Random Trip Photos
100% New Zealand
Owned & Operated
Owned & Operated
NZ Facts
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
New Zealand is an extremely popular summer destination, both for overseas and domestic visitors … read NZ Tourism’s suggestions
People & History
Population
New Zealand is an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth. It has a diverse multi-cultural population of 4 million people, the majority of whom are of British descent. New Zealand’s indigenous Maori make up around 14 percent of the population.
Early History
The Maori were New Zealand’s first settlers. They made an epic journey from the legendary Hawaiki, probably in Polynesia to the north of New Zealand, about 1000 years ago. The great explorer Kupe, who legend says first discovered New Zealand, named the new land Aotearoa – Land of the Long White Cloud.
The first documented European to discover New Zealand was Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, who came here in 1642 in search of the fabled great southern continent. Over a 125 years later, Captain James Cook claimed it for Britain in 1769 and produced a map of the country… read more
Indigenous Culture
The Maori people are the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and first arrived here in waka hourua (voyaging canoes) from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago. Today, Maori make up over 14 percent of the population. Their language and culture has a major impact on all facets of New Zealand life … read more about the Maori
This photo shown is an example of the unique and striking carvings that adorn the inside and outside of Wharenui (Maori meeting house) found throughout the country.
- Fast Fact:
- Kia Ora = Gidday!
Geography of New Zealand
Size of New Zealand
The distance from the top – Cape Reinga – to Bluff is 2,200 kilometres
The length of the coastline of New Zealand is 15,134 km making it the 10th longest coastline of countries in the world.
Topography
New Zealand has a wide variety of awesome landscapes, and best of all, they are generally within easy reach of each other. Spectacular glaciers, picturesque fiords, rugged mountains, rivers and lakes, vast plains, rolling hillsides, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau and miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches … find out more
Pohutukawa trees grow in most coastal areas of the North Island. Their bright red flowers usually bloom at the beginning of December. For this reason, the pohutukawa has become known as New Zealand’s native Christmas tree.
Volcanoes in New Zealand
Volcanic eruptions occur regularly, especially from White Island, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. All the potentially active volcanoes are monitored to give warning of an impending eruption.
Mount Taranaki
Mount Taranaki rises above the prime dairy farming land of Taranaki. Almost perfectly symmetrical – the mountain is only thirty minutes from the bustling coastal city of New Plymouth, enabling the visitor to go skiing and surfing in the same day!
Up to the minute news about NZ volcanoes can be read here
Climate & Seasons
The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August.
In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 10-15ºC. You can check on weather conditions in New Zealand on the New Zealand Met Service website.
While these temperatures are the norm, the weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly as cold fronts or tropical cyclones quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature, particularly if you’re going hiking or doing other outdoor activities … Check out my climate chart for the best times to visit
- Fast Fact:
- The highest temperature ever recorded in New Zealand was 42°C, in Marlborough, Christchurch, and Rangiora (in Canterbury). The lowest temperature ever recorded in New Zealand was —22°C at Ophir, Central Otago.
NZ Wildlife
For millions of years New Zealand has been isolated and unique birds, animals and plants have developed here. Best known are our flightless birds such as the Kiwi. Because there were no ground based enemies for ancient birds many lost there ability to fly with the passage of time.
New Zealand Birds
Native Animals of NZ
Birds, Reptiles & Frogs, Bats, Marine Mammals, Invertibrates, Fresh Water Fish, Marine Fish … learn more