Think skiing, the haka dance, and sheep – there’s about one  sheep for each of New Zealand’s 4.2 million people. Not to mention breathtaking scenery, glaciers and Lord of the Rings. This is the extreme-sports capital of the world, where the brave can bungee until their eyes pop out and experience the rush of heli-rafting – all of this with a backdrop of natural splendour. Kiwis are renowned for their friendliness and proud of their clean, green environment. In response to a sharp increase in visitors over the past ten years, the government stepped up funding of eco-tourism. Many of the country’s popular Great Walks, including the Milford Track and the Routeburn Track, must now be pre-booked.


Visa Requirement
Australian visitors do not require a visa. British passport holders do not need a visa for visits shorter than six months. Most other nationalities do not need a visa for visits of less than three months. Exceptions include passport holders of China, India, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. www.immigration.govt.nz

Currency
1 Singapore dollar = approximately 1.21 New Zealand dollar.

Main Languages Spoken          
English and Maori.                                   

Flight Time

10 hours, approximately.

Religion
50 percent Christian, 25 percent non-religious, small but growing proportions of other religions (increasing with immigration from Asia and Africa).

 

Popular Travel  Destinations

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North Island
Bay of Islands, Rotarua, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and Wellington.

South Island
Queenstown (skiing), Milford Track, Christchurch, Canterbury, Mount Cook.

Highlights
Food and wine, adventure and action holidays, scenery, and Maori culture and history.

When to Go
Summer: December to February
Best weather: February to May
Winter: For skiing, July to September.

Time Difference
Four hours ahead of Singapore (five hours during Daylight Savings Time between November and March).

Electricity
240V, three flat-pin plug (Type I, same as Australia).