New Zealand - The God's own Country

The country in the south-western Pacific Ocean - New Zealand is comprised of two large islands (the North Island and South Island) and many much smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.

The Tasman Sea to the northwest separates New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand is approximately 2000 km southeast of Australia, and New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga to the north are the close neighbors of New Zealand.

Wellington is the capital, and Auckland is the largest city of New Zealand. English, Maori, and New Zealand sign language are the official languages of New Zealand. New Zealand dollar (NZD) is the currency of New Zealand.

New Zealand is the country known for its natural beauty and a wide range of outdoor and adventure activities. New Zealand is known as ‘Aotearoa’ in M?ori that means ‘the Land of the Long White Cloud'.

The phrase “God’s Own Country,” abbreviated as “Godzone,” is often used by New Zealanders to describe their homeland. New Zealand is also known as “Kiwiland” for habitation of Kiwis.

New Zealand was voted as the world's top travel destination for year 2003/2004. It was voted best long-haul travel destination in the 2004 Guardian and Observer’s People’s Choice award. New Zealand bagged the best holiday destination in the world at the 2005 Condé Nast Traveller Awards.

New Zealand has been location for several notable movies and television series including River Queen — Wanganui, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Whale Rider — the North Island's East Coast, The Last Samurai — Taranaki, Once Were Warriors – Auckland, The Piano — west coast of the Auckland region, The Quiet Earth — Hamilton University , Warkworth Transmitter Station, Xena television series — west Auckland region, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, King Kong — Wellington, and The World's Fastest Indian – Invercargill.

New Zealand’s important travel destinations include Whangarei, Auckland - "The City of Sails, Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne, Rotorua (Famous for geysers, hot pools, and Maori culture), Napier and Hastings, New Plymouth, Wanganui (the famous river city, bloom events and filming spot for the movie "River Queen"), Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin, Invercargill, Hokianga, Bay of Islands, Kerikeri, Lake Taupo, Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, The West Coast of the South Island, Westland National Park, The Southern Alps stretch the length of the South Island, Aoraki Mount Cook (New Zealand's highest mountain), Omarama (World famous gliding destination), Queenstown (Adventure capital of the world known for skydive, and bungee-jump), Milford Sound, and Fiordland.

Climate
Climatically very volatile, New Zealand is one of the most difficult countries in the world in the weather forecast.
New Zealand climate is mostly influenced by fast moving weather systems in the strong westerly winds (roaring forties) that predominate over southern parts of the country and seas to the south.

Though the weather keeps on changing, generally the country enjoys warm wet windy weather during the summer and early autumn months from about December to April.

The winter weather in New Zealand from May to August is interspersed with snow in the cold wet weather. The country enjoys crisp frosty nights and mornings followed by cool sunny days in winters.

Traveling To New Zealand
New Zealand is comprised of a number of islands, and thus there is no land-based entry to New Zealand. The planes are the best options to get into New Zealand.

Australians are allowed visa free entry to New Zealand. There are several other countries whose citizens are allowed visa free stay for three months in New Zealand.

New Zealand have international airports at Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, but Auckland and Christchurch are the main gateways to New Zealand. The airports receive flights almost all major destinations of the world including Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo, Los Angeles etc.

New Zealand also have direct flight to/from South Pacific nations such as Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.