Geography
Located in the South Pacific Ocean some 1600km (1000 miles) south-east of Australia, New Zealand is actually two large islands (and a number of outlying smaller ones). The North Island with a total area of 115,000 sq km (4,4400 sq miles) and the South Island with an area of 151,000 sq km (58,300 sq miles) are the major landmasses. While the North Island boasts a number of large volcanoes (including the currently active Mount Ruapehu), the South Island is the more mountainous of the two with the Southern Alps running almost the entire length of the Island. The scenery of the South Island is varied and contrasting. Craggy coastlines dotted with sweeping beaches, frame snow-capped mountains which rise from alpine meadows above primeval forest. There are bubbling volcanic pools, glacier-fed lakes and fast-flowing rivers in this geographical wonderland.

Flora & Fauna
Geologically, New Zealand was one of the earliest splinters from the disintegrating super-continent of Gondwanaland. Consequently, much of its flora is endemic and its extent is enormous. Giant gum-producing kauri and kohekohe forests, rainforest, beech, tawa, matai and rata, ferns and flax, alpine and subalpine meadow, and scrub and tussock. One of the most noticeable plants is the pohutukawa (known as the New Zealand Christmas tree) which detonates with brilliant red flowers around December. About 10 to 15% of the total land area of New Zealand is covered with native flora, the bulk protected in national parks and reserves. Native fauna is rather more limited, mostly as a result of the first inhabitants who arrived around 800 AD from Polynesia in Kon Tiki style craft. These early colonists hunted most of the indigenous species to extinction and today the only indigenous mammals are bats. Bird life, however, has thrived. The most common species include the morepork, tui, weka and the kea, a clamant and mischievous bird which likes nothing better than to sashay up to humans, tip over rubbish bins and slide 'kee-aaaing' down corrugated roofs at night. Introduced species - pigs, goats, possums, dogs, cats, deer and the ubiquitous sheep - are found throughout New Zealand, but their proliferation in the wild has had a deleterious effect on the environment: over 150 native plants - 10% of the total number of native species - and many native birds are presently threatened with extinction. New Zealand's offshore waters hold a variety of fish, including tuna, marlin, snapper, trevally, kahawai and shark; while its marine mammals - dolphins, seals and whales - attract nature-lovers from around the world. There are 14 national, 20 forest, three maritime and two marine parks, plus two World Heritage Areas: Tongariro National Park in the North Island and Te Waihipouna-mu in the South Island.

Time Zone
The time in New Zealand is GMT -12 hours.

Climate
Located in the 'roaring forties' latitude, New Zealand experiences a prevailing wind from west to east, which can range from a gentle breeze in summer to a howling gale in winter. In general, New Zealand has mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall, and many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country. Its climate is dominated by two main geographical features - the mountains and the sea. Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. From November through to March temperatures range between 20 and 25 ºC (68 - 77ºF) during the day, falling to between 10 and 15 ºC (50 - 60ºF) at night. It is important to remember that New Zealand's climate is maritime, rather than continental, which means the weather can change with amazing rapidity and consequence.

History & People
Before the 10th century New Zealand was populated by fishing and hunting people of East Polynesian ancestry. These people merged with later waves of Polynesians who, according to Maori tradition, arrived between 952 and 1150. The Maoris called their new homeland "Aotearoa," usually translated as "land of the long white cloud." The Europeans came on the scene in 1642, when Abel Tasman, a Dutch navigator, made the first recorded sighting of New Zealand. English Captain James Cook then thoroughly explored the coastline during three South Pacific voyages beginning in 1769. In 1840, the Maori chiefs were persuaded to sign the Treaty of Waitangi granting sovereignty of the islands to the Government of Britain. Almost before the ink had dried on this document, groups from the United Kingdom began the colonization process. Expanding European settlement led inevitably to conflict and resulted in Maori land wars in the 1860s. Constitutional government began to develop in the 1850s. In 1867, the Maori won the right to a certain number of reserved seats in Parliament. During this period, the livestock industry began to expand, and the foundations of New Zealand's modern economy took shape. By the end of the 19th century, improved transportation facilities made possible a great overseas trade in wool, meat, and dairy products. New Zealand was declared a dominion by a royal proclamation in 1907. It achieved full internal and external autonomy by the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act in 1947, although this merely formalized a situation that had existed for many years. Through interaction and intermarriage with European settlers the Maori had adopted much of European culture. In recent decades, Maori have become increasingly urbanized and have become more politically active and culturally assertive.

Most of today’s 3.9 million New Zealanders are of British origin. About 18% claim descent from the indigenous Maori population, which is of Polynesian origin. Nearly 75% of the people, including a large majority of Maori, live on the North Island. In addition, 231,800 Pacific Islanders live in New Zealand. During the late 1870s, natural increase permanently replaced immigration as the chief contributor to population growth and has accounted for more than 75% of population growth in the 20th century. Nearly 85% of New Zealand's population lives in urban areas (with almost one-third in Auckland alone), where the service and manufacturing industries are growing rapidly. New Zealanders colloquially refer to themselves as "Kiwis," after the country's native bird.

Currency
New Zealand’s unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar, colloquially the ‘Kiwi dollar’. As of February 2006, the exchange rates are:

£1 = 2.63 NZD
$1 = 1.51 NZD
€1 = 1.79 NZD

By far the easiest way to obtain your travel cash in country is from ATM’s using a credit card or a debit card linked to the international plus or cirrus system - remember you will need your PIN number to do this. There may be a charge plus interest levied on cash withdrawals using a credit card though normally you receive the best exchange rate. If you are bringing your travel money with you we recommend you use travellers cheques which are easily exchanged in banks and bureaux de changes, are usually commission free, and often attract better exchange rates than cash. US dollars, Euros, and pounds sterling are readily exchanged though the rate for US dollars is generally more stable. Credit cards can be used to purchase goods and services in many shops, hotels and restaurants in New Zealand.

Visas
On arrival, British citizens are automatically issued with a permit to stay for up to six months, and a three-month permit is granted to citizens of most other European countries, Southeast Asian nations, Japan, the USA and Canada. Australian citizens and permanent residents can stay indefinitely. Other nationalities should check with the New Zealand embassy or consulate in their own country before travelling.

Vaccinations
New Zealand is relatively free of serious health hazards. You should visit your own doctor and dentist for a check-up prior to taking your trip. The following is a ROUGH GUIDE for immunization. (We must stress that this is only a basic guide to the most commonly required vaccinations for travel worldwide. You must seek and abide by the specific advice of your local doctor/medical professional).

(a) Polio (normally you will just need a booster.)
(b) Tetanus.
(c) Typhoid. A full course requires 2 injections separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks.
(d) Hepatitis (A) and (B).

Given enough notice, your doctor will be able to administer all the above vaccinations.

Additional Sources of Information

Books
Lonely Planet. New Zealand.
Lonely Planet . Cycling New Zealand.
Fodor’s Exploring. New Zealand.
The Rough Guide to New Zealand.

Maps

Nelles Maps. New Zealand.

Our trip dossiers/itineraries give details of books and maps that are specific to a particular trip. Click here for details of book and map retailers.

Web
Lonely PLanet - www.lonelyplanet.com
Rough Guides - www.roughguides.com