated finish, microwave and small fridge. You won't have to worry about temperatures inside the house or cold showers with the property having ceiling insulation, electric heating and electric water heating. The bed, linen, breakfast and bedside tables, curtains, light fittings are all provided within the apartment price of $120,000.

Self contained, fully furnished apartments with great facilities for a more fly-by vacationer is available in Auckland. The place comes equipped with restaurant style kitchen, dining and lounge area, movie theatre, gym, internet conferencing room and pool. Studio Apartments are available from $70,000 plus GST.

Two apartments are for sale together or separately in the Nelson region on South island. The apartments are spacious, sunny and come with separate title deeds. Each place has 2 double bedrooms, kitchen and dining room. A spacious living room with fireplace can be found in one flat while the living room in the second one boasts a ceiling fan and Nightstor. You'll get a bathtub in your bathroom and a garage too. The garden is fenced and the whole property is easy to maintain. Offers of $600,00 for both flats or near half for a single one will be considered.

Find apartments more your pace for a perfect NZ stay.

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A cottage in Auckland affords the warmest mix of warm beaches and cozy living. A private garden with a giant Rimu has a walkway that leads you to the beach front. The waters not just sparkling but safe with kayaks and mooring available for your entertainment. Indoor entertainment in your self contained cottage includes Tv and CD stereo. Fishing or exploring areas are not far away and you'll get a microwave and freezer along with it for $80 per night for 2 people.

A redecorated self-contained cottage with beach views has spacious 4 bedrooms that can sleep 8 people. The cottage garden is fenced in and there's a garage on the grounds. Palm and fruit trees sway over the garden shed. Pick fruits and spend an evening lounging in with plans for a barbequed meal. Other than the bedrooms, you have a lounge, kitchen and dining area to spread out in. The accommodation is fully furnished with lovely blue bed spreads and peach curtains melding with gleaming wood floors. All the conveniences like washing machines, refrigerators, dryers, electric blankets, laundry rooms will be at your disposal. At $85 per night for 2 people with $10 for each additional guest, it's a good bargain.

A beach cottage with a magnificent garden is just 35 minutes away from wine region Napier. The cottage has a main house which sleeps 4 and a garden cottage which sleeps 2. Forget the bathrooms with water closets, the best is the claw foot bath with skylight that has stars sparkling down. Isn't that a nice thought? Sparkling champagne mixed with a bath and the stars? Nice as that is, I'd have to say that the garden's the best. A lovely secluded retreat, with lots of benches and private spaces for eating, sleeping and for a evening's gas barbeque. The kitchen is fully equipped and there are the usual living and dining rooms. If you're a wine aficionado, rent this cottage a mere 20 minutes from Napier.

The Wheki cottage enroute to the Abel Tasman National Park has spectacular sea and mountain views. The property comes as part of a farmyard experience with pig, chickens, a dog, cats and friendly horses. The beach is just a stroll away. Telephone, fax and email facilities are available. The nearby beaches are safe and sandy and perfect as an add on to your cottage life. The daily rates change season to season but weekly rates for stays of a month or more are $850 per week.

Go through loads more cottages before you cozy into one right here!

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New Zealand has a fascinating array of endless white beaches, sweeps of golden sand, beached shaded with red emblazoned trees, natural hot water beaches(!!) and more, where you can surf, bathe, dive, gawk at marine life and generally have a perfect beach day.

A Rangimarie waterfront property in Coromandel is a stately mansion with a private bay. The main house has 2 large bedrooms, 2 living rooms, bathroom and a dining room. But if you think that just 2 bedrooms is less for a house priced at 1,900,000NZD, then let me tell you of the 2 bedroom cottage that's part of the property or the adjoining annexe which comes with a bedroom and bunkroom. The house is also a find for its 4.68 hectares of ground of native bush. The house is surrounded by lawns and boasts a swimming pool on the terrace as well as a covered barbeque area and a boathouse. If I can't own a yacht, I'd love to own a little boat and pretend to be Lady Shallot amid the waters.

A fully furnished 3 bedroom beach house comes with 1 km of pristine white sand surf beach & safe lagoon. The house is low maintenance with open plan living and huge galley style kitchen. Two sun decks flow out of the house seamlessly. While the bedrooms are king size, the house comes fully carpeted and with landscaped gardens. An outdoor spa is a private affair with lush palm trees surrounding it. Other than a garden shed, included in the $490,000 price, is a teak dining table and chairs set, coffee table, spa, book cabinets, fridge, cutlery, microwave, queen, double and single beds, garden furniture and more!
Get in touch before the house goes off the market!

A beach house in the Bay of Plenty has 5 bedrooms and is an opportunity for you to enjoy the bliss of the beach at your doorstep.
The house splits into two dwellings, which you can take together. One dwelling is generously spread over three floors with garage and workshop space for the working vacationer. The second level has 2 bedrooms leading onto decks which will afford you stunning views of the sea. A huge office which can be used as a lounge is also on this floor. The third level has open plan living with the kitchen, dining and lounge areas all opening out on to the deck.
The other dwelling might be smaller but also frames the sea and is a self-contained 2-storey affair. It has 2 double bedrooms, kitchen and living areas and two bathrooms. For the moment, it has been rented out at $400 a night and in fact is a great investment opportunity for vacationers who want to put their house to use while they're away at home.

This beach house on Waihi beach comes with a flat and is an ideal investment for a two family vacation. With three bedrooms including an ensuite, a garage and all the joys of having a beach as your yard, this property worth $545,000 is a place worth looking into.

This picture postcard beach house is straight out of a children's tale. White walls with blue roofs, chocolate frames and a cute little garden with pebbled island make it a lovely getaway. You'll get your access to the beach, 2 bedrooms with a cozy atmosphere and all day sun. A workshop and outdoor entertaining area add a little something more to this package. Make it your own for $99,000.

If you're looking to rent chalets or studio apartments with beach views, there is a great option near the Abel Tasman National Park. You can choose from 5 one bedroom chalets, a two bedroom one or two studio units. The prices vary from 108NZD to 205NZD.

Take a look at the beach rental getaways or bachs in NZ before you go out and purchase your sunny spot.

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A 3 bedroom villa steeped in history comes with landscaped gardens, private verandah and native timber construction. Originally built in 1860, the villa has been restored with good heating and outdoor entertainment area. There is even a paved barbeque area. A shower and 2 toilets, a workshop and an extra lounging room in addition to the large ornate bedrooms make this property worth the $595,000. It's even got a nice white picket fence!

The Browning Street Villa in Auckland is a beautifully finished double bay brick affair. With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, massive living room, laundry room, pavilion and a swimming pool, this property is a great choice.
Extensive outdoor spaces are available as well as landscaped gardens. The interior is luxuriously spacious with wooden floors and light streaming in. The expansive old charm has mingled well with modern ideas and it can be yours for a negotiable price of $1,300,000- $1,600,000 NZD.

The 3 bedroom Tauranga Villa in the Bay of Plenty can sleep 6 people and comes with a glorious 180 degree view over the city, harbor, sea and Mt. Maunganui. The home was built in 2004 and has won an award in 2006 as the "House of the Year" and comes with a Master Build New Home Guarantee. With plaster finish and colorsteel roofing, double glazing in the family room, the house is designed for modern, environmentally conscious living. All the living areas open on to a concrete deck giving you awesome views. The swimming pool is on the deck. A courtyard/barbeque area and an ornamental pond with bubbling fountain and stepping stones is also part of this grand villa. The lounge is particularly stunning with wall to ceiling windows and doors that open on to decks on 2 sides. A fireplace is an added attraction in this room.
Pure wool carpeting has been used in the lounge, library, hallway and bedrooms. The kitchen has equipments of the highest quality and opens out onto a second deck and eating area on the east side for you to enjoy a lovely warm breakfast.
There's a guest wing on the west side of the house with 2 double bedrooms.
The bedrooms with their bathrooms are the last word in luxury.
This villa is priced at $1,250,000 NZD and a report from Registered Valuers in Tauranga, dated 17 March 2006,is available on request.

A lovely early 1900's villa with river views is up for auction. An auction is an exciting way to buy something and this house
has a unique charm worth an auction. Spread out with high ceilings, lots of timber work, the villa has 4 bedrooms in addition to the lounge and family rooms. There is also a sunroom justified by the fact that this property has an elevated 1452m2 situation. You'll get all the modern conveniences including light fittings, TV Aerial, Stove, Washing Machine Taps, Alarm, Waste Disposal and more, as well as double garaging.

An exotic villa in the Italian style is available for a negotiable $4,450,000. Besides the house and additional deck area, there are 11 acres of land as part of the property with an additional 5 acres available on adjacent grounds.
The main house has 3 bedrooms, the usual lounge and family rooms, , dining and kitchen area, a sunroom and even an office. But as an extra high point, you get a billiards room cum library too! External loggias and various storage rooms are other factors. Across the courtyard, above the garage is a 2 bedroom unit ideal for guests. With timber and Italian tiles and marble, the house is lovely. The swimming pool is rather up to date and fancy with swim jets, an automated chlorination system and laser lighting. The property has its own lakes and waterfalls and a spa in natural surroundings. There is space for a tennis court or a helipad. This is a really lovely property and if I had the money, I'd certainly grab it up.

Of course, there are more villas to choose from.

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If you think that I'm going to tell you to get ready for more palaces and bridges, or chapels and forts... you're wrong. The attractions in NZ are as natural as natural gets.

From the full-fledged Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers close to the ocean, making their way from the heights of the Southern Alps down into untouched rainforest, to a living a breathing set of the Lord of the Rings trilogy - Fiordland, which offers a huge range of walking tracks in the wilderness consisting of numerous lakes, mountains, native forest and a pristine coast.

Eastwoodhill Arboretum is like an enchanted garden in the country. The result of one man's life's work, it presents over 3,500 species often studied by international scientists. But forget the details and visit in autumn for unforgettable splendor of colors.

Visit Tamaki Maori Village, the re-created ancient Maori village which presents Maori life as it used to be pre-European settlement. You'll not only get a tour from a Maori elder who'll weave you yarns of the ancient myths, but also watch a traditional performance, and eat from a traditional hangi (underground oven). Also try and visit a Maori Marae, a meeting house usually forbidden to foreigners.

Throw in some bungee-ing, paragliding, parachuting and jet boat rides in narrow gorges in Queenstown, the country's adventure sports capital.

If that's not enough for the dare devil in you, then venture out to Poor Knights Maritime Reserve for a little bit of any-old-day swimmin' with the sharks. You can get the same thrill in Gisborne. Sure, you'll be in a steel cage, but aren't a some pretty, colorful fish enough!?

Other than sharks, you could go whale watching in Kaikoura. These big sea monsters frequent this stretch of water for their kind of plankton. Go for an unforgettable experience and as a bonus, you might even glimpse some dolphins!

I've told you of the glow worm colony in Gold Coast, Australia. And it's neighbor, NZ, has one its very own too. The Waitoma water-sculptured limestone  caves with their glow-worm grottoes are a famous tourist spot. I think the most exciting way to view them is by cave-rafting - don a wetsuit and head underground with a tube. You float through caverns looking at magical roof lit by glow worms and staring at some unique rock formations. You can also explore the caves by punt. 

You can get the best of the Pacific islands at the world's largest Polynesian market in an Otara parking lot. Roam the market while feasting on island goodies, buy beautiful tapa cloth and top-notch Polynesian weaving.

You can't be in NZ and not visit one of its many wine-growing regions. Hawke's Bay has no less than 70 wineries that are open for free wine tasting.

One of the many national parks in NZ is Tongariro National Park, a great place for skiers, trampers and anyone who wants a good sweaty workout. With three major volcanoes, dominating a rugged central plateau landscape, the Park is rich with Maori legends.
Other than this park, you'll find a plethora of UNESCO listed and world-heritage parks in NZ. The Kahurangi National Park, the Abel Tasman National Park, Te Urewera National Park, Egmont National Park and the Whanganui National Park where there remains the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’, a relic of the failed attempt at settlement in the glorious wilderness are some to get you started off.

Mt Cook or Aoraki is New Zealand's Highest Mountain and is part of a World Heritage park preserved in its natural state. Aoraki means 'piercing the clouds' and you can ride up in airplane or helicopter for a closer, aerial view of the breathtaking vistas of Mt Cook national park. Better yet... drive up Mt Cook yourself and enter its national parks and enjoy the glacial atmosphere there.
The Park is a UNESCO World Heritage area and contains more than 20 peaks over 3000m. Sliding down from one side of Mount Cook is the spectacular Tasman Glacier, one of the longest outside the Himalayas.

Of the man-made attractions in the country, I'd suggest Auckland's Sky Tower, a casino with a glorious circular, glass viewing gallery at its bulbous summit. The views of the city, its beaches and the mountains, the coast and sea beyond are absolutely fabulous and if you're game it's also possible to abseil down the side of the building to the street, a drop of over 100m!

The other one worth a visit is the subterranean Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. Penguins parade in a wonderland of ice and snow, while sharks, giant eels, stingrays and scores of shimmering fish swim the ocean-like depths.
A 350,000 liter open topped acrylic tank allowing visitors to view the creatures at close quarters.

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The Bay of Islands is a sight to behold and is one of the most beautiful New Zealand travel destinations. With 144 islands, secluded beaches, shores and coves this aquatic playground will keep you well entertained for even more than a day. The townships of the bay are rife with stories from the area’s colorful history. Explore the well-preserved Maori and European relics. The Bay of Islands is considered to be the birthplace of New Zealand as Waitangi, one of the islands is where New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840. Some of New Zealand's oldest buildings are found in the Bay of Islands.

Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third-largest island, has few inhabitants and can be reached by plane, helicopter, or boat ride aboard a motor catamaran from Bluff. The ride will take you 20 minutes. On the island you cold spy the endangered kiwi in the wild. You can find the birds of an evening feeding around Mason’s Beach, accessible by plane, or at Patterson’s Inlet, where you can go by water taxi.

Tucked into Stewart Island's Paterson Inlet, another destination is Ulva Island, where curious native birds will come down to the foreshore to watch you getting off the water taxi. Tiny Ulva Island has incredible native bird life. With flocks of them flurrying around, it's a camera worthy sight. And the best part is that they aren't scared of you!

Napier with its pretty Art Deco architecture, gorgeous boutique vineyard accommodations, a dazzling array of restaurants, and some of the best wines in the country is an enticing destination for a traveler. You could venture into The National Aquarium of New Zealand for a change of pace or spend an afternoon wandering the streets looking at one of the finest collections of beautifully preserved art deco buildings.

Other than Napier, you could ferry to Waiheke Island with some 45 vineyards. Make sure you visit Te Whau Vineyard, which has more than 500 cellared wines and an impressive menu highly rated by Wine Spectator.
From Wellington you could start out for the Wairarapa wine region or Cape Palliser with its wild coastline and seal. Then there's Kapiti Island, home to a bird sanctuary with birds like weka, bellbird and tui providing fantastic photo opportunities.

From Christchurch, you can take a one day back and forth journey on the Tranz Alpine Express to the Southern Alps, up over Arthur’s Pass and down the other side to the wild west coast. The journey itself is breathtaking. The tiny village of Arthur’s Pass is a good starting point for climbing, canyoning and trekking trips to the Arthur’s Pass National Park nearby.
The Alps themselves are larger than the Alps in Europe and provide a spectacular scenery of snowy peaks and glaciers containing unique flora and fauna. The area is dominated by the mighty Mount Cook and its national park. Skiing and snowboarding is possible along the Alps with many secluded ski fields, including heli-skiing, while around Mount Cook there are a number of awesome lone and guided walking and climbing trips.

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The museums in NZ are one of a kind boasting some of the widest collections in the world.

My favorite is the waterfront edifice in Wellington, one of the largest national museums in the world. This magical place melts arts and artifacts together with technological brilliance, creating absorbing displays and interactive games for all ages! Art collections, whale skeletons, working Maori marae and virual reality diversions all find their pride of place in the Museum of NZ-Te Papa Tongarewa.

After a significant internal revamp, the Auckland museum is everything you'd want in a city's storehouse of treasures: fun, interactive, attractive, informative, and filled with interesting collections. Its Maori and Polynesian section, the biggest in the world, sends shivers down your spine; forget your kids, set yourself loose in the Discovery Centre, where you can poke and pry into everything without compunction.

At the pinnacle of New Zealand's boating history, the NZ National Maritime Museum is booming. Look for KZ1 outside, and inside discover 1,000 years of the country's maritime history. You get to see sail makers, boat builders, and wood-turners at work and can even take a cruise on one of the vessels!

I saw a picture of the Rotorua Museum and just knew that I must visit it. Winner of the best Heritage Attraction for three years running, it is a great place to start your sightseeing in Rotorua. An architectural icon in itself, the building is one of the most photographed in NZ with a fascinating ans bizarre past. Take a look at the Bath House and you might even want to indulge in a curative treatment right here in Rotorua.

The Canterbury Museum and the International Antarctic Centre are two completely separate entities located miles apart, but together they present a terrific overview of life and history in Antarctica. Nowhere else in the world will you find this much gathered information about the great icy continent. There's everything from wildlife displays to human exploration accounts and a real ice chamber so you can get the feel of life in subzero temperatures.

Whangarei Art Museum permanently houses the city art collection containing both heritage and contemporary art work. A sizeable collection by early NZ modernist painter, Adele Younghusband is also part of the display.

The Cartoon Gallery is an online gallery for world class NZ cartoonists.

The Art Market in Waihi has been developed as a place from where artists can sell their work and now boasts more than 150 artists selling 1000's of individualistic pieces ranging from fantastic garden features to hand crafted jewelry. A range of art from NZ contemporary to Maori and Pacifica Art can be found.

The Kiosk is a 24/7 venue for contemporary art exhibitions by audio, screen and installation artists.

If you're looking for fun in NZ, it's not far away. The Auckland Dance and Open Air Film Festival are just the beginning. The Coromandel Pohutukawa Festival is a celebration of summer and includes a regatta, Warbirds over Thames and a Junk to Funk Wearable Art Competition.

You can view a provocative collection of films sourced from around the world at the Beck's Incredible Film Fest in Auckland and Wellington.

The Christchurch Arts Festival will dazzle you with jazz, opera, theater and cabaret performances.

A summer festival held at the magnificent Hamilton Gardens in February include theater, music, pantomime, Shakespeare, Major concerts and more.

Similarly, the Southern Lakes Festival of Color, held in the last week of April has an brilliant program showcasing respected names in art, music, dance and theater.

The Wellington Busking Festival is quite an extravaganza in February with amazing street performers and the Cuba and Manners Malls filled with acts from NZ and beyond to amuse and thrill you.

The country may be small, but it's not short of either art or culture. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Delve in and discover the hidden depths.

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I can't go to the Food in NZ without first lauding the NZ wine. The domestic wine and beer here have won international awards.
Here's a list of what you can savor while in NZ. For chardonnay, uncork Cloudy Bay (Marlborough), Babich Irongate (Henderson), Neudorf Moutere (Nelson), and Kumeu River (Kumeu). If you go in for sauvignon blanc, go for Cloudy Bay again, Hunter's Oak Aged (Marlborough), Grove Mill Marlborough (Marlborough) or Palliser (Martinborough). For the red wine aficionado, Atarangi pinot noir (Martinborough) should be your first choice, followed closely by Stonyridge Larose (Waiheke Island), Gibston Valley pinot noir (Central Otago), Te Mata Coleraine (Hawkes Bay), Brookfields Gold Label cabernet (Hawkes Bay), and, in fact, any pinot noir from Martinborough. If methode traditionelle is your thing, pop the cork on just about any of Daniel Le Brun's bottles in Marlborough, or Deutz Marlborough Cuvee or Pelorus Vintage (Marlborough). Botrytised sweet wines don't get much better than Villa Maria's Reserve Noble Riesling from Auckland.

The influx of immigrants in the country have made its cuisine sumptuously diversified with traditional Yorkshire puddings and scones mixed with European style cheeses with distinctive NZ flavors. In Auckland, you'll find the best Pacific Rim cuisine. Leading restaurants dabble with the flavors of Thailand, Japan, China, Vietnam, California, and Mexico.
As a leading producer of meat, you'll find lamb, beef, pork and even venison on most menus! Locally produced natural, sweet potato, the wide range of fish and the seasonal delicacies like oysters, scallops and gamebirds are also recommended.
Of course you'll also find the chains and fast food joints with dining in NZ being a mostly informal affair except for in the really exclusive places.
You'll find many a picnic area with barbeque facilities provided at roadside sites and lounge or public bars with counter service for an informal, relaxed evening.
Do not come away without letting the pavlova from Taranki tease your senses. It's a large roundcake with a meringue base topped with cream and fruit. This national dessert is crusty when you first bite in and deliciously soft on the inside.
Local fruits like the Gold kiwi and the Feijoa are also worth nibbling into.

Browse by cuisine or area to find a restaurant to suit your palate. You can also take a look at the 10 most reviewed restaurants in the country.

The first introduction I had to the beauty available in NZ was when a friend moved there and sent me a dazzling blue-green earring and pendant set. It was lovely and I decided then and there to give her some months to settle in and then to crash on her. Special souvenirs include distinctive jewelry made from New Zealand greenstone (a kind of jade) and from the enchanting translucent paua shell. Maori arts and crafts are reflected in a number of items such as the carved greenstone tiki (a unique Maori charm) and intricate woodcarvings often inlaid with paua shell. Other items of note include woolen goods, travel rugs, lambswool rugs, leather and skin products.
From arts and crafts to handmade products or the skin care specials, find the right shop for your search in your area.

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Flying is the best way to see the country's main attractions & destinations if you have limited time. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Origin Pacific are the 3 main airlines operating within New Zealand.

Since the rail network in New Zealand does not cover the whole country so be prepared to use other transport modes in some parts of the country. Three main long-distance lines run across the country - the Overlander, which runs Auckland to Wellington; the TranzCoastal, Christchurch to Picton; and the TranzAlpine, Christchurch to Greymouth. You can get yourself a Scenic Rail Pass for around $210 to $245 for 7 days which includes one ferry crossing and enables you to discover NZ by train at your own pace.

The Intercity and Newman's bus services are cost-effective ways of getting around. With a comprehensive coach network spread over 600 towns and cities daily, you can plan much of your sightseeing over coaches.
If you're planning to rent a car, then be warned that drivers in NZ are aggressive creatures and distances are deceptive.

Though short in km terms, the roads can often be narrow and winding. If you're staying for a while, you should consider joining the Automobile Association. AA offers excellent breakdown services and advice to drivers. If you belong to a similar organization in your home country, membership is free, so don't forget to bring along your membership card.

A ferry service runs between the two islands at least twice a day for you to crossover during your trip.

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New Zealand has everything from sun-spilt beaches to snow capped mountains and glaciers. You can walk up the side of on active volcano or thru endless valleys of rain forest. Awe-inspired fjords of the Deep South west and a wild and rugged west coast offer you sights that are no more than a few hours drive from each other.
Set aside enough time for New Zealand because that's the only limitation you're likely to face while exploring the country.
Other than its natural beauty, the country also offers dozens of activities including Bungee Jumping, rock climbing, skiing, Snow boarding, windsurfing, hang gliding, sky diving, parachuting, river rafting, jet boat riding, mountain climbing, jet skiing, cave-rafting, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking and much, much more.New Zealand is an all-year round vacation spot.
When you go to New Zealand will depend on what you want to do once you get there. The most popular time is in summer from December to February. great walking tracks appear and beaches come alive. Flowers bloom and fresh fruits fall off trees.

Expensive accommodation and airfares! Outdoor pursuits are best a this time.
If you're looking to ski in the Southern Hemisphere winter, then your months are June to August and you'll be heading to Queenstown, Mount Hutt, Cantebury or the Central Plateau. While these areas are dear (read expensive) for tourists in this season, the rest of the country has a dearth of tourists and you'll get some significantly discounted rates. Fall, that's February thru April, is the pleasantest time to go with few visitors and lovely, temperate days.

The Spring months of September to November are lush, beautiful months with daffodils, green grass, bluebells and rhododendrons. But the weather in these months is changeable with unpredictable rains and late snowfalls in the Southern island being common.

For people interested in Maori culture and who'd like to witness New Zealand's thermal activity - geysers, bubbling mud pools, and the like, the North island is the place to be.
Though the South island has got the reputation for being the adventure center and is less populated and more rugged, you can do your fair share of hiking, bungee jumping, rafting, swimming with dolphins in the north too.

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