.. 2

Landscape.. 2

Demography.. 4

Politicss. 4

History.. 6

Economy.. 8

Life in General. 9

North Island.. 12

South Island.. 14

New Zealand

Where is New Zealand?

New Zealand is a state in Southwestern Oceania, sou’-east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean, with two big islands ( North and South Island ) , one smaller island ( Stewart Island ) , and legion much smaller islands. New Zealand has a entire land country of 268,670 sq kilometer and a coastline of 15,134 kilometers.

Time Zones

New Zealand is 12 hours in front of GMT ( Greenwich Mean Time ) doing it one of the first topographic points in the universe to see the new twenty-four hours. Summer clip ( or Daylight Saving Time ) is an progress of one hr at 2am in the forenoon on the first Sunday in October and back to NZST at 3am in the forenoon on the 3rd Sunday forenoon of March.

Landscape

New Zealand is a long narrow state lying approximately North/South with mountain ranges running much of its length. It is predominately cragged with some big coastal fields and is a small larger than Britain, somewhat smaller than Italy, and about precisely the size of Colorado.

The lone `geographical characteristic ‘ New Zealand does n’t hold is unrecorded coral reef. New Zealand has all the remainder: rain forest, desert, fjords, flooded vales, gorges, fields, mountains, glaciers, vents, geothermics, swamps, lakes, braided rivers, peneplanes, badlands, and our really ain continental home base junction… As a consequence of the latter, temblors are common, though normally non terrible.

The North Island has a figure of big vents ( including the presently active Mount Ruapehu ) and extremely active thermic countries, while the South Island boasts the Southern Alps – a spinal column of brilliant mountains running about its full length. Another noteworthy characteristic of New Zealand is its countless rivers and lakes: notably the Whanganui River, Lake Taupo and the breathtaking lakes Waikaremoana and Wanaka.

Flora and Fauna

New Zealand is believed to be a fragment of the ancient Southern continent of Gondwanaland which became detached over 100 million old ages ago leting many ancient workss and animate beings to last and germinate in isolation. As a consequence, most of the New Zealand vegetation and zoology is indigenous/endemic. About 10 to 15 % of the entire land country of New Zealand is native vegetations, the majority protected in national Parkss and militias.

New Zealand has the universes largest flightless parrot ( kakapo ) , the lone genuinely alpine parrot ( Nestor notabilis ) , the oldest reptilian ( Sphenodon punctatum ) , the biggest angleworms, the largest weta, the smallest chiropterans, some of the oldest trees, and many of the rarest birds, insects, and workss in the universe… . New Zealand is place to the universe celebrated Tuatara, a lizard-like reptilian which dates back to the dinosaurs and possibly before ( 260 factory old ages? ) . The lone native land mammals are two rare species of chiropteran. New Zealand ‘s many endemic birds include the flightless Chinese gooseberry, notornis, kakapo and maori hen. Far excessively many species of bird have become nonextant since worlds arrived on New Zealand included the assorted species of Dinornis ( moa ) the largest of which stood up to 2.5 meters high. There is besides some alone insect life such as the Giant Weta and glow worms. Other than two spiders, there is a deficiency of any lifelessly toxicant things ( serpents, spiders, etc. ) which is why New Zealand Agricultural Regulations are so rigorous.

Introduced species – hogs, caprine animals, possums, Canis familiariss, cats, cervid and the omnipresent sheep – are found throughout New Zealand but their proliferation in the natural state has had a hurtful consequence on the environment: over 150 native workss – 10 % of the entire figure of native species – and many native birds are soon threatened with extinction.

New Zealand ‘s offshore Waterss hold a assortment of fish, including tuna, marlin, center, trevally, kahawai and shark ; while its Marine mammals – mahimahis, seals and giants – pull nature-lovers from around the universe. There are 12 national, 20 wood, three maritime and two Marine Parkss, plus two World Heritage Areas: Tongariro National Park in the North Island and Te Waihipouna-mu in the South Island.

One of the most noticeable workss is the pohutakawa ( known as the New Zealand Christmas tree ) which detonates with superb ruddy flowers around December. The great kauri trees in the few staying kauri woods in Northland are really old with some believed to be up to 2000 old ages old. Much of the South Island is still forested, peculiarly the West Coast.

Climate
Liing between 34S and 47S, New Zealand sits forthrightly in the `roaring mid-fortiess ‘ latitude which means a prevailing and continual air current blows over the state from east to west ; this can run from a soft zephyr in summer to a pounding, roof-stripping gale in winter. The North Island and South Island, because of their different geological characteristics, have two distinguishable forms of rainfall: in the South Island, the Southern Alps act as a barrier for the moisture-laden air currents from the Tasman Sea, making a wet clime to the West of the mountains and a dry clime to the E ; while the North Island ‘s rainfall is more equally distributed without a comparable geological characteristic such as the Alps.

The New Zealand clime is temperate with no existent extremes. Temperatures are a few grades cooler in the South Island, and both islands receive snow in winter. Bing an island state, the annual scope of temperatures is rather little, around 10 grades Celsius fluctuation between winter and summer. Winter falls in the months of June through August and summer from December through to February.

It is of import to retrieve that New Zealand ‘s clime is maritime, instead than continental, which means the conditions can alter with astonishing celerity and effect. New Zealand enjoys long hours of sunlight throughout the twelvemonth doing it an ideal twelvemonth unit of ammunition finish. In winter the South Island mountain and cardinal North Island do hold heavy snowfalls supplying great skiing. The busy tourer season falls in the warmer months between November and April, though ski resorts, such as Queenstown, are full during winter.

Demography

Entire population is about 3.7 million. Over 70 % of the population are in the North Island. The largest Centre is Auckland ( over 1 million ) , and the capital Wellington. The official linguistic communications are English and Maori. English is more widely spoken, though the Maori linguistic communication, for so long on the diminution, is now doing a rejoinder due to the resurgence of Maoritanga. A dulcet, poetic linguistic communication, the Maori linguistic communication is surprisingly easy to articulate if spoken phonetically and each word split into separate syllables. Pacific Island and Asian linguistic communications may be heard in metropoliss. Culture

The dominant cultural groups are the Pakeha and the Maori. Other smaller groups include Yugoslavian Dalmatians, Polynesians, Indians and Chinese. A common yarn that binds the full population is its love of athletics – particularly the national game of rugger brotherhood – and out-of-door chases such as seafaring, swimming, cycling, hike and encampment. The secular aside, Christianity is the most common faith, with Anglicanism, Presbyterianism and Catholicism the largest denominations. An interesting spiritual fluctuation is the synthesis of the Maori Ratana and Ringatu religions with Christianity. New Zealand art is many-sided, valuing invention, unity and workmanship that reflects Pakeha, Maori and Melanesian heritage. Wood, rock, shell and bone carvings are readily available while larger plants such as tukutuku ( wood panelling ) can be seen in most maraes ( run intoing houses ) . Paua shell, greenstone, greywacke and greenwacke pebbles are frequently fashioned into jewelry that takes its inspiration from the landscape: earrings shaped like the foliages of a gingko tree ; dark glassess modelled on native fern tendrils ; and necklaces in frangipani-flower designs. There is a lively theatre scene in the state, particularly in Wellington, and a figure of galleries, including the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, which is the oldest screening room in New Zealand and one of its best. The music scene is vigorous and fecund, engendering a pool of talent – from Split Enz and Crowded House to the threshing guitar pyrotechnics of Dunedin ‘s 3D ‘s and Straitjacket Fits – lauded locally and overseas.

Politicss

Fundamental law
New Zealand portions with Britain and Israel the differentiation of being one of the three developed states that does non hold a statute Fundamental law on the U.S. theoretical account. When the state was annexed by Britain in 1840, the British parliament enacted that all applicable jurisprudence of England as at 1840 became the jurisprudence of New Zealand. In 1856, the New Zealand parliament was given the power to ordain its ain jurisprudence and nil changed when full independency was achieved ( 26-9-1907 ) except that the British parliament lost its paramount authorization. We have, therefore, ne’er had the job that Australia and Canada have had of “ repatriating ” a fundamental law that was truly an Act of the British parliament.

Our fundamental law, like the British, consists of parliament ‘s ain conventions and regulations of behavior, some statute law such as the New Zealand Constitution Act ( 1986, non enacted ) , and cardinal regulations applied by the Courts which go back into English history. It evolves instead than is amended.

The flag of New Zealand is bluish with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quarter-circle with four ruddy five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag ; the stars represent the Southern Cross configuration.

The National Anthem of New Zealand is “ God Defend New Zealand ” .

Form of Government

Constitutional monarchy, with a single-chamber parliament.

The sovereign is said to “ reign but non rule ” : except for a residuary power to really regulate in the event of some complete dislocation of the parliamentary system, the sovereign has simply ceremonial responsibilities and consultative powers. When the sovereign is absent from the state, which is most of the clip, those responsibilities and powers are delegated to the Governor-General who is appointed by the sovereign for a limited term after blessing by the authorities.

Parliament is the consitutional “ crowned head ” – there is no theoretical bound on what it can validly make, and the cogency of the Torahs which it enacts can non be challenged in the tribunals ( although the tribunals do hold and utilize wide-ranging powers to command administrative Acts of the Apostless of the authorities ) . A new parliament is elected every three old ages ( cosmopolitan right to vote at age 18 ) . The leader of the party which commands bulk support in parliament is appointed premier curate and he or she nominates the other Curates of the Crown. The curates ( and sometimes the whole bulk party in parliament ) are jointly called “ the authorities ” . Our system about wholly lacks formal cheques and balances – the bulk party can virtually pass as it likes capable merely to its desire to be re-elected every three old ages.

Until now, members of parliament have been elected on a single-member constituency, victor takes all, system similar to those of Britain and the U.S.A. As a consequence of referenda conducted in 1993, future parliaments will be elected on a mixed-member relative system modelled on that of Germany.

The disposal is extremely centralised. The state is divided into “ territories ” ( the urban 1s called “ metropoliss ” ) each with a District ( or City ) Council and Mayor, but their powers are limited to supplying public installations ( non lodging ) and enforcement of by-laws ( local ordinances ) such as parking ordinances. The Police are a individual force controlled by the cardinal authorities.

The Justice System

There is a four-level hearings and entreaties system:

Top degree Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ( London ) | Court of Appeal ( Wellington ) | High Court ( in all metropoliss ) | Bottom degree District Courts ( most towns ) Top degree Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ( London ) | Court of Appeal ( Wellington ) | High Court ( in all metropoliss ) | Bottom degree District Courts ( most towns )

There is besides the Small Claims Court which handles smaller personal differences.

Civil and condemnable instances start in the District or High Court, depending on their earnestness and entreaties go up the concatenation. Certain rare instances can get down in the Court of Appeal. District and High Court Judgess sit entirely or with juries. The Court of Appeal ( and on certain rare occasions the High Court ) consists of three or five Judgess sitting “ en banc ” . The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council consists chiefly of British Law Lords with New Zealand Judgess besides sitting in New Zealand instances ; in theory its determinations simply “ sentiments ” for the benefit of the sovereign as the font of all justness, but in pattern its opinions have the force of ultimate entreaty.

All Judgess are appointed by the authorities – High Court Judgess are nominated by the Law Society, but District Court Judgess apply for the occupation like any other. Assorted special-purpose tribunals ( Industrial Court, Maori Land Court, Family Court, etc. ) exist and have the same position as either a District Court or the High Court.

History

The Polynesian sailing master Kupe has been credited with the find of New Zealand in 950 AD. He named it Aotearoa ( Land of the Long White Cloud ) . Centuries subsequently, around 1350 AD, a great migration of people from Kupe ‘s fatherland of Hawaiki followed his navigational instructions and sailed to New Zealand, finally replacing or blending with old occupants. Their civilization, developed over centuries without any discernable outside influence, was hierarchal and frequently gory.

In 1642, the Dutch adventurer Abel Tasman briefly sailed along the west seashore of New Zealand ; any ideas of a longer stay were thwarted when his effort to land resulted in several of his crew being killed and eaten. In 1769, Captain James Cook circumnavigated the two chief islands aboard the Endeavour. Initial contact with the Maoris besides proved violent but Cook, impressed with the Maoris ‘ courage and spirit and recognizing the potency of this newfound land, grabbed it for the British Crown before puting canvas for Australia.

When the British began their antipodal colonising, New Zealand was originally seen as an outgrowth of Australian endeavor in whaling and waterproofing: in fact, from 1839 to 1841 the state was under the legal power of New South Wales. However, increased European colony shortly proved debatable: a policy was desperately required sing land trades between the colonists ( Pakeha ) and the Maori. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, with the Maori yielding sovereignty of their state to Britain in exchange for protection and guaranteed ownership of their lands. But dealingss between the Maori and Pakeha shortly soured ( the Maoris became progressively alarmed at the consequence the Pakeha had on their society while the Pakeha rode roughshod over Maori rights outlined in the pact ) . In 1860, war broke out between them, go oning for much of the decennary before the Maori were defeated.

By the late nineteenth century, things had temporarily calmed down. The find of gold had engendered much prosperity, and wide-scale sheep farming meant New Zealand became an efficient and largely autonomous state. Brushing societal alterations – adult females ‘s right to vote, societal security, the encouragement of trade brotherhoods and the debut of kid attention services – cemented New Zealand ‘s repute as a state committed to classless reform.

New Zealand was given rule position in the British Empire in 1907 and granted liberty by Britain in 1931 ; independency, nevertheless, was non officially proclaimed until 1947. The economic system continued to thrive until the world-wide recession in the eightiess, when unemployment rose dramatically. Today the economic system has stabilised, thanks mostly to an export-driven recovery. Internationally, New Zealand was hailed during the mid-1980s for its anti-nuclear stance – even though it meant a falling-out with the USA – and its resistance to Gallic atomic testing in the Pacific ( which France countered, to much obloquy but small punishment, by blowing up the Greenpeace vas Rainbow Warrior as it sat in Auckland Harbour ) .

The Maori population is now increasing faster than the Pakeha and a revival in Maoritanga ( Maori civilization ) has had a major and permanent impact on New Zealand society. Culturally, the most inspiriting facet had been the mending of dealingss between the Maori and Pakeha ( in 1985, the Treaty of Waitangi was overhauled, taking to fiscal reparations to a figure of Maori folks whose land had been unjustly confiscated ) . However, a recent gawky take-it-or-leave-it effort by the New Zealand authorities to offer fiscal reparations has resulted in an rush of hawkish Maori protests. Maoris have disrupted events, occupied land claim countries, set up barriers and threatened to blow-up the New Zealand parliament. The inharmoniousness has shocked New Zealanders and placed national conciliation at the top of the political docket.

26,000,000 B.C.

Southern alps lift above the ocean.

700 A.D.
Possible early colony on the South Island by an antediluvian Maori population arising in Polynesia.10C
Date of find of New Zealand by Polynesian sailing master Kupe harmonizing to Maori fable. Islands named Aotearoa, “ Land of the Long White Cloud ” .12C
Colony of the North Island.13 and 14C
“ Great Migration ” from the Society Islands. Dwindling moa population. Warrior society established.

1642
Dutch adventurer Abel Tasman discovers west seashore of the South Island. Dutch name the state “ Nieuw Zeeland ” after the Dutch island state of Zeeland.1769-70
Captain James Cook circumnavigates and charts both islands, taking ownership of “ New Zealand ” for Britain.

1820s
First European colony ( in the Bay of Islands ) .1830s
Intertribal wars abate due to debut of musket and sweeping slaughter.1840
Treaty of Waitangi signed. Maoris cede sovereignty to Britain, obtain warrants of land ownership and “ rights and privileges of British topics. ”1850-1880
“ Wool period ” with importing of sheep from Australia. Besides a period of war and struggle over land ownership.1882
Refrigerated ships introduced. Farmers turn to meat and dairy production.1893
New Zealand becomes the first state in the universe to give adult females the ballot.

1907
Independence from UK.1914-1918
One of every three work forces between 20 and 40 killed or wounded contending for Britain in World War I.1939
New Zealand sends military personnels to contend for the Allies in Europe.1941-45
Threatened by Japan, defended by United States Navy ( finally led to ANZUS treaty in 1951, a defensive confederation with the U.S. and Australia ) .1947
New Zealand becomes independent by following Statue of Westminster.1973
Britain joins European Economic Community and adopts their trade barriers to New Zealand ‘s agricultural merchandises. Combined with high oil monetary values, this was adequate to lay waste to the economic system.1973-1984
Robert Muldoon ‘s National Party expands welfare province and authorities interventionism, running immense budget shortages financed with abroad money. High rising prices and unemployment cause monolithic out-migration to Australia.1975
Treaty of Waitangui Act passed to settle Maori land claimson the footing of original pact.1984
New Labour authorities eliminates agricultural subsidies and pay and monetary value controls, lowers revenue enhancement rates, begins a extremist plan of denationalization.1985
The bombardment of the Rainbow Warrior from Greenpeace in Auckland by French secret service agents. One adult male was killed ( Fernando Pereira ) .

Economy

Since 1984 the authorities has been reorienting an agricultural economic system dependant on a guaranteed British market to an unfastened free market economic system that can vie on the planetary scene. The authorities had hoped that dynamic growing would hike existent incomes, cut down inflationary force per unit areas, and permit the enlargement of public assistance benefits. The consequences have been mixed: rising prices is down from double-digit degrees, but growing has been sulky and unemployment, ever a extremely sensitive issue, has exceeded 10 % since May 1991. In 1988, GDP fell by 1 % , in 1989 grew by a moderate 2.4 % , and was level in 1990-91. Current ( 1994 ) growing is around 2-4 % and rise.

The economic system is based on agribusiness ( peculiarly dairy merchandises, meat, and wool ( 68 m sheep, 2 m dairy cattles ) ) , nutrient processing, wood and paper merchandises, fabrics, machinery, transit equipment, banking and insurance, touristry, excavation. Fish gimmick reached a record 0.5 m metric tons in 1988. Highly dependent on external trade, New Zealand is presently seeking to travel from being a primary to a secondary manufacturer.

Currency

Decimal system based on New Zealand dollar, with cent denominations. Coins are 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, 1 and 2 dollars. Notes are 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. Major recognition cards are accepted widely.

Stockmarket

Same as abroad.

Interest Ratess

Fluctuating between 6 and 8 % depending on abroad markets.

Taxs

New Zealand operates a Goods and Services Tax of 12.5 per cent on ALL goods and services sold and this is normally included in the show monetary value. The exclusions are purchases at responsibility free stores. Visitors can non claim refunds on this revenue enhancement nevertheless when a provider agrees to export a major point to a visitants place reference so GST will non be charged on the goods or the cargo.

Income revenue enhancement 24 % on first $ 30,874/year, 33 % for every $ above this. There are assorted discounts for things like low incomes, kids, contributions, Housekeeper, Home/Farm/Vessel Ownbership, and others.

Government Revenue Source ( 1990 )		How it was expected to be spent ( 1990 )
Income Tax Gost and Service Tax Other Direct Taxes Excise Duties Highway revenue enhancement Other Indirect Tax	$ 16,950 $ 5,500 $ 360 $ 1,670 $ 670 $ 790	Education Health Transport Administration Development of Industry Government Borrowing Foreign Relations Social Services	$ 3,912.5 $ 3,791.1 $ 711.6 $ 2,769.0 $ 1,231.3 $ 575.1 $ 1,733.7 $ 10,292.1
Entire	$ 25,940	Entire	$ 25,016.4

Life in General

Business Hourss

Banks 9:00am to 4:30pm – can change somewhat. Otherwise, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm. Late dark for shopping is either Thursday or Friday. Changes to the Shop Trading Hours Act means that most stores are unfastened for longer hours than this. Almost all are unfastened Saturday forenoon, many are unfastened on Sunday with some stores and markets staying unfastened subsequently during the hebdomad.

Automatic Teller machines are widely available including a system in many supermarkets and gasoline Stationss called EFTPOS where you can purchase goods with your card and a PIN figure and/or obtain hard currency. All international recognition cards are accepted in New Zealand. Travelers checks can be changed in Bankss, hotels, shops, etc. There is no limitation on the sum of foreign currency which may

be brought into or taken from New Zealand. Fundss may be in the signifier of bank notes, coins, travelers checks or any other instrument of payment. Visitors may change over excess New Zealand currency at any mercantile establishment authorised to cover in foreign exchange.

Events

Some of the notable cultural events include: Summer City Programme ( January to February ; Wellington ) which is a series of festivals around the metropolis ; Marlborough Food & A ; Wine Festival ( 2nd hebdomad in February ; Blenheim ) ; International Festival of the Arts ( February, even-numbered old ages merely ; Wellington ) , an full month of national and international civilization ; Golden Shears Sheep-Shearing Contest ( March ; Masterton ) , a must for lovers of sheep, scat and perspiration ; and Canterbury Show Week ( November ; Christchurch ) which has agricultural exhibits, drives and local amusement.

Tiping

Tiping is non unheard of in New Zealand. Employed people do n’t depend on tips for their income and service charges are non [ normally ] added to hotel and eating house measures. Tip for service if you think it ‘s deserved.

Geting There & A ; Away

The overpowering bulk of visitants arrive by air. There are three airdromes that handle international flights: Auckland ( the major exit/entry point ) , Wellington and Christchurch. Departure revenue enhancement on international flights is NZ $ 20. A few sail ships visit New Zealand, but there are no regular rider ship services and working your manner across the Pacific as crew on a yacht now seems a thing of the yesteryear.

Geting Around

Although New Zealand is a compact state and by and large easy to acquire about, it makes good sense to wing – particularly for the positions over the mountains or vents. A assortment of price reductions besides makes winging economical. New Zealand has two major domestic air hoses: Air New Zealand and Ansett New Zealand. Several smaller air hoses – Mt Cook Airline, Eagle Air and Air Nelson – are partially owned by Air New Zealand and have been grouped together as `Air New Zealand Link ‘ . This web provides thorough coverage of the state.

New Zealand besides has an extended coach web, with the chief operator being InterCity ( serving both the North Island and South Island ) . The two other major coach operators are Newmans ( North Island ) and Mt Cook Landline ( South Island ) . Services on chief coach paths are frequent ( at least one time a twenty-four hours ) ; unluckily they can be expensive and slow. A good option is to utilize shuttle coach companies which are smaller, cheaper and friendlier than the big coach companies. Some of them are designed to provide particularly for foreign travelers and/or backpackers and have tonss of small `extras ‘ that make them peculiarly attractive ; other companies, possibly pulling on the experiences of Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, can take you around New Zealand on `alternative ‘ coachs which are frequently an unhurried manner of seeing the state.

Main train paths are few, though train travel is moderately speedy. Trains are modern and comfy, and the menus are sometimes cheaper than those by coach on the same paths.

Car travel ( New Zealanders drive on the left ) is recommended as the roads are good and good signposted and the distances short. Leases of autos, bikes and campervans are popular with a scope of particular trades available.

There are plentifulness of boat services, including the Interislander ferry ( runing between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.

And eventually, there ‘s ever cycling around the state. Many travelers describe New Zealand as a bicyclers ‘ Eden: it ‘s clean, green, uncrowded and good, and there are plentifulness of topographic points where you can bivouac or happen inexpensive adjustment. Bicycle rental can be daily, hebdomadal or monthly and is cheap.

Crime

While it may be `safe ‘ compared to most other states, serious offense does be here and visitants should take reasonable safeguards. Always lock your vehicle, and do n’t go forth it in stray locations for extended periods. Avoid go forthing valuables seeable in the auto. Avoid areas/situations which appear unwholesome. The exigency phone figure ( constabulary, ambulance, fire ) is 111, and inquire the operator for the service required ( this can be used from payphones without paying ) .

Health

New Zealand operates a no-fault accident compensation strategy which covers occupants and visitants. Personal hurt through accident entitles the injured party to compensation for sensible disbursals related to the accident. Due to mistreat, this has been reworked late and compensation is far harder to obtain.

Water Supply

New Zealand metropoliss and towns have good public H2O. Water is safe to imbibe out of the pat. The H2O in Christchurch *is* wholly untreated and is supposed to be the purist domestic H2O supply in the universe…

In bush walking countries giardia has been found so its advisable to look into before imbibing from rivers or watercourses. Boiling H2O for five proceedingss or more is advised where advice is non available.

Communicationss

Telephone Country Code = 64

The Telephone is similar to British Telecom manner. Uses BT 600 stopper ( non RJ-11 ) Phone line is pins 2 and 5 of the BT 600 stopper ( RJ-11 is pins 3 & A ; 4 ) . Hotels will hold trouble in change overing plugs manners but transition overseas telegrams are available from retail merchants.

Most New Zealand telephone systems can manage DTMF tone dialling. BEWARE: New Zealand pulsation dialing is the contrary of most states. The figure are reversed and so bring forth different Numberss of pulsations. The transition is:

digit | # of Pulses — — — — + — — — — — — 0 | 10 1 | 9 2 | 8 [ … .. ] 8 | 2 9 | 1 digit | # of Pulses — — — — + — — — — — — 0 | 10 1 | 9 2 | 8 [ … .. ] 8 | 2 9 | 1

The best solution is to utilize tone dialing.

Electricity

The normal electricity supply is 230 Vs 50 Hz jumping current ( AC ) .

3 pin contraption socket from a point of view looking at the wall or a stopper seen from the interior as one would while wiring it up.

stage — — – / — — impersonal ( or live ) | — — — — – Earth stage — — – / — — impersonal ( or live ) | — — — — – Earth

If the wires you have are brown, bluish, and green [ yellow or white stripy ] , so ; brown = stage, bluish = impersonal, green = Earth. The old codification is ruddy, black, green severally. If you have ANY uncertainties, delight confer with a qualified lineman.

Most hotels will hold shaver stoppers suited for all international contraption of low power evaluation, and which will provide 110 and 230 Vs. These stoppers may be for shavers merely.

Television Information

New Zealand runs on PAL G on UHF. This gives the same image and sound spacing ( 5.5MHz ) , but the channel spacing is somewhat wider – the same as that used for 6MHz intercarrier spacing. Standard 50 hertz field rate, 25 Hz frame rate. We besides use NICAM for two-channel television, instead than one of the assorted linear systems.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the locally-vertical constituent of the field is in the opposite way to where it would be an tantamount distance North of the equator. This affects the color convergence of video proctors. It ‘s non a *huge* difference, and it took computing machine companies until the late eightiess ‘ to wake up to the difference and ship different proctor versions to New Zealand, South America, and Australia. Northern hemisphere proctors *work* but the colors wo n’t be every bit sharp as you ‘d anticipate.

North Island

In ancient Maori mythology, the North Island is Te Ika a Maui ( the Fish of Maui ) . Harmonizing to the narrative, Maui was angling with his brothers when he hooked the North Island from the ocean. His famished brothers, disregarding orders non to touch the fish, began gnawing at its flesh, doing the fish to wrestle and convulse about – this craze of motion is the ground behind the island ‘s undulatory and cragged landscape.

There are snow-fringed mountains in the Tongariro National Park, exclamatory geysers and bubbling clay pools in Rotorua and a profuseness of rivers, lakes and watercourses. But the North Island is more than rakes and crevices: it has its portion of turn overing grazing lands, forest-clad hills and stretches of long, flaxen beaches. It besides has New Zealand ‘s two largest metropoliss – Auckland to the North and the state ‘s capital, Wellington, to the South – which are focal points for humanistic disciplines and amusement, historic edifices, great dining and a assortment of adjustment.

Auckland

The largest metropolis in New Zealand, Auckland, is about enclosed by H2O and covered in volcanic hills. Auckland has a dramatic seaport and span ( and a overzealous figure of yachting partisans ) which has earned it the sobriquet ‘City of Sails ‘ . A magnet for the people of the South Pacific islands, Auckland now has the largest concentration of Polynesians in the universe. Highlights include the Auckland Museum, which houses a memorable show of Maori artifacts and civilization, and Kelly Tarlton ‘s Underwater World & A ; Antarctic Encounter, a alone simulacrum of ocean and geographic expedition activities.

There is great shopping in the suburbs of Parnell and Newmarket, well-preserved Victorian edifices in Devonport, Polynesian handcraft, coffeehouse, eating houses and markets in Ponsonby, bird’s-eye positions of the metropolis from the nonextant vent One Tree Hill, and good swimming beaches including Kohimarama and Mission Bay.

The Hauraki Gulf off Auckland is dotted with islands such as Rangitoto, Great Barrier and Waiheke, which have low-cost adjustment, a figure of walks and plunging possibilities and, in the instance of Waiheke Island, first-class art galleries. Auckland is besides a good starting-point for sing the surprisingly scenic Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Plains parts to the south-east.

Northland

Northland is the cradle of both Maori and Pakeha civilization: it was here that the Pakeha foremost made contact with the Maori, the first whaling colonies were established and the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Frequently referred to as the ‘winterless North ‘ because of its mild year-around temperatures, Northland has a figure of interesting museums ( Otamatea Kauri & A ; Pioneer Museum ) , glorious, light-haired beaches ( Ninety Mile Beach ) and plunging musca volitanss ( Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, reckoned by Jacques Cousteau to be among the top 10 plunging sites in the universe ) , historic towns ( Pahia and Waitangi ) , game fishing ( Bay of Islands ) and flora and fauna militias ( Waipoua Kauri Forest ) .

Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island at the oral cavity of the Hauraki Gulf has estates of long, white flaxen beaches on its eastern shore, deep-water sheltered recesss on its western shore, and a rugged spinal column of steep ridges running down the Centre. The 80,000 hectare preserve has a figure of walking paths which combine old logging trails and ropewaies. Natural hot springs, looming kauri woods and a calm aura make it a perfect flight. Flights and ferries operate from Auckland, 88 kilometer South.

Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty, given its name by Captain Cook in 1769 because of the figure of booming Maori colonies, has a systematically mild climate year-round, good beaches and is the place of the Chinese gooseberry fruit – a fuzzy, brown, sweet-tasting fruit and a major beginning of export gross for the part. The metropolis of Tauranga offers activities such as jet-skiing, water-skiing, windsurfing, paragliding, diving, surfing, fishing and seaport sails. Across the recess from Tauranga is Mt Maunganui, a popular vacation resort with beaches and seawater pools. Rotorua, one of the most visited metropoliss in New Zealand, is celebrated for its kinetic thermic activity ( Whakarewarewa is the best known site and the location of Pohutu, an active geyser that gushes forth every hr ) , a big and influential Maori population, trout springs and wildlife Parkss.

East Cape

The East Cape, as opposed to the Bay of Plenty, is small visited, but its isolation belies an country endowed with native wood, wild seashores and picturesque bays, recesss and coves. During the summer, the coastline turns scarlet with the detonation of flowers from the pohutukawa trees run alonging the shores.

Cape Runaway

A sequence of picturesque bays leads to Whangaparaoa ( Cape Runaway ) , at the really tip of the East Cape. The beaches are profoundly shelved and littered with driftwood, and the old Anglican church, nestled under Norfolk pines on a lone headland, should non be missed. Cape Runaway can merely be reached by pes and it ‘s advisable to seek permission before traveling on private land.

Cardinal North Island

Hamilton, New Zealand ‘s largest inland metropolis, is surrounded by some of the universe ‘s richest dairy agriculture and agricultural parts. It is a metropolis of museums, menagerie and Parkss, and offers river sails on the Waikato River, the state ‘s longest ( 425 kilometer ) . Further South is the part of King Country, one time the fastness of powerful Maori head. The town of Waitomo is celebrated for its limestone caves and subterraneous black-water rafting ( a wetsuit, caver ‘s helmet, interior tubing and abundant bravery are all that ‘s required ) while Te Kuiti, named after the combatant Maori leader Te Kooti, is recognised as ‘the shearing capital of the universe ‘ . Even further South is Taumaranui, which makes a good base for kayaking, rafting and jet-boating on the Whanganui River.

The west coast part of Taranaki is dominated by Mt Taranaki ( besides officially known as Mt Egmont ) , a hibernating vent lifting 2518 meters. Other high spots in Taranaki include the Egmont National Park and the part ‘s world-class surfboarding and windsurfing beaches. New Zealand ‘s largest lake, and the geographical Centre of the North Island, is Lake Taupo. Dotted around its shores are towns with inexpensive adjustment and great dining possibilities ( trout is a forte ) . Nearby are the dramatic Tongariro and Whanganui national Parkss ; the former is renowned for its ski inclines while the latter has several first-class walking paths and recreational H2O activities on the Whanganui River. East of the national Parks is the Art Deco metropolis of Napier, with its splendid conditions and beautiful beaches.

Wellington

The capital metropolis of New Zealand, Wellington, is situated on a glorious seaport at the southern tip of the North Island. Often maligned by its northern opposite numbers for its crabbed conditions – the air currents are frequently of gale-force quality in winter – Wellington is a lively metropolis of civilization and humanistic disciplines ( with festivals about every month ) , and great cultural eating houses and coffeehouse. It is besides place to the state ‘s authorities and national hoarded wealths. Buildings of involvement include: the modernist Beehive ( the executive wing of Parliament ) ; the old Government Building ( one of the largest all-wooden edifices in the universe ) ; the National Library ( lodging the most comprehensive aggregation of books in the state ) ; and the Katherine Mansfield Memorials ( the belongings where the celebrated writer was born in 1888 ) . In add-on, there are museums, a menagerie and arresting positions of the metropolis from atop Mt Victoria. Cuba Street has great shopping, Thorndon has historic sites of involvement, Lambton Quay is the primary concern street and Mt Victoria is the topographic point to travel for inexpensive adjustment and dining.

South Island

The South Island crams in glaciers, fjords, disruptive rivers, trout watercourses, rain forests, moss-grown beech woods, palmy beaches and a figure of mountains that top 3000 metres – a repertory to animate even the most sulky weaponries, legs and lungs. It ‘s an island where you can angle, paddle, pedal, raft, hiking and walk in some of the most gorgeous scenery on Earth.

Most journeys begin in postcard-perfect Picton, where the ferry from the North Island arrives, or Christchurch, a metropolis under the psychotic belief that it is someplace in southern England. From either of these points, you can do your manner to any figure of attractive forces: the maze of feeders known as the Marlborough Sounds ; nearby Nelson, a metropolis celebrated for its vinos and lush seafood ; Mount Cook National Park, where New Zealand ‘s tallest extremums are found ; Queenstown, nestled beneath the serrate extremums of The Remarkables ; and, farther south, the militias of podocarp woods and zoologies found in the Catlins. The people, much like the conditions and topography, are robust. The roads are first-class for a self-drive vacation.

Marlborough Sounds

The convoluted waterways of the Marlborough Sounds, formed when the sea invaded a series of river vales after the ice ages, are place to bays, islands and coves. Separated by forested brass knuckss of land that rise from the sea, the Sounds are an stimulating topographic point with activities such as sea kayaking and white-water rafting and interesting wildlife that includes sea gannets, Sphenodon punctatum lizards ( relics from the dinosaur age ) , even carnivorous snails! There are besides great walks, including the Queen Charlotte Walkway ( a 58-km path among exuberant wood ) and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track in the Abel Tasman National Park ( 220 sq kilometer of beaches, sea coves, forest and granite gorges ) .

Wine, good nutrient and a clime conducive to year-round activity are characteristics of the towns of Nelson, Picton and Blenheim. The spiny lobster from Kaikoura are brilliant but it is a town celebrated for much larger fry – sperm giants. Whalewatch and dolphin swimming Tourss are multiplex and cheap.

West Coast

Wild, craggy and desolate, the West Coast is an country buffeted by heavy seas and swamping rain. Keri Hulme, the Booker Prize victor, calls the part place, pulling inspiration from its ‘bleak and ascetical ‘ landscape. Intelligibly, those who live here – normally known as `Coasters ‘ – occupy a alone topographic point in the national folklore. Activities include canoeing and siting the rapids down Moeraki River, fishing for brown trout in the lakes, watching penguins and fur seals idling on the greenstone beaches, and quelling through woods ( which are much to the liking of the predatory bassarisk possum ) .

Harihari

Harihari, a little town on the West Coast, made universe headlines in 1931, when Guy Menzies completed the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from Australia. The journey was hassle-free but the landing proved a catastrophe: the aircraft overturned in a swamp, and Menzies, on undoing his safety straps, fell – much to the delectation of the shouting locals – caput foremost into the clay. The town is now known as a base for coastal walks, birdwatching and trout and salmon fishing.

Westland National Park

The Westland National Park has over 60 glaciers, with the most accessible being the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier: you can about hear the strangulated moans, pinchs and gurgles as they slowly advance down the versant. The town of Greymouth is the western terminus for the rider train TranzAlpine Express, which winds its manner over the Southern Alps – through beech woods, glacial vale and mountains – on to Christchurch.

Canterbury

The hub of the South Island, Canterbury is one of the driest and flattest countries of New Zealand. The prevailing characteristic of the part is the capacious Canterbury Plains, situated between the seashore and the mountain foothills, which is devoted to farming and agribusiness.

Paradoxically, Canterbury contains most of New Zealand ‘s highest mountains such as Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. The country ‘s major metropolis is Christchurch which has genteel, silvan suburbs, up-market restaurants and coffeehouse, and is place to the Wizard, a Rabelaisian figure who dominates lunchtime treatment in Cathedral Square. Gently maneuvering its class through the metropolis and suburbs is the knee-deep, willow-lined Avon River – perfect for punting.

To the E of Christchurch is the ferine coastline of Banks Peninsula, dominated by gnarly volcanic extremums ; it is besides the location of Lyttelton, which has first-class humanistic disciplines and trades shops. A good twenty-four hours trip from Christchurch is to the Frenchified town of Akaroa which boasts the best fish & A ; french friess in the state. West of Christchurch is the colony of Arthurs Pass, which is a great base for undertaking walks, ascents and skiing in Arthurs Pass National Park. To the south lie the picturesque towns of Geraldine and Fairlie, the high, tussock-grass tableland known as the Mackenzie Country and the World Heritage Area that is Mt Cook National Park. The disdainful Mt Cook ( 3755 meters ) is the highest extremum in Australasia, and offers plentifulness of walks and limitless range for tramping, stone mounting, lung-cleansing and rubber-necking.

Copland Pass

The gruelling four-day Copland Pass trek in the Mt Cook National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime escapade that can merely be completed in good conditions by well-prepared, experient squads or with professional ushers. The terrain varies from glaciers and snowfields to rainforest and thermic pools. The base on balls is 2150 meters high and is surrounded by dramatic 3000-metre extremums. This is no amble and should merely be attempted by professional masochists experienced in the usage of ice axes, crampoons and alpine route-finding. Apparently the sense of accomplishment in traversing the base on balls entitles you to come in an elect nine of euphoric high-achievers.

Queenstown

Queenstown, set in a glacial vale on the border of Lake Wakatipu, is a town synonymous with haired escapades: paragliding ; schussing down icy rapids in jet boats ; white-water rafting ; and bungy leaping off Skippers Canyon Bridge – the latest and most terrific stunt is immersing 300 meters from a chopper.

Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park, which takes its name from its glacier-carved seashore, is a wilderness of mountains, ice and beech woods. The scenic flood tide of Fiordland is doubtless Milford Sound where sail ships bob toy-like beneath the shadows of looming mountains and waterfalls. There are authoritative alpine walks, including the Routeburn Track ( in Mt Aspiring National Park ) , the Hollyford Valley and the Milford Track ( billed as the ‘finest in the universe ‘ ) .

Otago Peninsula

Otago Peninsula is a important wildlife country with forest gardens, millstone, penguin and seal settlements, plus fish tanks, museums and historic sites. Dunedin, a pupil metropolis on the peninsula, is a hub for humanistic disciplines and amusement, and is celebrated for bring forthing an eclectic pool of internationally successful stone sets. Scots to its nucleus, the metropolis has a rich architectural heritage with many museums, galleries and palaces.

Southland

There are a series of immense lakes in the country, including Hawea and nearby Wanaka in Otago, and Lake Te Anau in Southland. Te Anau, gouged out by a immense glacier, is New Zealand ‘s 2nd largest lake and characteristics caves full of glow worms, and waterfalls and vortexs. The Catlins, the largest staying country of native wood on the east seashore of the South Island, is between Invercargill and Dunedin. It has militias of rarified workss and trees, plus zoologies such as fur seals, sea king of beastss, penguins and ducks.

Stewart Island

New Zealand ‘s 3rd largest island, Stewart Island is an bird watcher ‘s delectation: tuis, parrakeets, kakas, bellbirds, fernbirds and redbreasts abound. The Chinese gooseberry, rare in both the North and South Island, is common over much of the island, peculiarly around beaches. A good web of walking paths and huts exist in the northern portion of the island but the South is forgettable, being undeveloped and stray. The people ( a paltry 450 in all ) are stalwart, taciturn and leery of mainlanders, the conditions is mutable and the adjustment is basic ; there are, nevertheless, excellent-value homestays on the island.