New Zealand is a small country with a big heart. Its unique history and vibrant culture provides an incredible amount to see and do. Much of it outdoors where you can enjoy its renowned beautiful, natural scenery. From the biggest, most magnificent sights– including Huka Falls, Fiordland National Park, Mt Cook and Lake Wanaka. New Zealand’s natural beauty is as diverse, complex, and rich as anywhere in the world.
New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses, the North Island, and the South Island, and more than 700 smaller islands.
The North Island of New Zealand is known for its volcanic activity, national parks, and cosmopolitan cities. Home to about three-quarters of New Zealand’s population, it has the country’s largest city, Auckland. Surrounded by bays and islands, it’s known as the “the City of Sails.” At its southern tips is harbourside capital Wellington, home to the national museum, Te Papa.
The South Island of New Zealand is renowned for its mountains, lakes and glaciers. The Southern Alps, home to 3,724m-high Aoraki Mt. Cook, run along the entire length of the island. In the southwest is Fiordland National Park, with steep-sided Milford Sound. In the north is Abel Tasman National Park, known for its trails and ocean kayaking. Queenstown is famed for adventure sports like bungee jumping and skiing.
New Zealand’s Seasons
Spring: September - November
During spring, New Zealand bursts with new life. Colourful flowers bloom, lambs are born, and waterfalls burst with springs rains. The fresh, happy atmosphere during spring makes this an inspiring time of year to visit.
Temperatures range from 4.5 - 18 degrees celsius (40 - 65F).
Although there is still a high chance of rainfall around this time of year, the weather starts to warm up – it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking. Spring is also when calves, lambs and daffodils pop up in New Zealand’s green fields, so it’s an incredibly picturesque time. Cool nights and warm days are common, which makes for pleasant travel weather.
Summer: December - February
Summer activities tend to make the most of the sun, sea, and sand. New Zealand’s many beaches and lakes are perfect to cool off during the summer months.
Temperatures range from 21 - 32 degrees celsius (70 - 90F).
Summer is the most popular time to visit New Zealand. Over December, January and February, the number of visitors increases, as people arrive from overseas to travel while the weather is warm. Summer holidays mean more Kiwis are travelling New Zealand too, making the most of the sunshine and Christmas break.
Autumn: March - May
In autumn, New Zealand enjoys some of the most settled weather of the whole year. Soak up long, sunny days and golden leaves with hiking, cycling or kayaking.
Temperatures range from 7 - 21 degrees celsius (45 - 70F).
If you would prefer to enjoy sunny days, but with fewer crowds, the best time to go to New Zealand is in autumn. From March to May the weather is still reasonably warm – particularly in the north – but the crowds have thinned out. As autumn is also the shoulder season, you can enjoy better rates on accommodation and activities.
Winter: June - August
The winter months bring snow to mountain peaks around the country, and clear, crisp days. In the North Island, you might encounter more rain, while the South Island is colder but drier.
Hit the ski slopes, visit a winery or two or head along to one of the many winter festivals.
Temperatures range from 1.5 - 15.5 degrees celsius (35 - 60F). The further south you go, the colder you will get. Temperatures are significantly lower in Queenstown than in Auckland.
Winter in New Zealand is the best time to visit if you’re enthusiastic about snow sports. With a light dusting of snow, Queenstown and the Central Plateau are transformed into winter wonderlands. If you want to ski or snowboard your way down the slopes of the Southern Alps, the best month to visit New Zealand is either July or August.
New Zealand Cuisine
Fresh, diverse, and delicious, Kiwis love their food. While you’re in New Zealand, seek out a few of the following quintessential Kiwi foods and drinks.
Crayfish and seafood
New Zealand is home to some of the best seafood in the world. Known for its amazing crayfish.
New Zealand lamb
Succulent and tender, roast lamb is a favourite for Kiwi's. Best enjoyed flavoured with rosemary and served alongside plenty of seasonal roasted vegetables.
Hāngī - food cooked under the ground
The Māori hāngī is a traditional earth oven style of cooking. Foods cooked in a hāngī include chicken, pork, and mutton, as well as pumpkin, potato and kumara (sweet potato).
Fish and chips
Best enjoyed while sitting by the beach on a balmy summer evening, fish and chips are a Kiwi favourite.
Kiwi summer BBQ
Call it a ‘barbie’, barbeque, barbecue, or BBQ – the act of cooking outside is an essential part of Kiwi culture. Lamb, beef, sausages, and poultry are usually barbecued at home in the backyard during the summer months. Potato salad, garlic bread and fresh vegetable salads are also prepared.
Humble New Zealand pies
Traditionally, the only available pie flavour would have been mince. Always encrusted in a buttery flaky pastry and often served in a brown paper bag, it's easy to find a good pie in New Zealand
New Zealand wine, beer, and other drinks
In terms of wine, New Zealand punches above its weight. Enjoy full-bodied pinot noir, light and fruity sauvignon blanc and the deep, peppery flavours of a New Zealand syrah. Craft beer breweries are gaining popularity, as are cideries. Created in 1907, Lemon & Paeroa (better known as L&P) is a non-alcoholic soft drink made from lemon and carbonated water,
Things to do in New Zealand
Take in the stunning views at Auckland’s Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere, reaching more than 300 metres high. Treat yourself in the Sky café, or for the adventurous, walk the outside of the viewing platforms.
Pass through the beautiful NZ countryside on your way to see the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then experience what the unique town of Rotorua has to offer from thermal hot mud pools, geysers and our Maori cultural centre of New Zealand.
Step into the enchanting village of Hobbiton Movie Set. In the heart of the Mighty Waikato region, you can explore the lush pastures of the Shire™ with a guided walking tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies.
Take in the incredible, panoramic views en-route to Milford Sound. Discover native wildlife, towering waterfalls, and majestic mountains on a Milford Sound Nature Cruise.
Hop aboard the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant and travel in comfort through the city centre while enjoying a delicious 4-course dinner. The 2.5-hour ride in this moving restaurant on wheels allows you to enjoy views of city attractions while you relax in a meticulously restored heritage tramcar.
Admire Christchurch stunning Botanical Gardens. Christchurch's most popular and well-loved attractions, with one of the finest collections of exotic and local plants in New Zealand.
Wine-tasting on Waiheke. Home to a magical blend of vineyards, olive groves, beaches, art studios and funky cafes, Waiheke Island is an enchanting oasis. Sip New Zealand’s finest wines at one of the many vineyards while enjoying sea views.
Soak up Māori culture and hospitality in Rotorua, the cultural heart of New Zealand. Visit an authentic pre-European Māori village for a cultural show. After a delicious ‘hāngī’ feast, the thermal hot pools will be calling.
Heli-hike a glacier. Wild rivers, rainforests, glaciers, and rugged beaches invite exploration on the stunning, unspoiled region of the West Coast. Take a helicopter to the top of a glacier for a guided walk onto the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.
There really is so much to discover in this fascinating country, you can find everything from untamed wilderness to rich Culture. New Zealand is truly one of the most picturesque and photogenic places on earth.
Fun Facts
New Zealand was the first country in which the vote for women was approved, in 1893. Long before in most of the countries in the world.
Kiwi has three different meanings. A dry kiwi is a person who was born in New Zealand, a kiwi bird is a bird that is also used as a national symbol and, of course, there is the kiwi fruit to refer to the delicious fruit!
You can pay with hobbit money. Thanks to the fame that the country gained with the Lord of the Rings saga, New Zealand is the only country in the world that has permission to put hobbits on its legal tender!
New Zealand has the town with the longest name in the world, which is, Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. Translated to, “The place where Tamatea, the man on the big knees who slipped, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as the land eater, he played the flute to his loved one”.
New Zealand has more sheep than people. For every person living in New Zealand there are at least 10 sheep.
Dunedin has the steepest road in the world. The steepest street in the world is located on the South Island of New Zealand and is Baldwin Street, with a slope of 19 degrees.
New Zealand was the last country in the world to be inhabited by humans. History dates back just a few hundred years. This country was inhabited by the first humans only 800 years ago.
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