New Zealand People & Culture

Once the capital of New Zealand, Auckland is a large city in terms of surface area because everybody still has a dream of their own backyard and house. Hence the distances that must be travelled to find cheap homes and supplies are huge. Very little in the way of public transport except buses and the Britomart, if you don´t have a car it is difficult to get around. The domain, albert park, the war memorial museum, Mt Eden, One tree hill and Rangitoto, are just some of the attractions to see. Auckland is also known as the city of sails not because it hosted the Americas Cup but because one in 34 people had a boat from the 70´s (Auckland had a population of approx. 800 000).

Listen out for the screams at night as people do bungee jumping in the dark, on the hill looking over the town!!

Fantastic spot all year round...Winter for snow skiing/boarding and summer for all the summer water sports. Great night clubs and eateries, always good for people wathching and having a weekend away with friends, Not to mention the fantastic scenery, but remember a jumper it gets cool quickly in the evenings...take your wallet full...its not renound for being on the cheaper budget!

Hi guys Paihia is pretty straight forward. Stick to the main road along the coast and you are sweet. A variety of services are available including the ferry over to russel and adventure boating on the Mac Attack whick i personally recommend. Your cheapest accomadation available is on Kings road in the form of 2 particular hostles, "The mouse trap" and "Pepper Tree Lodge". There is a nice bar opposite these also called Pepper tree. However I prefer the bar at the docks called 32 degrees from memory. Safe traveling people, Keep it fun tho ;-)

Waipu is a small town in Bream Bay , in the Northland Region of New Zealand , with a Scottish heritage. Waipu was the centre of a significant Presbyterian settlement led by Rev. Norman McLeod , a Presbyterian Minister who led his people from the Highlands of Scotland to New Zealand via St. Ann's, Nova Scotia and Australia . Five shiploads of settlers arrived at Waipu in the 1850s. For more details about the original European settlers, see the Rev. Norman McLeod entry. A highlight of the town's calendar is the annual Highland Games held at New Year . Just outside the town are the Waipu Caves, which contain a significant population of glowworms . In 1914, a railway branch line from the North Auckland Line was surveyed to Waipu to serve agricultural activity in the area. Construction of the line was delayed due to World War I , but by 1920, 25 men were employed in the construction of formation . However, by 1924, private motor vehicles were becoming more common and railway lines to lowly populated rural areas accordingly became less necessary. Due to the lack of significant industrial activity in the Waipu area, the branch line was no longer seen as economic and construction was cancelled before any rail tracks were laid. [1] However, a new railway line, the Marsden Point Branch , is currently proposed for construction and will follow a route similar to that of the abortive Waipu line.

Wellington is a cool place if the weather's right. No matter what time of year come prepared for four seasons. Check out the City Gallery in Civic Sqaure, it's free, as is Te Papa, the national museum. There's the Fine Art's Gallery near Queen's Warf (donation), sometimes it's worth a visit. Cable Car is very popular with toursists (and no you won't crash). Cuba Street is supposedly vibe-ish. Check out the beaches, Oriental, Lyall Bay, Eastborne. But it's also nice to get out of the city as it's only a short drive in any direction to get a taste of rural scenery, Waikane is nice. Most people only go to Wellington to travel through to the South Island on the Picton Ferry but it's worth a short stop to have a look around. The nice thing about Wellington is the way most of the surrounding suberbs work into the landscape, old victorian-style houses dotted on the hills. But the best sight in Wellington is the Katherine Mansfield birthplace for the literary, cultural tourist. Have a read of some of her stories before you go, like 'Prelude', 'The Wind Blows,' 'At the Bay' (set in Eastbourne) to put the place and the house in perspective. Enjoy!!

Stop here, this is a fantastically interesting place with lots of art and culture.

If you're touring all of New Zealand, Rainbow Springs sanctuary in Rotorua has the BEST gift shop for souvenir shopping. Huge selection of jewelry for every price range. Also Te Puia Cultural Centre is a must see for it's geysers and thermal springs and Maori villages.

1) Go to whangari and bay of islands first stop and the cultural house
2) Taupo for skydiving
3) Franz josef hike
4)Tongararo crossing and milfords sounds

wellington is one of the nicest cities in the world. it contains many different cultures and races which also helps when you notice how friendly everyone is. if you travel there from the uk then watch exchange rates because if you get a good one everything is ridiculassly cheep!

Passed through here a couple or few times. There is a great club called Phat which is worth checking out for new and interesting music, quite a variation in line up, odds are high to catch a good drum and bass night here though. There is a brewery not far from Nelson called Mac's which offers tours, I haven't done it but would like to next time. I stayed at the YHA one time also, was fine. Locals generally friendly and helpful, are used to high volumes of tourists. Top place to be in summer, although I've only been through in July/Aug/Sept.

Te Papa, Satay Kingdom for a mean Roti Chanai on the left bank, Cuba Street, local music live every night, small but awesome club scene, friendly people. Sweet place. Definately a place to see. A lot of cheap accomodation and extremely cheap living here.

Money exchange is pretty much done around the city centre area. In order to save money, it is important to compare rates in different banks and exchange places. The night life is mainly bright around the Strip, area in the city centre close to the Avon River, where some pubs, restaurants and night clubs are placed. Lichfield Street has some nice restaurants with a reasonable good price and some amazing food experience, perhaps the Mexican Cafe or the Honey Pot at the corner of Lichfield and Manchester Streets. In Lichfield Street, you can also find "the only gay bar", upstairs above Ministry, called Cruz. It generally starts pretty late, after 12am and the music is quite catchy with some insteresting people around. :) Christchurch is quite a safe city, however like being anywhere in the World and not being a local, always look over your shoulder for security and don't trust everybody, but kiwi's are pretty easy going and friendly. Enjoy this city's experience. It is a peace of England on the other side of the World but with much better weather!

the Ducks the lucks was my favorite place to have a beer or two. They brew there own beer and have as well some live music.

If like Irish Pubs, than you have to visit the Bog ;) Good drinks, good food and awesome music!!!

If you are into watersports or fishing you should go to Te Anau cause its got a really great lake for all these activities. You should also go on the boat trip from Te Anau to go and see the glow worm caves which is great at night.

Fantastic spot all year round...Winter for snow skiing/boarding and summer for all the summer water sports. Great night clubs and eateries, always good for people wathching and having a weekend away with friends, Not to mention the fantastic scenery, but remember a jumper it gets cool quickly in the evenings...take your wallet full...its not renound for being on the cheaper budget!

Mountain biking is really popular here; if you're fit make sure you try out some of the tracks.

A good place to stay on the long drive around East Cape with an excellent motor camp, good scenery and even better fishing...

Fantastic vibrant city, always feel safe day or night. never feels crowded. take a ferry across to devenport, great fish and chips.

The car ferry will save a long drive.

Dont just stop at the car park to see the seals, walk the whole peninsular. Depending on the tide, walk along the beach and back over the headland, or the other way round. Or be different, park at the southern end of the walk, its much quieter.

Always have a bullet proof vest and a loaded firearm with you

If you want to go to Christchurch, you should go to Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. That will help you see what is like to visit Antarctica.

the most amazing bay with the most amazing beach around the corner (omaha). omaha would b mi favourite beach in nz. white sand. lovely estuary. although doesnt hav much to do. there is a nyc bay u can walk to from the southern end of the beach. and u will find pink sand there

Pleasant South Island town, used to be quite important to the NZ economy but now its really just about the University, and there's not that much going on during Uni holidays. Sightseeing activities include the Cadburys factory (with real chocolate waterfall, Wonka-style :)) and Speight's brewery (amusing tour and booze at the end). Also found the only decent curry house I had the whole time I was in NZ (on George Street. There's quite a good Chinese across the road as well)