New Zealand Travel Planner

New Zealand is a charming and beautiful country in the South Pacific, it lies east of and adjacent to the south east coast of Australia. It is comprised of several islands, however the vast majority of the population live on either the North or the South Island which are the two main land masses. The land mass is roughly the same as the United Kingdom.

New Zealand was inhabited by ethnic Polynesians, known as the Maori, from around 1000 AD and their unique warrior culture is still an issue of world interest today. The Maori culture is well represented throughout the country, particularly in the North Island. New Zealand is also known as Aotearoa, which is most commonly translated to English to mean the 'Land of the Long White Cloud'. New Zealand was officially colonised by the British at the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which established New Zealand as a member of the Commonwealth. Today, it is a thriving modern nation of approximately 4 million inhabitants.

Despite the large distance separating New Zealand from most nations, it is a particularly popular tourist destination due to its impressive landscapes, relaxed lifestyle and friendly people. It is particularly well regarded by travellers for it’s outstanding natural beauty and the wide range of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed. The spectacular landscape includes large mountain ranges, lush rainforests, volcanic formations (including some still very active geothermal areas), and stunning fiords and glacier areas.