my trip to new zealand essay

I had yearned to visit New Zealand since age 11. Thirty-four years later, I manifested my dream

Aug 17, 2023 • 9 min read

After decades of dreaming about New Zealand, the author manifested her destiny © Deesha Dyer

Deesha Dyer is the co-founder and executive director of beGirl.world Global Scholars , an organization that empowers teen girls through education and travel. BeGirl has partnered with Lonely Planet to raise awareness about their passport-equity project and to celebrate and continue its mission. In this first-person essay, Dyer shares how she made her travel dream of a trip to New Zealand a reality, confirming that manifesting your travel destiny sometimes really does work.

Science was always my favorite class, especially in middle school, as my inquisitive and creative mind started to mature enough to understand how the world and everything in it connected.

One day in 1990, we were learning about plants: how sun and water conspire to create everything we see around us. When my fabulous teacher Ms Moser instructed us to open our textbooks, I was immediately struck by a photo of a large, lush field with all types of colorful flowers. It curved up a hill and seemed to go on for miles.

Where was this place?

I glanced down to the corner to read the small italicized writing: New Zealand . I folded the corner of the page so I could look at again it from time to time. 

A long-distance love affair

This started a love affair with this beautiful country in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. But I was just a kid from Philadelphia ; New Zealand was so far away. Traveling to me was going to the Jersey Shore or to visit family in Queens , New York – certainly not boarding a plane or crossing an ocean to leave the country.

In seventh grade, I kept a spinning globe in my room – the cheap kind, with the plastic peel on sections that would slowly creep up after a few years, only to be held down by scotch tape (less expensive than buying a new one). I kept North America pointing toward me, for if I had to turn the globe left or right to see another country, that was a sign that I couldn’t afford to go there. New Zealand seemed like another planet away, one you would need a million dollars and a rocket ship to get to.

I had neither. 

As I grew up, graduated from high school (in 1995) and learned more about travel, I realized that while I didn’t need either of those things to explore, I certainly had to find another path to see the world – because I still couldn’t afford it. I jokingly (and, um, seriously) prayed for a job that would pay me to travel. I spent the early 2000s watching Travel Channel host Samantha Brown , who seemed to have the best job in the world: eating, drinking and galavanting around the globe. Someone please pay me to do this! I thought.

This led me to short stints with American Airlines and the Omni Netherland Plaza hotels, where I flew and stayed in places for a huge discount. Yet I was never able to use the benefits for international travel.

Yes, we can (travel internationally) 

In 2007, at age 29, after a slew of professional stops (including as a hip-hop journalist, peer counselor, secretary and retail worker), I decided to return to school part-time, at the Community College of Philadelphia. At this point, I had left the airline and hotel worlds, and had on my time off visited international destinations on a budget, including Mexico , Bermuda , France and England . The realm of what was possible and how far I could go began to grow. Then, in 2009, I landed an opportunity that finally  did pay me to travel: I went to intern at the White House for the president and first lady of the United States, Barack and Michelle Obama.

I was placed in the Department of Scheduling and Advance, which was charged with creating and managing the president’s daily schedule and arranging travel and event logistics for the first couple. This involved a team traveling ahead of the event (hence, “advancing”). If the event was in the US, we would travel seven days ahead; for international trips (referred to as OCONUS – outside the continental United States), we would leave two weeks before the event.

I traveled all over the world with the White House, and absolutely loved it. In 2011, the president was planning an official trip to Australia , and I joined as part of the advance team working and playing in cities like Canberra and Sydney . Although this was the closest yet I would get to New Zealand, I couldn’t make it there. On the way home, I craned my neck by the window to catch any glimpse of it I could from above. Silly perhaps – but hopeful. 

Going places 

Fast forward 11 years, to 2022, when I was planning my wedding. I told my now-husband Wes that the only place on Earth I wanted to go was New Zealand. I didn’t care how much it cost; we were going. I had never forgotten the feeling I had at age 10 when I first turned to that page in science class. 

We set a budget, put our wedding on a credit card to get the points (yes, we paid it right off) and started to strategize our trip. Because Obama, my former boss, had a speaking engagement in Australia a few months after our wedding, I had taken the chance to “advance” the trip by the former president to get to that part of the world. Which meant we would only need to pay for Wes’ flights and lodging, among other things. 

So, in March 2023, I finally touched down on New Zealand soil.

The trip got off to a rocky start, when Wes’ long-anticipated scuba excursion got canceled because of bad visibility. (This is pretty common; if scuba diving is on your New Zealand agenda, you should have a back-up plan.) And given the late hour we arrived, it was hard to find something to eat on the outskirts of Auckland . Thankfully, we came across Sakebar Nippon Epsom , which hit the spot with fresh sushi and beer. The next morning, we cruised to Taupō . On the drive, we saw endless fields of green and lush trees and flowers in bloom. It was an emotional and reflective moment.

I had made it. 

Appetite for adventure

En route to Taupō, we stopped for a delicious meal at a roadside diner, Kaiaua Fisheries, before checking out the pristine sands of Waihi Beach . The fall season meant it was less crowded and a little chilly, yet still enjoyable for swimming, walking, fishing, lounging and people-watching. 

Back on the road, we observed more farms – and took in the unique scent of sulfur, signaling our entrance into the land of hot springs that were sacred to the Māori and Indigenous people that first occupied the land. (A tip for anyone setting out on a New Zealand road trip: fill up on gas whenever and wherever you can; stations were few and far between, with many closed.)

Before I go further, it is important to note that, like many places in the world, New Zealand was colonized in a destructive fashion. While we could feel, see and hear the presence of the Māori people all around the island through everyday people, the music, the names of streets and landmarks, the effects of land seizures as well as suppressed language, tradition and culture were equally prevalent. 

We broke up the drive from Auckland with a visit to a community flea market in the small town of Pōkeno, where we ate delicious home-baked goods. We dipped into Countdown, a chain grocery store, to get some provisions for the week before arriving at the famous Whakarewarewa Forest . We took a walking-bridge tour between each tree (at night – a bit scary, but beautifully lit), and learned that the redwoods (the only ones to be found outside of North America) were imported and planted in the early 1900s. Sure, it was a little touristy – but also the perfect spot for outdoor activities like running and biking. 

Paradise found in and around Taupō

We checked into The Village Resort , surrounded by downtown restaurants and walking paths overlooking Lake Taupo . The next five days of our trip were simply magical. We plunged into Hell’s Gate , an active geothermal spa in the Bay of Plenty between Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti. (Another tip: rent a bathing suit and wear clothes that you don’t mind throwing away later: ours smelled of sulfur for weeks, and we ultimately got rid of them). The mud was surprisingly relaxing, and my skin felt great afterward.

We visited several waterfalls, including Okere, Owharoa, Ketetahi and Tawhai (aka Gollum’s Pool) in Tongariro National Park. The park also has endless trails for both beginners (like me!) and experienced hikers. My husband, a lawn bowling enthusiast, joined a game at the small Rotorua East Lawn Bowling Club . Back in Taupō, he relaxed at the Otumuheke Stream while I enjoyed a therapeutic massage at Thai Healing Concepts . 

Best-laid plans…

We were most excited about our final day in New Zealand, when we would take a ferry to Waiheke Island . This was the one place that everyone we spoke with consistently recommended. From the photos, it looked like an absolute dream. I got all dressed up and was ready for the fabulous pictures we were going to take on this island…but nature had other plans.

A torrential six-hour downpour completely ruined our itinerary.

We soldiered on in the hope that the rain would eventually stop or lighten up. It did not. In between scrambling to put on our rain gear, running through puddles and the 45-minute ferry ride with a bunch of other drenched people, we tried to make the most of it. 

We enjoyed a meal at Fenice , a yummy Italian restaurant, capped off with drinks and dessert at the stunning (if damp) Mudbrick Vineyard . Later, we walked down the town street for as long as our squishy shoes would allow. We boarded the ferry back and laughed. What a way to end a trip!

Since we had booked the trip on separate tickets, Wes and I had to fly home separately. This allowed me an extra day by myself to reflect on this journey, which had begun in seventh grade. There wasn’t enough time to explore everything: and this just means I have to go back. In New Zealand, the beauty of the land goes on and on. It’s a place where the sky kisses the mountains and marries the sea.

Sights that are surely the manifestation of a lifetime. 

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13 Great Reasons to Visit New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. With its snow-capped mountains, ancient glaciers, rolling hills, and copious amounts of wine, it’s a destination unlike all others.

Tucked away in the corner of the world, it’s a country that requires some planning to visit. Flights here aren’t cheap, after all. Round-trip flights from the United States are almost always over $1,000 USD and the journey takes upwards of 23 hours.

And even when you arrive, the country itself is far from being budget-friendly.

Yet even with that in mind, it’s a destination I never get tired of visiting. New Zealand is worth every penny if you ask me.

While it has seen a boom in tourism in recent years, New Zealand is still the beautiful and pristine country I first visited many years ago.

Christchurch has recovered from its earthquakes and now a hip place to be; Wanaka is still offers incredible hiking; the glaciers were just as mind-blowing as ever; the forests still home to wonderful walks; and Kiwis just as fun and friendly as ever.

In short, if New Zealand isn’t on your travel list, it should be.

To help you plan your trip, here are my favorite places to visit and things to do in New Zealand that you shouldn’t miss:  

1. Explore Abel Tasman National Park

The park covers over 23,876 hectares (59,000 acres), and even though it’s the country’s smallest national park, there’s a ton to see here. If you want to explore the park beyond its hiking trails, rent a kayak. That way, you can visit the tiny coves and beaches that make the area so special. Full-day rentals start at around 85 NZD, or you can join a guided kayaking tour starting at 130 NZD.

The park is best as an overnight or multi-day trip as it’s too far from Nelson to really do it justice in a day trip.  

2. Glacier Trekking on Fox and Franz Josef

At present, the only way to trek on the glaciers now is via heli-hike (a half-day or full-day helicopter/hiking experience). They are expensive (485-499 NZD) but the helicopter ride, trekking, and whole experience are worth the price in my opinion.

Conversely, you can just go on a helicopter tour without the hiking (they last about twenty minutes and start at around 225 NZD) or just hike to the glacier face and take photos from a distance.

No matter what option you choose, pass through this area while you make your way down the South Island. You won’t regret it!  

3. Do an Extreme Sport

There are a million activities to choose from: you can skydive basically anywhere; Queenstown is home to Shotover jets (rocket-like boats that zip on shallow rivers), ziplines, and bungy jumps; and there’s caving, zorbing, transalpine hiking, paragliding, and so much more. If it can be done outdoors, it can be done in New Zealand.

Here are some prices for activities to help you budget and plan, with prices varying depending on where you go and length of the experience:

• Bungy jumping – 165-275 NZD
• White-water rafting – 135-225 NZD
• Zorbing – 40-85 NZD
• Skydiving – 300-600 NZD
• Paragliding – 100-200 NZD
• Ziplining – 100-150 NZD

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, don’t miss the Nevis Bungy Jump — it’s the highest in the country!  

4. Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

However, even if you aren’t a strong hiker (and I am not), the Tongariro Crossing is easily completed in a day (it usually takes between 6-8 hours). Trekking through this otherworldly, red-colored environment of volcanoes and sulfur was the highlight of my whole time in New Zealand.

Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, toilet paper, and a sweater or jacket (the weather can change rapidly).  

5. Learn About Maori culture

Rotorua is usually the best city to see Maori cultural shows , though there are other noteworthy sites around the country, including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Tane Mahuta in Bay of Islands and the Te Papa museum in Wellington .

Shows usually last around 2.5-3 hours and include a tour of a traditional village, performances, and a meal. Tickets range from 150-250 NZD.

6. Don’t Miss Wellington

It has a popping nightlife, tons of art galleries, great food, fantastic cafés, a beautiful harbor (that is best seen from Mount Victoria, which overlooks the entire city), and is easily walkable. Be sure to hit some of the world-class and award-winning museums like the Museum of Wellington and Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum.  

7. Check Out the Glow Worms

I found the three-hour trip long enough, but if you like to abseil, you should consider the five-hour version. This experience is one of my most lasting memories of my trip .

Tickets cost around 150 NZD for the three-hour rafting trip and 260 NZD for the five-hour trip. If you just want to walk around the caves and see the glowworms, tickets cost around 55 NZD.  

8. Hang Out in Queenstown

The city has such a feisty and outdoorsy energy to it. Even though it has become hugely popular and filled with people, I cannot express my love of Queenstown enough. It’s surrounded by beautiful peaks, has narrow streets and pedestrian lanes filled with shops and restaurants, a spectacular lake, tons of trails and parks, and Queenstown Hill watching over the city like a benevolent overlord.

This is one of the best spots in the country to do an extreme sport (bungy, skydive, shotover jet, etc), take a wine tour, or just chill out on a nearby beach.  

9. Visit Hobbiton

To see Hobbiton (located about two hours from Auckland or one hour from Rotorua), you’ll have to take a tour. The Classic Tour lasts around 2 hours and cost 89 NZD for adults. There are also several other experiential tours you can take here, including a Second Breakfast or Banquet Tour (both of which involve hobbit-inspired meals and drinks).  

10. Explore Fiordland

This region is home to the majestic Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the Milford and Keppler Tracks, and lots of camping and hiking opportunities. If you want to experience New Zealand’s nature away from the crowds, come here.  

11. Discover Stewart Island

Come here to see dolphins and do some single-day or multiday treks. If you aren’t into hiking, you don’t need more than a day or two here, unless you really want some peace and quiet, in which case, stay forever.  

12. Chill Out in Christchurch

If you’ll be there for a few days, be sure to check out the free Canterbury Museum, which has a detailed replica of the city during the Victorian era; and Quake City, an interactive museum dedicated to the 2010-11 earthquakes. Don’t miss riding the gondola into the nearby hills for a sweeping view of the city as well!  

13. Drink Copious Amounts of Wine

There are lots of biking trails around the wine regions as well, so you can drink and cycle around (which is better than drinking and driving!). It’s also much cheaper than paying for a guided tour (which costs around 100-250 NZD depending on the region and tour length). The Gibbston River Trail, an 11-kilometer (6.8-mile) walking and biking path near Queenstown crosses through a number of vineyards and is a fun way to explore and sample some of the area’s best vintages.

If it’s not clear from this list, I love New Zealand. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world and I never get tired of going back.

And, while these may be my 13 favorite things to see and do in New Zealand, this list only scratches the surface. There’s also the Bay of Islands and Raglan for surfing, the Coromandel and Dunedin for beer, Wanaka and Mt. Cook for hiking, Hammer Springs for hot springs, and, well, you get the idea. There’s a lot here. You’re never going to be bored, especially if you love the outdoors.

There’s a reason travelers never have anything bad to say about this country!

Book Your Trip to New Zealand: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

If you’re looking for more places to stay, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in New Zealand .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on New Zealand? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on New Zealand for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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What Makes a Trip to New Zealand a Trip of a Lifetime

Always wanted to go to new zealand considering a trip there here are all the answers to your questions about what to see and do in stunning, fascinating aotearoa..

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Toast your dream vacation on spectacular Waikehe Island near Auckland with an exquisite vintage from one of approximately 30 boutique wineries.

Credit: Camilla Rutherford

Kia Ora! And welcome to New Zealand . In one of the most breathtakingly beautiful countries in the world you may wonder, “Where should I start?” Whether you decide to drive or take advantage of short and affordable flights between cities, this wonderland invites you to go at your own pace—now that New Zealand is open for U.S. travelers.

U.S. citizens traveling to New Zealand from a visa waiver country—that’s us—must request a NzeTA or New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, in addition to taking a pre-departure test and showing proof of vaccination. Find more detailed information on the border reopening here , and use this roundup of all that makes the country special and you’re away, as the Kiwis say. You’ll want to take your time here so plan on at least three weeks to do it right.

North Island’s cosmopolitan vibe and welcoming Māori culture

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland , located on the North Island, makes a good place to get your bearings. Head to the SkyTower, which at 1,076 feet tall, provides unparalleled 360-degree views. In a hurry and fearless? Skip the elevator and base jump by wire almost 630 feet to the ground.

Not far away, your catamaran, Dolphin Explorer , awaits at Viaduct Basin, to host you on a one-of-a-kind, 4.5-hour, interactive tour of Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Wave to Bryde’s whales and common dolphins, and maybe even pygmy blue whales, turtles, sharks, manta rays, and fur seals—not to mention 26 species of sea birds. You’ll spot picturesque nearby Waiheke Island, so once back in Auckland, plan to ferry there on SeaLink—with your vehicle—to drive and taste the best New Zealand vintages at 30 boutique wineries on this artful island of wine.

Talk to the Earth and it talks back in Rotorua, with otherworldly geothermal activity, including hot springs and mud pools.

Credit: Miles Holden

Go south to inland Rotorua for a place like no other. You can stroll alongside one of 18 lakes or soak in a natural hot pool at Polynesian Spa. Nearby, you’ll encounter geothermal wonders that “talk back” through steaming vents, spewing geysers, and bubbling mud pools.

Meet locals, New Zealand’s indigenous people at Whakarewarewa, The Living Māori Village. Learn firsthand how New Zealand conserves the flightless national treasure, the kiwi bird, at the National Kiwi Hatchery.

At the southern tip of the North Island, Wellington, the nation’s capital, awaits. Take in wide-ranging, spectacular views from the charming, 120-year-old Wellington Cable Car and learn its history at the adjoining museum. Fans of films The Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit , and The Chronicles of Narnia will revel in props and costumes from those famous flicks at the Wētā Workshop. You can also spend an afternoon at Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā, on 62 lush acres.

The dramatic landscapes of South Island

The lazy Avon River in Christchurch is a tranquil location for a boat ride where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the sublime journey.

Credit: Graeme Murray

Hop on a 45-minute flight on Air New Zealand to the nation’s second-largest city, Christchurch , the seat of the Canterbury Region, on the South Island’s east coast. There’s just something so genteel about punting (traveling by flat-bottomed boat) on the quiet Avon River—with someone else doing the navigating. Then stroll through the city, with eye-popping street art around the next corner.

For more formal viewing of the city’s creative offerings, check out the Christchurch Art Gallery and Centre of Contemporary Art. Christchurch has a Botanic Gardens, too, apropos since it’s “The Garden City” of New Zealand.

Take a drive to drop-dead gorgeous Akaroa, a colorful, French town, about a 1.5-hour scenic drive away. Don your wetsuit and hope on a Black Cat Cruises’ Swimming with Dolphins outing in the turquoise waters—Hector’s small dolphins, to be exact.

There’s perhaps no better way to experience Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown than cruising on the steamship TSS “Earnslaw,” a charming choice since 1912.

Further south in the island’s midsection, Queenstown will captivate you from the first look, with towering mountains surrounding Lake Wakatipu. Wakatipu, which is the country’s largest lake is best seen aboard the 1912 TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship. In winter, schuss (ski straight down a hill at high speed) at four nearby ski fields or cycle the welcoming 80-mile Queenstown trail in summer.

Drive 25 minutes to the classic gold-rush town of Arrowtown, along the placid Arrow River. For a combination of ecotourism and a thrill, visit Ziptrek’s new Kererū Interactive tour with two zip lines complemented by an interactive technology experience—named after New Zealand’s native pigeon.

Now you’re near the southern tip of the South Island, where you’ll be dazzled in Dunedin , the gateway to the Otago Peninsula. The city features pristine Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and you’ll soak up the Scottish influences all around you.

Maybe you’ll catch an open-air concert from the City of Dunedin Pipe Band. Head to New Zealand’s sole castle, Lanarch, built in 1871, where you can overnight. A short drive away is the Royal Albatross Center, featuring, you guessed it, Northern Royal Albatross, and the world’s only mainland breeding colony. Need more of a wildlife fix? It’s there at Orokonui Eco Sanctuary, 12 miles north, with Tutatara Lizards, Otago Skinks, and many native birds, including that precious national bird, the kiwi.

Time to say “Kia Ora!” again, or goodbye. When someone asks, “What did you do in New Zealand?” be prepared to awe them with so many reasons they, too, should visit soon.

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Home » New Zealand Travel Blog » Why travel to New Zealand?

Why travel to New Zealand?

• 10 Nov 2017
• Miles Clark
• Before you visit NZ , Māori Culture , NZ Travel Info

There are many reasons why New Zealand is such a popular travel spot right now, here’s a quick and handy guide to help you answer the question “why travel to New Zealand?”

Did you know that Lonely Planet recently voted New Zealand as one of its top five countries in the world to visit? The Land of the Long White Cloud is currently one of the hottest travel destinations in the world, why is New Zealand travel on everyone’s travel bucket list?

New Zealand has a dazzling wealth of breathtaking scenery, friendly and fun-loving people, plenty of things to see and do, mouthwatering food and wine and a vibe that is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Plus, it is safe and easy to travel, making it accessible to everyone even if you don’t have a lot of travel experience. New Zealand has everything you could wish for in a destination and it’s delightfully easy to get around.

Top reasons to visit New Zealand

We could list hundreds of reasons why you will love visiting New Zealand – there’s just so much to enjoy here. However, let’s take a look at the five main reasons why Aotearoa New Zealand makes a fantastic travel destination.

• The scenery
• There’s so much to do
• The food and wine are amazing

#1 reason to visit New Zealand – the unreal scenery

New Zealand is a stunning natural playground.

When you see the beautiful scenes in Tourism New Zealand videos of Milford Sound or Abel Tasman National Park, the vibrant hues of the landscape almost jump off the screen.

Or, perhaps you watched Frodo and friends go from the adorable rolling green hills of the Shire to larger-than-life landscapes of majestic mountains and wondered if the vistas were too beautiful to be real.

The good news is that Middle Earth (aka New Zealand) is just as stunning as it looks in the films. There are beautiful places all over this world, but the landscapes in New Zealand are a cut above. Few places in the world can compare with what you will see here.

Diversity of natural environments

One of the amazing things about this country is how such a huge diversity of landscapes can be packed into such a small area.

It’s hard to believe that towering snow capped mountains with ancient glaciers can exist on one part of New Zealand, while volcanic sand beaches and tropical rainforests exist on the other.

For example, you could take a drive from Lake Wanaka to Glacier Country and in one day you will see arid high country, massive lakes, lush rainforests, glacial valleys, beaches and glaciers again.

The landscapes in New Zealand are unlike anything you have seen before. For example, when you see the bubbling geothermal pools in Rotorua you will be amazed at how this super-hot spring water can come up out of the depths of the earth, creating steaming, sulphurous craters.

Amazing night skies

New Zealand is also one of the best places in the world for stargazing, due to the lack of light pollution. When you look up at the night sky from the International Dark Sky Reserve at Tekapo and Mount Cook you will see a dazzling canopy of sparkling points of light and the dusty sweep of the Milky Way.

Protected natural landscapes

All of this spectacular nature is very well maintained. One third of the landmass of New Zealand is protected conservation area, which means that the national parks are pristine and unspoiled. Plus, with a small population of only 5 million people, the cities and infrastructure in New Zealand don’t encroach on the environment and there are a lot of wide open, wild spaces to explore.

Fun fact about New Zealand

Did you know that people make up only 5% of the population of New Zealand? The rest are animals. (Don’t believe us? Verify that fact and 68 others here)

That means that New Zealand is a great place to spot wildlife, including penguins, seals, whales and dolphins.

The most famous animal of all is the kiwi, an adorable little flightless bird that has become the national symbol of New Zealand.

#2 reason to visit New Zealand – the Kiwi people

Another one of the amazing aspects of traveling New Zealand is how wonderful the people are. Many travellers say this is what makes New Zealand special.

New Zealanders, or “kiwis” as we are known, are laid back, friendly and always up for an adventure.

Kiwis will stop for a chat, help you with directions and they will want to know how long you are visiting, where you will be going, where you are from, etc.

They love the outdoors and are passionate about showing visitors the best their beautiful country has to offer.

In general, the people in New Zealand are open to meeting new friends, have a great sense of humour and don’t take themselves too seriously. Even if you’re visiting overseas, make the effort to drop into a community centre or event and you’ll be treated like an old friend.

Warning – the Kiwi sense of humour is dry!

New Zealand humour is wonderfully silly and fun. For example, take a look at this hilarious Air New Zealand safety video.

When you are spending time with your Kiwi friends, the mood will often be light and the jokes will be free flowing. Kiwis love to laugh and playfully tease each other in a very entertaining way.

If you’re visiting from the UK or Australia, you’ll find our wit quite similar. If you’re visiting from North America you may be initially surprised by some of the deadpan lines coming out from Kiwis’ mouths. An easy rule of thumb, if you’re not sure if someone is joking or not, they probably are.

The Māori in New Zealand

Meeting the Māori people of New Zealand is something that you will never forget.

Māori culture is wonderfully kind and welcoming and hospitality towards visitor plays a very important part.

Manaakitanga is a Māori word that translates roughly to hospitality and it is a traditional value that is considered to be incredibly important. The Māori people believe that it is very important to welcome visitors and make them feel at home when they come to visit.

Māori also have a concept called Kaitiakitanga which describes a deep kinship between humans and the natural word.

They see themselves as guardians of the land they live on and they believe that taking responsibility to preserve the environment is very important.

Today all New Zealanders play a part in restoring Māori culture and the natural environment, taking great care to ensure that New Zealand stays green, clean and beautiful for future generations to enjoy.

Find out more about the unique Māori culture you can experience on our tours here.

#3 reason to visit New Zealand – there’s so much to do

When it comes to things to see and do in New Zealand, you will be spoiled for choice.

New Zealand isn’t just beautiful to look at – it is an endless playground of fun activities and adventures.

There’s a huge choice of unique and exciting activities all over the country so you are sure to find something that excites you.

Adventure Activities

If you are into adrenaline-pumping activities, consider taking the Dart River Jetboat from Queenstown to zoom across the water while surrounded by towering peaks.

If you really want to go beyond your comfort zone, why not try bungy jumping in Queenstown?

New Zealand is also famous for being one of the best destinations in the world for sky-diving. There are jump opportunities all across the country, including at Abel Tasman National Park, Franz Josef Glacier and Queenstown.

Or perhaps you can try zorbing, which is rolling down a hill in an enormous clear inflatable ball. You could sweep overtop of beautiful Milford Sound on a scenic flight. The Glacier Landing on Franz Josef allows you to feel the chill of a real, ancient glacier under your feet.

Walking & Hiking

If you love to hike, you might want to tackle the Tongariro Crossing. It is considered to be the best day hike in all of new Zealand and it played the part of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings films. This surreal, sulphur-smelling, volcanic landscape of colored sand and jagged rock might make you feel like you are walking on another planet.

There’s also the famous Milford & Routeburn Tracks too, from day walks to multi-day adventures.

Another one of the most amazing things you can do in New Zealand is visit glow worm caves, which are subterranean caves filled with phosphorescent glow worms that shimmer like stars.

Read our beginner’s guide to walking in New Zealand here.

Food, Wine & Art

If you want to do something a little more laid back, how about sipping a perfect glass of Sauvignon Blanc at a vineyard in beautiful Marlborough on the South Island?

You could even take a cycling tour through the vineyards, stopping off at each winery to enjoy a tasting.

Or, you could spend the day enjoying the cultural offerings of New Zealand’s vibrant cities like Wellington and Auckland – packed with art galleries, museums, quirky boutiques, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Here are a few more of our favourite activities in New Zealand

• Go fishing in the Bay of Islands and see if you can make an epic catch.
• Follow the tracks of the historic Otago Rail Trail.
• Soak in the hot pools at the luxurious spas of Rotorua.
• Take a scenic cruise through the waters of Doubtful or Milford Sound and enjoy marvelling at their stunning birdlife and marine wildlife.
• Stand in the spot where the treaty of Waitangi was signed and learn about New Zealand’s history.
• Take a tour of the Lord of the Rings filming locations and learn how the landscape was transformed into Middle Earth.
• Take the challenging hike to Arthur’s Pass and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Southern Alps.
• Go on a thrilling whitewater rafting trip on the mighty Shotover River in Queenstown.
• Sandboarding in Northland, it’s like riding a body board down a sand dune.

#4 reason to visit New Zealand – the food and wine are amazing

Speaking of winery tours, another reason to visit New Zealand is that the food and wine are superb.

There are so many yummy things to enjoy during your visit. When you start researching before traveling to New Zealand, the food might not be the first thing that you think of. However, when you discover what a great culinary scene New Zealand has, it will be a pleasant surprise.

Fresh New Zealand seafood

One of the most iconic culinary treats in New Zealand are Greenshell Mussels, which are 30% larger than the typical blue mussels you might be used to and are wonderfully flavoursome.

After all, New Zealand is one of the best destinations in the world for seafood – the coastline is teeming with fresh fish including hapuka, snapper and John Dory.

If you are a seafood lover you will be able to get your fill of oysters from the Hokianga, Snapper from the Bay of Islands, Greenshell Mussels from Marlborough, Crayfish from Kaikoura, Fiordland Blue Cod and much more.

Take a look at the best food and wine we love when we travel around New Zealand – guaranteed to make your mouth water.

Fresh seasonal produce

But New Zealand cuisine isn’t just about delicious treats from the ocean. There’s plenty more to enjoy. The food here is driven by local ingredients and changes with the seasons, as this island nation has a primarily agricultural economy.

There are a lot of different influences on the cuisine here, including Pacific Rim, Mediterranean and British. Throughout history other influences have included Southeast Asian, East Asian and Māori culture.

In the summertime you will have the wonderful opportunity to dine outside, as barbeques are a huge part of the Kiwi culture. There’s a lot of variety in what kiwis will throw on the barbie, including lamb, venison, lobster, shellfish and fresh fish.

Another New Zealand culinary classic is Fish n’ Chips, which you should absolutely try during your visit. (Due to the kiwi accent, the locals refer to it as “Fush n’ Chups.”)

Award winning New Zealand wines

You won’t struggle to find a superb wine to pair with your meal – New Zealand produces some high quality bottles.

Although winemaking is still relatively new in New Zealand, winemakers are already producing wines that receive praise from international experts.

The four main wine-producing areas of the country include Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Auckland.

Read more in this article about the best wineries to visit in New Zealand.

Traditional Māori dining – the hāngi

One of the most quintessential New Zealand culinary experiences you can enjoy during your trip is a traditional Māori hāngi .

This meal is cooked underground – the food is placed into a deep hole filled with red hot stones and covered in leaves. The meat (usually chicken, pork and lamb) along with potatoes, kumara (sweet potato) and other vegetables is left to cook buried beneath the earth for several hours.

When it is finally removed from the earth, the slow-steamed, smoky flavour is unlike anything else you have ever tasted. A hāngi is an important social event that lasts for hours and involves musical performances, dances and lots of fun and conversation.

Here are a few more New Zealand foods that you should try during your visit

• Cookie Time Original Chocolate Chunk Cookies, a local favorite.
• Lamingtons – a sponge cake coated in chocolate or raspberry and sprinkled with shaved coconut.
• Afghans – chocolate cookies with cornflakes mixed in, coated with chocolate icing with half a walnut on top.
• Marmite – a standard item in any New Zealand pantry, it is a yeast extract that is combined with a few different herbs and spices. Try it spread on toast with a little bit of butter.
• Tuatua – try this New Zealand shellfish, a delicacy that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
• Mince and Cheese Pie – tuck into this juicy, mouthwatering pastry with a flaky crust and a meaty, cheesy filling.

#5 reason to visit New Zealand – Kiwi magic

What do we mean by the “Kiwi Magic”? It’s hard to explain but once you’re here you’ll know what we’re talking about, it’s the unique atmosphere and vibe in New Zealand that is different than anywhere else in the world.

You might assume that New Zealand is the same as other English speaking countries such as Canada, the UK, the USA and Australia.

Yes, it does have some similarities but it’s actually quite distinct. For example, New Zealand feels different than Australia, as the ties to Polynesia are much closer and our Māori culture is much more visible in everyday life.

Take it easy in New Zealand

Being in New Zealand just feels different. Things move a little slower here, which is a good thing.

You’re more likely to end up chatting with the locals, as people are pretty laid back and not in a hurry.

New Zealanders don’t “live to work” but rather “work to live” and they aren’t workaholics. They are generally passionate about their careers, but they understand the importance of a good work/life balance and they take time to enjoy the great outdoors and spend time with their family as well.

You feel safe here, there’s no need to be constantly on your guard. You’re unlikely to experience crime in New Zealand and safety is not an issue.

Plus, when you are walking or hiking in the wilderness it’s nice to know that nothing much can get you. You don’t have to worry about snakes, spiders, bears, crocodiles or any other wild creatures.

When you relax into this safe, friendly environment you will be able to enjoy a trip that is free from the stressful aspects of travel, allowing you to focus more on the amazing environment around you.

You will notice the laid back atmosphere as soon as you arrive at the airport. While going through airport security and customs in other countries can be extremely stressful, in New Zealand it’s quite a pleasant experience. You’ll find out for yourself when you arrive.

You might even say that, although it is a country of 5 million people, New Zealand still has the atmosphere of a small, friendly town. Spending time with others and building a strong community is valued here and when you visit you will feel welcome and accepted.

You’re going to love New Zealand

These are just a few of the reasons why New Zealand should be on top on your list of places to travel to.

It’s like nowhere else in the world and once you discover what it has to offer, you will fall in love and never want to leave. We’re not the only ones who think so, read Lonely Planet’s article on why regenerative tourism will make New Zealand one of the best places to visit post Covid-19.

MoaTrek, proudly showing visitors around New Zealand since 1971

At MoaTrek, we’re proud Kiwis and have been proudly showing guests our favourite holiday spots on our small group tours since the 1970s.

You’ll get to meet Kiwis, visit them in their homes and learn about the culture in a fun and casual way. There’s plenty of flexibility to do your own thing and explore the aspects of New Zealand that interest you the most.

You’ll get to enjoy the best of New Zealand’s scenery and activities while dining on delicious local food and wine along the way, all in the expert care of your Kiwi Guide.

To find out more about visiting New Zealand and to learn about small group tours, please feel free to contact us today.

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Essay On New Zealand in English (1000 Words)

New Zealand is a place that is known for its superb and interesting beauty. This is an awesome spot to learn English, appreciate nature and go mountain-skiing. It’s an obvious fact that “The Lord of The Rings” was shot in New Zealand – the idea of New Zealand so intently takes after the mysterious country!

 Assuming that you are enthusiastic about the dynamic travel industry, you can find every one of the fundamental offices for climbing, mountain-skiing, boating, and numerous different sorts of sports here. 

The nation’s recognizing trademark is the beauty of its temperament. Make your fantasies work out! Swim along with dolphins, respect whales, and go fishing! New Zealand is an island country yet the extents of the islands are not huge, so it is very simple and charming to go about/around (not quite certain of ‘about/around) paying little mind to what method for transport you use – a vehicle, a transport, or even a bike.

Table of Contents

New Zealand Culture:

New Zealand culture is very interesting. New Zealanders address a blend of Europeans and the Maoris. They are amicable and neighborly. An outsider will be amazed by being welcomed in the city by complete outsiders. 

The air of unwinding and tranquility wins wherever in New Zealand. The homicide rate is amazingly low contrasted with some other nations of the world and the payoff rate among legislative laborers is the most minimal on the planet (evidently, there is no such thing as pay-offs in New Zealand by any means). Coincidentally, legislative priests don’t have body watches or accompany them. 

Normally, making a meeting with one of them is very simple. At times you can even meet a pastor while remaining in line in a grocery store. Another down-to-earth thing you should be familiar with when you are in New Zealand – you ought not to give tips in inns, eateries, and so on because tips are exceptional here.

The local art and culture started by combining things that can’t regularly be joined, thus their passing likeness to common cultures and arts.

New Zealand Capital:

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is arranged in the brilliant harbor on the edge of the “Northern” island. Manuals prescribe giving specific consideration to the accompanying sights. 

These are the advanced structure of the presidential part of the Parliament – Beehive, the old structure of the public authority (probably the greatest structure on the planet made totally from wood), the National Library with an astounding assortment of writing, Catherine Mansfield’s Memorial, and that’s just the beginning. 

There are a couple of intriguing galleries, for example, the Maori Museum called “Te Papa” in Wellington. Yet, the spot that is certainly worth a visit is found not a long way from the capital. It is Mount Victoria. You can see the mountain on the city’s roads. What a great sight!

What is the best and ideal opportunity to go to New Zealand?

Attributable to the ideal area, New Zealand’s environment is genuinely gentle the entire year, so you can visit the nation any season. Nonetheless, they as a rule underline the “primary” season – November through April. 

There are a ton of vacationers showing up during this season, so it is very sensible to save lodging ahead of time. If you like mountain-skiing, the best and ideal opportunity for you to come is winter – June through August. 

By and large, assuming you can come any season, we prompt you to precede or later the primary season. The climate is really warm however there are no hordes of travelers and you can go touring anyplace you need without thinking often about the accessibility of tickets.

Current New Zealand.

The current day government and way of life in New Zealand are similar to that of the U.S. At one time the yearly pay of New Zealanders was far and away superior to the U.S. furthermore Great Britain. Individuals of New Zealand have the opportunity of religion. 

The crucial religion in New Zealand is Christianity, despite the fact that there are Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Amish, and some more. The Maori religion is likewise significant. Individuals of New Zealand have a blend of Britain and Australian articulations.

Few Facts about New Zealand.

• It was named after the Dutch province Zeeland which means land of long white clouds in Maori.
• It has around 5M population as of 2021.
• The Capital of New Zealand is Wellington with 415,000 people.
• English, Maori, and sign languages are their official languages.
• Their currency is called NZD which means New Zealand Dollar.
• Almost 48% of people are non-religious here and the rest are Christians.
• New Zealand has 2 time zones.
• Their National flag represents a constellation and a southern cross.
• The altitude of the highest mountain in New Zealand is 12,217ft and is named Mount Cook.
• The longest and largest glacier in New Zealand is known as the Tasman glacier in the Southern Alps.
• New Zealand is the world’s first country to get the right to vote for women in the year 1893.
• New Zealand and Denmark Are the main two nations on the planet that have two National Anthems.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is New Zealand expensive to live in?

New Zealand is found as one of the best countries to live in. The average daily expenses are high when compared to other countries. A family of four can have expenses up to 6k-8k NZD. 

What is considered rude in New Zealand?

Spitting on the road or calling someone with some gestures or unethical words like hey, oi are also considered rude in the country. Instead, you can just wait for them to look at you, make eye contact and nod your head to tell them that you are calling them.

What is the most interesting fact to know about New Zealand?

New Zealand is one of the world’s least populated countries with just 5 million people. Although it is the same size as Japan, it is less populated when compared to Japan.

I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my  Next startup  Cledemy.Com )

New Zealand – The Ultimate Guide For First Time Visitors

New Zealand is a natural wonder… No doubt about it. From the volcanic landscape of the North Island to the snow-capped mountains of the South Island.

The landscapes alone make it a stunning place to visit, and that is before you get into anything else that the island nation has to offer.

I’ve been very fortunate to have visited New Zealand on several occasions, both the north and the south islands, over the last few years. Over those trips, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of advice to help first-time visitors to New Zealand hit the ground running and make the most of their trips.

With that in mind, here are my best tips and advice for travelling to New Zealand for the first time.

An Introduction to New Zealand

Did you know, that while New Zealand only appears to be a small country on the map, it’s actually larger than the UK and only marginally smaller than Japan? So it’s going to take you more than just a couple of days to discover all the country has to offer.

New Zealand is a very geographically diverse country with the two big islands distinctly different from each other. So if you a planning a quick trip, visiting just one of two main islands won’t get a full appreciation of all the country has to offer.

I would strongly recommend that you visit both the north and south islands of New Zealand over at least two weeks to really make sure you get the full experience. Especially if it’s likely the only time you’ll get to visit this stunning country. That said you could easily spend well over a month there.

Internet/Mobile Phones/Data in New Zealand

I’ll kick this off with pro-tip straightway… Adding global roaming on your mobile phone is expensive. Often your local provider will charge $5-$10 per day to get a limited version of the services you get at home, especially data.

That’s money you don’t need to spend when visiting New Zealand. Instead, what I strongly recommend you do is pick up a local sim card when you arrive.

You’ll save yourself a tonne of money by simply picking up a prepaid travel sim from either Spark or Vodafone when you arrive in the country. And it’s much easier!

New Zealand is extremely well set up for international travellers wanting to pick up a local sim so they can use data straightaway (very important for navigating to your hotel, booking a ride-sharing service, etc when you first arrive).

Both Spark and Vodafone have booths in the duty-free arrivals areas at both Auckland and Queenstown International Airports to buy a prepaid sim ideal for travellers (you’ll even get them tax-free when you purchase them prior to going through immigration).

The staff are friendly and helpful, detailing your different options, and will even help you swap over your sim card and make sure it works before you leave.

While the prices change from time to time (check the links above for the most up-to-date pricing) I would recommend that you get at least 10Gb of data per week of travelling through New Zealand, all those Instagram posts are going to add up! These prepaid services also include all of your local calls and texts within New Zealand and also include some international calls and texts.

The other thing these services include is hotspotting at no extra charge, so you’ll be able to share the data on your phone across the rest of your devices. That will come in handy, because while WiFi is available in more touristy places (mainly Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown), it’s not that common elsewhere. So if you need to keep connected to the internet, these prepaid sims a well worth purchasing.

For myself, a lot of what I do relies on internet access. So I tend to pick up one of the larger data packages. That way I can do what I need to do and even stream Netflix (New Zealand’s free-to-air TV offering is limited) while relaxing after a big day of exploring.

From my experience, there is no real difference between Spark and Vodafone if you plan to spend all your time in the big in the cities. It’s once you head out to some of the more rural/regional areas of New Zealand, especially if you are renting a campervan and road-tripping around, that is when Spark tends to have better coverage.

It’s also worth noting that even though some hotels (definitely not all) do offer WiFi, it can be horrendous slow in some places.

Rental Cars in New Zealand

New Zealand is a great place to explore, and while there are a couple of bus services that will get you between the cities and some of the key attractions, the best way to really explore the country is to have a car.

If you only take one piece of advice from this post, it is that you will absolutely need a car at some point during your travels through New Zealand. So plan to rent one, you’ll thank me later!

All the big-name rental car companies have a presence in New Zealand, but they tend to be somewhat expensive.

I’ve found that you can save a significant of money by renting a car through one of the companies that tend to use slightly older cars like Go Rental and Rent-A-Dent . I’ve used both of these in the past and never had any issues.

That said, always look around and check the pricing before you book. I have also seen special deals with more traditional rental car companies like Avis and Thrifty. Which also offer the added bonus of being located at the airport terminals.

Whereas, some of the cheaper rental companies don’t tend to have a presence at the airports. What they do instead is utilise an airport pickup service, which is straightforward with simple instructions sent to you when booking your rental cars in advance online through their websites.

If your New Zealand travels put you in Queenstown during the snow season, a very good reason to visit Queenstown by the way, then make sure to organise snow chains as part of your car rental. It’ll make it so much easier to visit the ski resorts without having to worry about the buses.

Another thing I should mention is that fuel (both petrol and diesel) is expensive in New Zealand. Petrol/Service stations can also be somewhat infrequent in some of the more regional areas of the country. If you plan on exploring all of the stunning landscapes that New Zealand has to offer, just make sure you fill the tank before leaving the cities. The fuel will be cheaper (comparatively) and will save you from unwanted surprises.

Please don’t let any of the information freak you out. New Zealand is really one of those countries best explored by car. In fact, its an enjoyable country to explore by road. I’ve just tried to give you all the information I can so that you can include it in your planning and budget.

Getting Around New Zealand

As I just mentioned, having a car will make your life so much easier getting around New Zealand.

I’m sure that even the locals will admit that mass transit (public transport) has been a bit of an afterthought in the small country, in fact, boats were one of the primary forms of transport for a long time in New Zealand.

That said, they are trying to play catch up, and nowadays infrastructure like motorways and trains are slowly being built up, particularly around Auckland as the city continues to grow. As for the other cities tend around New Zealand, they rely on the good network of bus services they’ve developed over the years.

Taxi and ridesharing services like Uber are also available but are usually limited to within the bigger cities.

Outside of the cities, there really isn’t any other option than having a car. And as I’ve said before driving around New Zealand really is the best way to explore the country properly.

Once you start driving around, you will be awestruck by the picturesque landscapes. And if you are anything like me, you’ll want to keep stopping to take photographs.

Just another tip about driving in New Zealand, navigation can be a little tricky. Especially once you get off the main roads. So I find it handy to use a service like Google Maps on my phone to guide me along my route and save myself from getting lost.

I’ve found in the past what appeared to be a major road from looking at maps and route numbers turned out to be small single-lane tracks, and as a result, I’ve missed many turnoffs before.

Money in New Zealand – Credit Cards/Cash

You might already know that New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar, which is typically worth just a bit less than the Australian Dollar.

Depending on the exchange rate at the time, $1AUD (Australian Dollar) will buy you somewhere between $1.20NZD and $1.01NZD. But don’t rely on me, definitely look up the most recent exchange rate while planning your trip.

As for spending money in New Zealand. You should know a couple of things to keep you out of trouble.

I would highly recommend that you carry a small amount of cash with you while you are exploring New Zealand. While the pandemic really sped up the adoption of contactless payment systems across the country (prior to 2020 you really needed to have cash on you at all times), you might still find that some stores, more so in the regional areas, still only accept cash.

That said, it’s been a swift change in the cities. I actually found on my most recent trip to Queenstown and Auckland that most places only accepted payment by card.

So just keep that in mind before you head on over, I’d make sure you have $100NZD on you in cash when you arrive. But you’ll probably find that you don’t even use it (and change it back to your local currency) when you return home.

ATMs are readily available in cities and larger towns if you need more cash at any point. Just check the process for withdrawing international money with your local bank before you leave. Also, make sure you let them know your planned dates for travel to New Zealand, so they don’t lock your cards for odd international transactions. A locked credit card will cause you a lot of issues in places where you can only pay by card.

Tipping: Another thing to note is that tipping is not a common occurrence in New Zealand nor is it expected. That said, if you feel the staff have done an exceptional job, they will undoubtedly appreciate it.

Keeping Healthy in New Zealand

For New Zealand, specifically, treat it like any modern country you might travel to.

Tap water in New Zealand is generally fine to drink, and you’ll find that pharmacies and medical services are fairly easy to locate throughout the country.

One thing key thing I would recommend, particularly if you are looking to enjoy some of the adventure sports that New Zealand is famous for, especially around Queenstown and Rotorua, is to invest in some travel insurance.

Getting hurt overseas can be expensive, and while the medical system in New Zealand is very good, if you plan to mountain bike, snowboard/ski or even just zorb, it’s better not to end up with a horrendous bill.

I typically use Cover-More for my travel insurance on every one of my trips, and while I haven’t needed to make a claim that much, the odd times I have, the process has been simple, and I haven’t had any issues.

Just watch out for things like jet lag when you arrive . If you are looking for more generalised advice, my  keeping healthy while travelling overseas post will be useful to make sure you are best prepared regardless of where you are travelling to.

New Zealand’s Immigration and Customs

Much like Australia, New Zealand takes its customs and immigration process very seriously.

Customs officials have definitely held me up at the airport for wearing shoes that looked like hiking boots just in case they were carrying dirt from anywhere else I had been.

They are very protective of their local flora and fauna, and understandably so, so just make sure that your shoes are clean before you leave home. Also don’t pack any food, animal or wood items when you are making the trip to New Zealand, the same as Australia. 

For more of the latest up-to-date information about New Zealand’s Visa, Immigration and Customs head on over to New Zealand’s official tourism website – https://www.newzealand.com/au/visas-and-immigration/

All in all, New Zealand is a stunningly beautiful country to visit. You’ll find that it won’t matter how much time you give yourself to explore it, it just won’t be enough. However, hopefully, these tips will allow you to hit the ground running so you can really make the most of your time there.

If you’d like to get more information to help plan your trip to and around New Zealand…  Check out the rest of my blog posts.

Also, make sure you check out the travel tools that I use the most to help you save some money when booking your next trip.

Keep up to date with all the latest Here, There & Gone! adventures by following along on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram .

And if you have a travel-related question, you would like me to answer, head on over to my  contact page  to get in touch and let me know.

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10 reasons to visit New Zealand

Roys Peak Track, Wānaka

By Miles Holden

Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Northland & Bay of Islands

By Matt Crawford

It may be missing off some maps, but here's why New Zealand should be on yours.

Home of adventure

Where would the world of adventure tourism be without the bungy jump? New Zealander AJ Hackett mastered the art and let the world have a go at the Kawarau Bridge Jump , the first commercial bungy jump operation in the world. Oh, and let’s not forget the jet boat, ski plane and Zorb. 

Bungy Jumping in New Zealand, Queenstown

By AJ Hackett

Real Middle‑earth™

New Zealand is the home of the real Middle‑earth™ and what a travesty it would be if the rest of the world couldn’t find it. Find your way to New Zealand and you will discover real landscapes, hobbit holes and special effects studios famous for bringing JRR Tolkien’s creations to life.

Hobbiton, Waikato

By Fraser Clements

A unique culture

Experience the haka , a ceremonial Māori dance made world famous by the All Blacks rugby team as their pre-game ritual. Beyond the public sporting display, New Zealand celebrates its  Māori culture in daily life and there are numerous places to experience it.

Te Puia, Rotorua

Stunning fjords.

Milford Sound is a misleading name for the spectacular fjord in the Fiordland National Park . Whether you choose to explore the stunning natural features by boat, kayak or air, you simply wouldn't want to miss it. 

Milford Sound, Fiordland

By Alistair Guthrie

New Zealand wine is increasingly known the world over as one of the finest drops. Sample Central Otago's pinot noir, Marlborough's sauvignon blanc or a Hawke’s Bay syrah on the vineyard at the source. 

ワイヘキ島でワインテイスティング, Auckland

By Camilla Rutherford

Wildlife wonders

New Zealand is home to some weird and wonderful wildlife , including birds that don’t know how to fly, monster marine mammals and a reptile that’s survived from dinosaur days. Swim with dolphins, take a whale-watching cruise and get up close to yellow-eyed penguins.

Kaikoura, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Sara Orme

World-famous coffee

New Zealand is the birthplace of the flat white (coffee that is). Although the subject is of hot debate, one Auckland café claims to have invented the creamy, caffeinated burst of goodness that’s now a regular on café menus worldwide.  

Cafe Culture, Taranaki

By Strategy Collective

Grand glaciers

For a truly unique experience you won't get in every country, take a helicopter to the top of  Franz Josef or Fox Glacier  for a guided walk onto the ice. With a temperate climate, these magnicant glaciers are among the most accessible in the world. 

Franz Josef Glacier, West Coast

Geothermal phenomena.

Feel Earth's power in New Zealand, where you can witness erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools and steaming hot springs on your doorstep. To experience the geothermal wonders , head to the Volcanic Zone, including Rotorua , Bay of Plenty and Ruapehu.

Kepler Track, Fiordland

Simply world-class.

Finally, there is one obvious reason why New Zealand has to be on every map, and that is because we’re simply world-class. Beautiful, friendly, safe and simply awesome, you don’t have to go far in a country the size of New Zealand to find everything that you’re looking for. 

For more "must do" ideas, check out #NZMustDo on  Instagram (opens in new window)

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New Zealand must-do experiences long-arrow-right

Must-do North Island experiences long-arrow-right

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Must-do Free Experiences in New Zealand long-arrow-right

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Magic in the Mundane: A New Zealand Travel Story

Jul 11, 2023

By Tess Victoria

Do you ever think about how life is really just a collection of moments? The big ones might mark the miles, but there is significance in every step. Small moments, though often uncredited, comprise the majority of our lives. When I’m home, it’s easy to let these moments get lost in the mix of obligation. But when I travel, I find myself in a state of presence where every moment really seems to belong to me. This is one of the things I love most about the travel experience. I have realizations abroad that I very well could have had at home, but I’m usually not present enough to indulge them.

This is a story about small moments. Not to say my time in New Zealand didn’t include milestones, but as these always steal the spotlight, I can’t say I feel like documenting them. Not when my experience included so many gems amidst the mundane. Each one is a precious, worthy thing to explore (a statement that goes double for New Zealand).

In case you also feel called to explore the wonder of life’s smaller moments, I’ve included a few journal prompts meant to help you do just that. Now, onto the adventure...

I arrived in New Zealand with a sense of finality. This place was to be the last stop on what was literally a trip around the world. For the past six weeks, I had been traveling eastward. My feet had touched ground on five continents during my circuitous route to the southern hemisphere.

The thing about traveling for an extended amount of time is that you drop into this mindset where tomorrow’s logistics don’t matter. Before I left the States, I was obsessively counting down the days until my trip. But upon reaching my first country, I couldn’t care less about the one that was to come. It felt like time was working differently abroad, but in reality, I was .

A shining example of this happened before the plane even touched down in Auckland. Having just spent Halloween in Perth, Australia (a story for another time), I hadn’t managed to put two-and-two together about flying from Australia’s west coast. What I had pegged as a quick flight to the country "next door," turned out to have an equal flight time as heading from New York to Los Angeles. Apparently, it takes some time to fly across the sixth-largest country in the world, the peculiar stretch of the Pacific Ocean we call the Tasman Sea, and into New Zealand’s most populated city.

I landed in Auckland on a Spring November morning. Yes, you read that right. My personal travel theory is to not think too hard about the abrupt changes that accompany a new place. When I arrive somewhere, I merely accept new time zones, daylight patterns, seasons and traffic laws. In this regard, I am a sheep - but we haven’t gotten to that part of the story yet.

I should clarify that it was we who arrived in New Zealand, a mother-daughter duo on a mission to circumnavigate the globe. The ordeal included vastly different climates and cultural norms that somehow, we were always prepared for, despite carrying only a backpack . (On second thought, there’s no mystery here, it was just my mother’s expertly planned packing list.) After weeks of travel, we had reached our final destination, where we were about to see some familiar faces.

Soon after us, my brother arrived. Though we had come from Perth, he had made the more arduous journey from our home state of Colorado. Meeting up for this final week abroad, we were now a travel trio. We hopped in our rental car and drove, on the left side of the road, to the home of Charlie, our expatriate family friend. It’s always nice to know a local.

I’ll try not to gush about Charlie for too long. The kid who grew up in the Rocky Mountains; ninety minutes and yet a world away from my suburban front door. The teenager who bought a one-way ticket to Alaska the same week as graduation. The nomad who hitchhiked across South Africa on his own. The man who landed carefree in New Zealand and asked a sheep rancher for work. The husband he became to Anna, that rancher’s daughter. The father he became to Walter, their son, who was turning one while we were in town.

Prompt: Come to think of it, Charlie might just be the most fearless person I know. Who is yours, and what have they done to inspire you?

So our New Zealand adventure began, very appropriately, on a sheep ranch. Eleven-hundred acres of brilliant green hills, all tended by this Colorado mountain kid that I grew up with. It was beautiful, and I would know. By this point in my travels, my eyes were well used to seeing beautiful things.

Driving the ATV around the ranch felt like bobbing in an endless green ocean, riding out the waves. Up and down, up and down. Rolling hills in every direction, for as far as you can see.

Charlie says sheep are “barely smart enough to keep themselves alive.” From the little I witnessed, I’m inclined to agree. The spring weather had dotted the ranch with patches of mud. My job was to drive around and look for sheep who had tipped over and gotten themselves stuck. I couldn’t help but think of those old life-support necklace commercials - “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”

A precious moment occurred when Charlie told me to dismount the ATV and quietly climb to the top of a hill. I was rewarded with the sight of a tiny, wobbly lamb, estimated to be less than an hour old. The precious cycle of new life brought on by spring.

Speaking of springtime babies, little Walter’s birthday was approaching. Anna wanted to get a watermelon as the base for an alternative “cake” made out of fruit.

Of all things, it was this birthday melon that led me to some deep introspection.

Watermelon season is in the summer, which in New Zealand is from December to March (again, it’s best not to think about it too hard). Since it wasn’t yet watermelon season, we could only get one for an outlandish price. If my memory serves me right,  we paid close to thirty dollars for the damn thing .

Rather than being enraged, I found myself bubbling with curiosity. I again credit the travel mindset for this shift. In New Zealand the price of fruit changes dramatically with its respective season. In addition, importing goods to an island will always bring up their price.

The sticker shock is what encourages locals to eat with the seasons. Previously, I hadn’t paid much attention to seasonal eating, but I liked the sound of it right away. Fresh fruit in the summer, hearty soup in the winter, it just makes sense. In America, we seem pretty far removed from this natural way of life.

Maybe it was helping out on the ranch or embracing a November spring, but New Zealand had me feeling very connected to the land. Eating with the seasons is a pivotal part of this, and for the local people, it is a regular way of life.

To me, it makes sense to have to pay more for something that took more effort to arrive on my table. Seasonal eating aligns with my love of nature and never ending quest for mindfulness. As a minimalist traveler, the practice of seasonal eating was the perfect New Zealand souvenir; something I could take with me back home.

Prompt: Curiosity is a helpful lens for approaching cultural differences. What cultural mentality resonates with you, despite not being brought up that way?

I ended the watermelon day outside, flat on my back, staring skyward. And what a sight the night sky was, far away from light pollution on that rural ranch. It was like seeing a whole new set of stars. Wait, I was seeing a whole new set of stars. The southern hemisphere is a trip.

We left Charlie’s house feeling grateful to have had the local experience of ranch life. With sore muscles and full hearts, we set off on a road trip to explore more of New Zealand’s North Island.

We wandered about in small towns, collecting moments the way a kid might collect cool rocks. A park full of poetry. A mural that made me tearful. A funny little bird sanctuary whose exotic residents will flutter down from the roof and perch, unprompted, upon your shoulder. One day, I dug my toes into a black sand beach and tried to wrap my head around the fact that the breeze in my hair was coming off of Antarctic glaciers.

Prompt: What small travel moments does your mind return to again and again? Can you let them take up the space they deserve on the pages of your journal? What about in the forefront of your mind?

These things felt anything but mundane, but I recognize they aren’t exactly New Zealand’s staple attractions. If you must know, we all survived an adrenaline-fueled experience in a glowworm cave that I can’t recommend enough (though click here for my attempt). Also, the Hobbiton™ Movie Set tour deserves an honorable mention.

Leaving New Zealand was hard for many reasons. I was concluding the journey that had finally made me into the thing I had always wanted to be: a world traveler. I had been forever changed by my experiences abroad, and capping them off in such a breathtaking place as New Zealand was unmatched.

But it wasn’t only the adventure I had to say goodbye to.

At the time, I was living in Las Vegas, while my family was home in Colorado. Luckily, we were flying the first leg home together, from Auckland to San Francisco. As a last-ditch effort to get the most out of family time, I insisted they sit with me on the nearly empty plane. Amazingly, the three of us comprised what was probably the only full row on the aircraft. 

If people give up the luxury of an airline row to themselves to stay cramped by your side on a twelve-hour flight , this is how you know you are loved. In this style, we returned. First to the States, then to our respective ones. The circumnavigation was complete.

Prompt: Describe an unorthodox way in which you have recently received love, then describe an unorthodox way in which you have shown love to someone else.

Nearly five years have passed since this particular adventure. I have since moved home to Colorado (and Charlie and Anna have had two more sons!). New Zealand has stayed on all our minds, though. My dad even made it out there after we came back gushing about the place.

Of all my travels, New Zealand remains the place people are the most excited to discuss. It seems to be on everyone’s bucket list, and for good reason. I think this is because it’s so far away. Another world, in the opposite hemisphere as America. Exotic, untouched nature and a different way of life.

In a word, New Zealand is wonderful. I use this generic adjective in its truest form, as in “full of wonder.” The final entry in my travel journal ends with the three words I so often run into when leaving a destination…

Take me back.

Tess Victoria

Sherpani Team Member

The above post is part of an ongoing segment of the Sherpani Travel Blog . We want to highlight personal travel stories from the women in our community. Would you like to share your travel story with Sherpani? Email [email protected] for more information. We can’t wait to read about your adventure!

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Tourism in New Zealand, Essay Example

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The Lord of the Rings and Film-induced Tourism in New Zealand

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of Rings has reached millions of audiences around the globe, and a large portion of the budget spent for the film was used to sell New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery and landscape. The historic collaboration of the New Zealand Film Commission and the The Lord of the Rings films generated a large variety of tourism revenue for New Zealand.  New Zealand has 150 different tours related to The Lord of the Rings , which include Middle-earth, The Ultimate Hobbit, and the New Zealand 14-day Lord of the Rings tour. These attractions have doubled the country’s tourism industry and directly contributed to positive economic growth, world-wide recognition and massive media  exposure (Myers, 2010). In addition, the exposure has opened the door to new economic opportunities for New Zealand such as energy resources and agriculture (Packer, 2008). New Zealand has some of the richest energy resources in the world, as well as organic agriculture and food production.

Billions of dollars have been made at the box office from the proceeds from The Lord of Rings trilogy. As the distribution company, New Line Cinema is credited for obtaining all of the proceeds from the films. However, the New Zealand government managed to gain access to The Lord of Rings revenue streams while the global media outlets were saturated. This led to the New Zealand government to engage in a profitable Lord of the Rings tourism campaign (Shefrin, 2004). The marketing and advertising campaign brought in tourists and the distribution company could not stop New Zealand from capitalizing on these related Lord of the Rings ventures (Calder, 2002).  It was a brilliant way for New Zealand to embark on a historical advertising run  in China, Europe and the United States.

New Zealand has been searching for opportunities to become a major player in the global economy in an effort to provide their own platforms for oil and gas initiatives. This lead to the New Zealand government to take advantage of the new tourism, and at the same, pursue business efforts in their own natural gas and oil resources (Schiff & Becken, 2011). New Zealand is rich in economic resources, with their tourism plans and improved positioning for their own natural oil and gas resources (Asquith, 2008).

The astonishing feat by the government of New Zealand came in the form of a masterful world-wide tour promoting the New Zealand location. This tour put New Zealand in the driver’s seat for additional revenue while positioning their economy to make millions. In addition, they sanctioned the Middle Earth to be advertised and market heavily regardless of New Cinemas intention of making sequels (Jones & Smith, 2005). This may be the first time that a country has become just as famous as the movie Lord of the Rings while managing to divert revenues to New Zealand’s economy. It is evident that New Zealand has become the new destination for a glimpse of the tourism package that includes the magnificent Middle Earth.

Increased Tourism

New Zealand has benefited greatly from the Middle-earth scenery and has become one the world’s most recognizable movie locations. The government of New Zealand has utilized this opportunity to showcase their rich culture along with marketing New Zealand as a number one tourist destination (Jones & Smith, 2005). There are many films that use technology and direction to shoot breathtaking film footage, however New Zealand’s  surreal scenery has developed a reputation as a must see tourist destination. A popular filming location in The Lord of the Rings called Hakatere Potts Road has become a major flagship that draws millions of new tourists each year. The Hakatere Potts Road scenic drive displays the lakes, rivers and mountain backdrops that has people from all over the globe flocking to New Zealand. (New Zealand Travel Insider, 2015).

New Zealand’s government made a conscious decision to bring more tourism to the country while leveraging every potential dollar for the benefit of the country (Ateljevic, 2002). New Zealand concentrated on campaigns to help increase tourism from China because Chinese citizens are recognized as the largest market to spend major dollars on vacations worldwide. The current tourism packages visit over 150 spectacular and breathtaking locations that were used in the Oscar winning films (New Zealand, 2015).

New Zealand Economic Impact

New Zealand’s population benefited economically from the The Lord of the Rings because the exposure opened the world to the beauty of their land and mountains. The New Zealand (2015) tourism website states that New Zealand has tripled its revenues from increased tourism by marketing New Zealand vacations to other countries as a world-class destination. This has had an increase of 7 million dollars to the New Zealand economy (pg.1). The New Zealand tourism notoriety has grown significantly because of the advertising to Asian countries, specifically  China. Chinese tourists are well known around the world for bringing in millions in revenue on destination vacations. The genius of New Zealand’s government is apparent when they refused to slow down marketing of the Middle-earth attractions because New Line Cinema was concerned the exposure would hurt the box office revenues with upcoming sequels to The Lord of Rings movies (Morgan, 2010).The government of New Zealand quickly learned that the entertainment business can bring in huge amounts of revenue and used every media outlet to bring in more tourism for the attractions. New Zealand’s leaders understand the power of global exposure. Because The Lord of the Rings is a trilogy, and the sequels were also set to film in New Zealand, they benefited from millions of advertising and marketing dollars spent that are now paying huge returns to their economic structure (Calder, 2002). New Zealand’s tourism traffic has doubled  because New Line Cinema’s marketing of New Zealand’s scenery is a major part of the magic of Middle-earth for movie-goers. Chinese Central Television (CCT) has saturated advertising and marketing with the major attractions of Middle-earth. It has been estimated that Middle-earth attractions and branding will bring in another 50 million dollars into New Zealand from multiple levels in the years to come (Lawn & Beatty, 2005).

The Lord of the Rings became New Zealand’s flagship tourism flagship while creating a lucrative tourism explosion that brings in people from all over the world. New Zealand combined culture, tourism, marketing, and film to build a revenue stream that is becoming part of the country’s major economic markets (Lunt, 2009). In the advertising on New Zealand’s tourism website, The the Lord of Rings draws in more internet traffic from curious tourists than any of the other vacation destinations. The description comes directly from the script of The Lord of the Rings giving the tourist the feeling and experience of the movie in real life. This is the fantasy that is sold to the tourist along with the excitement of visiting the set of The Lord of the Rings . The New Zealand tourist program has managed to create a flagship similar to Disney World with Mickey Mouse as the main attraction, however, there are hundreds of other places to visit surrounding Disney World  that draw attention and revenue away from Disney. The Middle-earth attraction is part of New Zealand as a whole and has become one the most visited destinations with vacationers scheduling their visits months in advance (New Zealand Tourism Guide, (2015). It has become clear that New Zealand will continue to grow their tourism revenues well into the future.

New Zealand Film Commission

The New Zealand Film Commission is a major force in the development and economic growth of The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. They supported many diverse projects in New Zealand keeping a steady watch on other opportunities that would change the economics and perception of New Zealand as a tourist destination (Tourism New Zealand, 2015). New Zealand’s government and the New Zealand Film Commission turned the country into a world-class international media market,  gaining 6.3 million viewers from China’s CCTV, 3.8 million from France and 10.7 million viewers from the United Kingdom (Tourism New Zealand, 2015). However, the most significant and lucrative media relationship is with China’s Chinese Central Television (CCT), which is the main Chinese media outlet with 45 different Chinese broadcast programs (China Today, 2015).

In a short period of time, New Zealand’s government has forged a solid working relationship with the New Zealand Film Commission to capitalize on The Lord of the Rings . The New Zealand government was immediately advertised as one of the most exceptional travel destinations in the world (New Zealand Travel Insider, 2015). The New Zealand Filmmakers Commission has made contributions to improved economics because of their support with New Zealand film director Peter Jackson. The popularity of Peter Jackson became synonymous with New Zealand’s landscape and created a global platform for New Zealand’s Middle-earth marketing machine (New Zealand Middle Earth, 2015). The films’ production in New Zealand provided an economic opportunity for tourism in New Zealand and gained access to new revenue streams such as advertising, marketing and mass media channels that promote New Zealand as a tourist destination (Tourism New Zealand, 2015).

Furthermore, New Zealand’s government brilliantly aligned forces with Newman’s South Vacations, Air New Zealand, MTV, Chrysler, Entertainment Arts and Duracell (The Lord of the Rings, 2015). Research found that the New Zealand Film Commission, along with New Zealand’s government and partnerships, influenced travelers to come to New Zealand as a major, must-see attraction. They managed to divert some of the $3.155 billion made on The Lord of the Rings by pushing New Zealand’s tourism profits over $10 million, and the numbers continues to rise on a daily basis (Tourism New Zealand, 2015).

Recommendations

New Zealand’s government needs to concentrate on leveraging tourism revenues into the investment in their own oil initiatives. New Zealand has only one oil refinery and one underground storage facility, but has the natural resources to become one the primary exporters and storage locations of natural gas solutions in the world.  New Zealand also has coal, silver, iron ore, limestone and gold to add to their economic resources. According to Zabel, New Zealand has one of the largest untapped sources of natural gas and oil resources that could amass over 150 billion dollars (2009).

The second recommendation would the New Zealand government work together with New Line Cinema concerning The Lord of the Rings trilogy. New Line Cinema has raised concerns that the New Zealand government is saturating the market with The Lord of the Rings , which may make it difficult to continue selling consumers on future ventures. The government should try to incorporate some of the current media exposure to help New Line Cinema advertise the movie in specific countries, especially in China. New Line Cinema understands the impact of the Middle-earth campaign because they already have millions of loyal customers patronizing the Middle-earth attraction. The Middle-earth attraction can become a major theme for the Lord of Rings allowing them to build future ventures based on the Middle-earth story. It would be in the best benefit for both New Line Cinema and New Zealand to work in unison to keep the revenues flowing.

The New Zealand government should enter into an exclusive marketing deal that would bring additional revenue to New Zealand, while bringing new consumers to The Lord of the Rings and subsequent films. It would be win-win for both parties because New Zealand will continue to bring in revenue for years to come and New Line Cinema will continue to earn residual income, and together they can make movie history. New Zealand’s leadership needs to think about future relationships with New Line Cinema because they could decide to move the filming locations to another country. The easiest way for New Zealand to keep making revenue from the films is to build a solid relationship with the film’s leadership. In the movie industry,  certain films have popularity but slowly loose fans and movie-goers, often from over-saturation in the market. However, The Lord of the Rings has proven to have followers from all over the world while reaching across a wide range of demographics.

Asquith, A. (2008). Managing Middle Earth: The Evolving Role of Local Authority Chief Executive Officers in Auckland, New Zealand. Local Government Studies , 34 (5), 625-640.

Ateljevic, S. (2002).Representing New Zealand: Tourism imagery and ideology. Annals of Tourism Research. Vol.29, Issue 3, pgs. 648-667

Calder, P. (2002, Dec). New Zealand: ‘lord of the rings’ breaks silence. Variety, 389 , 2-B1, B12. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/236235568?accountid=34899

China Today. (2015).About CCTV. Today’s reports: Viewers. Retrieved from http://www.cctv.com/program/chinatoday/01/index.shtml

Jones, D., & Smith, K. (2005). Middle-earth meets New Zealand: Authenticity and Location in the Making of The Lord of the Rings. Journal of Management Studies , 42 (5), 923-945. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6486.2005.00527.

Lawn, J., & Beatty, B. (2005). Getting to Wellywood: national branding and the globalization of the New Zealand film industry. Post Script , 24 (2/3), 122-139.

Lunt, N. (2009). The rise of a ‘social development’ agenda in New Zealand. International  Journal of Social Welfare , 18 (1), 3-12. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2397.2008.00557.x

Morgan, A. a. (2010). The Lord of the Rings – a mythos applicable in unsustainable times?.  Environmental Education Research , 16 (3/4), 383-399. doi: 10.1080/13504621003613111

Myers, L. (2010). Women Travellers’ Adventure Tourism Experiences in New Zealand. Annals  of Leisure Research , 13 (1/2), 16-142.

New Zealand. (2015).The Lord of the Rings: Lord of the Rings tours. Retrieved from http://www.newzealand.com/int/lord-of-the-rings/

New Zealand Middle Earth. (2015).110% Pure New Zealand: Take a journey through Middle Earth. Retrieved from http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/middle-earth/

New Zealand Travel Insider. (2015). Lord of the Rings scenery on Hakatere Potts Rd. Retrieved  from http://www.newzealandtravelinsider.com/scenic-drives/lord-of-the-rings-scenery-hakatere-potts-road-new-zealand.htm

Packer, M. (2008). Algal capture of carbon dioxide; biomass generation as a tool for greenhouse gas mitigation with reference to New Zealand energy strategy and policy. New Zealand  Energy Strategy .Vol.37, Issue 9, pgs.3428-3437

Schiff, A., & Becken, S. (2011).Demand elasticity estimates for New Zealand tourism. Tourism Management. Vol.32, Issue 3, June 2011, pages 564-575

Shefrin, E. (2004). Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and participatory fandom: mapping new congruencies between the internet and media entertainment culture. Critical Studies In Media Communication , 21 (3), 261-281. doi: 10.1080/0739318042000212729

The Lord of the Rings. (2015). Promotional Partners: Official Licensed Merchandise. Retrieved from http://www.lordoftherings.net/index_partners.html

Tourism New Zealand. (2015, Jul).Film tourism: Corporate website. Retrieved from http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/markets-stats/sectors/film-tourism/

New Zealand Tourism Guide (2015).Lord of the Rings-New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.tourism.net.nz/lord-of-the-rings.html

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Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Journey — My First International Trip

My First International Trip

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Published: Aug 24, 2023

Words: 675 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Cultural immersion and perspective shift, embracing the unfamiliar, global citizenship and empathy, conclusion: a journey of transformation.

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Editor’s Note: We know that many of you are looking for help writing travel experience essays for school or simply writing about a trip for your friends or family. To inspire you and help you write your next trip essay—whether it’s an essay about a trip with family or simply a way to remember your best trip ever (so far)—we enlisted the help of Professor Kathleen Boardman, whose decades of teaching have helped many college students learn the fine art of autobiography and life writing. Here’s advice on how to turn a simple “my best trip” essay into a story that will inspire others to explore the world.

Welcome home! Now that you’re back from your trip, you’d like to share it with others in a travel essay. You’re a good writer and a good editor of your work, but you’ve never tried travel writing before. As your potential reader, I have some advice and some requests for you as you write your travel experience essay.

Trip Essays: What to Avoid

Please don’t tell me everything about your trip. I don’t want to know your travel schedule or the names of all the castles or restaurants you visited. I don’t care about the plane trip that got you there (unless, of course, that trip is the story).

I have a friend who, when I return from a trip, never asks me, “How was your trip?” She knows that I would give her a long, rambling answer: “… and then … and then … and then.” So instead, she says, “Tell me about one thing that really stood out for you.” That’s what I’d like you to do in this travel essay you’re writing.

The Power of Compelling Scenes

One or two “snapshots” are enough—but make them great. Many good writers jump right into the middle of their account with a vivid written “snapshot” of an important scene. Then, having aroused their readers’ interest or curiosity, they fill in the story or background. I think this technique works great for travel writing; at least, I would rather enjoy a vivid snapshot than read through a day-to-day summary of somebody’s travel journal.

Write About a Trip Using Vivid Descriptions

Take your time. Tell a story. So what if you saw things that were “incredible,” did things that were “amazing,” observed actions that you thought “weird”? These words don’t mean anything to me unless you show me, in a story or a vivid description, the experience that made you want to use those adjectives.

I’d like to see the place, the people, or the journey through your eyes, not someone else’s. Please don’t rewrite someone else’s account of visiting the place. Please don’t try to imitate a travel guide or travelogue or someone’s blog or Facebook entry. You are not writing a real travel essay unless you are describing, as clearly and honestly as possible, yourself in the place you visited. What did you see, hear, taste, say? Don’t worry if your “take” on your experience doesn’t match what everyone else says about it. (I’ve already read what THEY have to say.)

The Importance of Self-Editing Your Trip Essay

Don’t give me your first draft to read. Instead, set it aside and then reread it. Reread it again. Where might I need more explanation? What parts of your account are likely to confuse me? (After all, I wasn’t there.) Where might you be wasting my time by repeating or rambling on about something you’ve already told me?

Make me feel, make me laugh, help me learn something. But don’t overdo it: Please don’t preach to me about broadening my horizons or understanding other cultures. Instead, let me in on your feelings, your change of heart and mind, even your fear and uncertainty, as you confronted something you’d never experienced before. If you can, surprise me with something I didn’t know or couldn’t have suspected.

You Can Do It: Turning Your Trip into a Great Travel Experience Essay

I hope you will take yourself seriously as a traveler and as a writer. Through what—and how—you write about just a small portion of your travel experience, show me that you are an interesting, thoughtful, observant person. I will come back to you, begging for more of your travel essays.

Take Notes in a Cute Journal

Keep track of all the crucial details- and even the ones you might forget, in a durable and refillable journal.

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How to Write a Travel Essay About My Last Trip to New Zealand

Tuesday 17 October 2023, 1:59PM

Traveling to new places and exploring different customs and traditions is always exciting. You get to meet new people, enjoy breathtaking views, and visit some historical monuments. New Zealand is one of the popular travel destinations. It attracts visitors worldwide thanks to its natural beauty, including glorious mountains, clean lakes, magic forests, and panoramic beaches. Also, New Zealand served as the location for "Lord of the Rings". If you are a fan, you can visit many iconic filming locations throughout the country. In a word, you will not regret going there. However, you might regret not taking notes while traveling if you want to write an essay about your trip. But don't worry; you will find many practical writing tips in this article.

Whenever you get stuck and don't know how to structure your travel essay or what information to include in it, you can get college paper help from highly rated writers using reliable online services. It is easy to hire an assistant who will help you overcome all the obstacles of describing your last trip to an exciting place like New Zealand. Alternatively, you can follow the tips from this article to create a literary masterpiece on your own. The writing process becomes more manageable when you have a detailed plan.

Choose a Unique Angle

Find a specific theme that will help your essay stand out from the rest. Instead of a general overview, focus on a particular aspect of your trip, like a unique experience or personal transformation. After all, you had a reason for visiting New Zealand. Your journey is already unique. All you need to do is let the readers learn about your experience.

Choose a Suitable Structure

Organize your essay either chronologically, following the sequence of your trip, or thematically, grouping related experiences and insights. Either way, it should be easy for readers to follow the plot of your story. Ensure to include transitional phrases between paragraphs to create a natural flow of thoughts.

Engage Readers from the Very Beginning

Start with a compelling hook to pique the readers' interest and make them wonder what will happen next. Your introduction should make them want to read more. You can use an unexpected fact about New Zealand, a funny story you heard from one of the locals or a famous quote about this beautiful country.

Create Vivid Descriptions

Use descriptive language to bring the landscapes, people, and experiences of New Zealand to life. Paint a bright picture with your words, appealing to the readers' senses. However, don't overuse adjectives because reading your piece might get difficult. Instead, use verbs to make it easy for the audience to understand what you did and saw. On top of that, show your emotions and reactions. Let readers experience the journey through your eyes, feelings, and senses.

Include Personal Reflection

Share your thoughts and insights after the trip. Discuss how it affected you. Did you learn anything new? Was this journey the reason for your personal growth? Making your piece personal by sharing these things with readers creates an emotional bond between you and them. They start to empathize with you.

Include Dialogue

Recall the conversations you had with locals or fellow travelers. Add parts of such a dialogue in your essay to enrich it with authenticity and depth. The dialogue you include might not be funny or dramatic. It just needs to set the right mood for the upcoming events you are going to describe.

Add a Few Words About Local Culture

Reflect on the local culture, traditions, and customs you encountered. Explain how they influenced your experience. You can compare them to the customs and traditions of your home country and contrast the differences or find similarities. You can also write about something you wish your country borrowed from the traditions of New Zealand and explain why you want this to happen.

Balance Details and Storytelling

Even though you must have learned a lot of interesting facts during your trip, try to keep a healthy balance between providing factual information and storytelling. Don't overwhelm the readers with too many details, such as the color of the scarf a passenger sitting near you was wearing, if it is not critical for the readers to know. At the same time, ensure you provide enough context to make your experiences relatable.

Edit and Revise

After writing your initial draft, revise and edit your essay for clarity and grammar. Ensure that it flows smoothly. You aim to keep the reader engaged from start to finish. Use tools like Grammarly to spot any typos and grammar mistakes.

Use these points as guidelines while working on your piece, and you will create something outstanding. If possible, add visuals to your essay to make the picture complete for your readers. You can also add maps and infographics to make your essay more informative. In a word, many different writing techniques and strategies can turn an ordinary essay into a memorable literary piece you want to read again and again. Good luck, and have fun writing your essay!

A – Broad statement(s) consisting of general information relating to the topic. B – Narrower, specific statement(s), closing in on the main focus of the topic (includes thesis). C – Even narrower, statement(s), identifying key issues.

Learn more about writing essay introductions in the Essay writing resource website. The body paragraphs address each of the main points (or sub-topics) of your essay in the same order they were mentioned in your essay introduction. Each paragraph will be related to your essay’s central focus and thesis.

• Before you start to write, draw a map of your ideas for the different paragraphs which support the thesis statement.
• After you have made your map, write each body paragraph with a clear structure to describe, discuss and develop your topic.

Learn more about writing good essay body paragraphs from the Essay writing resource website. The conclusion paragraph is your last chance to impress your reader. You can either:

• Start your conclusion with a phrase such as “In conclusion” or “To sum up” as this will indicate to your reader that you are finishing your essay.
• Immediately begin with a summary of the main points, and then write an end statement. In this statement you can restate the thesis, make final comments that could be evaluative, or refer to the larger issues related to the larger context or background.

Learn more about writing good essay conclusions from the Essay writing resource website. You will need to provide a full list of references at the end of your essay. These will demonstrate that the opinions you expressed in your essay were informed from your reading. Make sure you acknowledge your sources using the correct referencing style.

What are common essay types?

At university you have to demonstrate the ability to write different types of essays. While all academic essays have the same basic structure (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion), the purpose, style of delivery, and organisation of the ideas may vary.

Examples of common essay types

“A discussion essay discusses a range of evidence, views, theories, findings or approaches on a topic to develop a position through the essay. The conclusion usually states this position”  Academic Writing at Auckland (AWA) .

See the discussion essay examples on the AWA site.

“An Analysis Essay critically analyses an object of study (a book extract, artwork, film, article, cultural artefact, event, example, situation…) through the lens of broader concepts (theories, themes, values, systems, processes…). It builds and supports a position and argument through this critical analysis and demonstrates understanding of both the object and the broader concepts” Academic Writing at Auckland  (AWA) .

See the analysis essay examples on the AWA site.

Additional resources

The following resources provide you further information about essay writing and examples of essays in different disciplines:

• write@uni: Examples of student writing
• Academic Writing at Auckland

Related topics

• Critical thinking
• Finding information
• Understanding assessments
• Note-taking
• Time management
• Paraphrasing and quoting
• Referencing and avoiding plagiarism

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Short on time? Watch a video on:

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The huge solar storm is keeping power grid and satellite operators on edge

Geoff Brumfiel

Willem Marx

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of solar flares early Saturday afternoon. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm. Solar Dynamics Observatory hide caption

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of solar flares early Saturday afternoon. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm.

Planet Earth is getting rocked by the biggest solar storm in decades – and the potential effects have those people in charge of power grids, communications systems and satellites on edge.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm that has been visible as aurora across vast swathes of the Northern Hemisphere. So far though, NOAA has seen no reports of major damage.

The Picture Show

Photos: see the northern lights from rare, solar storm.

There has been some degradation and loss to communication systems that rely on high-frequency radio waves, NOAA told NPR, as well as some preliminary indications of irregularities in power systems.

"Simply put, the power grid operators have been busy since yesterday working to keep proper, regulated current flowing without disruption," said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator for the Boulder, Co.-based Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA.

NOAA Issues First Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch Since 2005

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"Satellite operators are also busy monitoring spacecraft health due to the S1-S2 storm taking place along with the severe-extreme geomagnetic storm that continues even now," Dahl added, saying some GPS systems have struggled to lock locations and offered incorrect positions.

NOAA's GOES-16 satellite captured a flare erupting occurred around 2 p.m. EDT on May 9, 2024.

As NOAA had warned late Friday, the Earth has been experiencing a G5, or "Extreme," geomagnetic storm . It's the first G5 storm to hit the planet since 2003, when a similar event temporarily knocked out power in part of Sweden and damaged electrical transformers in South Africa.

The NOAA center predicted that this current storm could induce auroras visible as far south as Northern California and Alabama.

Extreme (G5) geomagnetic conditions have been observed! pic.twitter.com/qLsC8GbWus — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 10, 2024

Around the world on social media, posters put up photos of bright auroras visible in Russia , Scandinavia , the United Kingdom and continental Europe . Some reported seeing the aurora as far south as Mallorca, Spain .

The source of the solar storm is a cluster of sunspots on the sun's surface that is 17 times the diameter of the Earth. The spots are filled with tangled magnetic fields that can act as slingshots, throwing huge quantities of charged particles towards our planet. These events, known as coronal mass ejections, become more common during the peak of the Sun's 11-year solar cycle.

A powerful solar storm is bringing northern lights to unusual places

Usually, they miss the Earth, but this time, NOAA says several have headed directly toward our planet, and the agency predicted that several waves of flares will continue to slam into the Earth over the next few days.

While the storm has proven to be large, predicting the effects from such incidents can be difficult, Dahl said.

Shocking problems

The most disruptive solar storm ever recorded came in 1859. Known as the "Carrington Event," it generated shimmering auroras that were visible as far south as Mexico and Hawaii. It also fried telegraph systems throughout Europe and North America.

Stronger activity on the sun could bring more displays of the northern lights in 2024

While this geomagnetic storm will not be as strong, the world has grown more reliant on electronics and electrical systems. Depending on the orientation of the storm's magnetic field, it could induce unexpected electrical currents in long-distance power lines — those currents could cause safety systems to flip, triggering temporary power outages in some areas.

my cat just experienced the aurora borealis, one of the world's most radiant natural phenomena... and she doesn't care pic.twitter.com/Ee74FpWHFm — PJ (@kickthepj) May 10, 2024

The storm is also likely to disrupt the ionosphere, a section of Earth's atmosphere filled with charged particles. Some long-distance radio transmissions use the ionosphere to "bounce" signals around the globe, and those signals will likely be disrupted. The particles may also refract and otherwise scramble signals from the global positioning system, according to Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist with NOAA. Those effects can linger for a few days after the storm.

Like Dahl, Steenburgh said it's unclear just how bad the disruptions will be. While we are more dependent than ever on GPS, there are also more satellites in orbit. Moreover, the anomalies from the storm are constantly shifting through the ionosphere like ripples in a pool. "Outages, with any luck, should not be prolonged," Steenburgh said.

What Causes The Northern Lights? Scientists Finally Know For Sure

The radiation from the storm could have other undesirable effects. At high altitudes, it could damage satellites, while at low altitudes, it's likely to increase atmospheric drag, causing some satellites to sink toward the Earth.

The changes to orbits wreak havoc, warns Tuija Pulkkinen, chair of the department of climate and space sciences at the University of Michigan. Since the last solar maximum, companies such as SpaceX have launched thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit. Those satellites will now see their orbits unexpectedly changed.

"There's a lot of companies that haven't seen these kind of space weather effects before," she says.

The International Space Station lies within Earth's magnetosphere, so its astronauts should be mostly protected, Steenburgh says.

In a statement, NASA said that astronauts would not take additional measures to protect themselves. "NASA completed a thorough analysis of recent space weather activity and determined it posed no risk to the crew aboard the International Space Station and no additional precautionary measures are needed," the agency said late Friday.

People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis on Friday in Whitley Bay, England. Ian Forsyth/Getty Images hide caption

People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis on Friday in Whitley Bay, England.

While this storm will undoubtedly keep satellite operators and utilities busy over the next few days, individuals don't really need to do much to get ready.

"As far as what the general public should be doing, hopefully they're not having to do anything," Dahl said. "Weather permitting, they may be visible again tonight." He advised that the largest problem could be a brief blackout, so keeping some flashlights and a radio handy might prove helpful.

I took these photos near Ranfurly in Central Otago, New Zealand. Anyone can use them please spread far and wide. :-) https://t.co/NUWpLiqY2S — Dr Andrew Dickson reform/ACC (@AndrewDickson13) May 10, 2024

And don't forget to go outside and look up, adds Steenburgh. This event's aurora is visible much further south than usual.

A faint aurora can be detected by a modern cell phone camera, he adds, so even if you can't see it with your eyes, try taking a photo of the sky.

The aurora "is really the gift from space weather," he says.

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