Action, adventure or just relaxation, why not plan a holiday in New Zealand or a honeymoon in New Zealand which is one of the most sought after destinations in the world. There is heaps to do on your holiday in New Zealand with outdoor & adventure activities, tourist attractions, wildlife viewing & nature, food & wine, Maori culture, museums & art galleries, shopping & more. Enjoy a fun filled holiday in New Zealand, one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Holiday

Holidays are your time to relax and enjoy New Zealand’s recreation. Working with the right holiday company will maximise your opportunity to get the very best out of your holiday. They often offer opportunities to see New Zealand in a way most holiday makers cannot. With a number of outdoor activities and sights to see, you can stay in various types of holiday homes in New Zealand with a price to match anyone’s budget. Visitors looking for holiday homes in New Zealand have two main islands to choose from. The North Island or the South Island. Both Islands have a wide variety of activities and scenery to please everyone’s holiday taste.

Accommodation

New Zealand has a wide of range of quality accommodation options to suit all budgets. With hotels, resorts, luxury lodges, self contained motels & apartments, bed & breakfast / homestays, holiday homes, backpacker, holiday parks & camping. Accommodation options range from a single night’s Bed and Breakfast, to Customised, Multi-day all inclusive packages. Many accommodation providers offer the flexibility to extend your stay in a place you love for an extra day or 2 within off peak times with little or no fuss. Motel accommodation is one of the most flexible accommodation arrangements available in New Zealand.

Activities

Fresh air, breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities are the main attractions of New Zealand, with a tremendously friendly, honest and helpful population, colloquially nicknamed after their country’s distinct symbol, the unusual but amiable flightless bird “The Kiwi”. New Zealand offers a lot of activities, especially for the adventurous kind. New Zealand’s awesome landscapes, lush forests and amazing wildlife make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. New Zealand offers a huge variety of action-packed and laid back activities, from bungy jumping to skiing, swimming with dolphins, scenic flights and boat cruises on the fjords, as well as several world famous walking trails with unrivaled scenery. Most adventurous activities are available in the South Island, whereas North Island offers the charm of the big cities, some great shopping as well as some uniquely New Zealand attractions, like the Maori village in Rotorua. These activities are strong contributors to overall holiday satisfaction and deliver an enjoyable holiday experience to the interactive traveler in New Zealand.

Part of the challenge in planning a New Zealand holiday is what to leave out. Adding a dash of culture to your New Zealand holiday is simply a matter of knowing where to go. Everything you need for a great New Zealand holiday is available: Fishing off the beach, golf courses, horse riding, surfing and swimming, vineyards, white sandy picturesque beaches, fishing boat charters including diving and snorkeling, local craft and pottery shops and fabulous restaurants. With long sandy beaches, warm seas and miles of scenic beauty you will soon realize that a New Zealand holiday is an experience and a half. For many, a holiday in New Zealand is a once in a lifetime experience. Whichever way you like it, a New Zealand holiday is pure magic.

What will I be doing in twenty years? I got some valuable advice about getting the most out of life as a senior citizen on our trip to New Zealand last year. We stayed in three different bed and breakfasts each run by a couple in their late seventies or early eighties. I learned something from each one.

Jan and Lin's beautiful home was perched atop a knoll overlooking a lake. Lin was in charge of the immaculate yard, lush with flowers and shrubs. Former dairy farmers, they decided to take in bed and breakfast guests as a way to fully utilize their large home. They had two children and three grandchildren living in Australia so they only saw them once or twice a year. Jan made us piping hot croissants and fluffy omelets for breakfast and set a lovely table with dishes and linens she'd collected from their world travels. She gave me my first piece of retirement advice. "You can not count on your children to live close in your old age so its important to have good friends. Jan was an avid quilter, belonged to a bridge club, sang in a choir and worked for the Save the Children organization. Lin was a member of the golf club, the Lions Club, the veterans club and a business association for bed and breakfast owners. He gave us our second piece of retirement advice. "You need structure, commitments and schedules to be happy", he said.

Structure and organization were not high on the list for Diane and Keith our next bed and breakfast hosts. Their home was fairly small and comfortably 'messy'. The heavily treed yard was a little on the wild side. We arrived on Christmas Day and the place was overflowing with people. Diane and Keith had their children and grandchildren over but also many other people who obviously needed a place to go for Christmas, new immigrants, lonely neighbors and a recently widowed friend. We were warmly welcomed into the milieu and there were even gifts under the tree for us. As we got to know Diane and Keith over the next couple days, we discovered that while they spent lots of time with their children and grandchildren they had also extended their family circle to include many others. Seemed like a great way to enrich retirement.

Bob and Colleen were the oldest couple we stayed with. They were in their mid- eighties and already had five great grandchildren. Bob and Colleen regaled us with tales of their adventures on every continent. They were wine connoisseurs and talked excitedly about the recent wedding of a granddaughter. They attended barefoot because she was married on the beach. Colleen belonged to a writers group. One afternoon during our stay she managed thirty jars of apricot jam and then whipped off a letter to the editor of the local paper about an issue she felt passionate about. Colleen whistled hymns and Beatles' songs almost constantly as she worked. She gave me a piece of retirement advice over a cup of tea one evening, "I love my children persistently" she said "but I've realized its not healthy for me to be involved in every detail of their lives." Colleen was vivacious and opinionated and I wished I could be just like her in twenty years.

I saw some inspiring senior citizen role models during my trip to New Zealand. If I can have a retirement as rewarding and positive as their I do not need to worry about getting old.

Beautiful country of unadulterated and ideal beaches surrounded by flickering palm trees all around is the land of New Zealand, enormously and vastly rich with the natural environment. Few say New Zealand is the idyllic spot for a holiday, untouched, undamaged and unharmed. Specifically, the additional name of New Zealand for travelers is Paradise. High mountains with prosperous and affluent green forests are some uniqueness of this eye-catching land. Up till today, the population of this place believe in farming and cultivation as their main source of income. On the whole, New Zealand is a wonderful traveling destination worth to be witnessed! Though there is not a single place in New Zealand which is not worth visiting nevertheless, some most sought after sites among the tourists are:

Queenstown
Queenstown is a tiny yet dazzling and eye catching city in Otago, to be found in the south western part of New Zealand’s well-liked Southern Island. Queenstown is the native place of audacious sports like Bungee jumping, skiing and rafting to remind a few.

Rotorua
Rotorua is present in the Bay of Plenty region and is considered to be the land of volcanoes, medicinal mud, hot water springs, and geothermal reserves. Recognized for its reserves like Whakarewarewa, Waimangu and Waiotapu and also for trekking,this place is extremely popular with the tourists.

Fiord land National Park
Fiord land National Park was created in the year 1952 and is extended in an area of 1.2 hectares. This humid rainforest is a huge elongated land with each bit of attractiveness attached with mountains, fiord, and lakes. Milford Sound is the most well-known and eminent destination in the entire of this national park. The sight of this place is so fantastic and impressive that Rudyard Kipling labeled it as one of the “seven wonders” of the world.

Mt. Cook National Park
The additional name of this national park is Aoraki, jacketing around 70,696 hectares of land, positioned in the centre of Southern Alps. Mt. Cook all over the world is well recognized for its peaks of maximum height and extremely large glaciers.

Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands is present in the Northland region and comprises of about 150 islands, comprehensively prominent for its aquatic life, well-liked among the lovers of beach, golf and fishermen. This island comes as a complete package of the whole thing that a sightseer looks for respite, entertainment and rejuvenating himself.

New Zealand has long been desired by many as a clean, green, beautiful place to live. With rolling green hills and acres of untouched land there is an abundance of places to build luxury real estate. New Zealand boasts around 15,000km’s of coastline and much of it is pristine and untouched. Whilst a lot of it will stay that way, there are still some amazing spots to build luxurious homes overlooking some of the world’s most amazing beaches, lakes and harbours. Here are a few of the top spots:

Waiheke Island – Auckland.

If you enjoy the city life as well as the peace and tranquillity that rural living offers, then Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf could be the place for you. Some of New Zealand’s top luxury real estate can be found all over the island. Beautiful homes are hidden away in private bays only accessible by boat while some homes overlook the beautiful Oneroa beach and are only a short walk from cafe’s and top restaurants. Waiheke also plays host to a number of New Zealand’s top wineries. All of this is on offer and Auckland City is only a 30 minute ferry ride away.

Coromandel Peninsula.

Two hour’s drive south of Auckland is the famed Coromandel Peninsula. Home to some amazing beaches and luxury real estate in New Zealand, the Coromandel has become a favourite playground for Kiwis and tourists alike. With a number of beaches to choose from, there are many waterfront luxury homes and stunning sections on Coromandel’s east and west coasts. Whangamata and Whitianga are the larger of the beach towns with shopping centres and cafes. However there are secluded options all over the Coromandel boasting some absolutely stunning views.

North Shore – Auckland.

Auckland’s North Shore lays claim to some of Auckland’s more expensive and luxurious properties. Right on the waterfront of Takapuna beach and the surrounding cliffs, this stunning setting offers the advantage of being 10 minutes drive from the city while being absolute waterfront in one of Auckland’s hottest locations. Just around the corner from Takapuna lies Devonport, a popular spot for fine dining and drinking establishments. Devonport home owners tend to keep the character of their luxury villas intact and some amazing refurbished homes are on offer. A short walk to Devonport shops, one of Auckland’s artistic hubs, is a great day out for the whole family. The North Shore peninsula combines city living and a luxury waterfront lifestyle for people on the go who also enjoy the finer things in life.

Queenstown – Jacks Point.

In arguably one of the most picturesque settings in the world, Jacks Point is nestled on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and not only offers waterfront living but also spectacular views of the Southern Alps. This prime luxury real estate is highly sought after and is not just a location but a lifestyle. The Jacks Point golf club is an exclusive 18 hole resort course located within the village, which includes a restaurant attached to the clubhouse. Residents can enjoy fine dining while taking in the wonderful scenery. If it’s a relaxed or an action packed lifestyle you’re after, Queenstown has it all and Jacks Point is the perfect spot for luxury real estate in New Zealand.

New Zealand, in Maori means the land of the long white cloud. The island nation is known for its breathtaking views of scenery, lush natural beauty and pristine wilderness. The indigenous people, the Maori, have a rich culture, high sheep to human ratio and a great national rugby team.

Thanks to these traits, it has become a popular international travel destination that offer visitors an array of pleasures. The mountains along the South Alps are capped with snow down to the golden beaches of the Bay of Islands, this wide diversity of visual and natural experiences give locals and travellers alike a range of activities to explore.

Be it the reputation of a good quality of life and dense cultural diversity, or the tax friendly system paired with great investment opportunities, there are many great reasons that make New Zealand a great choice for international investment.

New Zealand is located right over the Tasman Sea, facing Australia and is comprised of two main islands. The North and South islands also have a number of smaller islands around it’s perimeter. The capital city, Wellington is beautifully crafted and located along the southwest edge of the North Island.

The main geographic feature of the South Island are the majestic mountains, namely the South Alps which feature Mount Cook as the one having the highest peak. This highest peak is what divides the island in half. Some of the smaller islands; Chatham Islands, Great Barrier Island, Waiheke Island, and Stewart Island/Rakiura also feature and wide array of marine based resources.

Over the last two decades, the interest in New Zealand has grown thanks in part to two popular television programs. Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys added widespread appeal to the already lush and wonders’ filled area. This isn’t the only time the islands have been featured on screen, the Lord of the Rings films and King Kong, directed by Peter Jackson, also shared the beauty of New Zealand with the rest of the world. Film fans and start searchers flock from every country to visit many of the same places these films were shot, just to capture a bit of the beauty first hand.

Transparency international has ranked the country as being the least corrupt according to its Corruption Perceptions Index, making it not only a great place to live, but also a safe place to raise a family or invest. New Zealand was once a British colony, but became an independent Commonwealth in 1947, though the current head of state remains the Queen. The separation was peaceful and mutual, allowing the country to maintain strong ties with Britain.

Thanks in part to the many advantages New Zealand has to offer, it is placed among the list of most desirable places to live in the world. With increased immigration and foreign investment, as of September 2013, the populations have reached the mark of almost 4.5 million residents.

Finding a Tradesmen In New Zealand is quite easy, but you will first need to know your legal rights as a N.Z consumer.When Looking for a Tradespeople N.Z there are many resources you can choose from. If you are unfamiliar with your rights as a consumer then doing a little research on the legalities is a good place to start.

Ministry Of Consumer Affairs

There are a few things you need to know about New Zealand Trade Laws and a good place to start your research is New Zealand Ministry of Consumer Affairs, they have all the information you need concerning your rights. On the site simply Enter the trade person you require and you will be able to find out all you need to know about hiring That person, and your legal rights as a consumer. Below is the information they provide:

CGA – A Guide for Tradespeople and Service Providers.

Consumer Guarantees Act – A guide for Tradespeople and service providers.

Services covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Goods covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act.

This should be all information you need to know concerning your rights as a consumer there is a wealth of information on this site created by the New Zealand Government. This is where one should start, the legality side of it then you be well prepared before hiring anyone.

Searching Online:

My trader is another good site that will let you browse through their directory for Free to search for Tradespeople. They also allow you to look through the reviews that consumers have written about their experiences with previous Tradespeople. Another site is called Master Trade which offers the same features with a huge directory of Tradespeople to choose from.

Certified – Qualified

Always make sure the Tradesman is a Certified N.Z Tradesman.You may find that some builders are masters at their trade and have been doing it for years. But if they are not qualified buy getting qualifications either through doing an apprenticeship or certified courses this means they are not under N.Z Trade Laws and may cause you problems in the long term.

Previous Work

You are now able to search online to see weather they are Qualified licensed building practitioner. The Certified Builders Association of New Zealand (CBANZ) Which up holds all N.Z Trade Laws in which only Qualified and Certified Tradespeople are Registered. Before they do any work always make sure to check their,Back Ground (Previous Work Experience) Current Qualifications, And weather Registered with the CBANZ.

Estimate:

Asking for an estimate means that he will give you a price on what he or she thinks it may cost. At the end of the day. When the Job is completed the actual cost may differ, but to be fair the price should only be a little over the estimation price that was discussed.

Quote:

On the other hand a Quote is a Set Price that a he will give you when the job is done or completed, including labor and materials. If you choose to agree with that Quote then he cannot charge you more then the agreed price, to be on the safe side it is best to get the Quote written on paper.

There is plenty of information Online, or in your local Directory, even word of mouth. It’s always good to do your research before hiring tradespeople weather in New Zealand or abroad, it may save you a lot of money down the road when it comes to that final Bill.

The Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) was first brought to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 with the view to establishing a fur trade. Until 1940 the possum was protected from hunting to maintain the population. However the possum was a very successful animal in New Zealand conditions. Without any natural predators the population quickly rose and the animals spread across much of the country. With the rising numbers of possums the destruction of the native and exotic habitats which it invaded became more and more clear. When studies began to show that the possum was a major carrier of bovine tuberculosis and was implicated in the spread of the disease to farm animals, such as cattle and deer, the possum was finally recognised for the pest it certainly is in New Zealand.

Possums are omnivorous, feeding on trees, shrubs, pasture and even bird eggs and insects. They are selective browsers of native trees and alter the ecosystems in which they live. Possums strip the foliage from mature trees and then return to eat the new growth frequently with the result that the tree dies. They have also been filmed attacking Kiwi nests and eating the eggs and young.

The fur is quite unusual in that it is essentially a hollow tube that traps air which makes it by weight one of the lightest yet warmest natural furs on the market today. Possum fur won’t freeze and is very similar to the fur of the Polar Bear. Unlike wool fibres the fur of the possum is smooth which gives that silky luxurious feeling like Mink.

The New Zealand Government through the Dept of Conservation has an active control programme mainly through the use of strategic drops of 1080 poison. (sodium monofloroacetate). The bulk of the possums however are killed by private enterprise through trapping, poisoning and shooting. It is by this method that we see the biggest benefit to our flora and fauna as there is no bi-kill of other species. 1080 does tend to kill other species. Especially at risk are pet dogs or Wekas (native ground dwelling bird) feeding on poisoned carcases. It is extremely important that private enterprise is encouraged to continue and by your purchase of a possum product you are doing your bit to help stem the tide of destruction in New Zealand. It is our intention that by educating people about the damage the New Zealand Brushtail Possum is doing to our environment we can help to save and protect many endangered species.

Russell Dalzell Possum Pam NZ Ltd October 2009

Studying in a foreign country can be expensive. If you are planning to study in New Zealand (NZ), then you may want to look for any financial help available over there. One option available to you are scholarships. NZ has a number of institutions and programs that select students for such awards.

In this article, you will find six scholarships in New Zealand. These options are available to both local and international students. They are provided to students in different study programs. All of these opportunities are available to undergraduate students.

1.Alabaster Scholarships

This program is for students of University of Canterbury. They are available to students taking Latin or Greek courses. The money provided is $2,250. The deadline is 29th November, 2014. More information is available at studyinnewzealand.com/get-started/scholarships/800370/20320501/alabaster-scholarships

2. Ada Wells Memorial Prize

This is an essay scholarship contest. The concerned organization is University of Canterbury. The prize money is $800. The last date for application this year is the 30th of September. For more details, visit studyinnewzealand.com/get-started/scholarships/802797/20320501/ada-wells-memorial-prize

3. Brian Morrison Memorial Scholarships in Engineering

This program is for engineering students. It is available to students looking to get a BE (Hons) degree at the University of Canterbury. The amount provided is $1,000 each year. The application deadline is 31st of March, 2015. More details of these scholarships are available at studyinnewzealand.com/get-started/scholarships/800398/20320501/brian-morrison-memorial-scholarships-in-engineering

4. C S McCully Scholarships

This is also for engineering students at University of Canterbury. These scholarships in New Zealand are for BE(Hons) degree studies. The award is $2000. The delaine is 31st of March, 2015. To learn more, see studyinnewzealand.com/get-started/scholarships/800394/20320501/c-s-mccully-scholarships

5. Dow AgroSciences Bursary in Chemical Engineering

This option is available to students at the University of Canterbury. It is for BE (Hons). The subject of study must be Chemical and Process Engineering. The prize is $2,500. The application deadline is 31st of March. 2015. For more information, visit studyinnewzealand.com/get-started/scholarships/800384/20321954/dow-agrosciences-bursary-in-chemical-engineering

The information provided above is written for undergraduates. These are some of the details of these scholarships. There are other important details as well, such as tenure period, eligibility criteria. You can learn more about these opportunities by visiting the links provided with each program.

The above-mentioned programs can help you support your studies. These Scholarships in New Zealand are available for different courses. If you are taking one these courses, you can check whether you qualify for these opportunities. Make sure you read all the details of each option before applying.

As we all know, travelling is about exploring new territories, discovering new cultures and learning new things. Ultimately all this will lead us, at the end, to find out who we really are.

Why do we visit foreign lands? Why do we go to strange places? Because we want to be blown away, we want to be surprised, we want to experience strong emotions.

If that is what you fancy, there is a place in New Zealand where you can find all that.

The region I am talking about is Eastland, in the North Island of New Zealand.

If you want open spaces, superb beaches, utter isolation, that’s the place to be.

The gem of Eastland is East Cape, which is, as the name says, the most eastern part of New Zealand.

You can reach your destination from Opotiki, in the Bay of Plenty, or from Gisborne. In the small village of Te Araroa you start following a 22 kilometre road, mostly unsealed. There is no exit and you go right to the end.

You will find spectacular beaches, amazing scenery and breath-taking views. In Summer it is amazing. The sky is so clear, the sun is warm and the sound of the waves is like a lullaby. The song of the countless cicadas remind you that you are alive and that life is beautiful.

Stop for a while, go for a swim, get a tan and have a water-melon or a pine-apple to refresh yourself…

Appreciate the moment.

There is a camping ground right in the middle of nowhere. Spend a couple of days there. You need to take everything with you, food and water. Have a BBQ in the evening, sip a glass of wine and enjoy the sunset…

In front of you is the sea. The moon and the stars are above you. What more do you want from life… ?

When you get to East Cape you will see that you can follow a track that reaches East Cape Lighthouse.

You will have to climb about 700 steps to get there… On the way up you want to stop sometimes not only to catch your breath but also to admire what is around you. Listen to the wind, hear the birds.

The effort of the climb is well worth it. The view from the top is unreal. Simply magnificent.

The Lighthouse is very interesting and you can walk around it even if you cannot visit it. It is not open to the public.

In front of you lays East Island and the sea, a boundless sea.

I hope you enjoyed the trip. Where are we off next time?

Few destinations in the world are able to match the absolute beauty that New Zealand offers travellers who visit her shores. Lesser known is the remarkable collection of stunning luxury lodges and boutique hotels that are located throughout New Zealand.

What makes New Zealand so different? The unique feature of the New Zealand luxury accommodation sector compared to most international destinations is that almost all the guests are on vacation, as opposed to being on business trips. As a consequence, the mood in these establishments is far more relaxed and comfortable than most guest are expecting.

Where many international destinations offer historic hotels or internationally successful luxury hotel brands such as Four Seasons, the success of the New Zealand luxury travel sector has been as much for the scenery and tranquility, as it has been for the unique blend of small independent and extremely well appointed properties that travellers can retire to after a day of exploring. Properties such as the internationally renowned Huka Lodge, which recently celebrated its twenty-fifth year, have been the catalyst and the model that many other successful properties have been based on.

Featuring a very limited number of luxuriously appointed suites, the lodges are each located in stunning environments with spectacular views. Whether it be Kauri Cliffs in semi tropical Northland, with vistas over the Bay of Islands, Wharekauhau Country Estate in the Wairarapa with wonderful coastal and rural outlooks, or the splendid Eichardt’s Private Hotel in Queenstown, centrally located with windows that frame spectacular views across Lake Wakatipu to the alps of this mountainous region.

With small numbers of rooms available, the focus is on outstanding service, extremely comfortable and relaxed decor and on mouth-watering cuisine. No expense has been spared ensuring that the entire properties, including the grounds, are kept in impeccable condition and a warm and welcoming environment for guests to enjoy.

Many luxury New Zealand travel specialists believe that unique level of warm service delivered in a friendly and authentic New Zealand manner, helps to keep guests relaxed and enjoying their vacation. “Clients are used to travelling through North America and Europe and staying at some of the world’s great hotels. In New Zealand they find an extremely welcoming and supremely luxurious collection of boutique properties where the focus is on people and not volume, but never sacrificed is the commitment to travel”.

The other aspect to the success of the New Zealand luxury accommodation category is the quality of cuisine that is presented from their award winning kitchens. Catering to small numbers of guests, the chef is able to demonstrate their utmost skill using the freshest local New Zealand meat, seafood and produce.

One of the key factors to booking a successful New Zealand vacation is using a specialist New Zealand agent. They will make recommendations based on their intimate knowledge of the local market to help you choose the best places for you to stay. For booking luxury New Zealand accommodation, with the differencing expectations and experiences of visitors from around the world, this is highly recommended.