New Zealand

New Zealand , an island state in the South Pacific, impresses with its diverse nature with volcanoes, fjords, glaciers and rainforests. The mixture of Māori culture and European heritage characterises the country. Highlights include Fiordland National Park, Tongariro National Park and lively cities such as Auckland and Wellington. Known for its outdoor adventures and as the location for the Lord of the Rings films, New Zealand is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers.

New Zealand is located in the South Pacific and consists of the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui), the South Island (Te Waipounamu) and around 700 smaller islands. The capital is Wellington , the largest city is Auckland .

New Zealand has an area of 268,021 square kilometres and a population of around 5.1 million. Around 30 % of the country’s land area is under nature conservation. In 1893, it was the first country in which women were given the right to vote.

The indigenous Māori make up around 16% of the population. Their language, Te Reo Māori, is one of the three official languages of the country. The haka, a traditional Māori dance, is known worldwide thanks to the All Blacks rugby team.

The ‘Land of the White Cloud’ is the translation of ‘Aotearoa’, the Māori name for New Zealand. The name refers to the cloud-covered peaks that the first Māori saw when they arrived from eastern Polynesia in the 13th century.

New Zealand was a British colony until 1907 and gradually gained independence from Great Britain. To this day, it is part of the Commonwealth of Nations with the British monarch as its symbolic head of state. This historical connection has strongly characterised New Zealand’s culture, political system and economy.

The country impresses with a varied landscape of fjords, volcanoes, hot springs and glaciers. At 3,724 metres, Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest mountain.

New Zealand is known for its unique wildlife, including the kiwi, a flightless bird and national symbol. As there are no native land predators, a diverse fauna has been able to develop. New Zealand has more sheep (over 25 million) than people.

New Zealand is a leader in agriculture, particularly in dairy farming, sheep farming and wine production. An important economic sector is tourism, which is supported by the famous film locations of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’.

Hāngi: A traditional Māori dish where meat, vegetables and sometimes pudding are cooked slowly in an earth oven (hāngi). The dish has a smoky flavour and is often prepared for festive occasions.

Roast lamb: New Zealand is known for its outstanding lamb quality. A classic roast lamb with vegetables and mint sauce is a popular dish that is often served on special occasions.

Fish and Chips: This British-inspired dish is particularly popular on the coast. It is often prepared with fresh fish such as snapper or blue cod and is a classic of New Zealand cuisine.

Green-Lipped Mussels: Green-lipped mussels are a New Zealand speciality known for their size and special taste. It is often served in curries, soups or steamed.

Pavlova: The national dessert consists of a meringue that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is garnished with whipped cream and fresh fruit such as kiwis or berries. The origin of this dessert is disputed between New Zealand and Australia.

Meat Pies: Small, savoury pies with fillings such as steak, chicken or cheese. They are a favourite snack and an example of the British influence on New Zealand cuisine.

Whitebait Fritter: A delicacy in which small fish (whitebait) are fried in an egg batter. Particularly popular on the west coast of the South Island.

Kiwi Burger: Kiwi burger: A typical burger that often includes a slice of beetroot and a fried egg. This local version of the classic burger is a real favourite in New Zealand.

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream: One of New Zealand’s favourite ice cream flavours. It consists of vanilla ice cream with small pieces of caramel and is a must for every visitor.

Wine: New Zealand is known for its excellent wines, especially the Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region. Over the last few decades, the New Zealand wine industry has gained a worldwide reputation for red wines such as Pinot Noir and Merlot.

Lemon & Paeroa (L&P): A traditional New Zealand soft drink made from lemonade and mineral water from the town of Paeroa. It is one of the country’s favourite soft drinks and is often described as ‘truly New Zealand’.

Coffee: Coffee plays an important role in New Zealand’s culture and the country has a thriving coffee scene. Flat white, an espresso drink with hot milk and a thin layer of foam, became popular in New Zealand (as well as Australia) and is now known worldwide.

Cider: Apple and pear ciders are also very popular in New Zealand. Many small producers offer handmade cider made from New Zealand fruit.

Māori teas: Teas such as Kawakawa (made from the leaves of a New Zealand shrub) and Raspberry Leaf Tea are widely available in New Zealand. These teas have cultural significance for Māori as well as health benefits.

Beer: New Zealand has a thriving craft beer scene with numerous breweries producing innovative beers. Local varieties such as Tuatara or Mac’s are particularly well known, and New Zealand beer is popular worldwide.

Whisky: New Zealand also produces high-quality whisky, especially in smaller, regional distilleries. The Waipara Valley Distillery and the Southern Distilling Company are internationally renowned.

Bay of Islands – The Bay of Islands in the north-east of the North Island is a beautiful area with 144 islands. The region is rich in history and culture and offers ideal conditions for sailing, fishing and water sports. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds near Paihia is a historic site where the Treaty of Waitangi with the first constitution was signed in 1840.

Auckland – Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and is known as the ‘City of Sails’ because of its sailing boats. It is located between two harbours and offers a mixture of city life and nature. Sights such as the Sky Tower and the Auckland Domain Park with the War Memorial Museum characterise the cityscape. Auckland is a cultural centre with a multicultural atmosphere and a popular starting point for excursions to the nearby islands of Waiheke and Rangitoto .

Coromandel Peninsula – The Coromandel Peninsula is known for its unspoilt nature, golden beaches and dense forests. Highlights include Cathedral Cove , Hot Water Beach with geothermal springs and the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles Walk) with impressive views. The peninsula is a popular destination for those seeking relaxation and outdoor adventurers.

Hobbiton – Near Matamata on the North Island lies the world-famous Hobbiton, the setting for the films ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’. The picturesque landscape with the famous hobbit holes and green meadows attracts thousands of fans every year who want to experience the world of Middle-earth up close.

Rotorua – Rotorua on the North Island is a geothermal wonderland with hot springs, geysers and mud pools. The city is known for its Māori culture, its geothermal areas such as Te Puia and Wai-O-Tapu and its hot springs, which are used for relaxation and wellness.

Tongariro National Park – Tongariro National Park on the North Island is the oldest national park in New Zealand and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The park is home to the three active volcanoes Tongariro , Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu , which offer hikers spectacular views and a unique volcanic landscape. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the most famous hikes in the country.

Wellington – Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is located on the southern tip of the North Island and is known for its lively arts and culture scene. Sights such as the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum , the Wellington Cable Car and the picturesque Mount Victoria offer a fascinating insight into the history and culture of New Zealand.

Abel Tasman National Park – The Abel Tasman National Park on the north coast of the South Island is known for its golden sandy beaches, turquoise waters and hiking trails along the coast. The park is ideal for kayaking, hiking and boat trips.

Marlborough – Marlborough is a region at the tip of the South Island of New Zealand, known for its first-class wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc. The region offers breathtaking coastal scenery, the Marlborough Sounds , as well as numerous wineries and outdoor activities. The town of Blenheim is the centre of wine production and a popular starting point for wine tours and discovery trips in the region.

Kaikoura – Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island is famous for whale and dolphin watching. The region offers unique opportunities to observe swimming whales and dolphins at close quarters.

Christchurch – Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand and is known as the ‘Garden City’ due to its numerous parks and gardens. After the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, Christchurch was heavily rebuilt and modernised. The city combines modern architecture with historical sights such as the Botanic Gardens and the Cardboard Cathedral . It is also a popular starting point for adventures in the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass National Park .

Aoraki/Mount Cook – The Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand (3,724 metres) and is located in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The park offers excellent opportunities for hiking, climbing and glacier hiking and is a favourite destination for nature lovers and adventurers.

Fiordland National Park – Fiordland National Park on the South Island is famous for its breathtaking fjords, including Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound . These vast waterways, surrounded by steep mountains, offer some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery and are a popular destination for boating, hiking and kayaking.

Queenstown – Queenstown is known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’. The city on the South Island offers numerous activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating and hiking. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes such as Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables , Queenstown is also an ideal base for excursions to Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park .

The best time to visit New Zealand is during the New Zealand summer from December to February. During this time, the temperatures are mild to warm and the days are long and sunny, ideal for outdoor activities. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are also good for hiking and sightseeing, as the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists around.

The North Island of New Zealand has a temperate climate with mild to hot summers and mild winters. The summer months (December to February) are ideal for outdoor activities with temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer pleasant temperatures and winter (June to August) is mild with temperatures between 10°C and 15°C. Rain showers are more frequent, especially in the west of the island.

The South Island has a cooler climate with average summer temperatures of 15°C to 25°C. In the Alpine regions, temperatures can even fall below 0°C in summer. Winter (June to August) brings colder temperatures, which can drop below freezing in the mountain regions, providing ideal conditions for winter sports. In the coastal regions, winters are milder with temperatures between 5°C and 12°C. The South Island is known for its scenic diversity and changeable weather, with particularly heavy rainfall on the west coast.

Te Matatini is New Zealand’s largest Māori cultural festival, held every two years, usually in February. It takes place in various cities across the country, with past events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The festival celebrates the tradition of kapa haka, an art form of dance, song and poetry in which teams from all over the country compete against each other. Te Matatini is an important expression of Māori identity and provides a platform for the presentation of Māori history, language and music.

New Zealand offers fantastic whale watching opportunities, with several regions harbouring year-round or seasonal whale species. Kaikoura on the South Island is particularly well known for pilot whale watching, but dolphins and humpback whales can also be found in the region. In the Bay of Islands and around Auckland, visitors can watch orcas and sperm whales, especially between May and October. Stewart Island and Nelson offer unique whale watching, especially between December and March, including blue and killer whales.

The best time to visit New Zealand’s wine regions is from March to April, when the grape harvest takes place and many wineries offer guided tours. Summer (December to February) is also ideal for visiting the wine regions, with warm weather and numerous wine festivals. Spring and autumn (September to November and May to June) offer mild weather, a relaxed atmosphere, fewer tourists and beautiful views of the vineyards.