New Zealand is about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long period of isolation, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal, and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland.
New Zealand's climate is predominantly temperate maritime (Köppen: Cfb), with mean annual temperatures ranging from 10 °C (50 °F) in the south to 16 °C (61 °F) in the north.[158] Historical maxima and minima are 42.4 °C (108.32 °F) in Rangiora, Canterbury and ?25.6 °C (?14.08 °F) in Ranfurly, Otago.[159] Conditions vary sharply across regions from extremely wet on the West Coast of the South Island to almost semi-arid in Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin of inland Canterbury and subtropical in Northland. Of the seven largest cities, Christchurch is the driest, receiving on average only 640 millimetres (25 in) of rain per year and Wellington the wettest, receiving almost twice that amount. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all receive a yearly average of more than 2,000 hours of sunshine. The southern and southwestern parts of the South Island have a cooler and cloudier climate, with around 1,400–1,600 hours; the northern and northeastern parts of the South Island are the sunniest areas of the country and receive about 2,400–2,500 hours. The general snow season is early June until early October, though cold snaps can occur outside this season. Snowfall is common in the eastern and southern parts of the South Island and mountain areas across the country.
New Zealand accommodation options are diverse, with something for every level of comfort and budget.
From quality luxury lodges to back-to-nature camping, the selection of accommodation in New Zealand is varied and plentiful.
You’ll find 5 star boutique and lodge accommodation, hotels and motels in most city centres and towns. In some of our more scenic and secluded locations, these are complemented by campsites, motorhomes and holiday homes.
For a real Kiwi experience, stay in a holiday house ('bach' in local slang), or enjoy the hospitality of farmstay or homestay hosts. Providers with the Qualmark symbol have undergone rigorous assessment to earn their stars - something to bear in mind when researching your New Zealand accommodation options.
Buses are the main form of public transport in New Zealand, with some areas also offering trains, ferries and trams.
Public transport between cities
Bus
Buses are the cheapest and most common form of public transport available for travelling between towns and cities. InterCity and Skip are the two main providers of this service, and fares start from around NZ$10.
Although not public transport, hop-on-hop-off buses are also a popular way to get around New Zealand, especially among backpackers. Choose your pass and make up your itinerary as you go along.
Train
Trains are not a common form of public transport in New Zealand; however, there are three main train lines operated by KiwiRail: Auckland to Wellington (Northern Explorer), Picton to Christchurch (Coastal Pacific), and Christchurch to the West Coast (the TranzAlpine - considered one fo the most scenic rail journeys in the world). Train tickets start from around NZ$49 per person.
Early M?ori adapted the tropically based east Polynesian culture in line with the challenges associated with a larger and more diverse environment, eventually developing their own distinctive culture. Social organisation was largely communal with families (wh?nau), subtribes (hap?) and tribes (iwi) ruled by a chief (rangatira), whose position was subject to the community's approval. The British and Irish immigrants brought aspects of their own culture to New Zealand and also influenced M?ori culture, particularly with the introduction of Christianity. However, M?ori still regard their allegiance to tribal groups as a vital part of their identity, and M?ori kinship roles resemble those of other Polynesian peoples. More recently American, Australian, Asian and other European cultures have exerted influence on New Zealand. Non-M?ori Polynesian cultures are also apparent, with Pasifika, the world's largest Polynesian festival, now an annual event in Auckland.
The largely rural life in early New Zealand led to the image of New Zealanders being rugged, industrious problem solvers.[299] Modesty was expected and enforced through the "tall poppy syndrome", where high achievers received harsh criticism. At the time New Zealand was not known as an intellectual country. From the early 20th century until the late 1960s, M?ori culture was suppressed by the attempted assimilation of M?ori into British New Zealanders. In the 1960s, as tertiary education became more available and cities expanded urban culture began to dominate. However, rural imagery and themes are common in New Zealand's art, literature and media.
New Zealand's national symbols are influenced by natural, historical, and M?ori sources. The silver fern is an emblem appearing on army insignia and sporting team uniforms. Certain items of popular culture thought to be unique to New Zealand are called "Kiwiana".
