New Zealand is one of the worlds hidden gems, whilst well known to Australians as a fantastic holiday destination the rest of the world still seems to be in that dark about all New Zealand has to offer.

Home to many a national wonder, with world class ski resorts, beautiful beaches, intense rainforests, rich culture, and stunning landscape. This is a country many will want to visit.

One of the things New Zealand is well known for is bungi jumping, for the more daring of course. All over New Zealand you can choose to jump from the most stunning mountains to jumping in the cities off a bridge. Definately a different way to see some amazing landscape, and a great story to tell friends and family back home.

New Zealand is split into two main islands North and South consisting of many different regions. The capital city of Wellington is located on the North Island. Also located in the North Island are regions such as Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Rotorua, Eastland, Napier, Taupo, New Plymouth, Wanganuia, Wairarapa and of course Wellington.

On the North Island Auckland is one of the most popular holiday destinations, with its beautiful beaches, Mountains, Harbours, Rainforests all on this cities door step it is no wonder. There are many things to do and see on the North Island such as: Fishing, Diving, Boating, Swimming, Hiking, Exploring the Historic buildings, Crusies, Galleries, Theatres just to name a few. The North Island is also home to one of the worlds tallest buildings The Sky Tower.

The South Island although colder, is home to some great Alpine sports. Christchurch is the place to visit for this. With world class ski resorts and amazing mountain ranges. The other regions of the South Island inculde: Nelson, Canterbury, Christchurch, West Coast, Timaru, Queenstown, Fiord Land, Coastal Otago, Central Otago and Southland. The natural wonders of the South Island would take a life time to explore, with mountains to climb, glaciers to see, caves to venture into and of course the oceans dieing for you to visit them. The South Island is an adventurists ideal holiday.

With so much to see and do in New Zealand and so much culture and history to explore in each city, New Zealand is really an amazing place to visit.

New Zealand is a beautiful country with a world reputation for its gorgeous natural environment (as seen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy).  From expanses of green farmland to magnificent snow covered mountain ranges to stunning beaches, the landscape offers something for all tastes.  New Zealand also boasts thriving urban areas, a fascinating indigenous culture and mild climate.

At 268 680 square kilometres (or 103 738 square miles), New Zealand is a little bigger than Italy, but has about a tenth of the population.  With a large majority of the country living in the bigger cities of Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, the countryside is sparsely populated and a great escape for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city (although the cities, with populations of generally under a million people, could hardly be considered overcrowded by world standards.)

The different regions of New Zealand offer unique attractions and opportunities.  The Bay of Plenty is a must do for those wanting to experience a pristine beach community, while the Canterbury region of the south island offers the nation’s best skiing. These are just two examples of what’s on offer.

The long, thin shape of the islands means the climate varies between regions.  The southern tip of the country is generally quite cold, while the rest can differ from continental to sub-tropical.

New Zealand is quite an isolated nation (its nearest neighbour, Australia, is a three hour flight) and as a result has a wide range of native wildlife.  The famous flightless kiwi bird is one notable example.  Wildlife can be found all over the country, with other native birds like the tui or the kereru known to frequent suburban backyards.

With large resources of untouched wildlife, New Zealand is a haven for nature lovers. Whether its sun, sand or ski you’re after, you’ll find it in New Zealand.

New Zealand, also known as the “Land of the Long White Cloud” is known for its geographic isolation, natural splendour and the highly distinctive flora and fauna. Located in the Pacific Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere (with Australia to the north-west), New Zealand consists of the main bodies the North Island and the South Island and a group of smaller islands including the Chatham Islands and the Stewart Island or Rakiura Island. 

New Zealand is a democracy and constitutional monarchy, with a parliament led by an elected Prime Minister. Wellington, located in the southern end of the Northern Island, is the governing centre and capital city of the country. The nation boasts a rather cosmopolitan population make-up of the indigenous Polynesian (primarily Maori), American, British, Australian, European and Asian influences. The economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and fishing, with much of the fresh Pacific Ocean crop exported to a seafood-hungry Asian market. The manufacturing sector also features prominently, and in particular technology. 

Tourism, as might be expected, is a vital source of income for the country, with some two million visitors per year. And no wonder: as popularised in the Lord of the Rings movies New Zealand is a land of magnificent bio-diverse natural assets, from sweeping greenery to rivers and snow capped mountains. Many forests, for instance, are home to native rare birds like the kiwi, kea parrot and kaka.  

Standing testament to the liveability of New Zealand is Northland, whose combination of history, culture, and lifestyle (which includes world-class accommodation facilities and dining options) consistently entice tourists the world over. Some of its key attractions include the 90 Mile Beach, Cape Reinga, Ahipara, Karikari Peninsula and Doubtless Bay. Northland is ideal for fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving ? its west coast even tells of shipwrecks and treasures. 

Similarly, the southern most regions in New Zealand which make up Southland offer even the most casual visitor an intriguing variety of locations to explore, from scenic rainforests to waterways, and wildlife galore. In the south you will find the popular city of Invercargill, home to evocative Victorian & Edwardian buildings, parks, and gardens. 

Stewart Island, an ecological spot in the Southland region is another tourist attraction famed for its unique birdlife, like the rare, popular Kiwi. A daily ferry (or plane option if you prefer) will take you there and back. Other noteworthy attractions of Southland include Catlins coast, Queens Park, and Rakiura National Park. 

Then there is Auckland, New Zealands biggest city, which offers visitors endless opportunities to indulge in pleasures like fine dining and wine, shopping and nightlife, as well as outdoor activities like hiking, swimming and sailing.

Getting around New Zealand is made simpler by the various transport options available including bus, train, air charters and car hire. Motor home and campervan hire are also popular ways to independently explore the New Zealand landscape (horse riding is a popular activity too!). For those seeking a culinary adventure, New Zealand stages many regular local harvested food and wine celebrations, alongside arts and crafts fairs and market days. 

For those with a specific educational or career pursuit in mind, New Zealand has a complete range of education institutions and training schools catering to both local and overseas students across all disciplines, with outstanding academic support and student services. Theres also top-notch sporting facilities and sporting academy centres specialising in rugby training, rugby league training, cricket and netball training. 

Almost any goal you can think of achieving can be realised here: R and R, sightseeing, outdoor activities, education, work, family and more. New Zealand is a unique and worthy destination on the global map and is sure to make a lasting impression on all visitors. Want to see some New Zealand pictures?

Our country New Zealand is one which you not find any equivalent in many exciting ways even in the 21st century. New Zealand goes against all the stereotypes and it is every bit an exciting, world beating leader in so many areas yet paradoxically is largely free of the tensions and strife that have come to characterize many otherwise comparable nations. Innovative, adventurous, technology leaders, sports pre-eminent , healthy outdoors pursuits — all with an amazing backdrop you will probably not find in any other country, and what is it? They are the most courteous and respectful and easy-going nation of people you will ever meet.

An anecdotal example that my own family cites: at a recent banter and exchange overseas at a store in that neighboring nation, the salesperson remarked ” you must be from New Zealand”, to which my sister said, “why, yes, but why do you say that?” “Because you are so polite” replied the salesperson. That basically is the reaction you too will feel if you come down here for education, travel or immigration.

Be prepared to be lightened in your burdens with the nationwide reply you will hear from store personnel to making phone inquiries to anyone here: ” No worries, cheers”. They mean it. New Zealanders are a very laid-back, easy-going people. We are known as Kiwis after our unique flightless long-beaked bird. From a population of only 4.3 million the majority of Kiwis are of British Isles ancestry with the minority being the indigenous Polynesian people our Maoris.

English is our universal language here. Numerous other Pacific Islanders such as Samoans have come to be an embedded and cherished part of this superbly mixed culture. Each practices and preserves their very own cultural identity and heritage yet due to New Zealand’s truly unique way of raising as a combined “family” in the school system, this nation succeeds like no-where else on earth as seeing no color, no separateness or inferiority as can be found in overseas nations.

You will become used to seeing harmony of mixed couples here. Aotearoa in the Maori language is translated as Land of the Long White Cloud. This is purportedly what the early Maori explorer Kupe saw when he first sighted NZ.

New Zealand is approximately 2000 Kilometers south east of Australia across the Tasman sea. This is named for the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman whom was the first European to chance upon this land when he discovered it in 1642. Though he did not map its entirety, he named it after one of the the provinces in the Netherlands, Zeeland, for which we are indebted to him to this day.

Captain James Cook of the British Admiralty further mapped the land comprehensively beginning in 1769 and even in this the 21st century, New Zealand is still part of the British Commonwealth. Technically the Queen of England is still its Monarch but she along with the Governor General are a fading remnant whose real authority is chiefly ceremonial today. Comprising mainly two large Islands, named the North and South Islands, think of Britain: – NZ would cover the better part of both England and Scotland combined. If you wish to enjoy New Zealand’s amazing and unusual climate, you will be the recipient of its placid ‘oceanic’ regime.

The vast surrounding south west Pacific has a moderating effect and consequently little intensification occurs to produce such storms of the caliber experienced by large land masses such as the European/Eurasian continent.

Snow in most populated areas is rare and being located in the temperate zone, very few hurricanes/cyclones make it down this far south. It is an exceedingly unusual experience to enjoy December and January as the hot summer months here.

From the largest city Auckland all the way north, there exists wafted upon the air 24 hours a day a delightful sweet fragrance as though one were in the Garden of Eden. It is the scent of the bright red Pohutukawa blossom that proliferates along the entire north east coast in the summer months.

Due to its exceptional isolation, only bird-life developed here, all others – except for a marginal lizard, the Tuatara and a species of bat – never made it to these shores. Histories largest flying bird the massive Haast eagle and the largest flightless bird ever known, the Mighty Moa thrived here until the appearance of man around the early part of the Christian era.

By 1450 AD Maori exploration had found New Zealand and displaced the earlier Moa Hunter culture that was here at least from 1000 AD. Mammals were unknown until the advent of the Polynesians, with their inevitable dogs, pigs etc.

Technologically and sports-wise, New Zealand consistently surprises and outclasses the world and fields a very powerful presence in its favorite pursuits — and this is again out of all proportion to its tiny size – all of New Zealand could fit into the population of Los Angeles. It made history in taking the Americas cup; the stunning Britten racing motorcycle that broke all records, the many running /iron-man events .. and the greatest of them of all time – climbing the highest mountain Everest, are indicative of this successful, modest nation.

No nation whom fields any competitive contingent can afford to ignore the New Zealanders and indeed Kiwi talents are sought all over the world not only in racing but in its unequaled knowledge of Carbon Fiber use. The latest example is the stunning Earthrace boat( since renamed ) whom broke all records for the most fuel efficient round the world powered boat. The cup yachts, bike and boat are all carbon fiber and all beat the best the world had.

New Zealand Universities fosters, builds and promotes what has become an iconic national trait – a ‘can-do’ savvy approach that mega countries ‘attempt’ to do with massive budgets. And NZ simply does it quietly and efficiently almost on a shoe-string. Kiwi’s mentality is very much “outside the square/box”… that ‘unique and innovative’ is preferable to big.

From the earliest colonial days Kiwis have had to ‘invent’ and ‘make do’ simply because we were thousands of miles away from the nearest re-supply. A New Zealand university degree has earned a deserved respected status throughout the world since it is understood the highest, rigorous standards here bestow the holder of said with pre-eminent world class qualifications second to none.

And when you come here, you will note the peace, the pace, the placidity and not surprisingly the absence of any fire-arms adorning any police. There is no need in a country that has a very low crime rate, long life span where the main excitement is the latest Rugby matches where again the New Zealand All Blacks consistently win. Finally consider this nice little quaint note that this author has not seen overseas.

Be prepared to take your shoes off before entering peoples homes or perhaps at rural grocery stores if your footwear is at all muddy or dirty. It is part of the culture here to remove them before entering as a sign of respect and courtesy and for this you will fit right in with the most peaceful, courteous people of any industrialized nation.

New Zealand Rental

New Zealand accommodation is one of the lucrative privileges offered to students studying in New Zealand. Each New Zealand hotel is of the highest quality. Moreover, they are located close to the student’s study location for convenience.

Your Options

Halls of Residence/Student Hostels

Usually located on campus or nearby with single or twin rooms
Meals are shared in a communal dining hall
Residents are often supervised by hostel warden
Cost around $200 per week

Home stay/Private Accommodation

Own room provided
Meals are provided by the host family

Family environment

Cost around $180 per week plus administration fee (around $150)

Flatting/Shared Accommodation

Sharing a room or house with other people
A bond must be signed between the tenant and landlord or real estate agent
You have greater independence but a certain degree of maturity is required
You will need to cooperate with fellow tenants
Cost around $120