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 New Zealand

 

Imagine a unique land of breathtaking scenery: craggy coastlines, sweeping golden beaches, verdant forests, snow-capped alpine mountains, gurgling volcanic pools, flashing fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes, all beneath a brilliant blue sky. New Zealand is accessible, spread over three relatively small islands with modern and efficient transport, quiet roads, plenty of flights and stunningly scenic rail journeys. Other pluses are friendly, English-speaking people, a low crime rate, and a trio of rich cultural influences – adventurous Polynesian navigators (Maori), pioneering European settlers who followed a thousand years later, and modern Pacific Rim immigrants.

The plant and animal life are excellent offering opportunities to see the varied birdlife (including kiwis), seals, dolphins and whales. Enjoy the chance to explore two of the richest New-World wine regions on the planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on moody beaches, tramp through the national parks or over alpine passes. Try bungee jumping, sky-diving, zorbing, caving or whitewater rafting: you can ski or snowboard on world-class slopes, scuba dive in unique colour-filled marine reserves, sail on exciting waters or play on tournament-class golf courses. If that is not your bag, immerse yourself in culture in the museums and galleries of New Zealand's main cities – Auckland, Christchurch and the capital Wellington.

From the Queenstown Festival to the Auckland Pride, from the Nelson Summer Kite Festival to the International Arts Festival in Wellington (not to mention food and wine festivals up and down the country), there are myriad events taking place on both islands throughout the year to keep young and old entertained. Whatever you are into, New Zealand has something for you...

 

What's Happening

Auckland Open Tennis Championships

Mon 12 Jan 2009 - Sat 17 Jan 2009
Built in 1920 on the site of a tip, the Stanley Street tennis stadium quickly became the country's premier tournament venue. The New Zealand Open was played here, a competition which was included in the ATP Tour in the 1980s – both competition and venue had joined the foremost ranks of world tennis. The singles prize money at the Auckland Open these days is around US$48,600.
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Parihaka International Peace Festival
Fri 09 Jan 2009 - Sun 11 Jan 2009 Staged on the site of a doomed native uprising, the Parihaka International Peace Festival takes place in a spot billed as 'one of the country's most important spiritual, political and cultural sites of significance to Maori and people of like mind'.
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Paihia Summer Festival
Until Sat 17 Jan 2009 There's a summer of family fun to be had at Paihia, a seaside resort town spread along the Bay of Islands.
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Organic River Festival
Fri 16 Jan 2009 - Sun 18 Jan 2009 Celebrating the Good Life in idyllic natural surroundings, the Organic River Festival is a weekend of organic lifestyle and food, alternative technologies, creative arts and music.
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Details to be confirmed

World Buskers Festival
Thu 22 Jan 2009 - Sun 01 Mar 2009 Organised chaos descends onto the streets of Christchurch with the arrival of the World Buskers Festival, a non-stop rollercoaster of thrills and laughs.
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Event Organisers Corner





NB: While every care has been taken to ensure the information provided is accurate, we advise you to check with the event organisers before travelling to confirm the details are correct.