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New Zealand travel guide

New Zealand is a land of contrasts: a place of wide-open spaces, magnificent Alpine scenery and lush pastures.

Read about the culture and history of New Zealand...

People aside – albeit friendly, heart-warming people – it’s the places in New Zealand that arouse your sense of wonder and make you catch your breath. The pristine beauty of Milford Sound, the silver dazzle of the Southern Lakes, the bush-wrapped solitude of Lake Waikaremoana, the boiling surprises of the thermal regions… these have inspired even the most travelled of visitors to wax lyrical.

Early settlers

The Maori story of creation explains that land and human beings are all one – flesh and clay from the same source material. The indigenous Maori’s emotional attachment to place is profound and has influenced Pakeha culture, contributing to the national belief that “clean and green” is a philosophy, not just a tourism marketing tool.

Initially the first European settlers tried to make New Zealand’s countryside look British. They cut and burnt the forest and sowed grass, but when they had spare time to look around, they soon realised how special their new home was. The North Island’s spas and hot pools earned an early reputation for their curative powers. As early as 1901, the government hired an official balneologist and formed a tourist department, the first government-sponsored tourism promotion organisation in the world. 

Thermal appeal

The thermal regions still draw enormous attention from travellers, but nowadays it’s mainly the unsullied, uncluttered landscape, and the sense of space and timelessness that bring thousands of visitors to its shores. Some come just to soak in the scenery, while an ever-increasing number want to walk in the wilderness; for them a tramp through this scenic wonderland is a sort of purification rite.

New Zealand’s remoteness from the rest of the world has served both to limit the number of visitors and preserve the land from over-exploitation. Those who did come were delighted by what they found packed into a country whose length can be driven in a couple of days, and whose width can mostly be crossed in a few hours.

Read more about things to do and things to see in New Zealand...

Unmissable experiences in New Zealand

Getting a taste of authentic Maori culture

Advice on spotting whales and dolphins

Enjoying the buzz of extreme adventure acitivites

Exploring New Zealand's wine trail